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8 July 2008
Dear Family and Friends, I know it has been a very long time since the last email that I sent to you. The pace is picking up and things are becoming very fast moving around here. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Baghdad, I was there for 3 days and watched as the ceremony that I attended made history, not only for the Marine Corps, but for the entire United States Military. I was in the audience when General Petraeus reenlisted 1150 service members at the Al Faw Palace, one of Saddam Hussein’s ten palaces. The palace has been converted into office spaces for several service members. It was phenomenal to see 1150 service members reenlist/re-commit to the on going war on terror, IN A COMBAT ZONE! This was the largest mass reenlistment in history. It was on the 4th of July and when we sang “God Bless America” in Saddam Hussein’s palace it made me reel with pride! As I walked around the palace and saw the elaborate design and detail in every room, the ceilings, the banisters, the balconies, I was reminded of all of the scriptures that talk about Kings, I was reminded of the poverty that Saddam Hussein let his people live in and it made me very satisfied that we are here helping the people of Iraq learn provident living. Helping them understand that they can be free to make their own choices! I was told of a gentleman that was absolutely ecstatic that we are here, he went on and on about Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship and how he had nothing, the people had nothing, now that the Americans are here, I have money, she has money, we can live and not have to worry how we are going to take care of our families. The people of Iraq are very appreciative of our presence. They are appreciative that we are training them to stand on their own as a country. I know these things take time, however, things are getting better day-by-day. The generation that is accustomed to corruption is still around, I’m sure, but I know that we are making strides and I know that we are doing the right thing. I have seen it with my own eyes and I know that we will all be better in the end for helping those who could not help themselves. I have to say that I have a deep and unrelenting respect for General Petraeus. The stuff that the media writes about him is absolutely garbage! I am here to say that he is a great man and the epitome of leadership! I watched as he took individual pictures with each one of the 1150 service members. I viewed documents that he signed as the reenlisting officer for 1150 service members, not a stamp, his very own signature! Not very many leaders would take the time to do this! I thought it was amazing and it garnered great respect from me. I listened to him when he addressed the audience on the 4th of July and the words he spoke were phenomenal. He not only addressed the Soldiers in the crowd, but he addressed the Sailors, Airmen, and United States Marines as if he had the deep respect and gratitude for their service as well! It was a great sight to see all of the services together as a team! I was in the VIP area standing next to an Army 3 Star General and when General Petraeus asked the Marines to give a loud Semper Fi, as a Marine I yelled right along with the other Marines, right in the LtGen’s ear. I, of course, apologized to him and his response was rather amazing to me; he said: “there is no place I would rather be than surrounded by Marines”. Even Soldiers have a great respect for Marines! As I traversed the compound that is now known as Camp’s Victory and Liberty, I gained a great deal of insight concerning just how barbaric Saddam Hussein, his sons, and the Baath Party really were. I will not go into detail but just know that the things they did are so terrible that I shudder at the thought of it. I want you all to know that I am a proud American, a proud Marine, and very pleased that I am here doing what I am doing. Morale is still high, if it weren’t 1150 service members would not have reenlisted to stay here; to STAY THE COURSE! Have a great day and remember I am safer here than I am driving on the streets of San Diego! Always, Major Mary K. Flatley I have attached photos and my date stamp is still on American time.
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