hey all good news and bad news. bad news got hit by an IED, good news I walked away from it with nothing more than a broken arm, a small wound on my forearm, and pepering on my face and arm. I got lucky, the idiots buried it too deep cause all that happened to me and the 3 Iraqi soldiers was nothing too serious. small wounds, 1 minor cuncussion, me with a broken arm and the wound to my forearm. I will be able to say Ive always got a piece of Iraq with me cause the peppering I got was mostly dirt. I was more made than hurt, and Im still pretty pissed about it. but there aint much I can do, they are sending me home because of the way the wound is right where it broke, and the docs are afraid of infection if I stayed. that torks me off too cause we only had about a month left. but I also get to see my wife and 3 girls a month early so its all good. I was just looking at the posting about the helmet liner upgrades, those things have saved at least one life of one of our advisors when he got a lvl 3 concussion from an IED so that is a worthy cause there. sorry if my typing sux, it is hard to type with one hand. Thanks to those that sent me stuff, it was greatly appreciated. I will write more when I get a chance, Ill try to tell you all about some more of my expieriences, but I would say that we are doing good things, helping the IA take control away from thre insurgents, and that we do need to see this thing through to the end.

noonanda,
Sorry to hear that you have neen injured! But it's wonderful you'll be seeing your wife and children soon. Take care of your arm, enjoy your family and thank you for "reporting in" here.

Hi Noonada,

Thank God you are okay... Sorry I did not get a care package to you... I am so ashamed... and I apologize to you... but it is good to hear you are okay and that you will be home to be with your family early... My best wishes for your speedy recovery and sincere gratitude for all that you have endured...

- wundermaus

Welcome Home!

I hardly know you but I'm looking forward to hearing about Iraq from someone who actually went there.

Thanks for serving.

Tom

glad to here your ok, now for some quality time with the family take care
wish you all the luck

You're right: It coulda been worse, sarge- thank God for your safety. Thank you for doing what you do...

WS

Thank you for posting noonanda. You sound like a very caring person and I am so sorry about what happened to you but relieved that it wasn't worse. I am glad that you will be returning to the United States where you will enjoy your family and get a well deserved rest.

KT

:julyfourth: Welcome back!
I bet your family is very happy to have you home.
I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Again Welcome back!

Thanks for dropping us this note, shipmate. It is a good one even if it is a one-hander.

Thank God you are coming home still breathing, and with all your parts still attached.

I do believe that I would be pi$$ed too, noonanda. But just think of all the stories you'll have to tell when you're an old fart like me.

Semper Fi, and thank you for your selfless service.

joe e

So very sorry to hear your bad news but so happy for your little girls and your wife who will now have their loved one home with them.

You have done more than your fair share and sincere thanks for your service.
Look forward to hearing more when you get home and have time.

Hey shipmate, sorry to hear you got dinged, but methinks we're all glad 'twasn't more serious! Careful wearin' that purple thingee in public 'cause if the strident anti war types get any friskier like durin' Nam methinks it'll draw some unwanted attention. Seems some, even here, be gettin' their anti war feelin's evolvin' into anti troop stuff, but I doubt they realize the difference.

Couple of us tried to send you two cases of chew 'bout three months ago, but it got returned as undeliverable. Kinda made us think 'twas somethin' ominous, but someone we knew over there checked and said luckily 'twould seem that ain't the case and at the time you were not listed on any casualty reports. Was the address you gave us before correct?

Took two months to go and come back. Mail service over there that slow?

Too late to send it back 'cause two weeks ago we put it on a RI ANG C-130 headin' for Bagram to be sent to Marines in the boonies. The squadron first shirt said he'd make sure it got to them 'twas intended for, so methinks your loss gonna make some Marines in the field in Afghanistan real happy.

Heal quickly, be safe, stay well, eh?

Close call buddy, but I'm real glad to hear the upside. Enjoy your time with the family and God bless you son!

Wow, i'm glad you're ok, noonanda. Congrats on the Purple Heart.

Very glad to hear you're okay and an early welcome home.

Oh, Noonanda! Mixed news, indeed! Let me join the others in saying Welcome Home! Keep your head down the remainder of your stay there, okay?

hey all, Im in germany now, will be flying to the land of the big PX on tuesday, I guess in a way thats a good thing that I miss the 4th of july in the states cause Im sure the fireworks being shot off would have me on edge. We got mortared alot, in april alone we recieved 104 rounds of enemy incoming. they (the Insurgents)were really ballsy back then, till we started hitting the sites where they fired from with counter-battery artillery. We got a bunch of em too, one of our patrols found blood and impressions in the grass from where bodies had been, a shredded mortar tripod, and the foot of a dead insurgent. but anyway hearing fireworks would probably make me a little jumpy so anyways. fly thanks for trying, Im glad some other marines will benifit from it. wondermaus, dont sweat it, what you wanted to do before I came to iraq was more than enough and I am still grateful.

Thanks to everyone for the support and best wishes, but remember I was just one of many servicemembers still over there trying to do the best they can and letters of support and packages mean alot.

Noonanda - give those girls a big hug from all of us here.

Wish you well and a speedy recovery. Does this mean you'll have some down time once you reach the States?

Sure, but you're our servicemember!

They'd have to have balls to mortar a Marine artillery instructor. I bet your counter battery work freaked them out, that is if they lived through it.

I am glad you are ok, I missed about a week here, down with the arthritus.

Kiss a couple of them frauleins for me.

Congrats on the million dollar wound.
I'm still trying to figure out what "the end" is.

But, I'm glad you'll get the chance to tell me.
Welcome home little brother, your family's prayers are answered.

The offer still stands... my door will always be open to you and your family.