It is with great pleasure that I send you my first official newsletter message following our departure from Camp Lejeune and arrival in Iraq. Since our assumption of this Area of Operations from 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, in early August, we have been moving full speed ahead in our mission here. We are intently focused on strengthening the Iraqi Security Forces and enhancing the overall quality of life of the Iraqi citizens, along with supporting gains in economic and governmental development and the Rule of Law. This is complicated yet highly important work - work we have trained for over the past 10+ months - and our Marines and Sailors are taking this mission on with all of the resolve and vigor they can muster, and they are indeed mustering a lot. Our conditions here - living and otherwise - are very good, and I have heard no complaints at all about the quality of the berthing, the food, the water, or any other life-support related issue. Trust me when I say that your Marines and Sailors are getting enough to eat and drink every single day - and while the quality of the food will never measure up to the home cooking that all of us long for, it is a decent replacement and there is plenty of it! ...
Anytime
