Letters from Iraq

My cousin's husband, Vance, was assigned to Iraq with his unit, the 30th Brigade Combat Team of the North Carolina National Guard. Deployed in January 2004, the unit arrived in country with orders to base at Camp Caldwell in Eastern Iraq near the Iranian border.

Vance's CO, Brigadier General Dan Hickman, sent a monthly family letter to apprise the families and friends of unit members of the situation there, keeping them in the information loop. One thing our military has learned is that no news is as bad as bad news. Keeping the families informed is vital to moral of the troops as well as at home.

The Brigade Chaplin, CH(LTC) Dennis Goodwin, also sent letters back to the families, this on a more frequent basis. His narratives share some of day-to-day antic- dotes, quotes, quips and insights to military life. His ability to see humor in the rigors of military regimen adds a new dimension as we look into the conditions to which our troops are subjected. I'm sure his humor also provides a relief valve and counterpoint to the stresses of life in a war zone. I would love to sit in service as he ministers. I've no doubt it would not only be enjoyable, but enlightening.

These letters were formatted to view as a webpage and posted for your perusal. As you read, keep in mind that they represent the hearts and thoughts of many who are exposed to danger on a daily basis.

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Terry Williams, the son of a co-worker, started his second tour of duty in Iraq in January 2005.

His first tour began in 2003 with the 101st Airborne Division as they participated in the initial action in Marchand what has become know as the March to Baghdad.

After the rapid fall of Baghdad, the 101st was briefly domiciled there, assisting in securing the city, before moving onto Mosul where it was tasked with securing that city.

It was in Mosul where the 101st suffered one of the heaviest single day losses in the Iraqi war. It was on November 15, 2003 when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed attempting to avoid enemy missiles, resulting in the loss of 17 lives.

Terry returned to the US weeks later to begin training as a corpsman. After about 10 months training at Evans US Army Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado and Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Terry's unit recieved orders to deploy in late December 2004.

As of January 2005 his unit, the 571st Medical Company (AA), is somewhere in the Persian Gulf area awaiting to "assume mission."

As a MEDEVAC corpsman, Terry will be responsible to provide first responder care to troops wounded in action or injured in accidents in the theater. MEDEVAC crews...

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