This thread will feature some great American soldiers of the US - IRAQ WAR...and excerpts from their LAST letters (opo, ang kanilang mga pinakahuling sulat sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay) before they got killed in the battle.

WARNING:
Kung kayo po ay iyakin, maghanda lamang po ng panyo o kahit na anong pwedeng ipamunas ng luha.



1. U.S. Army Captain Michael MacKinnon (died: Oct 27, 2005)

Before he was deployed to Iraq, Captain MacKinnon wrote a letter to his wife and children in February, 2003. He sealed it and left instructions that it should be opened only if he would be killed fighting in Iraq.

Killed Oct.27 by a bomb exploded near his Humvee.

To his daughter (pictured here with him in 2003):

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/images/2007/03/29/mackinnon.jpg

"Madison, I 'm sorry I broke my promise to you when I said I was coming back. You were the jewel of my life...I have to tell you that you really broke my heart that day when I left and you said, `don't go, I need my daddy, I don't want my daddy to go.' I nearly cried in front of all the army guys... If you can do any thing for me, you can take school seriously and do well. With a good education you can become anything you want. Stay away from drugs, they will ruin your life. Finally, stay away from bad men. You deserve too much. I don't think anyone would ever be good enough for you.... Stay beautiful, stay sweet. You will always be daddy's little girl."

To his wife (pictured here in a Tribune photo by Nancy Stone):

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/images/2007/03/29/mrsmackinnon.png

"I believe there is a heaven and I think I have been a good man enough to be there. I'll watch you and I'll watch the kids grow up with a tear in my eye wishing I was there to see with my own eyes. Someday we will all be together again. I don't think words could ever describe how much I love you. I wish that I could hold you just one more time. . . . "

To his son:

"Noah, you are my miracle son. I loved you very much. . . . You made me very happy and proud. . . . You are now the man of the house. Take care of mom and your sister. . . . "


2. Marine Lance Corporal Travis J. Layfield (Died: April 06, 2004)

19, of Fremont, Calif.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Killed April 6 by hostile fire in Anbar province, Iraq.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/images/zzlayfield-travis.JPG

To his father:

"I am so proud to have been your son and a friend. I just wish I could have showed it more…because a perfect dad deserved such. I never stopped loving any of you. I loved being around you. … I really want to stress that I love you from the bottom of my heart and you’ll always be with me. I love you dad!"


3. Marine Lance Cpl. Lance T. Graham (Died: May 07, 2005)

26, San Antonio; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve; attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), San Antonio.

Killed May 7 by enemy action while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/images/zzgraham_lance_t.JPG

To his family:

"I know that I haven’t been the best son, brother, friend or boyfriend and I’m sorry. If you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, please do. Another thing I ask is that least one of you travel, see the world and do the things I never got to do . This is really hard writing this. There’s so much I want to say and I’m at a loss of words….Tell Ashley that I was sorry and I’m stupid and I really did love her."


4. Army Sgt. Patrick S. Tainsh (Died: February 11, 2004)

33, of Oceanside, Calif.; assigned to Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.

Killed Feb. 11 by an improvised explosive device while on a mounted patrol in Baghdad.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/images/zztainsh_patrick.JPG

To his girlfriend:

"I just also want you to know that I’ve always loved you and appreciate the things you’ve done for and tried to do for me. Sometimes it was hard to say thanks. But I was always thankful for you. I also want to say I’m sorry for all the hurt I’ve done in the past. You were the greatest thing that happened to me."


5. Army Pfc. Jesse A. Givens (Died: May 01, 2003)

34, of Springfield, Mo.; 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Killed in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when his M-1A1 tank fell into the Euphrates River after the bank on which he was parked gave way.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/images/zzgivens-jesse.JPG

To his wife and kids:

"I will never be able to make up for the bad. I am so sorry. The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. … You will never know how complete you have made me . Each one of you. You saved me from loneliness and taught me how to think beyond myself. You taught me how to live and love. You opened my eyes to a world I never dreamed excited. I have never been so blessed as I was the day I met Miss Melissa Dawn Benfield. You are my angel, soulmate, wife, love and best friend. I am so sorry. I did not want to have to write this letter. There is so much more I need to say, so much more I need to share. A lifetime’s worth. …Please keep my babies safe. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you alone. Take care of yourself. Believe in yourself…Teach our babies to live life to its fullest..."


6. Marine Cpl. Steven P. Gill (Died: July 21, 2005)

24, of Round Rock, Texas; assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, San Antonio; attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)

Killed July 21 by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Zaidon, Iraq.

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/images/zzgill_steven_p.JPG

To his parents:

"To my Dad, what can I say? You are the man I’ve always wanted to be and hopefully become. …. If you look deep in your heart, Dad, all the good qualities that you see, know that you passed them on to me. …I love you, Dad.

To my Mom—a mother’s love cannot be described, but can only be felt. It is power, it is security, it is the warmth of arms wrapped around you and the knowledge that no matter what, all will be right in the world as long as my mom is holding me. I wish I could have felt that one more time. …. I love you Mom….Rest easy and be at peace for I will see all of you (in heaven) in the future."





************

A BIG :salute: TO YOU SOLDIERS!!! See you on the other side.:hat:

:reading: For a MUSIC VIDEO of the so-called "Soldier Song", please visit: http://symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=86204


:reading: For the LATEST U.S. - IRAQ WAR CASUALTIES, please visit: http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=65750


:) Don't forget the http://symbianize.com/images/colortheory/buttons/post_thanks.gif button if you liked this post. :beat:

kakaiyak nga grabeeeeee n toooooo :weep:

Wawa naman :weep:

very touching.. :weep:

people be reminded life's too short..
so in any way you can show and express how much you love those persons dear to you..
never hesitate to ask for fogiveness, to say how sorry you are if you've done something wrong to someone, and thank those people who touch our lives..

ganun pla ngyari sa kanila.... kinilabutan ako! :weep:

these men are great men..

too bad they did not see Iraq as a better place before they died...

very touching.. :weep:

people be reminded life's too short..
so in any way you can show and express how much you love those persons dear to you..
never hesitate to ask for fogiveness, to say how sorry you are if you've done something wrong to someone, and thank those people who touch our lives..


:weep: so touching..

tama ka mare. talagang it's better to tell your loved ones how you feel before it's too late. you will never be able to tell them how much you love them when you're dead. Live life to the fullest and always remember never to take anyone, especially your loved ones, for granted. :sigh:

a big salute to the soldiers everywhere, not just in Iraq, who are facing loneliness, uncertainty, fear and even death we may never be able to feel, just so they could make this world a better place to live in. :salute:

nice thread kuya cf. :D

:thanks: iyakin ako kaya sa susunod ko na basahin.. hehe.. lemme save my tears kasi may ginagawa pa ako e... :giggle:

nakakaiyak naman yan:weep:

nice post :weep:

:sigh: akalain m0 ang l0k0ng tulad m0 pa ang makakaisip ng ganit0n thread :slap:

:salute:

galing itik k0 :smack:

dahil sa p0st m0 :D bati na tay0 :naughty:

:giggle:

ganda nga kuya...sentimental pa naman ako...:weep:

:weep: kakaiyak bro:weep:... nice thread:thumbsup:

remember them.. as king leonidis said "remember us" (movie 300)

pag oras mo na eh :noidea: oras mona..

dito rin sa loc ko,mga army dito mostly 20+ palang,sumasabak narin sa gera,kya yun bata pa

minsan di narin sila pinagpapala,,so sad..btw nice thread i salute u hehe:salute:

chris... nagmilagro ka ngayong araw... :D ganda ng post mo!


nagtataka lang ako... kung killed on the spot sila, sinusulat ba nila ito in advance? :noidea:

chris... nagmilagro ka ngayong araw... :D ganda ng post mo!


nagtataka lang ako... kung killed on the spot sila, sinusulat ba nila ito in advance? :noidea:

:hat:Thanks pare! Minsan kelangan ku den maging matino!:lol:

The soldiers wrote their letters while they were in Iraq in the onset of war (EXCEPT dun kay Capt. MacKinnon (number 1) na nagsulat in advance bago pa man siya i-deploy sa Iraq. Bilin nya sa pamilya na bubuksan lang ang sulat kapag napatay siya sa Iraq at hindi na makauwing buhay sa U.S.)

Malamang, may "premonition" na sila na hindi na sila makakauwing buhay kaya they wrote those letters to their loved ones. Ganun naman ang buhay-sundalo. Normal na lang siguro sa kanila ang mag-isip na this would be their LAST battle. And this was their only way to express their LAST words.

Nakarating naman ang mga sulat nila sa dapat patunguhan. Karamihan nga lang sa kanila ay patay na nung time na matanggap ng pamilya nila ang kanilang sulat.

:weep:

:weep: nakakasad naman yun..
in their case inevitable yan sundalo cla eh, hindi nila alam kung mamatay sila sa laban or not.. masakit para sa mga naiwan, eventhough they know ung situation ng mga mahal nila sa buhay na sundalo, people tend to grip on the tiniest hope that their loved one, would come back safe and sound after the war..
sana lang na ung bodies nung mag soldier eh makita parin ng mga mahal nila sa buhay..
coz the hardest way of accepting death is not merely seeing the body of the person lying infront of you lifeless..
kc kadalasan kung hindi nila kikita un, may tendency na isipin ng mga naiwan nila na baka buhay parin ung tao na un..
and in that case accepting the truth would be a long agonizing process..

tol nag bago kna d kna mukang AZ,'

nice bro kakaiyak nman toh kahit pilit:weep:

ang sabi nila 4000+ na Americans na ang namamatay sa iraq tumataas pa un mga 5-10 Americans per week. iba din sa afganistan death tol are said to 3000.

the big question... HANGGANG KELAN MATATAPOS TO?

dapat kasi wala ng war dami lang nawawalan,,,,,,,,,,,,:pray:

ang sabi nila 4000+ na Americans na ang namamatay sa iraq tumataas pa un mga 5-10 Americans per week. iba din sa afganistan death tol are said to 3000.


:no: hangga't si Bush ang President ng US, di makakaalis ang mga sundalo sa Iraq. adik kase un. :no:

ang sabi nila 4000+ na Americans na ang namamatay sa iraq tumataas pa un mga 5-10 Americans per week. iba din sa afganistan death tol are said to 3000.



NAKAKALUNGKOT isipin na hanggang ngayon, patuloy ang paglaki ng death toll sa tinaguriang U.S. - IRAQ WAR, also known as "Operation: Iraqi Freedom". Halos araw-araw ay may nagbubuwis ng buhay.

The TOTAL NUMBER OF U.S. SOLDIER CASUALTIES (fallen/dead US soldiers) as confirmed by The U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND already reached 4,635 as of June 29, 2008 (from the start of the Iraq War on Oct. 2001).

For the LATEST CASUALTIES, please visit: http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=65750

:salute:

:weep:nakkaiyak aman huhuhu. where did u get that concept???:pray:

:weep:nakkaiyak aman huhuhu. where did u get that concept???:pray:

:salute: you guys
dedicate ko yong kanta ng system of down sakanila

( SOLDIER SIDE)

i wish after ng US President Election sa November 2008, matapos na rin ung war between US and Iraq :mass:

i'l vote this coming election
McCain or Obama :unsure:

naiyak naman aq chris...kaw ha? ala pa naman aqng panyo.eniweys,thanks for this useful and touching post

naiyak naman aq chris...kaw ha? ala pa naman aqng panyo.eniweys,thanks for this useful and touching post

:sigh:Ako po ang UNANG BIKTIMA ng mga sulat-sundalo na yan:weep: kaya nga po nag-warning aku sa inyo bago nyo basahin...:hat:

:)Thanks everyone for your visits and replies!:salute:

:no: hangga't si Bush ang President ng US, di makakaalis ang mga sundalo sa Iraq. adik kase un. :no:

tama ka.

"However, Bush has broken Iraq so badly that no one knows how to fix it now. It’s already difficult (or it should be) to justify a country’s intervention (more like invasion) of another’s as it is. But it’s even more difficult to justify the US’s invasion of Iraq since the reason for invasion was never confirmed--no weapons of mass destruction were ever found. As one soldier stated in a letter home, (“No one understands why we are here and what our mission is. This war is lost. We aren't helping these people. We are just dying and getting injured.”)"- Coconuter, a Filipino-American

paki-usap basahin niyo ang article ni Coconuter http://coconuter.blogspot.com/2007/02/power.html (http://coconuter.blogspot.com/2007/02/power.html)



and please keep an open mind while reading. isa sa mga tinalakay sa article na 'to ang pag-abuso ng U.S. (BUSH) sa kanyang kapangyarihan bilang isang super power sa pagdeklara ng digmaan sa Iraq.
Maraming patunay sa article na 'to na inaabuso ng U.S ang kanyang kapangyarihan.
gusto ko itong ibahagi sa inyo

epekto pag :banned: ka for a log time.. ehehe..:peace: i love it very touchy..

:weep: kaka iyak nman yan..... kawawa nman ung mga naiwan nila..... stop the war not peace!!!!!!

Too bad they are seen as loathsome monsters by the very people they hoped to save..

ayos to pare...

to remind us how lucky we are to be alive!

nice thread!!

ngaun ko lang nabasa cf. aus...:thumbsup:

I Salute..... Guns ready for fire....

Very touching story

:salute: sa lahat ng sundalo :salute:

-nice post-

kakalungkot naman.. :weep:

life is too short... in short

bakit naman ganun? :weep:
kakaawan nmn ung mga naiwang pamilya... :sigh:

Ka touch talaga mga story nila :weep:

:hat: Thread UPDATED with a music video link. :music:

:thanks:

so touching..

worth reading..

ayos..i like the first one..touching po talaga siya..

"all is fair in war"

but there are no winners
only losers

LET THERE BE NO MORE WARS!

nice thread CF. . . :salute:

:weep: