"Cool headed Marines Prevail to the very End" ;"I was There" Challenge coins for sale; "The GreatCabernet soaked Red Sauce Feast" "Ho Chi Minh's dog"

It's getting towards the end. You'll know it when you start buying postcards and T-shirts. I have about 4 shirts and 2 caps along with a couple of shemaughs. Still have to buy a coin for one of the nieces. (Your uncle deployed-you get a coin . He gets deployed again..You get another perfunctory coin. That's they way it goes in 2007). Sorry no war trophies.
So Ive watched a ton of Star Wars episodes. The last time (2003)we had a Soprano marathon that lasted about 48 hours straight. Everybody was acting like they were from North Jersey for a week.
Bought some near beer to get me excited about pounding a few when I return, but got nothing. I don't miss the beer and its pretty weird not wanting it. I have had a hankering for some good wine and brie cheese, baguette bread,movie theatres, Italian food-good seafood that's not suspect. I may hit Maria's when I get back. Clams on a half shell -good red sauce with opera in the background and me dunking my face in a glass fishbowl of Cabernet. YAHHHH. (Right now my wife is wondering why I'm not writing nice things about her)
This time I'm making more plans. I finished a resume and while I got this down time Ill be sending it out. Still need to thank everyone that was so nice to me these past few months. I hope you didn't worry too much but, if you did-thank you. I really do appreciate every kind thought and positive waves you sent. Everything counts.

SitRep on the Iraq war: I still think we are winning. I still believe that the media is as bad as the terrorists and are partially responsible for their ability to continue. I learned some things that did surprise me. There are many good Americans out here fighting the good fight both civilian and military think of Iraq 2nd. Meaning no one is here for the Iraqis first . Its more for the adventure and cool stories or just a disdain for the garrison world that Marines keep coming back again and again. I guess I would too if I didn't have such a beautiful awesome wife at home waiting for me. Why go home when you can make such a huge difference here every day? (Like I said before this is all just gang warfare being publicized globally). The pictures of you here are cooler than Friday night at the Manhole back home, and if your lucky you may even participate in some local in fighting.
America is a great strong country. I could sit here and make a list of shit we suck at ,but to make it quick, I'll say that we are stronger in many ways than just about every nation out there. Americans are total workaholics and their incredible work ethics blow the rest of the world away.They also have an ability to organize even the most absolute useless shit you could possibly imagine.Ho Chi Minh, despite his weakness for eating dogs once said we were stronger than the French . Forty years and three major land invasions later, I think it still applies. We are not a warrior culture, but we are much stronger than the rest of the west.

Ill write more AARs when I get back.

Most of the Marines are not overt about their excitement to go home. I would say the majority were extremely happy with the mission and felt a great deal of satisfaction conducting it. That's a big change from what I saw before. Last time no one was eager to leave the wire, now guys volunteer for every chance they get to do something different or unique. I think most know how lucky they were to do something as cool as this mission turned out to be.Or how cool they themselves turned out to be doing it.