Good and Bad

The Marines have suffered a greater loss of life these last two weeks. The bad guys are getting quality bombs and new sniper rifles sent in from Iran where they are now being mass-produced. In fact, sniper-related deaths versus deaths from road bombs are increasing now, one commander said. The military now has these HUGE trucks called cougars and buffalos with v-shaped armored bottoms to disperse the charge of a bomb. The HumVees are also much more armored than when I left here in March.

Fortunately also I have heard several happy stories as well. Again those "miracle saves" are plenty. One soldier had his hand on his chest, the bullet pierced the webbing between his fingers but was stopped by the armor. Another soldier the bullent missed his gun (also held across his chest), which may have sent the fragments into his face, and even finding a way through some of the armor,the bullet was stopped at last by a girly magazine he had stuffed inbetween his armor and self!

Most remarkably, the Marines seem unchanged and undaunted by it all. It seems they know they have one of the toughest jobs here in Iraq near the volatile Anbar Province and are ready to live up to the challenge and consequences.

Another cool thing is I see the American flag flying here in several different places. I guess on other bases it is politically incorrect to display the flag? But it's great to see the patriotic spirit here. I like these Marines.