July 4, 2007 ... Letters From The Frontlines
This entry was posted on July 4, 2007 4:34 PM and is filed under the troops.
This will probably be the last "Frontline Report" from USMC Gunny Sgt. Eric Jazak for a while. His message is heartfelt and encouraging on this Fourth of July.
Eric writes;
Well, it's the 4th of July here in Iraq and soon you will all be celebrating 231-years of our great independence. Our celebrations are quite small over here, but the meaning is still very much the same. It is now going on six-years since the attack on our great nation. Hundreds of years have passed since the birth of our nation and the fight to preserve freedom still goes on. Of course it is not on the grand scale of fighting to win the Revolutionary War or years later during our Civil War. We moved outside our boarders to preserve the liberty of other countries during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, ... but it goes on and on.
My point is that our nation has lived through the same tyranny as all of the countries we have liberated over time. While the Armed Forces protect our freedoms outside our boarders and those of other nations, it is the responsibility of our government , police, fire departments and other emergency services in America to keep our nation safe. Most importantly, it is up to every American citizen to cherish the right to be free and continue to be the best citizen for the better of our nation.
As you celebrate July 4th, it is important to remember that our nation went through the same similar struggles that Iraq is going through now. Freedom is NOT a right. Freedom, rights and liberty did not come to our nation without a struggle and without great sacrifice. Remember to thank police officers, firefighters, veterans and everyone you know who, on a day to day basis, preserves the freedoms, privileges and rights of the American people.
As far as the mission here in Iraq, ... we are busy, busy, busy! This it the 4th year of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Iraqi's are in a fight once familiar to our forefathers.
A few months ago, I wrote that the rocket and mortar attacks on us were fewer than my last deployment in 2005. As with everything over here, the mission and the situation changes about 100-time per week. Some days are calm, other are filled with non-stop action.
In recent weeks, as major operations continue to expand in our area, the squadron has been involved in many successful engagements with the enemy. The security operations inside Baghdad and in outlying cities, towns and rural areas have turned into somewhat of a success story for us. Personally, I feel the increase in troop strength has been a HUGE advantage for the nation and especially for the units that have been stretched thin in certain areas. Although you probably won't read that in the stateside newspapers or see that fact on the 6 O'Clock News, the big push we have asked for is now proving successful. I cannot speak for the troops in Baghdad, but things seem to be going their way also. The plan is working in western Iraq too. The relentless efforts inside Baghdad have forced the al Qaeda and anti-Iraqi forces in our direction. We are capitalizing on the increase in troop strength with major operations north and west of Baghdad. I commend the Marines, Army and Iraqi Forces on the ground, for a job well done in the early stages of fighting, ... PLEASE keep them in your prayers.
Anti-Iraqi forces (the bad guys) are now forced to move to our neck of the woods. A true advantage to us, I must say. For the "boots on the ground" (Marine and Army infantry) it has been a tough couple of weeks. They have taken a good pounding in the last few weeks, but they are holding strong. They have struck significant blows to the anti-Iraqi forces and have restored civilization to most of the key areas in our area. This is definitely unconventional warfare, ... a "by-the-book" insurgency, and we respect the tactics of our enemy, but adapt and overcome them daily.
A few years ago, there seemed to be no hope to save Al Anbar Province. Ramadi, Fallujah, Haditha and Hit were major strongholds of the insurgency. The porous western boarders allowed Al Qaim to be the gateway into Iraq for the insurgents. Al Qaeda forces roamed freely in some major cities of Iraq, joined by thousands of insurgents from post-invasion-Republican Guard units and Baath Party cells. The Iraqi people were either with the insurgency or against it ... there was no gray area. Today, most of the major cities have been secured and now have Iraqi government and police forces operating independently under coalition and Iraqi forces.
Through great sacrifices by coalition and Iraqi forces, confidence is being restored to the civilian populous in those regions. Al Anbar now seems to be the model for Baghdad and other outlying cities to follow, because of the enormous amount of progress being made.
The Iraqi Police and Army Forces are in a fight to save what is left of their nation, torn by brutal murderers whose only goal is a fanatical Muslim-state ruled by terror. Please believe me, the majority of Iraqi's want exactly what we came here for, ... a free nation with peaceful lives ruled by a government who is looking out for their best interests.
These days, Ramadi is known as the safest city in Al Anbar. Although there are many dangers still lying in the shadows of Ramadi, the city and her people now have a relatively booming economy and flourishing government. Iraqi police and military groups are now securing their own city streets with routine patrols supported by coalition forces. This is a true success story for those who have served in this region when times were not so good. Fallujah is now primarily secured the same way. Because of the overwhelming growth of Iraqi security and police forces inside the city, the decision has been made to push many of the these police and security forces to outlying cities to secure the areas that coalition forces have cleared and pushed al Qaeda and anti-Iraqi forces out.
It is heartwarming to see hundreds of Iraqi men from all over Al Anbar; lined up at the police stations for screening with hopes of new jobs to secure their nation. Sure, some are just looking for work, but other see it as an opportunity to make a real difference in the future of Iraq. The enlistment is so large, that it take weeks and sometimes months before they are given academy dates to start their training. In the mean time, "militia groups" and "neighborhood watch" groups are popping up all over Iraq. Tribe leaders and town elders are now understanding that a "free Iraq" is the best choice and are directing the men to fight along side us, or at the least, provide us with intelligence. The trust is divided by a very thin line to say the least, but it is working in areas where we had no control.
With this push brings more fighting and more dangerous environments for our Marines and soldiers and more fighting for the Iraqi people. Some of these areas have not seen a friendly face in years because al Qaeda moved in and took everything from these innocent people by either killing them or forcing them out of their homes. We will continue to push al Qaeda out and leave a local police force behind. We always leave a small supervisory element behind to ensure police and Iraqi military are supported as needed.
Please remember, there is much more success than failure here and there is a lot to be proud of in Iraq. I continue to hear, "The Iraqi's need to fight for themselves!" and, "The Iraqi Police and military forces are not ready to secure their own nation and it is time for us to move on." I would like to think that it is our decision to make (those of us fighting this war,) but even in my world, I know it's not true. Never mind the fact that I believe in this mission 100% as most of us do. The sheer nature of war is brutal and there is no glory in war. But let's not forget about the sacrifices the Iraqis have made, ... those who have taken a stand to fight physically and politically for their fellow countrymen. I believe over 20,000 Iraqi police and Army and been killed with over 50,000 wounded. I cannot even imagine the number of civilians killed/murdered for not supporting the fanatical Islamic State that the insurgency claims is best for its people.
Finally, for those of you who have not heard, my second deployment will be coming to a close in the next few weeks or so. The plan is for me to fly out of here in mid to late July and begin the journey back to Southern California for following work. Today I took the oath to sign on for another 4-years in our beloved Corps. I also took the oath of re-enlistment in flight on my way from Al Taqaddum Air Base in support of ground forces in the vicinity of Fallujah, Iraq. It was fairly a small re-enlistment ceremony, consisting of my crew and four in the aircraft. I could not think of a better day to sign up for another chapter in my Marine Corps career. It wasn't as formal as the usual re-enlistment ceremony but it was allowed by my Commanding Officer.
I look forward to seeing you all when I get home.
Thank you again for all of your support.
GySgt Eric "Jimmy" Jazak
HMLA-369, DOSS
Please send Eric an email at; eric.jazak@tq.mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
To Eric; God bless you brother for your great service to our great nation. May God speed you home. A cold beer, Geno's East Pizza and more importantly, a huge hug and gratitude from me are waiting for you here in Chicago.
Comments
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July 5, 2007 11:32 AM
Jim Venable wrote:
Eric,
I am a civilian working in the Embassy here in Baghdad. I support you and the troops in what you are doing for the Iraqi people. Keep up the great work and enjoy your time at home.
Jim
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July 5, 2007 2:09 PM
Michelle Collins wrote:
Joe,
Just read your latest post. I must tell you I had tears in my eyes by half way through! I wish I could have been there, it sounds like it went wonderfully. Thank you again for all you do for our troops!! I can't say it enough!
I received Eric's news with mixed emotion, I am so happy on one hand that he gets to return to safer ground and happy for his family to breath a sigh of relief. A little sad that "papa Eric" won't be around to keep an eye on Aric now though. Hopefully the days fly by till they can all be home again. What a wonderful day that will be!! Aric has moved up to Al Asad again for a bit, so I'm not sure if he'll be around to see Gunny off or not, I hope so, I know he's meant a lot to Aric over the last weeks.
I had the pleasure of meeting a couple other local marine parents at the local 4th festivities. Of course I had on my red "Camp Pendleton Marine Mom" T-shirt on lol, so she scouted me out in the crowd and we chatted for nearly half an hour I think. Their son is in the 361 I think they said and is also due back sometime in Nov. How awesome it would be if the boys came home the same time, we could definitely have one huge shin dig!! They are supposed to email me, so as soon as they do, I'm going to share your site with them. They caught me walking so I had nothing to take down their information with.
I will let you go, I know you have zillions of people to write, I just wanted to pop in and say hello and thank you again, for a wonderful entry!
Sincerely,
Michelle Collins
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