A Soldier's Journey: Michael Mundell

Dear Audrey,

2d Letter on the way

we are moving to Fallujah via ground convoy...at nite. This is NOT good. Not at all. Last two convoys were hit and hit badly. Oh well, I am not making the decisions. Will write when I get there.
Love
mike

Not a Virgin Anymore
7/24/06  7:57 AM

Dear Friends, family and loved ones,

Sorry for the gap in writing, but we have zero internet and have to wait until we travel the 15 miles to camp Fallujah, which is east of the city. Yes, I have finally arrived here and yes, it is STILL hot, and yes, it is interesting. So far.

Ok, to get yet another thing out of the way. Yes, we have been under fire, several times, hence the reference to the "not a virgin any more". Two days ago, we were preparing for a movement. All of the sudden "BOOM!....BOOM! BOOM!" and our radios were filled with shouts of "incoming!". We took three mortars in close. The guy I am replacing called me and said "we need to go to the IA [Iraqi Army] HQ". Which is next door. Out in the open. So, we run over there and see if there is any damage, then walk outside to do crater analysis. You can actually tell what direction it came from and how big by looking at the hole. Rob and I are out there looking at the holes (it's our/my job ... no one but an idiot goes out when mortars are falling are have recently if they don't have to) and "CRACK" ... one sniper round. It kicked up dirt 20 or 30 meters away. He looked at me and:

Rob: You know, we ARE exposed out here (there are houses all around us)
Me: Really? Ya think? Thanks for bringing that up.