Update from Garmsir
I got a new press release from the MEU today.
The Marines are still working to clear routes in Helmand province; however, they noted that everyone is supporting those operations, but not every Marine from the MEU is actually in Helmand province.
Here are some of the key developments they noted:
The Marines have discovered 9 caches. The caches contained variations of mines, rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and IED making materials.
Marines have identified and control detonated 4 IEDs.
The Marines have discovered and destroyed several fortified enemy positions.
On two occasions, Afghan citizens brought children to the Marines for medical treatment. The Marines provided medical care for and evacuated two children: one was an 11 year-old boy with abdominal wounds which his father said was inflicted by insurgents and one was a child with third degree burns from boiling water.
Leading up to operations in Garmsir, the Marines successfully ran more than 20 convoys up to distances of 100 miles. This was done across a land riddled with mines, IEDs and hostile terrain.
“The insurgents are finding that every time they engage with the Marines, they lose,” said Col. Peter Petronzio, commander of the 24th MEU. “The Marines are gaining ground every day and secure more of the routes through the district. The support we have received from our allied partners has contributed to our many successes thus far.”
Photos taken by Cpl. Andrew Carlson and Cpl. Alex Guerra
Thank you, thank you!!! It’s such a relief to read something so positive and to get NEWS! This is about the only site I go to anymore because you are right on top of all of it! You really do alleviate alot of the fear and anxiety associated with this deployment. We have absolutely nothing to complain about here at home when we realize what our precious troops are doing for us and the Afghan people. God Bless them all and you too! I’ve said it before, Jennifer, you are a Godsend! Thank you for keeping us informed.
Comment by camille — May 9, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
OUTSTANDING!!!! Glad to hear that everyone is safe, and are getting control of more ground, and weapons! AGAIN OUTSTANDING!! OUR TROOPS ARE THE BEST!!!
Comment by Courtney — May 9, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Jennifer, great job. My son is with the 2/7 but I read you every day, some times more. Write something each day, even if it is just “Nothing is happening” would be good!!! Love your work! Thanks for being there!!!
Comment by Randy — May 9, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Thank you for the update. And great news at that.
Comment by American Infidel — May 9, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
Thank you for the positive update.I am so happy that our Marines are safe and taking control.I am pleased that they are helping the poor kids of that country.
God Bless our Marines.You are a great person Jennifer.
Sincerely,
Mary Arbuckle
Comment by Mary Arbuckle — May 9, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Thank you so much,
It’s awesome to hear about there progress and what they are going against and how well they are doing. I also so happy to hear of the humanitarian side of the progress. God Bless them all!
Comment by Mona — May 9, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
That’s great news- has anyone heard anything about Charlie Company? We heard originally they were the spearhead of the original push a couple of weeks ago, since then nothing. Just wondering
Comment by Keith — May 9, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
A million thanks Jennifer. I was franticly checking every news station website and blog because I have not heard anything about the meu in the past few days. I know it has only been a couple of months since their departure but it feels alot longer. I am so over joyed to hear that everything is still going well. Thank you thank you thank you.
Comment by Astrid Clinton — May 9, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
You’ve done an excellent job on reporting on this deployment! Keep up the good work. Your blog is especially important to those of us who have Marines with the 24th. You help us more than you can ever know, and we’re so grateful.
Bob
Comment by Bob L — May 9, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
Keith..My son is in Charlie Co. and we haven’t heard from him for about two weeks. He told me in the last phone call that we wouldn’t be hearing from him for “awhile”. I still Motomail and send packages but I’m wondering if they are getting mail? I’m wondering where they are also. These news updates are comforting for sure and it’s good to know they are making a difference and safe. Our Marines are the best!!! God is holding the 24th in the palm of His hand and close to His heart.
Comment by camille — May 9, 2008 @ 11:03 pm
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49825 Read this and I bet it will make you all feel VERY happy! our guys are coming home ON TIME! Thank the LORD! awwww
Comment by Sarah B. — May 9, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Thank you for posting the wonderful update! And yes, Camille, my fiance told me the same thing in those same exact words. He’s in Bravo company and he said it would be “a while” until I would hear from him. And yeah, it’s been over two weeks! But I’m sure they’re still getting their mail!
Comment by Sara R — May 10, 2008 @ 9:41 am
How can they say a 7 month deployment and they will be home in Nov. in the same report? That will be an 8 month deployment. What sucks is the few that left 3 weeks before everyone else(like my boyfriend) will be there almost 9. But it is good to have a time frame in mind!
Comment by Bobbie — May 10, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Camille- thanks for replying our son called about the same time ago and we did recieve two letters from him, one for his mother and I and one too his sister last week, however they were mailed on 4/20 which I believe was a couple of days prior to the operation beginning. I just mailed out his “birthday” package today, he will be 20 years old on the 27th. He had told us to keep mailing that the letters and packages would eventually catch up to him. Yes God does have the entire 24th in his palm and with his wathful eyes they all will accomplish their mission and return to us in Nov/Dec. Thanks-
Comment by Keith — May 10, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
What a precious gift our Marines are to us this Mother’s Day. Keith, thanks for replying. Happy Birthday to your son. My son rejoined the USMC last spring after being out for 4 years. He could not find the comarderie and respect he craved out in society. He called us at 2am one morning stating that he wasn’t happy, though he had a fantastic job and had gone to college. We asked him what would recharge his battery and without hesitation he said the Corps. He wants to make a difference and contribute. He will be 28 this fall. He is our only child. We are so proud of his commitment and support him in every way, just as I know every family member supports their Marine. Everyone has a treasured story and this is just part of ours. They are so incredibly noble and capable. And yes, they will all return to us safely. God Bless them all…and Jennifer for keeping this site up and going!
Comment by camille — May 10, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
There are lots of pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24thmeu/
Some you have seen but many are new. Happy Mother’s Day to all Marine Moms. What a blessing to be a mom of a wonderful, brave and outstanding Marine!
Comment by gail y — May 10, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
There’s a new video msnbc.msn
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#24555585
It is about Alpha Co. Their poor feet!! I hope they get to go back to the base soon and treat their feet and take a shower. It is always good to be able to see our boys.
Comment by gail y — May 10, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
Gail, these are great pics posted directly by ‘roger’ (aka peterparkerpiper78 … haha Jennifer!) Even though we’ve seen some of the older ones before, these are fantastic because they can be blown up full screen so that we can FACES! No more squinting and saying “Well, it COULD pass for him…” Thanks for posting this link!
Comment by Joy — May 10, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
Like everyone else, I too got the “it will probably be a while before you hear from me” from my hubby. I gave up asking questions years ago-I know he isn’t going to tell me anything! I have been fortunate enough to get a few emails sporatically, but let me assure those of you that are wondering-they will be getting their mail. They are playing catch up, but it’s in the works. (P.S… click on the photos Jennifer posts for us, they will enlarge.)
Comment by LeAnnH — May 10, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Another video
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#24556689
Comment by gail y — May 10, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
How have the guys been getting email and pictures out? Is it just the guys in H&S getting to call or email occasionally? ’cause I’m sure Alpha and Bravo don’t even have electricity, let alone internet.
Comment by Allison — May 10, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
Thanks LeAnnH - they do enlarge for me but not by much. (or is it just my browser??? I guess because they aren’t the orginals. But what is really great is that the flickr photos are enlarged to 2188 x 3294 and it is so big it doesn’t all fit on the screen - you have to scroll around. So the close up faces are like, the whole size of your screen! Just in case anyone else scrutinizes each photo as I do - click on a flickr photo and then click on ‘all sizes’. Then click on 2188 x 3294. Wow!! Still looking for my camera shy boy…
Comment by Joy — May 10, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
Those pictures are great! And I enlarged every single one of them in hopes of seeing my one and only. No luck. But that’s okay. It’s good seeing everyone else and knowing that they are all safe. Did you see that video blog with Jim Maceda…fleas??? The flies look nasty too. I think I’ll send bug wipes and foot powder next care package!
Comment by camille — May 11, 2008 @ 2:02 am
Gail thank you so much for the great links. This is a great place to come where everyone has our marines best interest at heart and also works together to share updates and any information on this loved marines. Great news at that.
All of you here are very much appreciated. Thank you!
Sarah thank you for the link to the DoD’s article.
Comment by American Infidel — May 11, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
I just realized…lol….this is central command center.
Comment by American Infidel — May 11, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Thanks for such positive news. My son, Jimmy, is 1/6, Bravo and for obvious reasons, we dont’ get much info. I’m glad to hear that the MEU is making a difference.
Comment by Nancy Ford — May 12, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
this is a message i received from someone else……good info
Good Morning,
I got an e-mail from one of the 1stSgts this weekend and we talked about packages that are sent to the Marines, they are not sending any back but we need to stop sending them packages for a couple weeks. The issue they are running into is the storage, getting them out to the Marines and with what the Marines are doing they have no place to store them once they get the packages or carry the packages. Letter mail is still good to send so send all the letters and cards to them, but if we can hold off on the packages this would help them out a ton. Thank you for the help on this matter, hope all the mothers had a good mothers day and everyone else a good weekend.
Comment by shelly — May 12, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
just wanted to pass this on, i got this today from a friend…
Good Morning,
I got an e-mail from one of the 1stSgts this weekend and we talked about packages that are sent to the Marines, they are not sending any back but we need to stop sending them packages for a couple weeks. The issue they are running into is the storage, getting them out to the Marines and with what the Marines are doing they have no place to store them once they get the packages or carry the packages. Letter mail is still good to send so send all the letters and cards to them, but if we can hold off on the packages this would help them out a ton. Thank you for the help on this matter, hope all the mothers had a good mothers day and everyone else a good weekend.
Comment by SHELLY — May 12, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
MY SON CALLED ME THIS AM!!! I’m still on a cloud. He said the same thing about holding off on packages for awhile. He said to please keep writing. No problem here..we write everyday via Motomail. He’s in Charlie Co. so I’m hoping others got to call home too. He said they are doing good…battling every pesky critter known to God and man but they are in the “defeat the enemy” mode so don’t think a one of them has a chance. It’s the greatest Mother’s Day gift I could ever hope for..to hear his voice. God Bless them all!
Comment by camille — May 12, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
Camille–
So happy you received a call. Isn’t it funny how much better we feel when we here their voices. I think that is why I had such a difficult time when he was in boot. As a mom, I know the tone of his voice when he is happy, sad, mad and when he called Sunday, he was happy, so that makes me happy.
I pray that all of the guys who have been out for a while will be able to call home soon.
Comment by Cathy — May 12, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
I second that prayer, Cathy! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve heard from my husband and this is such an exciting time for us as we’ve just bought a house. I wish I could share this with him more than in just one-sided letters.
LOL at American Infidel at this being central command center– I always check the comments for each post to see if anyone has posted more information!
Comment by Danielle — May 12, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Camille- that is good news that your son was able call you and that he was happy is even more encouraging. We have not heard from our son as of yet and that’s ok- as long as the reports comming out of there are positive and the Marines are taking care of buisness as they are then we’re happy and could not ask for more. Just the mere fact that both our son’s are in Charlie Co somehow makes me feel better that you’ve heard from him and all is well.
Comment by Keith — May 13, 2008 @ 6:16 am
There is a new article about our Marines. They are definitely doing a courageous job! I pray each day for all our troops.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080513/wl_sthasia_afp/afghanistanunrest_080513122830;_ylt=AtyCj_7R4FDBqDQLJQvZoZLOVooA
Comment by gail y — May 13, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
Cathy and Keith…Thank you so much for sharing in my joyous news. It doesn’t take much these days to make me happy…news from my son is all I need. This site brings me much joy also. Everyone here is just an incredible network of support. It’s somewhat of a divine connection for us. Gail, that is a great article. American Infidel is right..this is central command center. We are all on the same path…God is sovereign and He will bring our loved ones home. There is a phenomenal prayer cover over the 24th and I just have to believe that God will keep them all safe. Thank you all for being here and Jennifer there are no words to describe my gratitude for your hard work and dedication to all of us and our troops.
Comment by camille — May 13, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Gail- thanks for posting the article! And this is definately central command.
Comment by Allison — May 13, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
David Wood has an operational update on his site http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/militarywatch/
Jennifer thank you so much for this site. You are truly helping so many families. It is so wonderful to correspond with others who love our troops! It sure helps me.
Comment by gail y — May 13, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Oooohhh!!! I am so happy I saw this one! He is in one of those pictures! I am so happy to see him. They need more pictures of B company for real! lol
Comment by Monica — June 6, 2008 @ 10:44 am