Lots of News From Dan in Iraq...

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Well... it's been some time since my last submission here. Let's catch up...

My son Dan is a Corporal (USMCR) stationed in western Iraq with the 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion.This is Dan's 2nd deployment to Iraq and hopefully, but probably not, his last. He was recalled to active duty in January 2005 and spent from 8 Jan 2005 (approx) to 13 March 2005 in additional training at Camp Lejeune, NC.

After arriving in Iraq and doing whatever his unit was doing, somewhere around the middle to the end of June 2005 Dan was injured while doing mechanical maintenance on his trac. Some sort of bolt (spring loaded?) went through his right hand and then ricochetted (sp) to his left jaw. Considering wounds suffered by some of his fellow Marines in Iraq, his were minor injuries... Not to ME and Dan (I don't think)...

Anyway... Dan took 15 stitches in his right hand and thank G-d has full feeling and motion (use) 6 stitches in the jaw (cheek)... His face has hence healed but the hand has been a problem, having broken open on first use after the stitches were removed. So it will probably take a little more time for his hand to heal fully. For Dan. the worst part about staying back (at base) is not being with his men. He's bored as hell and wants to get back with the guys asap.

Below is a picture of Dan, captured from a video Dan had made while enroute to Iraq.


Anyway... Dan is slowly healing and I am lucky he has the ability to call home periodically. It is a thrill for me to hear his voice... I send him packages of necessities and the extras he asks for... It's all I can do, keep him supplied and as happy with news from home. His Uncle David and Aunt Marilyn Moto Mail him often and David sends him videos (and other neat stuff...lol) to while away the hours.Knock wood... almost all the news is good here... More later... and especially some FANTASTIC news...