Today is Gaudete Sunday in the Church's Liturgical Calendar. It's the day we rejoice and light the rose colored candle in the Advent Wreath. Since Friday morning, when 27 lives were lost with 20 of them children, I think most of us have not been very joyful. In fact we have been in mourning as well as grateful for our families. Today, let us pray that violence will end. That peace and justice will reign.
I have been away from the blog for several weeks. I've been extremely busy with work and the addition of a new client.
Keefe and I chatted yesterday on Facebook. His Christmas packages have started to arrive. He's received one of three from Mom, one from my sister, and one from Gerry and Liz Rodosky. I told him that several more are on the way. As I was packing his Christmas boxes, I was reminded of a simpler time of gift giving. I was not packing electronics, fancy clothes, or other expensive items. The gifts were things to bring a little home to the front. Gifts like cookies, candy, traditional food items for the season, an old Christmas stocking stuffed with goodies, a few DVD's, cards, and a chess set. Things that would hopefully make being away from family for the holidays a little brighter. The troops will be celebrating Christmas with the usual holiday meal as well as participate in a decoration contest, an appearance by Santa, and the traditional caroling. We scheduled a time to talk on Christmas Day, then said Merry Christmas to each other which ended our conversation. I will admit tears came to my eyes as the full force of Keefe not being home for the holidays finally hit me!!
Although I've been really busy with work, I have been collecting pictures and articles to post. Last weekend when the Patriots and the Texans squared off, a few of the guys took a picture to post on Facebook. Lt. Murtaugh is the one in the hat by the REALLY BIG gun! I've also included 2 articles about the mission that is being carried out in Helmand Province, where he is located.
Barry, Rory and I are headed to London to spend Christmas with Liam. I will try to post pictures of our time together as well as articles and pictures I've been collecting about Keefe and the troops.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light! Wishing each of you and your families a Blest and Holy Christmas!
Semper Fi!
________________________________________________________________________________
Building on past traditions, legacy: Fox Company pushes
forward in Afghanistan
MUSA QAL’ AH DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan – The phrase "The
Few, The Proud" has been associated with Marines for years, but for one
infantry company the words have a deeper meaning. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. For them, it is an opportunity to build upon and continue the illustrious past and traditions associated with their company. “There’s been a lot of Marines throughout history, but there’s only been a select few who have had the opportunity to say they were a part of Fox
Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher Griffith, the company first sergeant and Parkersburg, W.Va., native. “To me, that’s why it’s so important for the men in this company to have such a fond respect for those who came before us.” For Capt. Thomas Harris, the company commander, the feeling of being a part of Fox is humbling. “The battalion, as well as the company, has a pretty impressive battle history,” said Harris, from Fort Madison, Iowa. “They’ve always done great things in hard places. So it’s eye-opening to have to be responsible for not only the Marines and sailors of the current Fox Company, but also the heritage and legacy of past Fox Company Marines.” In the Korean War, Fox Co. would cement its legacy in the history books with one battle in particular, The Battle of Fox Hill. The intense fight lasted from Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, 1950. Because of the cold and frigid temperatures, Marines’ weapons would malfunction and grenades would freeze, so the Marines had to rely on hand to hand combat. During the battle, 250 men with Fox Co. endured -30 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures, held their position against an entire regiment of enemy forces and eventually pushed them back. When the final shots of the battle were fired, only 85 men in the company were able to walk off the battlefield on their feet, the rest were wounded, captured or killed in action. During The Battle of Fox Hill, two men would be awarded the Medal of Honor. Sacrifices would also be recognized in the book “The Last Stand of Fox Company,” a book that Griffith refers to as his bible. The Marines of Fox Co. would again add to their legacy during the Korean War with three more Marines receiving the Medal of Honor. To pay tribute to the Marines who have come before them, Griffith keeps a company guidon created by a former Fox Co. Marine and Korean War veteran in his office. Displayed on the guidon are six informative plates honoring former Fox Co. Marines. Five plates are for Marines who went above and beyond the call of duty and received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, and one for the creator of the guidon. For the past two years, the guidon has gone with the company wherever they have gone. From California, Okinawa, Australia, the Philippines and Afghanistan, the guidon has been with them the entire way.
“The guidon is more than a piece of material, it’s a symbol. It’s a symbol of unit pride,” Griffith said.
“It’s the pinnacle of my career to be able to be the first sergeant for Fox Company 2/7.”
Harris reinforced what Griffith said and noted the sacrifice made by the Marines whose names are
displayed on the guidon. “The guidon adds even more to the weight of the responsibility of this company,” Harris said. “It’s a solemn reminder for all of us of the good deeds done by good Marines.” For junior Marines in Fox Co., the feeling of pride and honor is mutual.
“It’s an honor to be a part of Fox Company honestly,” said Lance Cpl. Miguel Davila, machine gunner with the company. “The history and traditions go back pretty far, and then to also be a part of 1st Marine Division and what they’ve done throughout history is pretty cool. I get pride out of being part of Fox 2/7.” On their current deployment, the company has taken a step back and allowed the Afghan National Security Forces operating in the area the chance to reclaim their country’s security. It is a mission that will only help solidify the company’s legacy. “We have a unique mission,” Harris said. “It’s absolutely different than the mission that battalions have faced in previous engagements throughout history. This will still add to our legacy. We still have the opportunity to go forward and execute the mission that was asked of us by the nation.” While deployed, Fox Co. will continue to maintain security and allow the ANSF to operate independently ensuring they receive any assistance that might be required.
________________________________________________________________________________
District officials, PRT members discuss improvements in Musa
Qal'ah
MUSA QAL’AH DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan –
Members of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team
met with local Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan officials and local village elders in an effort to
assess governance, security and stability in Musa Qal’ah, Afghanistan, Nov. 29.
During recent years, Musa Qal’ah has undergone drastic changes in an effort to better the lives of the Afghan people living here. The meeting was designed to continue the improvements in the area and to help build upon them as coalition forces withdraw and authority and responsibilities shift to the Afghans.
“Our mission is to facilitate transition to the Afghan government, and it’s important in our role to
support them, to see how they’re doing, and where we might be able to help provide advice to the
Afghan government on how to better deliver services to the people,” said Matt Duncan, a political
officer with the Helmand PRT, and Rochester, N.Y., native. “Musa Qal’ah is light-years ahead of where it was two years ago, and that’s thanks to the work done by the Marines and the Afghan National Security Forces, as well as the Afghan government.” Staff Sgt. Ben Lund, civil affairs with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, noted the increased security presence in the area and how the ANSF continue to provide stability to the region.
“Securitywise, Musa Qal’ah has probably come twofold. Its security has progressed 100 percent,” said Lund, from Phoenix. “The (Afghan Uniform Police) and (Afghan National Army) operate by themselves with little to no assistance. There are fewer (improvised explosive devices), and the ANA and AUP are finding those IEDS and neutralizing them. They’ll call Marine Corps (explosive ordnance disposal) every once in a while if they need to get rid of something, but for the most part, they handle it on their own. They’re patrolling by themselves, they’re arresting people, and they had a huge drug bust just last week and processed everything and took it to Lashkar Gah by themselves.”
Because of the work done by Marines, ANSF, the PRT and local government officials, the future of
Musa Qal’ah looks promising. “We were able to talk about the thriving bazaar,” Duncan said. “There are 900 shops in it, and people District officials, PRT members discuss improvements in Musa ...
from all across northern Helmand come to it to buy goods. The economy in Musa Qal’ah is thriving at the moment. People can now move with relative freedom from the district to Lashkar Gah, the
provincial capital. They use the bazaar and the Taliban is gone from the district center.”
The meeting also marked another milestone by allowing village elders the opportunity to talk with
GIRoA officals. “The PRT came down to talk to the acting district governor because he is able to talk to the elders in Musa Qal’ah, and that’s who we spoke with today,” Lund said. “That’s the first time that (village elders) came and talked to GIRoA officials. We’re trying to get the elders to bring their face forward and support GIRoA. Once the village elders put some people in key positions, hopefully they can get additional money to the area and increase development, increase security and hopefully find an alternate crop to poppy.” Until coalition forces completely withdraw from Afghanistan, they will ensure development continues in areas such as Musa Qal’ah. “Musa Qal’ah, from where it was just a few years ago, is a good story,” Duncan said. “You used to not be able to walk out of the (forward operating base) without getting shot at, and nobody would be in the bazaar. The bazaar is thriving now, kids are going to school and a lot of progress has been made here.”
