Boca Java Care package

Subject: Boca Java Care package

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I just wanted to send you all a note of thanks and let you know that the coffee effort to which you contributed has found its way to a very grateful home here in Camp Al Taqaddum. I am the Platoon Commander for a Marine rocket artillery detachment here, and most of us are big coffee drinkers. I can assure you that your collective gift will be put to good use. This is my second deployment, and even three years later, I'm amazed by the consistent generosity of Americans like yourselves who make the personal effort to make us feel appreciated.

Things here are going well. While I cannot give specifics, I can say that attacks against Coalition Forces are down dramatically from a year ago. Yes, attacks do still happen, bad guys are still lurking, and progress does continue to be slow. However, there is daily evidence of a people who've never known the burden (as well as the reward) of self-determination stepping up and taking pride in and responsibility for their communities. Many of the roadside bombs which our forces are now discovering before they can be detonated against us are the results of civilians reporting the emplacements to friendly forces. Is there corruption sprouting up even in the newly formed bureaucracies? Yes. Are there examples of misspent funds or misdirected resources? Of course. These things occur in even the most civilized of societies, so it seems foolish to expect that people of a culture such as this would be any different in their resistance to the shortcomings that plague all societies.

Thanks again for your generosity, and please do not lose heart in our efforts. No one knows better just how long the effort to restore Iraq is taking than those who give 8-18 mos. on the ground here, but there is nothing better that you can do for us in recognizing our sacrifice than believing in our efforts.

Semper Fidelis,

Lt L.T. L. III
F Battery, 2nd Bn, 14th Marines