From the Twin Towers to Fallujah

McGeogh, 19, of Taylor, Mich., who served as a light-truck mechanic, was killed on Jan. 31, 2004, in Kirkuk when her convoy was hit by an IED. She was posthumously promoted to Army Specialist

Army Capt. Christopher P. Petty
June 12, 2003

Dad,
You can definitely say the level of violence has risen in the past two to three weeks.  Had a soldier shot in the leg today, missed everything important, he's lucky.  Happened in an ambush on the roadside.  Not much we can do to weed out dudes hiding in the weeds on the roadside waiting for us to pass.  It's all really reactionary, they pop up, shoot some rounds, we return fire and level the area.  So far the odds have been in our favor for each attack, we have killed a minimum of 4 bad guys.  Just 30 minutes ago, had an RPG attack on two Abrams.  Now what kind of dumb ass is going to attack a M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tanks with a RPG?  It's like trying to break a window with a snow flake.  Needless to say, the tank engaged the enemy force and put down four bag guys with a hail of 50 cal and 7.62mm fires.

Well, I am off in just a few days.  Real excited to get out of here and up where the soldiers are.  Who knows, maybe a lowly captain can make some kind of difference.  Dont worry too much I will keep my head down and my weapon clean.  Oh ya, you can thank the Iraqi army for added protection.  We came across a supply warehouse.  Inside, among other things were SAPI plates.  Supplemental Armor Plate Inserts for our ballistic vests.  Well sure they are not made for the American army version but they fit in the front and back pockets.  Funny enough they are ceramic and steel, thinner than the Kevlar inserts the army doesn't have enough of and weigh about the same.  So sure the added weight sucks, but whats an additional 5 pounds when I am already wearing 50 plus pounds of stuff.  (M16A2, Ballistic helmet, ballistic vest, Load bearing vest with 10 30 round magazines, night vision goggles, 90oz camel back, three full canteens of water, two fragmentary grenades and two smoke grenades, just to name some of the stuff)  the added weight is unnoticed and comforting.  Well gotta run.
Chris

Petty, 33, of Vienna, Va.,  was killed on Jan. 5, 2006 in Najaf when his Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He was on his way to see the progress being made on rehabilitating schools.

Army Capt. Ian P. Weikel
Jan. 20, 2006



Babe,

I got your packages last night after I got back from 48 hours out.  I'd like to be out more at a time, but then stuff stacks up back here. … I'm going to spend time tonight after our meeting getting my room all set up.  I'm excited about it!  Great stuff!

I'll send pictures and video once I get the camera.  I'll read Sports Illustrated for JT.  I'll probably order the 1GB flashdisk card so I can record more.  The card you get with it can do 15 minutes before it's filled up.  I still have to go get a casual pay so I can pay for internet to my room.