Art Petersn
05-28-03, 11:38 PM
From the net...courtesy of Jerry L and Dutch...
Letter from Iraq
Sgt. Eugene Sutherland Jr. sent the following letter home to his parents, Carol and Eugene Sutherland Sr. of Magnolia, on April 18. The 28-year-old Marine reservist left Camp Lejeune, N.C., for Kuwait at the end of March, saw combat in Iraq and is now stationed in the Iraqi city of Nasiriya.
Hi Mom and Pop,
Things are going better here lately. We still have some sporadic actions throughout the city of An Nasiriya, but they are getting less frequent as the days go on. Been feeling much better lately and have started to go on as many patrols through the city as I can. I finally let my guard down a little today and took a picture with the local children. Apparently I've made an impression on the local children.
The first times I went out I wouldn't wave or smile on patrol. I even chewed several Marines out for being way too relaxed and going as far as letting children climb all over the vehicles. Most of the other Marines gave in eventually and would wave, smile or give out food or water if we stopped and were met by locals. I however remained very vigilant and wouldn't do any of the above. Well, this became a novelty with the children to try and get the big guy "Hightower" (my new nickname) to try and smile. It didn't work however until the other day with this little girl.
I loaded all my Marines up in a highback Humvee (two in front, open truck bed with two benches to seat six) and was ready to pull out. This little girl, no more than 7, in a little dress, the only girl of the 30 plus children there, stood about 4 feet away and looked at me and smiled. She smiled that smile that only a 7-year-old can. She was so cute.
Without smiling I turned and grabbed my own MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) that was supposed to be my night's meal, gave it to her. I patted her on the head, jumped on the Humvee, took my helmet and glasses off, looked at the little girl, winked and smiled. She was so delighted and the rest of the crowd cheered. As we pulled away I smiled again and gave them all a thumbs up. They cheered again and began singing and chanting something as we pulled away, chasing us for about 300 meters. It was an amazing thing to see.
I thought when we first came here it would be so that our kids would be able to have a better world to grow up in. Kids like William, Shannon and Caitlynn. It had never even occurred to me to think about the children here. They've suffered over two or three decades of war. They are so impoverished and poor, but yet they still smile. They smile so big when they see us, the "strong Americans."
Mom, you told me long ago a quote, which I remember to this day: "There but for the grace of God go I." As I've gotten older I've come to realize how fortunate my life has been, but no more than when I look in the eyes of these children.
I seem to have learned a lifetime worth of knowledge in one simple moment found in the 7-year-old's smile. I now know why we came. It wasn't for our children, but for all children. So that they may dare to dream free and one day have the opportunities and chances that so many of us let pass by everyday without a second thought.
So if there is one thing I can say about my time here it's that I'll always remember the children. The look on their faces is one that no words could hope to describe and no pictures could give justice to. I'll always remember the children.
So if anyone at home wonders why we're here or thinks there's another agenda, just tell them I'm here, and I know why we're here. We're here for the children. All the children.
Love,
Gen
Letter from Iraq
Sgt. Eugene Sutherland Jr. sent the following letter home to his parents, Carol and Eugene Sutherland Sr. of Magnolia, on April 18. The 28-year-old Marine reservist left Camp Lejeune, N.C., for Kuwait at the end of March, saw combat in Iraq and is now stationed in the Iraqi city of Nasiriya.
Hi Mom and Pop,
Things are going better here lately. We still have some sporadic actions throughout the city of An Nasiriya, but they are getting less frequent as the days go on. Been feeling much better lately and have started to go on as many patrols through the city as I can. I finally let my guard down a little today and took a picture with the local children. Apparently I've made an impression on the local children.
The first times I went out I wouldn't wave or smile on patrol. I even chewed several Marines out for being way too relaxed and going as far as letting children climb all over the vehicles. Most of the other Marines gave in eventually and would wave, smile or give out food or water if we stopped and were met by locals. I however remained very vigilant and wouldn't do any of the above. Well, this became a novelty with the children to try and get the big guy "Hightower" (my new nickname) to try and smile. It didn't work however until the other day with this little girl.
I loaded all my Marines up in a highback Humvee (two in front, open truck bed with two benches to seat six) and was ready to pull out. This little girl, no more than 7, in a little dress, the only girl of the 30 plus children there, stood about 4 feet away and looked at me and smiled. She smiled that smile that only a 7-year-old can. She was so cute.
Without smiling I turned and grabbed my own MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) that was supposed to be my night's meal, gave it to her. I patted her on the head, jumped on the Humvee, took my helmet and glasses off, looked at the little girl, winked and smiled. She was so delighted and the rest of the crowd cheered. As we pulled away I smiled again and gave them all a thumbs up. They cheered again and began singing and chanting something as we pulled away, chasing us for about 300 meters. It was an amazing thing to see.
I thought when we first came here it would be so that our kids would be able to have a better world to grow up in. Kids like William, Shannon and Caitlynn. It had never even occurred to me to think about the children here. They've suffered over two or three decades of war. They are so impoverished and poor, but yet they still smile. They smile so big when they see us, the "strong Americans."
Mom, you told me long ago a quote, which I remember to this day: "There but for the grace of God go I." As I've gotten older I've come to realize how fortunate my life has been, but no more than when I look in the eyes of these children.
I seem to have learned a lifetime worth of knowledge in one simple moment found in the 7-year-old's smile. I now know why we came. It wasn't for our children, but for all children. So that they may dare to dream free and one day have the opportunities and chances that so many of us let pass by everyday without a second thought.
So if there is one thing I can say about my time here it's that I'll always remember the children. The look on their faces is one that no words could hope to describe and no pictures could give justice to. I'll always remember the children.
So if anyone at home wonders why we're here or thinks there's another agenda, just tell them I'm here, and I know why we're here. We're here for the children. All the children.
Love,
Gen