Profound thanks
Luckily, the resupply bird bringing badly needed water, chow and ammo to Alpha Company came 20 minutes early. Suddenly it was there, its twin blades thwacking away out there in the darkness and the crew itching to be gone before insurgents hiding in the treeline could get a fix on them with an RPG, and Gunny DeLeon was shouting, “C’mon, Mr. Wood, grab your stuff, let’s go.’’
No time to say goodbye. After six intense weeks with Marines, I don’t know that I could have managed.
I grabbed my flak vest and helmet and rucksack, racing out into the darkness behind Gunny’s reassuring bulk and unerring night vision, high-stepping through hip-high poppies, ducking under the whirling blades, tumbling, with a final push from Gunny, into the helicopter. In seconds it lifted off and powered into a tight turn, heading west.
Too late, I wanted to hug the Gunny. Wanted to tell him, thank you for taking care of me –“Git down so they don’t shoot your a--, Mr. Wood!” – wanted to say, thank you for sharing your stories and your insights, thank you for your generosity, for your willingness to push yourself with grace past pain and exhaustion, for your for your coolness under stress. Thank you for your friendship.
I speak not just of Gunnery Sergeant Rosendo DeLeon, born 40 years ago in Falfurrias, Texas, but of each of the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, of Alpha Co. and its 3rd Platoon. The air guys and the logistics guys, the Navy corpsmen, the PFCs and the senior officers, the chaplains and the mortarmen, truck drivers and ammo handlers and guys hunched over dusty laptops in stifling tents who make it all work.
Thank you above all for allowing me a taste of what binds you all together. “Camaraderie’’ seems too quaint a term for the centripital emotional force that spurs these men past fear, stress and fatigue into a selflessness and tenderness that is all the more powerful for being cloaked in the coarse language and black humor of the battlefield.
The feeling of being wrenched away from all that is eased by the Marines’ conviction that we will all see each other again. Their feeling is, Now that you know us, how could you stay away?
How indeed?
Comments
Mr. Wood - my husband is the XO for 1/6 and I can't tell you how much your reports have meant to the wives and family members back here. Any little piece of information we get makes our days a little happier! Thanks for all you did.
Posted by: Annastacia | May 3, 2008 9:35 AM
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post - From the Front: 05/03/2008 - News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.
http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/2008/05/from-front-05032008.html
Posted by: Anonymous | May 3, 2008 12:56 PM
I am so appreciative of your work. I will really miss your reports! My son is in Alpha co 3rd platoon. Your reports have helped me so much. I hope you have a good trip home. I agree with you that you are leaving a very special group of brave men. You have done a great job of giving the families a flavor of what it is like in Afghanistan. Thank you,
Posted by: gail young | May 3, 2008 3:09 PM
Dave...I want to thank YOU for all the articles about our Marines. My son Jake is with Alpha, 3rd plt, 3rd squad. Ive raced home everyday to see if you had posted anything. You have no idea what its like as a mom to have anykind of news. Once again thanks!!
Posted by: Deb Labrecque | May 3, 2008 3:52 PM
It is we, the parents and loved ones of 24th MEU Marines who should profoundly THANK YOU...David Wood.
You endured the same conditions as our Marines, and you went above and beyond the "call of duty". May GOD BLESS and protect you on your journey home. SEMPER FIDELIS
Posted by: John P. Wright | May 3, 2008 6:14 PM
Thank you Mr. Wood for all your articles and allowing us a closeness with our marines that will be sorely missed. Our son is one of the logistics guys. We remember you all in our prayers.
Posted by: T Favreau | May 3, 2008 6:54 PM
Thank you Mr. Wood, for sharing the moments that you shared with my son and all our sons. Thank you for understanding who they really are!
VPMM
Angela
Posted by: Angela Ruiz | May 3, 2008 8:11 PM
Does this mean you are done in Afghanistan?
Posted by: Libby Parsons | May 3, 2008 11:54 PM
Are you leaving Khandahar or just leaving the operation in Garmsir? Glad you are safe and thanks for putting yourself in danger to bring those back home some insight.
Posted by: Cathy | May 4, 2008 8:29 AM
I hope Gunny's wife knows of these articles. This is one for the scrapbook. Glad you made it out of there unscathed, and I am sure Gunny knows just what you wanted to say, they have a sence of those things. When you get as good at saying goodbye as they are, I think they pick up on what you ACTUALLY feel in the heat of the moment, when you can't or don't want to use your words. Good article Mr. Wood
Posted by: Sarah B | May 4, 2008 10:24 AM
It is we (the parents and loved ones of deployed Marines) that must THANK YOU Mr. Wood for your service. May your trip home be a safe one!
Posted by: John P. Wright | May 4, 2008 2:38 PM
Thank you Mr. Wood for your service to us, the families.
May you now have time to reflect on the life of your mother and may her memories bring you joy.
Posted by: Cathy | May 5, 2008 9:26 PM
Mr. Wood, please accept my condolences on the passing of your mother. This has to be a difficult time for you. Just remember, your mind and heart will keep you strong during your bereavement. Also, thank you for your superb reporting while embedded with our 24MEU Marines. All the reports and pictures undoubtedly are priceless to family and friends of these men and women. They are deserving of our support and help, not only because of their present service and sacrifice, but also because they are our future. Sincerely, Carolyn Olive (an AnyMarine 1/6 supporter since September 2006).
Posted by: Carolyn Olive | May 9, 2008 11:51 AM
I don't know if Gunny's wife read these blogs but his cousin in TX has been reading along! I am very proud of my cousin Rosendo "Gordi" De Leon and his fellow Marines. Thank you Mr. Wood! Gordi has spoken very highly of you!
Posted by: Felix De Leon Jr | June 19, 2008 11:10 PM