When people volunteer for the Military ( and volunteer for a hardcore combat unit, no less ) during times of war, it shows you the true definition of the word "citizen" - a countryman that puts the safety and well-being of his country and people ahead of his own.
It's noble, plain and simple, in a world and time that has forgotten the meaning of the word.

Jeff my friend - Stay safe and return healthy and in one piece. We need to all have dinner together again upon your return and then it'll be *your* turn to tell the combat stories! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hey folks, maybe we could organize a care-package for Jeff and the other guys in his unit?

I know from first-hand experience, it's always great to hear from home and it's even better to get something you can eat or even touch and feel.

To Jeff, I wish you and your unit success in your operations.

Happy Holidays Jeff and the rest of the soldiers. Be safe and thanks a million for what you are doing.

Well wishes for Brian Vanderbunt as well, a board member over in Uzbekistan...Happy Holidays Brian

Jeff, May Heavenly Father see you safe throughout your journey there. May your holidays be uneventful and joyful and Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for what you are doing for our country.
Kristina and Family

Thank you, Jeff & all of the other soldiers away from their families during this holiday season, for what you are doing for all of us. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your families. Be safe.

Good Luck and thank you for your service. My wife and I hope you have a happy holiday.

In the mean time let us know if you or your buddies need anything (air miles, food, or other gear). Small world, I have an acquaintance who is 82nd, O'Hearn. Don't know his unit, but he did fine over there.

Ben

I would like to thank everyone for their kind words towards Jeff and the other troops. In our own way we have a small community on our board and its nice that people pass on their good wishes.

I am happy that Cindy thought to have Jeff register for the board. He has internet access but no email access. If it were not for that idea I would not have heard from him because where he is in Baghdad's green zone he cannot find any phones to use.

Here is part of an email he sent me last night:

Dad

We had a car bomb go off fallowed with some small arms fire outside the gates to our FOB (foreword observation post)this morning. I was in the middle of a game of rummy when all of a sudden boom!!!! It was about 500 meters away but it was so big we thought the ceiling in the next room had been hit by mortars and collapsed. We all jumped up and threw all our shit on but nothing happened. We just sat in full battle rattle for 10 minutes and then went back to our game. Everyone that was here before told us to just get used to it because its going to start happening in the middle of the night and all you do is role over put your IBA on and go back to sleep. That has been the most eventful thing that has happened sense we got here 4 days ago and it only lasted 10 minutes.

Jeff

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On the today show this morning they talked about the suicide bomb. It killed 13 people and wounded many more.

Jeff had just been up to the FOB taking photos before this happened. When I get his photos I will post them for people to see. I will do this because I believe that it is important that we all remember that our country is at war and real sons and daughters are in harms way.

I ask myself what the repercussions would be in our country if this suicide bomber had come to the United States to die rather than to Jeff's FOB. If people think that these bombers will simply go away if we leave Iraq they only need to be reminded of the suicide bombers on 9-11.

Rather than send care packages (which are greatly appreciated) both Jeff and I would rather you write your congressmen and ask that our soldiers have the best equipment we can supply. Remind them that it's their job to see to it that our government provies the funding for our trooped equipment - armored humvee's !!!

When I finish this email I am going make nine - 20 foot nylon ropes with "D" rings on the ends. These are for each member of his platoon to carry. He asked for these ropes so they can use them when one of their men go down in the street. They toss the downed man a rope to hook to his load bearing vest. Then they can pull him out of the line of fire and not have to run out into the street and drag them.

If you would like to see a photof Jeff you can go to this URL on my web site:

Jeff's photo

Happy Holidays, to all the troops overseas! May the new year see you safe!

Thank you, Jeff.
Thank you, Ed.

Jeff,

Stay sharp. Stay smart. Tell your company they all have our best wishes and hopes behind them.

Chance & Dallas (Ulrich & Ursula vom Leerburg) will be waiting for word that "Uncle Jeff" is safely on his way home.

Take care & have a Merry Christmas.

Charlie Snyder

ps.

You may want to put in a rec for the new Up-Armored K-9's.

http://home.neo.rr.com/charlessnyder/UpArmoredK9.jpg

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For all ... this is a link to some of the very fine work of the US Military Combat Camera Photographers. It provides a look at what you won't see on the regular media.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/specials/CombatCamera.html