We got back from our "Operation" a few days ago and I have been wanting to get a letter out to you all to let you know of our return.  I sent an update to AnyMarine.com and have already gotten some responses from that so I know you keep a close eye on it.  A lot has happened since the last email, so let me get started on updating you on everything.

Please understand that I have to use general terms in referring to anything related to operations so bear with me.  The day before we went to the "field" we moved to a new location.  We are now in tents at a new COP, (Combat OutPost).  The main difference is in regards to the internet/email.  I dont have the same access as I had at my last position, so you may receive emails from this acct or my official Marine Corps acct.  You should use this acct to contact me as the Marine Corps often will firewall emails sent from outside sources.

Our operations were very successful and casualties were minimal.  I wont go into details, but we did have 0 Marines KIA(killed in action), which is the best news of all.

One of the things we did while we were out was go into some small towns and provide medical attention to local citizens who have no way to obtain health care of any kind.  It was a very successful venture and overall a rewarding experience.  Doc Wagner provided the care and he was assisted by his junior Corspmen.  It was really cool to see and I wanted to be involved so I used an interpreter and did triage.  Actually, it was a lot of fun.

I have a couple of pictures for you.  And I would like to share a story about one of the boys in the photos.  You will see him sitting on the hood of a Humvee as our Corpsman, Doc Wagner, is treating him for an infection on his swollen hand.  This boy is 8 years old and he has a full time job.  His family is poor.  Well, I dont think the word poor does them justice, let me just say they have nothing.  He told me that he attended one day of school as a 7 year old and then his father pulled him out of school and put him to work for a local family.  In fact, his family lived in the desert miles away, over the hills and he lived full time with his employer.   We were in his town for 3 days and I watched every day as he got up in the morning and fed the animals at 6am.  Then promptly at 7am he released the flock of sheep from their pen and took them out to pasture.  He returned in the evening around 5pm and then you could see him working around the farm.  For this work his family receives 8 sheep per year.   This is not uncommon to see the young working the fields and the flocks of sheep, but this case specifically disturbed the Marines and I later found out why.  The family that this young boy worked for, had a young boy of the same age, who did not work.  He attended school for 1/2 day, then played in the yard the rest of the time.  It seemed unfair, that the 2 boys lived such a different lifestyle while living under the same roof.  

When we would visit the various towns the women would bake us bread in the mornings and have their kids bring it to us.  They use stoved made of rocks with a fire underneath.   It is normal for them to make bread daily.  In one of the photos you will see what I am talking about, it looks like a tortilla.

Theres also a photo of me with a Military Working Dog.  They are used to detect bombs, mines etc.  They are very good at their job and this dog helped us find some things.

The photo of us in the school courtyard is...left to right, Sgt Rivera, Cpl Taylor, me, Doc Wagner.

It was very cold and froze pretty much every night.  We would wake up in the mornings covered in ice from the frost.  It only rained a few times so it wasnt too bad.

That's about it for that I guess, if you have any questions let me know and I will answer them for you. 

Our AnyMarine/Adopt a Platoon supplies were completely depleted, but we had some packages waiting for us when we returned.  My mailing address is the same and it is ok to send packages at this time.  We shouldnt have to stop it again while we are here, but with the move in conjunction with the OP, it was better to hold off for the 3 weeks.

I know you have all seen the news and know that we are currently sending over extra troops in order to increase our presence here in country.  That has affected us as we have been extended through June.  So I will ask that those of you who are regular supporters to change the rotation dates on your calendar from April 1st to June 15th.  Of course, as with everything this is subject to change so I will just keep you posted.  The good news is that this will be during the summer, so those of you that are attending our homecoming will not have to worry about the kids being in school.  See that silver lining.

We got the news of the extension while we were out in the field, so we had plenty of time to absorb it before calling our families and informing them.  That actually helped us to adjust and at this point the Marines have completely accepted the new dates and are once again focused on the mission.  BUT, I will be honest with you, it hit some of them pretty hard and has affected some of their plans for weddings/vacations that will have to be adjusted.

I guess that is it for now.  In closing I would like to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.  I have received several emails checking in on us while we were gone, so thanks for keeping the Marine of 3/4 Weapons in your thoughts as you go through your busy days back home.

take care and I will talk to you all again very soon,

Gary

1stSgt Gary J Bass
Weapons Company
3rd BN, 4th Marines

Al Qa'im, Iraq