Posted By:
Howard Kaloogian
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Note: We received a copy of this email from a brave Marine serving in Iraq.  I hope you take the time to read it to appreciate the sacrifices the young men and women of our Armed Forces are making to keep our nation safe.  These men and women deserve our unending respect and gratitude.

All,

Hope you are all well.

I attended, today, the Memorial Service for Lance Corporal Daniel Wyatt, aged Twenty-two, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a member of 1st Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines.  Killed In Action, 12 October 2004, during combat action in Yusufiyah, Iraq, during patrolling efforts to secure and clear the town of all terrorist forces.

Two days ago, 12 October 2004, I had the honor, privilege, and the extremely sad duty to escort the body of Lance Corporal Wyatt from Yusufiyah to our Battalion Forward Operating Base at Muhmadiyah for further transportation and movement back to his family.

Lance Corporal Wyatt has also been recommended for the posthumous awarding of a Combat Decoration for valor, in light of his efforts during the ambush of his patrol squad, during the conduct of which he died.

The Memorial Service today was a celebration of his service, his efforts, and his dedication to the mission, that we continue.  His loss was not a sacrifice in any sense of the word.  It was simply, a loss; to his comrades, his unit, and most especially to his family. 

He died, covering the other three members of his fireteam, and the other twelve members of his squad, as a whole, during the attack.  His efforts were in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service, in general.  And with the best combat traditions of the United States Marine Corps, in specific.

This was not our first loss, nor will it most likely be our last, with the months that we still have on deck here on the ground in this country.  All our young Marines like Lance Corporal Wyatt continue, daily, to do their jobs, knowing, first hand, the difference they are making here.

People continue to come forward, offering information, thanking these Marines for their presence, and the peace of mind and sense of security that it brings.  The honest people here, the simple people, only want a better future for their children, and they see the hope, and the future, that is offered by the service of our young Marines, like Lance Corporal Wyatt.

What they are doing here, and the difference they are making, literally with their lives, must never be forgotten by our citizens. 

Four months ago, none of us here had any idea of where in the hell Yusufiyah even was.

Lance Corporal Wyatt, Rest In Peace, knowing that, indeed, you made a difference.  May God preserve and protect you, forevermore.

I know a lot of you are doing this already, but I would ask that you take a simple moment each day, in remembrance of these outstanding young Marines, and keep them in your hearts and prayers.

Best Regards and Semper Fidelis,

Nick

“Eternal Father, grant we pray, to all Marines, both night and day, the Courage, Honor, Strength, and Skill, Thy Land preserve, Thy Law fulfill.  Be Thou, the Shield, forevermore, for every peril to our Corps.”