10 Apr 04
Dana,
Since I have yet to send the first letter, I'll write you a second. Bulk mailing 101. I am at KCIA (Kuwait city international airport) waiting on one of my bosses, hopefully I'll get to meet one of our officials at some point. Maybe Sec. Rumsfeld or Sec. Powell. That would make for a nice story someday, when I have grandkids or nieces or nephews.
So, I have been here for two months and one day, been to Iraq and back, and all I can do is think of home, and what I am missing. I miss being able to see so many things and talk to my friends, go to ball games, listen to the radio I wish I could have brought my dog with me. But at the same time, I would not trade the experience for the world. I've seen and experienced so many different cultures and been a part of something more rewarding than anything I've ever done before.
I'm sure you've seen the news about the situation over here. We've been experiencing some issues of late. Our 36 Nation coalition is getting hammered up north. I will be up in the thick of things again soon, and await it with a nervous anxiety. It will be nice to get back to Iraq where we can make a real difference, but things are really touchy at present. That's how it goes. Not much more I can do about it but keep my eyes open and cover my corner.
All in all, we have a very good team. Our leader is awe inspiring and I would follow him into the depths of hell if he asked. He is a good soldier and a good man. In a very short time he has made a very positive difference in the Coalition and all of our lives. He is a real leader, and he cares for his troops; much stronger than Bill ever was. (Bill was an old boss in civilian life) Bill made me buck the sytem, Col R. asks me to work the system, and I love doing it.
I wish I could really share with you what it is like over here, but I cannot describe it. Some thingsI cannot put into words, others I cannot put into words. Maybe once this is all over I can tell you some things I've been a part of. Funny how it all works out.
One last thought for today, I wish I was home to stop in and say hello. Things get so ugly over here it would be nice to see your beautiful smiling face. I would certainly have to say that would be about the best sight of my day. So keep smiling, because when you smile, the whole world smiles with you. You could be the secret to ending all wars. Yours is genuine and true, much unlike anything over here. Shouldn't you be graduating soon? When I get home, you'll probably be working some six figure job. I hope to hell you are anyway. Well, its coming up on 4am your time, so I'll be getting back to work. Hopefully lunch, too.
Truly yours,
Matt
....Man oh'man, God bless you Matt...and Godspeed.
6 comments:
Flora, Thanks for sharing these. Very sobering, and a great antidote for nightly news.
Vince
you're welcome vince - i thought the same thing - we need to hear more from the field, and not from slanted agenda's..
Wow. He is so positive about where he is. Inspiring. Makes everything else insignificant. Thank you for sharing this.
yeah i thinks thats true we over here don't know whats all going on over there...i guess u can't really in any war...but im sure from the letter they are handling it the best they can and thats all u can really ask for...this person really sounds coO amost as coO as u floralilia :P ur journal always amazes me and gives me some comfort,when are u gonna be boring!!!!!....lol i hope never :P
Thanks for sharing.
It's a shame we don't hear more from the soldiers.
I was actually holding my breath while reading this letter. The war certainly becomes more real when reading the words of someone who is there and experiencing it in real time.
I am praying for Matt and hoping he stays safe. You have reason to be proud of Dana, for being such a wonderful and supportive friend.
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