My nephew is in the 1st Marine Division, third batallion who you are reporting on Kevin. Keep the reports coming. God Bless our Troops over there in Harms Way, especially as they begin their work to retake fellujah (sp?). May you all come home to your loved ones safe and secure....thanks for Fighting for My Freedom....I pray for you all everyday!!!!

God Bless and God Speed...

So young and so beautiful; disciplined and bright like stars. I pray that God protects you all and keep's you from harm's way. I saw these photos through wet, salty tears... although I don't know you, I do know you our fellow countrymen and hope with all of our might you have a safe return back to the country and your families that miss you so much.

  Hi kev, there is always a memory of the good things in our life....thanks for letting others know that some one is living on that memory...I have a painting of a girl smiling ...you know I miss the one who gave it to me so much..hopefully I will see him again..

I was at Hue, '68. Who would have thought that Marines are now urban war specialists. Best of luck in Falluja, these guys will do much better than we did hopefully due to some of our experiences in urban warfare. Kept my St. Christopher and Jude medals with me for luck. One for lots of traveling and the other for lost things, I was lost alot.

Dick

What do you carry Kevin?? Stay safe!
Thanks for the pics and keep sending more!

hi my son is lc A. Bradley with the photo of himself and soon to be wife thanks for the photo it got me throught
another hard night of worrie. signed a dad

Edited by author 11-03-2004 12:12 PM
My husband is LCPL Mitchell, the one with the prayer coin. Thank you for all your support. I really appreciate it Kevin. Please let everyone in the 3rd bn know that we are praying for them

Kevin...it is always good to have something...to remind you...of memories...and give you hope...stay safe

I have to agree with Leah, god these are just kids and they're out there killing and being killed.

Edited by author 11-02-2004 11:59 PM
Here's another plug for the great O'Brien book of Vietnam stories called "The Things They Carried":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...08-8812760?v=glance

II told my brother I wanted to send him something to keep with him.... rosary, picture...something. He said that all he wanted was a bottle of tequila with a worm in it. So I sent him a bottle of tequila with a worm in it. If you come across a marine with a little bottle of tequila with a worm in it..that would be my little brother. Please tell him his sister Deborah says hi. He should know the rest of what I want to say

All of you in Iraq, please stay safe.
I was also moved by those photos.

Edited by author 11-02-2004 12:41 PM
I am very moved by the pictures.
Please post more and let us when they are safely home.
The story by Tim O’Brien called "The Things They Carried" which probably was the inspiration for this shoot is online description or audio

The things they carry - matters of the heart and home. The weight of these small objects pictured is greater than any of us can possibly imagine. These are very moving images. I wonder what I would take with me?

Chris, thanks -- that's also fixed. --XJ

What hits me most is how young they all look.