Hello, everyone. 

Things for our unit in Iraq have been going very well.  Our Marines and Sailors have been doing some amazing things on and off base.  Just recently we completed the improvement of a road and a helicopter landing zone for a Marine Infantry battalion on a stretch of road between Al Taqaddum and Ar Ramadi.  You can imagine that for the three weeks we had guys out there working hard we were watching activity in the area real closely.  Everyone is now back on our base and the mission was an absolute success.  We are keeping the tempo pretty high for the unit to continue to accomplish great things, and to make the time go by quickly.  

Several of you have asked if there is anything that we can use out here.  Our Squadron is attempting to put together a library of books that are on the Marine Corps Commandant's Reading List.  This is a pretty hefty list of books recommended by the higher up commanders of the Marine Corps, to help guide us through our Marine Corps careers.  Now, I am not saying that we are all out here doing nothing but reading books, but most of the Marines do have some free time to pick up a book and excel mentally.  On top of putting together a library, we are even looking to start some reading clubs, where we can come together as small groups of Marines to discuss the books that we are reading.  I know some of you are probably surprised to hear that Marines read... this is the "NEW" Marine Corps!  

Further below is the extended list of books on the Commandant's Reading List.  To get a little picky, though, the books highlighted in this first list are of special interest.  These are the books that we are particularly interested in for our reading clubs and we are looking to get (8-10) copies each.

I am pushing this request out to quite a wide variety of family and friends, and friends of friends.  If you could spare a few dollars and some time to hunt one or two of these books down, that would truly be appreciated.  This library will not only serve our Squadron, but the units who will continue to deploy out here in the future.

One last note, I do know that several of you are teachers.  During our last deployment, some students had some very good questions regarding what it is that we Marines are doing out here in Iraq.  If any of you have questions or if you have students or friends who have a question, please feel free to ask me.  I can not promise that I will be immediately responsive, but I will definitely take the time to send a reply back.  There are many people out there who have questions, and hopefully we can help shed some light on the answers. 

I hope that you are all well.

Sincerely,

Aaron Angell

MWSS-373 (HQ/S-3)
UNIT #41116
FPO AP 96426-1116 

Short list for the reading club:

The Defence of Duffer’s Drift, Swinton

The Arab Mind, Patai

The Village, West

The Ugly American, Lederer and Burdick

Terrorism Today, Harmon

Blackhawk Down, Bowden

Flags of our Fathers, Bradley

Phase Line Green – The Battle for Hue 1968, Warr

The Gift of Valor, Phillips

Please drop Aaron and line and let him know his note and his service is appreciated. I have been there folks adn it's not a very pretty place, ... While we sleep in the comfort of our heated and air-conditioned homes, in our quite little towns and cities, Aaron and all of our troops sleep with one eye open protecting themselves, their brothers and sisters in arms and ... us!

Would it hurt to click on the link below, write a few lines, click and send? Maybe you could organize and book buying party and ship off a few books the troops. Think about it, ... what a great Christmas present and project you and your fellow workers, family member or school children could provide, ... and what a great thing you could do for the troops this holiday season.

Write to Aaron at; aaron.angell@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil