Soldiers in Iraq

This is a post I received from Tiffany Smith, a fellow Close To My Heart Consultant. This is posted with her permission.

Many of you know that my brother is on his 3rd tour of Iraq, suppose to be home sometime in February. I just received this email from him this morning and thought I'd share it with you. It brought so many tears to my eyes. I am so proud of him. Please continue to pray for all of our soldiers. Here is part of his email with the pics that followed. "As the war continues on, it's popularity with the media seems to fade unless it involves some type of death or destruction. Most photos found today are taken by soldiers themselves and not found in any type of media. These children, in the photos, live only a few blocks from a land fill. This land fill is often littered with poor families digging through the trash to find scraps of food to feed their families. The soldiers and families of Bravo Company have unofficially adopted a few of these families. It started with my driver, SGT Grady, who would visit our PX store to purchase food and drinks for these children prior to our patrols. Our gunner would throw these items to them as we passed by. We have since donated hundreds of dollars in food, clothing, and toys in order to make their lives a little better. We don't do this for accolades, popularity, or as an opportunity to gain American support behind this war effort. We do it because many of us were raised by great families who taught us the basics of human compassion, kindness, and charity. We do it because it is the right thing to do. With each new day a spark of normalcy is returning to these families. Some are struggling more than others, but the parks are full of children playing on swings as their parents sit on park benches chatting with each other and cars are full of Iraqi families passing by our patrols waving and smiling.

Violence is down significantly in the city of Baghdad. Although it is still a volatile environment, it is showing signs of improvement. The Commander and I are continually inspired by our soldiers and families who make significant sacrifices daily. Many of our soldiers will be separated from their families for the third straight Christmas in a row. However, the soldiers and our families realize that sacrifices must be made in order to assist others who can't help themselves. For us, it's another day in the fight where we will continue to assist others. It's another day in the fight where we will take it to the enemy so the enemy will not take it to our families back home.

This holiday season, the Commander and I would like to thank you for your prayers and contributions to this war effort. We would also like to thank you for the support you give to your soldier. We humbly ask that you keep the Iraqi people in your prayers as you continue to pray for us and our families. We also ask that you remember our fallen comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and their families who grieve their loss. May the Lord continue to bless our Army with great Americans who give so freely and their families who allow them to do so.

Gods speed to each of you and Happy Holidays,
1SG Robert Teague
B CO, BSTB,
4-10 MTN DIV (L)
Baghdad, Iraq
"Steadfast Above All"