Let's call him "Captain Bruce" - cause that's his name and rank.

He's been in Iraq since April - third time over there for him.

Hi all, just a quick note to let everyone know I am alive and well. I sent my snail mail address to **** and ****** via pm. just ask them for it and I am sure they will forward it along.

I am one lucky guy. Last week while at one of the outlying camps we got hit by a rocket. The bad guys set up two rockets in the trunk of a toyota corolla. Rocket #1 failed to launch and remained in the tube, rocket #2 ignited and took off (setting off rocket #1 which promptly exploded and destroyed the car and its occupant). Rocket #2 hit the top of the barrier less than 50 feet from where I was standing, fortunately it was a dud and did not explode or I would probably have been toast.

I will try to post some pictures but they are really strict on what we can upload. If I can't I will have a ton of them to post when I get back next June.

Keep the home fires burning and God Speed.

He's a good guy, I've known him for over 5 years now. Glad that, so far, I get to keep knowing him.

 

not trying to burst any bubbles but they do not restrict what you can upload at all, nor do they look at what you upload. I was an enlisted man in the Marine Corps, so surely an officer at least the same privilege of enlisted Marine. that said there is another issue with this, not one single person I ever knew while in the Marine Corps ever sent back any bad news back home, people worry enough about you as it is. so either this guy is lying to you all to feel more important, he's to stupid to realize the worrying he is causing folks at home.

Statistically speaking it was safer being a Marine in Iraq than it was being one here in the states because young Marines can't be hurt so they tend to do what some people would say is stupid in their boredom back here in the states and we lose more of them in car wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, various accidents, sicknesses, etc..

now not trying to step on your toes at all with this post but that's just my feeling, that the guy is Hollywooding.

 

Your "feeling" is bull s h i t , Bruce is in the Army and volunteered to go for one year.

His third time. We can see who here is "lying to you all to feel more important".

I am close to Bruce than my own brother.

 

look man I'm not trying to feel important at all, I did my time in Iraq yes.

my point was that his letter was one of two things, either he made it up(I don't think he did) or he is not using common sense. by that last statement I mean that families spend long nights back here at home worrying about their Marine, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman over in the desert. It helps them not in the least to send back anything that makes it appear to be more dangerous.

my main point was they worry enough, take that as you will.

having said that I don't want any of our military to be hurt at all combat or non-combat. so maybe Bruce is more important than me because he has went 3 times and I only went once, the Marine Corps decided these things for me, everyone who joined the military after Sept.11 volunteered to go into combat.

 

Well, we'v both had our say, and that's fine. Now, one thing ... family is not a problem... his daughter is a civilian contractor and when she got a chance to go, he asked to be sent. He's some kind of "M.P." guy who trains the locals or the Iraqi military - not sure specifics of that.

Point is, no need to worry about family, his daughter is over there and his wife is in Germany. Who knows what he says to his wife.

I posted this as a tribute to a friend and 'cause I thought it interesting.

Wish I hadn't now.

 

Oh, and fireman and police volunteer to do what they do - so what is the point of "they volunteered since 9-11"? That seems to be a "put down" of all who volunteer to serve in ANY capacity: Military, Police, Fire, EMS.

 

Nice thread pizzaguy. Our country is very fortunate to have volunteers like Captain Bruce who serve. manisusmc included.

 

vounteers in the military give up a lot more than as far as I know most all others.

first off they can't quit their job, or guess what they go to jail.
they follow the U.C.M.J. Uniformed Code of Militray Justice.
Uniform Code of Military Justice - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
when a military member volunteers he/she is saying that if someone above me orders me to do something I will.
they are held to a much higher standard.
once you enlist you become military property

all that and plenty more are things everyone has to deal with when joining the military.

during a time of war, why is that more of sacrifice I think those reasons are obvious

leaving the nice cushy U.S. for extended periods to go to exotic locations like Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa.
missing the important moments at home like when your kid starts walking/talking, and things like that

does that mean that those others don't make sacrifices, no but nowhere near the same as a militray member