From the Twin Towers to Fallujah

I love you and JT!

Ian

Weikel, 31, of Colorado Springs, Colo.,  died on April 18, 2006, from injuries sustained when an IED exploded near his vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad. 

Marine Master Sgt. Brian P. McAnulty
Nov. 11, 2006

Dad,
All is good here.  Yes, it is cold... it gets into the 40's at night, but we are warm.  I have long johns - probably the same kind that you were issued, and they work great.  We also have two sets of fleece, which is awesome - so, I don't really need anything.  I did receive a package from you though,  with candy and school supplies - and Baby Wipes!  Thanks!  The stuff for the kids is great - and the baby wipes are my answer to everything.  Another stock I wish i would have bought into.

We had our Cake Cutting ceremony last night (for the 231st Marine Corps Birthday) at each of our Battle Positions.  Yes, I was the oldest Marine at each one.  I am even older than the LtCol that runs the MTT's (US Marine Advisors to the Iraqi Army).  Ugh.  Oh well, it was neat.  For a lot of the young Marines it was the first time that they have celebrated the Marine Corps birthday.  We grilled steaks and actually got a couple beers each to toast with.  Good stuff.  But I think I have run my course in this thing.  When we do the ceremony, the oldest Marine present gets a slice of cake and then passes it to the youngest Marine - which symbolizes the passing of tradition and experience from one generation of Marines to the next.  Well, they read a quick bio on each and then do the deed.  The youngest guys out here are born in 1987!!!!!  Ugh, again.  I was enlisting when these guys were born!  Amazing how time flies.  Anyways - It has really got me thinking about what i am going to do after this.  My 20 year mark comes in April 2008, so I will have about a year left when we get back.  I was thinking about doing the next deployment with the Bn [battalion], then calling it quits... who knows?  Regardless, I have had a blast, and still enjoy what i do - but I really am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Time to pass the torch and move on... I think.  Like I told Brett - the best people I know are my family - yet i spend the least amount of time with them.  That just makes no sense anymore.  Not that it ever did, but at least I was pursuing something, or following my path - or whatever.  Ok... I am reflecting and thinking and pondering.  Obviously today is a slow day - but I have been thinking about this a lot lately.
As I said - all is good, and I am warm.  thanks for the stuff you send, it is appreciated.  Give Mom a hug for me... and I'll write more soon.
Love, Brian

McAnulty, 39, of Vicksburg, Miss., was killed on Dec. 11, 2006 when the CH-53 helicopter he was riding in crashed just after takeoff in Anbar province.

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