I am starting a series here on my blog and on Facebook titled "Letters From The Frontline." Writing the letters is a friend of mine who is serving his first tour of Afghanistan with a small US Marine Recon Unit ... HOWEVER, he is no stranger to danger; he served two combat tours of duty in Iraq.

Because he is with a US Marine Recon Unit, he will be known only as "Devil Dog."

I have permission to reprint these letters after they have been edited, but you'll still get a sense and a taste of what our guys and gal are going through, so we can remain safe from our enemy. Devil Dog includes 5 people on these notes, his Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister-in-law and me.

Devil Dog writes ...

Sorry I have been off the radar.  Things are really busy and we are working around 19 hours a day now prepping for some big work.  I can’t say where we are going but I am sure CNN will give it away..lol
 
Anyway, I am well and the Marines are doing well.  The temps are averaging around 110 now and climbing slowly day by day.  Not bad; we are getting used to it but rationing water on operations is going to be really tough to find a medium.
 
We are in what they call “The 120 Days of Wind”  Yes, 120 days!  Damn it sucks.  I have sand all over and I now remember what Iraq felt like a few years ago.  I have run into a few good friends as my old squadron is in town as well.  They are hooking us up with little odds and ends since we live like shit on the ground. 
 
They finally put swamp coolers in the tents for the Marines.  Average temps there in the day were around 125+ and 100+ at night so the Marines just slept outside most of the time next to the trucks as it was a bit cooler.  Of course now, that there is finally air flowing in the hooch, we are getting ready to roll out for about a month or so.
 
I am doing well and I have no complaints.  I miss you all but you know I love being here with the Marines.  I have a different view on some things these days as we read more and more on our side, of how the Taliban runs shit over here.  These “whatever” you can call them….SAVAGES, are brutal and I can’t believe anyone can possible believe we can negotiate this idealogy.
 
I can tell you from our perspective, things are going well.  It is tough and there is a long road ahead for many more to follow but we are bringing a whole lot of good to some really good people.  I can assure you, the only reason there is Taliban here is because they destroy and torment everything and every Afghan lives in fear of their lives.  These people do not want the Taliban..they do not want us either but they are beginning to understand we don’t want to stay, we are only here for one thing.
 
Anyway, enough hoopla….I miss you all like crazy and hope all goes well. Sis, how is the baby..how is my little nephew? And Bro thanks so much for all the letters.  I promise to get back to you on all of it soon when I get more time.
 
Mom and Dad I hope all is well, and Mom I hope your job search is going okay.  Things will get better I think this summer I hope.  NO burning the new tires off my bike dad, and make sure you wash it really nice when you take it to horseshoes..somebody has to clean it and its not gonna be me….lol
 
Okay…got to go.  Love you all and I will be in touch.
 
Love you..

Devil Dog