Another Email from Iraq

By John

This one comes from my Brother Rat, the hard-charging Captain Derek Brown, VMI '03.

Hello all, Its been a long time since I may have written to a lot of you. Please don't take it the wrong way. I am still currently deployed in Iraq. Having tons of fun as you could imagine. Things are going pretty well though. The local nationals are finally taking the fight in their hands and are stepping up to win this war against terrorism. They are protecting themselves and their villages. Reconciliation is the Way Ahead and is how we will win this fight against terrorism in Iraq. It shows in the Anbar Province as well as in the area I am currently located. Just know that there are good things happening over here and progress is being made, though there is a lot that still needs to be done. We are not done here yet. The Iraqi people can not do this by themselves, at least not yet. I reiterate, the regular people, are finally taking a stand to fight against AQI and its a beautiful thing. Now we just need to get the GOI on the same train ride to success then we will be golden. I have attached a silly picture of my shop on my birthday. My buddy and his wife mailed me some kids party bags so i was able to share them with my shop. I cant wait to see you guys again back on stateside. Take care and until we meet again, drink one for me. -Derek

I loved this line...

I reiterate, the regular people, are finally taking a stand to fight against AQI and its a beautiful thing.

Heh, that's so like Derek to say "I reiterate." He's the type of guy that always doubles up on his comms.... "I say again...."

While Derek was in Iraq for his first tour of duty, he sent an email of an absolutely harrowing account of being blown up by an IED. It was before I started blogging, so I never posted it.... but I think I still have the email. Need to dig it up and ask Derek's permission to share.

Anyway, Derek is one of those guys that you look at..... and then start to pity the bad guys. God speed, Brother Rat.

September 10, 2007 06:32 PM News From Iraq