Neophyte blogger David Broadus, of All Things Political, has scored a coup by publishing a moving letter home from Marine Captain Ben Connable, intelligence deputy for the 1st Marine Division, in charge of Iraq's western al—Anbar Province.

Captain Connable makes many important points, about the turnover of responsibility for Fallujah to Iraqi forces, as well as general observations of the contrast between the picture the media paints of Iraq and the real situation experienced by our forces.

Read the entire letter yourself, but here are some exceprts:

The Marines fought hard in Fallujah and took a lot of very evil people out of the fight. That effort, and the associated loss of Marine lives, was not in vain. We're already seeing a significant decrease in the enemy's ability to attack our forces. The supply lines are open again and everything is flowing freely through the
country. Their efforts to cut us off in order to break our willpower failed. The Iraqi people are tired of the enemy and they are turning them over to us left and right.

——

We're reading that everyone back home is starting to lose faith in our efforts in Iraq. The last CBS poll put the numbers under 50% for the first time. I know that doesn't mean a loss in support for the troops, but supporting "the troops" while not supporting the mission doesn't do much for us. If we're over here for nothing then vague "support the troops" statements carry little weight.

——

Have we really become so addled and weak—willed that we can't stick something out through a little rough patch? I have faith that we'll get the backing we need to finish our work in Iraq. Please have that faith with me and support our  mission as much as you support our Marines.

Semper Fidelis

Posted by Thomas  05 19 04