December 31, 2006 ... HAPPY NEW YEAR & Letters From The Frontlines

What a year. I have met so many great people this year that I'm afraid if I tried to mention everyone, this blog would go on and on. However, I have to mention Vinny Forras and his wonderful family. That freaky encounter, via a late night call from Jon Brant, has start a great friendship that many people will benefit from. 

I met Gold Star parents Roy and Georgette Frank, parents of Phil Frank (KIA April 2004,) who have touched my life in a way few have. Danna Palmer, Gold Star mother of  Marine Cory Palmer whose courage has set an example for everyone who has a lost a brave warrior in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Thanks to everyone for helping my friend Peter Roskam become a US Congressman. Peter called me a few weeks ago and said it was our push and the support of the Veterans that put him in office. Trust me, Peter won't let anyone down. You will be so glad and proud you supported this great American.

I want to wish a very Happy New Year to my partner and Vietnam Vet Bob Kolling for helping me entertain the men and women at our VA Hospitals. Bobby, ... you'er the best brother!

I spent December 23rd in Milwaukee with the Ryan Jazak Family at Saz'z Restaurant, enjoying rib's, Ryan's new son Erik and the best Christmas Present any parents could ask for, ... Ryan's brother, Erik's return from Iraq. Ryan's mom and dad were beaming as we shared stories, laughs and tears for 5 1/2 hours. That day alone put me in the "Christmas spirit."

The best of the year was saved for last as we saw the murderous thug, Saddam Hussein hang, while his people danced in the street.

I can't think of a better note to leave 2006 than one by Marine Captain Arron Angell. I just received his New Year wish and as usual I'd like to share it with all of you.

Arron writes;

Happy New Year!

To all of you, I wish for you a great 2007. 

2006 has brought us all ups and downs, like every other year.  For my family it meant that I was away from home for 9 months (two in exercises at Yuma, AZ and seven in Iraq).  This year we also brought into our family another little yellow lab puppy (named Cali), after losing one of our chocolate labs (KC)... may she rest in peace. 

Megan has done an amazing job taking care of our household, taking care of Ceceilia and our dogs, taking care of her Mary Kay girls, and taking charge of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 spouse club ("Key Volunteer Network").  I can never say enough to thank her for all that she does, to include supporting me with this crazy job that I do.

Ceceilia has grown up so much.  When I left she was saying sentences that none of us could really understand and we had just changed her crib into a big girl bed.  Now she is talking in full sentences all the way
through a sit down meal, "reading" herself to sleep in her own bed, getting dressed herself and saying, "Mommy, let's go," whenever she and Megan have something planned for the day. 

For me, this past year has meant an amazing experience working within a Squadron level and a Group level operations office during combat.  For many of you that really may not mean much, but for a Marine Officer this
is about as exciting as it can get.  I have had the opportunity to plan and coordinate convoys, security patrols, roadside bomb response missions, and road and helicopter landing zone improvement projects, all
in the vicinity of one of the hot spots in Iraq (Fallujah and Ramadi).  I have met an amazing group of people out here from all different walks of life, all different Marine units, and all different Armed Services.  I have also found out how small the Marine Corps is by finding Marine friends of mine all over Iraq.  I could go on and on about how wonderful of an experience this has been, but I'll just save those stories for when I get together with you (hopefully) when I get home.

The significance of this email is bigger than just the passage of another year.  I will be heading home within the next two weeks.  I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support out here. Whether that support has been in the form of cards, letters, packages, emails, BOOKS (we now have an AMAZING library of professional books, thanks to many of you), or prayer, you have made an impact.  Your support has a direct impact on my and our motivation and renewed dedication to get the job done out here.  Even without putting on a uniform and being out here with us, you have helped a lot, and I personally thank you so much.

My unit will still be deployed out here until March.  I am heading home a little early because I was brought out three months earlier than when my unit deployed.  If you still have any items that you would like to send out here, please continue to do so, but with a different address.
You can address items to:

Capt Matthew Murray
MWSS-373 (HQ)
UNIT #41116
FPO AP 96426-1116

Again, Happy New Year, and to many of you... I look forward to seeing you in 2007. 

Semper Fidelis!

Aaron

I am so happy this hero is coming home to his family. You still have time to write to Arron at: Aaron.Angell@tq.mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

God bless you all, ... I love you and thank you all for your support and heart warming, loving emails throughout the year. Happy New Year, ... let's all do great things together in 007!

 

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