CJ: For our troops, from our troops

Tribute from a Brit
I am not a veteran of your Army, however I am of the British Army. I went to Iraq in May 2003, as part of a security team working in the northern areas of Mosul, protecting Bechtel engineers, I came across many of the 101st soldiers who were absolutely great and also the 165th MI. I was moved to Baghdad after eight months up there and worked again as a bodyguard for the reconstruction engineers. After a brief stay in Baggers, I went south to Najaf and the rest of the horrible areas, where again I met so many of you guys. It was great, you guys helped us on so many occasions whether it be a puncture in one of our vehicles or giving ground fire if we got attacked -- which was nearly every day. But I would like to thank all the boys on checkpoint 1 at the international airport. You guys were great especially Sgt. Woodcraft with the camera. He saved our lives so many times. A big thanks goes out to all the guys who helped me at the checkpoint when my good friend John Barker stopped a suicide car bomb by himself and got blown apart. To you guys, thanks for all the help and support .

After spending two years there I've finally quit to be with an American woman, yes who was serving over there Now we are in Florida having a great time. Guys all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart and I would go into battle with you guys anytime as you who do know me know I'm mad! Speak soon keep well and God Bless all of you and that's from a Brit !!!!!!
--Mathew Jenkins, Clearwater Fla.

Reflecting on two
First let me say may God bless all those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Military. I want to reflect on two that made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.  First SGT George Buggs and I went to AIT (Light Wheel Mech 63b School) together. What a GREAT guy! Buggs no matter what was smiling, laughing and no matter how bad things seemed, Buggs had a special way to turn everything into fun challenge. May God bless your soul, bro! SGT George Buggs was one of the first killed in Iraq during the ambush while attached to the 507th. The second fellow comrade I want to reflect on is MAJ Matthew E. Schram. MAJ Schram was killed in May 2003 in Iraq. MAJ Schram was my Commander while I serviced in Germany with the 574th Supply Co. MAJ Schram was a GREAT guy and also a great leader! He personally gave me advice on being successful in life. He was a hard-nosed leader, who would get down and dirty with his troops. He was a huge sports fan, a big time Green Bay Packer fan and very supportive of those of us who played unit level sports. He was Soldiers Commander and for those who served in the Army knows what I mean by that. May God bless your soul MAJ Schram; you made an impact on my life.
--Roger A. Riggle (SGT, US Army 94-04), Chester, Va.

A special Turkey day
The Squad is the tightest group in the military and for me it was 2nd Squad, in 2nd Platoon of C Company 244th Engineer Bn. We were a part of OIF 1 attached to the 4th Infantry Div. We were just a group of "weekend warriors", or Army Reserve soldiers, but the war made us a true "band of brothers". When the mortars fell, these men risked life to ensure 100 percent accountability, to ensure no man was left behind. Each mission was hard, and the promise of a break occurred everyday, but that break would only come after the first six months. However, as with everything, there is the human aspect. Turkey bowl 2003 took place on Thanksgiving Day. During a time when it was hard to spare soldiers from duty, the extraordinary happened on this day. The senior NCOs and Officers did voluntary guard duty to give the younger soldiers a break. A break that had never occurred for some of the soldiers prior to that day and we had been on orders since February 2003. It was the rainy season and the Turkey Bowl took place in a muddy field. Every soldier that day earned his shower. (Showers were hard to come by, but as Engineers we had a 6000 gal water distributor that doubled as a supply for showers). Turkey Bowl reminds us that we are human. It reminds us that there are still men and women still dedicated to preserving freedom. It reminds us that in the darkest of situation, a little humor will light the way. My favorite memory is not of bullets and firefights, but of Turkey Bowl 2003. My brothers-at-arms got together and we had Turkey Bowl 2004 here in Colorado. Though it didn't have the context of Iraq, it still allows us to remember. We cannot forget what Iraq taught us. We must remember.
--SPC Brandon Nye, Denver, Colo.

A tribute to the medical corps
To the men and women of the medical corps, you are my heroes. Troops on the front line are heroes, but our heroes are the ones that hold our hands, wipe our tears, ease our fears and put us back together. I don't consider myself a hero for what I did in combat, I did my job and that was all. The people who picked me up off the ground and put me back together went well beyond the call of duty to keep me alive. They did their job, but they also were caring and compassionate. Their medical care was top notch, but their kindness is what saved my life. I salute the technicians, medics, corpsman, nurses and doctors who daily put themselves on the line to "care" for troops in the field. Thank you and God Bless you!
--Greg Johnson USMC, Columbia, Md.

Staying on
This is to my good bud SMSgt Reid who I was deployed with in Kuwait for this past four months. He has volunteered to go to Iraq rather than go home. He has volunteered to stay on and insure that another Air Force member can stay home with their  family. He is strong leader and I am grateful for what he is doing for the Air Force and this great nation.
--TSgt Daniel Salinas, USAF (Ret), Alamogordo N.M.

To my fellow soldiers
I am a soldier serving in Iraq for a second tour. I want to say to my fellow soldiers, you are my heroes. I would trust any of you to cover down on me. I would do the same for you. The things we go through to make sure we all live in a world of peace. I want to thank my family for the love and support they have given me. It has been hard being away from you. I am not alone because there are mom's over here as well missing their families. We are all in this together and will see it to the end. I want to give a big thank to the people at KBR for all the sacrifices they give to make sure we do have a little bit of comfort. I know some of you are vets out there making a living after retirement keeping us in comfort. Thanks to the Lord for keeping me safe day to day. I have seen some of my fellow soldiers go but they will not be forgotten. You all fought a good fight. I have learned from the best. My all soldiers here and a far, be safe and go home soon.
--Becky, SSG, U.S. Army, Nebraska

A tribute to SSG Booker
I too served in the initial era of the war in Iraq and it is tragic to lose a soldier, because whether you know them personally or not, we are family in the Army so it really hits home. One soldier in particular I would like to remember is SSG Booker who was a soldier with the 3rd Infantry Division. He lost his life from an attack by insurgents. He gave his life so his young soldiers could keep theirs and for that, someone's brother, father, uncle etc. is possibly here today. He died a true hero.
--SGT April Goodman, Savannah, Ga.

War develops a brotherhood
B company 14th Engineer Battalion -- going to war is something that most people wish would never happen. However that time came for us in B-14 in 2003. I never once thought of who would make it or who would not. I just looked around at all the soldiers in my company and felt grateful for being with them. Our company was a very close bunch. We often complained about what was happening but we knew we still had a job to do and do it well. We all knew that failure was not an option. Most of all I will never forget SSG Harmon-Brown, SSG Litchfield, and the rest of crazy 3rd Platoon. I think of them often now that I am out. War develops a brotherhood that can never be found anywhere else. I don't miss Iraq but I miss the guys that made up B-14. 1SG Rasche without a doubt you were the best 1st Sergeant that I had the pleasure serving with. 1SG Rasche knew that his priorities were his soldiers and we all knew it. So, thanks TOP for taking care of us the best you could. BULLDOGS!
--Steve Holland, Martinez, Calif.

Never forget
I was a Infantry Platoon Leader and later Ranger Company Commander in Quang Tri province Vietnam from 1970-71. I remember the days of boredom punctuated by chaos and fear when you found the enemy or he found you. Mostly I remember the fine young men I was privileged to lead in that war which our political leaders never allowed us to win. These men never failed to impress me with their bravery and their integrity. Finally, I'll never forget the letters I had to write to loved ones whose men would not come home. We must not forget them and their service. This soldier sure won't.
--Fred Johnson, Madison, Wis.

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