Letter from the battlefront

To the editor:

My Son is a Captain in the Army. He was born and raised in Palmer. He is in his second tour in Iraq. He sent a letter regarding what is going on in the area he where he is commanding. Nathan is married with 4-year-old and 7-month-old boys.

Thank you for your time,

Teresa Dickson

Palmer

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope this finds everyone doing well. Events are moving over here in Northern Iraq. My Troop and I have been posted to the Kirkuk area. It is a land of multi-ethnic peoples, including Kurds, Arabs and Turks. It is also an oil-rich area, which makes it especially valuable to all those groups. My assigned sector is mostly rural with several medium-sized towns in it. The people here are mostly farmers and soldiers, and there is a terrible drought that is crippling the countryside.

Today I met some of my Iraqi counterparts, including Iraqi Army Commanders, Sheiks and City Councilmen. I am impressed by their professionalism and excitement as they continue to discover and develop the democratic process. I have met local officials here who are more proud of their local government than many people in America. On the other hand, each group here has its own agenda, creating a complex power struggle that is being decided for the first time without violence.

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts, and I ask that you continue to think of my Troopers and I. Crazyhorse Troop is committed to finishing the task started in May of 2003 when we invaded this country, and we are proud to be here to observe the final evolution of counter-insurgency and nation-building. It is truly a different Iraq and a different game.

I wish you all the best, and I will see you all upon my return.

Respectfully,

CPT Nathan Jennings

C Troop, 4-9 CAV,

2BCT, ICD

FOB Warrior

APO AE 09338