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Dear Family and Friends,
You know how I am…always trying to pick up some of the local language whenever I travel internationally, so courtesy of Uncle Sam, here it goes: Mar Haba! Shloun-Kum? How’d I do? In case you’re not up on your Arabic, it means, “Hello! How are you?” (in plural!) I’ll keep working on it. Don’t worry. One of the “terps” (interpreters) is helping and teaching me. I am not sure he is too impressed right now. He shakes his head a lot and his most frequent Arabic words with me are gha-laT (wrong) and la (no). It’s pretty comical actually. Sometimes, I screw up on purpose just to watch his exasperation. Oh, for the little pleasures of life…
Pleasure, however, is not something we see much of here and the Muslims won’t be seeing too much for a few weeks either. This month is Ramadan. It is the ninth month of the lunar calendar year. This is the time when Muslims believe the prophet Mohammed first received the words of the Quran from the arch angel Gabriel. It is the holiest time of the year for them. For thirty days they are to fast and abstain from sexual relations from sunrise until sunset. They are to spend more time in prayer and reflection. They are to attend services at the mosque more frequently, read the entire Quran in these thirty days and give greater attention to the plight of the poor. Militarily speaking, it is the most dangerous time of the year. Historically and statistically attacks against western forces spike during Ramadan. This was true even for the Soviets in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Personally, I think the reason for the escalation in violence is twofold. First, there are several nights during this month, according to Islamic belief, tradition and custom, when prayers, good deeds or acts of martyrdom are rewarded many times over the normal “rewards”. Secondly, since they are supposed to identify with the poor and helpless more closely during this time, the terrorists rationalize they are defending the poor and those who can not defend themselves. They (incorrectly) perceive us to be invaders, crusaders and/or occupiers (never mind that most of the Iraqis want to work with us and create a democratic nation). They believe that anyone who cooperates with us, anyone who embraces freedom or anyone does not see life through their myopic vision is a heretic and worthy of death. A short time ago, for example, they beat a woman simply for talking with some of our troops! We are not even sure if she did talk with them or if she survived the beating. And to think, they have the audacity to call us the infidels, the ones with out faith!
Please don’t worry about us too much. Our forces had an incredibly successful mission a couple of days before the beginning of Ramadan. We were so happy and proud, we were almost giddy with joy. We are certain it has significantly reduced the terrorists’ ability to wage their aggression against us and friendly Iraqis. We know we have set them back. I wish I could tell you more about the operation, but of course right now, OPSEC (operational security) prohibits me from doing so. Just trust me on this one. Furthermore, as I have told you before, our staff is incredibly gifted and we have a few plans for the terrorists which are going to put a damper on their holiday. If they insist on ruining this holy time of their year for their neighbors and friends, we’re going to spoil it for them. I remain very confident in our leadership at every level, as well as, the soldiers on the ground. We look forward to assisting those who are hell bent on meeting Allah and receiving th
eir “rewards”. We welcome the opportunity to say good bye to them.
I did not relish, however, saying good bye a couple of other times this week. First, our little buddy Mufasa and his family moved. We will not see him again. His father brought him over to the chapel the last day they were here. Dave and I gave him a soccer ball, some candy and a hug. It was sad and we will miss his energy and enthusiasm. He’s a smart boy. His English is much better than my Arabic! If he is representative in anyway of Iraq’s future, then I would have to say that it is bright and promising.
Unfortunately, the second good bye for the week was much harder and far more personal. Through a series of unrelated e-mails and some investigative connecting the dots, I learned that my friends, Tom and Kathy Graham lost their oldest son Shawn over here a couple of weeks ago. I was devastated. Tom and I have served together in a variety of military assignments across the years. He is an excellent soldier. His love for his men and professionalism are unsurpassed. If Shawn was anything like his old man, I am sure that he carried that tradition of excellence with him. Because of how long it takes to get the remains home from theatre, the funeral was just this past week. A number of people who attended, told me how beautiful and appropriate the service was. I was sorry, I was unable to attend. You may be surprised to hear me say this, but it is still true…The news of Shawn’s death brought the reality of the war home to me in a way that I had not yet experienced. Even though, I was forced to bury three soldiers from my own battalion last year, even though I have memorialized two brave young men here, even though I have been blown up and shot at myself, Shawn’s sacrifice touched a sensitive nerve in my soul. I have never felt more alone than the night I learned he had died. I called his mom and dad. They cried and I cried…and we made plans to visit Shawn’s grave together after I return.
People like the Grahams make America the great nation it is. They are quiet, humble and dependable people. Like many of you, they don’t seek attention or notoriety. They simply go about their business honestly, making contributions to their community and taking care of family and friends. Now, I hope they will let their friends take care of them. So I better close for now. Maa el-sa-la-ma! (Good bye) Thank you for all your love and support. I am not sure how much time I will have to write in the coming month, but you’ll always be in my thoughts. Please don’t worry about us and know that I love you with all my heart.
This week, I especially want to thank the following people for their support: my parents, Chuck and Vonnie Etter, my beautiful wife Jodi, my beloved congregations, the Milledgeville and Fairfield Presbyterian Churches, the Fransican Friars of the Atonement, the Voice of Preaching (for the Arabic Bibles and New Testaments), Dr. Maria Czuzak (who knew science could be so interesting?), David and Suzie Hartsell (who are expecting a baby any day now! Congratulations You Three!), Mike Lang and Phil Bourque of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Lisa Mangum (thanks for the stove again!), the Middle Presbyterian Church, Don and Velma Bolland, the Uptown Tobacco Company, Meade and Pat Sutton, Karen Rumin, the AFSCME union at Slippery Rock University (You would make my father-in-law proud), Carol Carlini, Wayne and Sue Stratos, Dale and Marie Lunn, Barbara Oberding, Vernon King, the future Postmaster General of the United States Judy Volpatti, the Bethel Park Junior Cheerleaders Association, L
eonard Benedetto Jr., Mary Berrier and family, and MAJ Lauren Muglia (the CO says thanks for the coffee).
Dave also tells me we should start thinking about Christmas and make a few suggestions about what our soldiers can use. Our suggestions right now are very practical: wicking t-shirts, underwear, boxers, briefs, panties, bras and socks. The laundry services are pretty tough on our clothes and those are items the army does not provide for us. As for sizes, we don’t really know what to suggest other than send what ever size you wear. Dave also tells me we could use body wash, shampoo, OTC medications, deodorant, shaving cream (male and female), razors, replacement blades, tuna fish, jerky, bug repellant (they are starting to come out with the cooler temperatures), snacks, Mac and Cheese, Raemen noodles, paper towels, Windex, batteries, Q-tips, coffee, tea and Thanksgiving decorations.
Finally, I am attaching a couple of pictures. The first is of Dave and his helper Mufasa. The second is Dave and me with our new FOB vehicle (long story) but we thought our friends in public safety would feel better knowing that we have our very own response vehicle, complete with lights and siren!
Thank you for all you do for us. May God bless you and our American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. You’re in my heart America, and I shall always be,
Faithfully Yours,
Chaplain(Major)Douglas A. Etter
HHC 1-110 IN, 2/28 BCT
Camp Habbaniyah
APO, AE 09381 |
