wrbones
04-01-03, 10:22 PM
got this from gylancaster
March 25, 2003
Dear family and friends,
Do not worry needlessly, believe me, all is well. I know everyone depends on television to stay abreast of events, but you must take what they tell you with some reservation. Remember, they must create drama, for it is the drama that keeps you watching. Things are not nearly as bleak as they would lead you to believe. The outcome of our undertaking is not in doubt, nor has it ever been. Yes, we have taken some licks, but we are dishing it out much more than we are taking, and the ratio continues to widen. Do not be discouraged by the protests, we are not. It is a cherished American freedom. They only validate what we are doing. The Iraqi people do not share this same freedom to openly disagree with their government - this will change. Do not be discouraged by what many interpret to be a cautious advance. Nobody works harder in battle to reduce the risks for unnecessary damage or the loss of innocent life than we do; the value we put on human life is the reason we are here. Our success will not be measured by bloodshed, but by the manner we liberate the Iraqi people. We will always maintain the moral high ground. Their treatment of our POWs, their use of women and children as shields, and their false surrenders are all signs of frustration. This war was not started in Washington, but in Baghdad. Most will sit on the sidelines as history is written, few will actually participate. Your sons and daughters, husbands and wives, are all participating in a historical undertaking. It is a cause with honor, and one they will look back upon with pride. I will tell you again, I have never served with a finer group of men and women in my 28 years of service. Do not doubt us, do not doubt our determination, do not doubt our cause, and never doubt the outcome! God bless you.
Semper Fidelis,
Boomer Milstead
Colonel Robert E. Milstead, Jr.
Commanding Officer
Marine Aircraft Group 29
USS Saipan
March 25, 2003
Dear family and friends,
Do not worry needlessly, believe me, all is well. I know everyone depends on television to stay abreast of events, but you must take what they tell you with some reservation. Remember, they must create drama, for it is the drama that keeps you watching. Things are not nearly as bleak as they would lead you to believe. The outcome of our undertaking is not in doubt, nor has it ever been. Yes, we have taken some licks, but we are dishing it out much more than we are taking, and the ratio continues to widen. Do not be discouraged by the protests, we are not. It is a cherished American freedom. They only validate what we are doing. The Iraqi people do not share this same freedom to openly disagree with their government - this will change. Do not be discouraged by what many interpret to be a cautious advance. Nobody works harder in battle to reduce the risks for unnecessary damage or the loss of innocent life than we do; the value we put on human life is the reason we are here. Our success will not be measured by bloodshed, but by the manner we liberate the Iraqi people. We will always maintain the moral high ground. Their treatment of our POWs, their use of women and children as shields, and their false surrenders are all signs of frustration. This war was not started in Washington, but in Baghdad. Most will sit on the sidelines as history is written, few will actually participate. Your sons and daughters, husbands and wives, are all participating in a historical undertaking. It is a cause with honor, and one they will look back upon with pride. I will tell you again, I have never served with a finer group of men and women in my 28 years of service. Do not doubt us, do not doubt our determination, do not doubt our cause, and never doubt the outcome! God bless you.
Semper Fidelis,
Boomer Milstead
Colonel Robert E. Milstead, Jr.
Commanding Officer
Marine Aircraft Group 29
USS Saipan