Army Spc. Toccara Green
April 16, 2005

Subject: you've got mail

dear mom and dad,

How are you guys doing? ya miss me yet you better I miss yall and sparky and the crew like crazy. I can't wait to get home on leave now mom when I come home on leave I won't have any clothes to wear some Im trying to go shopping just you and me and get me some cheap clothes for the two weeks I'll be there. And dad we gotta go to block buster and rent some movies just you and me and probably sparky put the surround sound on and drive mom nuts because its to loud. Im doing blessedfully out here just keep me in you prayers and I'll write to you guys later and you better write back love.

your wonderful daughter tee

Green, 23, of Rosedale, Md., was killed Aug. 14, 2005, when multiple explosives detonated near her unit in Asad.

Army First Lt. Michael J. Fasnacht
March 21, 2005: This is an e-mail to his grandparents, which was forwarded on to the rest of the family.

Subject: Hi from Socorro

Hi everyone.
I'm doing great here, this is such an eye opener. This is a dangerous place but I've got some great soldiers here doing their jobs day in day out with no thanks. If you could send me some care packedges for them comic books, newspaper, sweets and what ever else I'd appreciate it.

Love you guys alot.

Mike

Fasnacht, 25, of Janesville, Minn., was killed June 8, 2005, by an IED while leading his platoon in a combat patrol in Anbar province.

Marine Maj. Megan M. McClung
Oct. 11, 2006

(McClung had this e-mail exchange with her father, who had been asked to send her a toy penguin for the Marine Corps Marathon. A Marine tradition calls for a penguin to be awarded to the last person to cross the finish line.)

Dad: Paul the Penguin moved out today at 1337 hours in accordance with orders. He will report to GySGtMcMeen as soon as government transportation is available. As he did not volunteer, he has requested special handling and a sand-free diet. His preference is for anchovies, but he will make do with baby herring if anchovies are not available. His preferred bath water is salt and at a mean temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Since he is accustomed to long day/long night cycle, he would prefer a room with black-out curtains. He does not salute indoors unless he is under arms!"

Megan: That is excellent news. GySgtMcMeen standing by to receive Paul. Due to the strict adherence to naming conventions at the Ready First this operation has been designated Operation. Additionally, the Wing requests to know if Paul the Pengid has received a call sign? Love you-meg

Dad: Meg, yes, Paul has one. Since he is a Water/Land Attack Penguin (WLAP), he has been given the call sign "Stub Marine." This is operationally shortened to "Stub," but he is typically not addressed as Stub to his face as this involves the person speaking to him to lay on their belly and that puts them in range of his major weapon, regurgitated herring snack!

Oct. 15, 2006

Meg: Hello Dad-No sightings of Paul the ... We are all concerned here. There has been some rough weather with the first rains of the season. We originally believed the rain may speed up his progress as it fits his profile as being partially aquatic plus the rain has brought a significant temperature to drop. Unfortunately, the result of rain here is quicksand like mud and we are now concerned he might be literally STUCK somewhere as his legs are not very long. We are on the look out! Love Meg

Dad: Meg, good point and that may be the cause, but I was trying to ascertain his flight plan. He was muttering something about Fish & Chips with a pint of the Stout when he left. Did he fly through England? I was hoping for the polar route over Adak and then on to Diego Garcia and then a quick hop to U Ta Pao prior to final at Bagabog!!

(McClung's father reports that the penguin eventually arrived and was awarded the last-place finished in the marathon.)

McClung, 34, of Coupeville, Wash., was killed on Dec. 6, 2006, in Ramadi, when her Humvee was hit by an IED.