In an ongoing series, NEWSWEEK publishes letters and e-mails from fallen U.S. troops in Iraq to loved ones and friends back home. The following are unedited excerpts from correspondence provided by families of the deceased.
Army Spc. Kevin S. K. Wessel
April 12, 2005
Army Spc. Jacob M. Pfister
Jan. 16, 2005
Army Spc. David L. Rice
June 3, 2005
Hey, how's it going? Not too bad here. Last night some jackasses decided to lob a couple of mortars at our compound. Those dumbs---s pissed us all off. Most of us were asleep. The main reason it pissed me off was [I was] eating some Golden Grahams when it happened. I had to set them down and go look for the dumbs---s who shot at us. When we got back my Golden Grahams were gone. Can you believe that someone took my cereal! That's what upset me the most. … Tell everyone hi and I'll be home soon.
Love,
David Lee
Rice, 22, of Sioux City, Iowa, was killed April 26, 2005, when his vehicle rolled over in Balad.
Army S/Sgt. Donald Griffith Jr.
Hello Everyone,
I thought I would go ahead and write a letter, since it is raining very badly outside here. Not much is going on here. We are averaging one mission during the day and another during the night, which is good because I am usually required to go on every mission. It helps to pass the time faster. It is hard to believe that two months have already passed over here. Don't worry I am pretty safe where we stay. The other day we had three rockets shot at our Forward Operating Base, they were Chinese 107 rockets. Also the day before that I mentioned we had a convoy hit by a bomb, two soldiers were injured and 13 Iraqi National Guard were also injured. One of the soldiers the first day the doctors didn't feel that he was going to make it, but he is strong and pulled through. The bad thing is that he lost one of his eyes during the explosion. I don't know exactly when I am going to come home on leave as of yet. They are letting everyone injured over here have first chance to go home right now. Once I find out I will be sure to call and tell you all. Give everyone hugs and kisses for me. For Stacy, make sure Jason gives you kisses from me. I love and miss everyone. Stay safe. Thanks for all the packages. I share everything with the whole team over here. Also never forget that we all appreciate your prayers and the great support every is giving us.
Love Don
Griffith, 29, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, was killed March 11, 2005, in Tal Afar.
Marine Cpl. Nicholas L. Ziolkowski
(undated letter to his mother from boot camp before deployment to Iraq)