Gathering of Eagles

Guest Authors

Profile of an Active Duty Eagle

Posted On: June 19, 2007 at 7:55 PM By: < Former Member >

Eagles, Michael is an American freedom fighter who thinks enough about what GOE is doing to send us $100 every two weeks. That's an incredible sacrifice for a young soldier, but it clearly demonstrates the appreciation the troops have for what we are doing in their behalf. To say that Mike's note is humbling is to grossly overstate the case. This outstanding young American is fighting on two fronts--Iraq and America. He clearly understands the importance of what we're doing, and he makes me ever more determined to make sure that his commitment, along with that of the other 155,000 Americans in Iraq, to the cause of freedom is fully appreciated. Here is the e-mail that I sent Mike:

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I hope we hear from Mike again, and soon. In the meantime, keep him and his brothers and sisters in your prayers. Eagles Up! Larry Bailey PS: Read Mike's last line; that made my day!

(Note: The letter has been edited to comply with OPSEC and other concerns.)

Hello, sir, My name is Michael. I'm 21 and a Specialist Fourth Class about to be promoted to sergeant. My Military Occupational Specialty is 21B (Combat Engineer). My profession is just the same as the infantry's, except that we are trained in dealing in high explosives. Our main duty here in the Middle East is conducting IED sweeps and handling any IED's or unexploded ordnance. We do, though, contribute to the daily patroling and holding of houses here in Baghdad. I'm not Special Forces, but a buddy of mine and I are trying to get our SF packets together for when we get back to our post . I would be honored to give some form of notice or article weekly, but a sudden change in basing, along with our missions, probably won't allow that. Its been on the news already, so I guess it's no longer much of a secret that we're moving out of location to another city. Unfortunately, the base where we are to be stationed doesn't have enough computers or phones for everyone to use freely. I'm not sure if there's cell phone coverage and wireless internet, but I shall be bringing my cell phone, just in case. With our mission, being able to communicate with anyone will be slim, but if you and the rest of the GOE community would like, I will try to send some kind of word or answer any questions as soon as possible. I try to make my contributions every 2 weeks (every paycheck), but I feel that there's always more that I can do. I would give more, but with car payments and cell phone bills, $100 is all that I can cough up. However, something is better then nothing. I will be in location for a max. of 2 months, then we're coming back here to start packing, cleaning and doing paper work preparatory to going home. We are to be stateside in late September, so this next 2 months is the last of fighting for us. We are very, VERY excited to come home. I'm hoping on my return to home base that I can get more involved and help out more with GOE. I could express my thoughts and feelings and my plans, but I don't want to leave you with any more of a novel, so I'll leave that for another time to explain. I must get going--duty calls--but please do feel free, sir, to send an e-mail any time asking whatever or for any news. I will gladly respond soon as I can. Thank you for your time and support in reading this. Before I go, you should know that YOU guys make us proud! Mike

Posted on June 19, 2007 at 7:55 PM by < Former Member >

To:

Michael,

You sir, make me want to be more active in GOE. Thank you for all you do. You and your men are in my prayers.

1 Posted On: June 19, 2007 at 8:51 PM By: < Former Member >