Scaling

Cpl Partin gets snapped hopping a wall in the market.

Landscape

Anyone own a landscaping business? If so, how much for a job like this?

LCpl Michaelson

In a 'security halt.'

Happy Birthdays

Carmen Castillo, wife of LCpl Oscar Castillo (1st Plt), sent me this picture of their three children. This month was a big month for the Castillo Family as they celebrated three birthdays.

Natalia (left) is two years old, Isabella (middle) turned four years old on April 26th, Daniel (right) turned ten years old on April 12th, and Carmen (not pictured) celebrated her birthday on April 13th. Happy Birthdays, Castillos.

Doc

Doc West, an Iraqi man, and his daughter pose for a picture. The locals are so happy to have us around for the security that we provide from insurgents. Also, the Navy Corpsmen that we carry with us often are able to provide medical treatment to the families.

Making a Difference

If you look deep in the picture, you'll see the Marines of Charlie Company talking to all the locals. The relationships that we build with the locals everyday is the foundation for our success here. This picture exhibits the first part of the Marine saying, "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy."

Mercedes Paige Smith

Congratulations to Josh (Gunny) and Tina Smith on their new arrival, Mercedes Paige. She was born on 14 April 2006 at 1050. She weighed 9lb 7oz and was 21 inches long.

Her big brother, Jake (2 yrs), is sitting proud next to her in the picture. Jake turned two on 30 March 06.

Cpl and Mrs. Lesker

Cpl Jason and Mrs. Lesker were married on January 6, 2006 right before we deployed. Karen Lesker sent me this photo to share with you all. Here's a belated congrats.

Terp

Our number one interpreter, Mike from Michigan, gives out candy to the kids.

Gun Turret

Cpl Bestpitch sits on the up-gun in the city of Khandari. This is what the gunner looks like to the driver of the truck.

Loaded Truck

The Iraqis load everything and anything onto whatever kind of vehicle they have. If this isn't proof of that, I don't know what is.

Pups

Sgt Bigger feeds some MRE to some puppies. Even the dogs knew not to eat it...

Survey

An Iraqi man completes a survey that gauges the dynamics of security in the city.

Corinne Kaie Letchford

I'd like to announce to everyone that my wife, Madeline, and I are celebrating the birth of our first baby girl, Corinne Kaie. She was born on 13 April at 0333. She weighed 7 lb 13 oz and was 22.5 inches long.

In this picture, you'll see the little angel in her Pink Cheetah car seat next to Madeline and Jimi (21 months). I miss you three and I can't wait to see you!

Over-Watch

Two Marines stand in an over-watch position on a corner as the rest of their platoon moves through.

GySgt Carlson

Messes around with the kids during a patrol.

Pfc Vanderventer

An Iraqi kid checks out his gears.

Cpl Eshelman

Rockin' the doo-rag.

Thank You!!

Charlie Company would like to say thank you to Glory Days Grill in Richmond, VA for the 13 boxes they sent us. Inside the boxes was everything from toothbrushes to candy for the Iraqi kids. There was so much stuff in the boxes, we lined up Marines from each of the platoons to come in and grab what they wanted.

Glory Days Grill was one of our biggest supporters during last deployment, as well. In fact, if you go to their websites, they actually have a link to this website on their main page. Check them out:

http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/locations/harbourside/index.htm

http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/locations/gleneagles/index.htm

I've been to the restaurants and they proudly fly Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines colors.

Semper Fidelis.

New Arrival!

Congratulations to the Van Vleck's on their new arrival. Richard Allen Van Vleck, III, was born on March 18th. Mom and baby are healthy.

Sgt Arambaru

Sgt 'Rambo' takes a knee as a little Iraqi kid checks out what's going on.

Family, Friends, and Supporters,

I need to address something very important. This website is an unofficial website, which means it is not monitored by the United States Marine Corps for content, pictures, and comments. The focus of this site is to keep the families informed with the most up-to-date information that is allowed to be passed, without compromising national, operational, or personal security. Along the same lines, the site is intended to effect the families, friends, and supporters in a positive manner. Comments to the Marines and others are greatly appreciated and encouraged. Comments passing information that has not been directly posted on this site by myself are PROHIBITED. This is a very sensitive subject and must be adhered to or the site will have to be closed. Like you, I do not want this to happen, but will be forced to if any of these security concerns are breached. Just to be clear these include national security, operational security, personal security, and/or casualty information.

As you all know, U.S. Marines carry out very important, yet dangerous duties throughout the world. They are the 'Tip of the Spear.' Carrying this time honored tradition is a heavy load, and sometimes results in tolls that none of us want to, yet are all ready to pay.

On April 7, 2006, Charlie Company lost a brother, friend, and fellow Marine. Cpl Richard Waller was mortally wounded during combat operations in our battle space. Please understand that I know there is nothing I can say or do that will ever hold a candle to the type of man Richard was. With this being said, once constructed, there will be a tribute website for Cpl Waller posted for you all to view. Please have patience because it will take great time and effort to develop something that even resembles something worthy of him.

Semper Fidelis.

Patrol

Marines of 2nd Platoon push outside the walls of Abu Ghraib for a foot patrol. This is what the outside of the prison looks like. No getting in this bad boy, unless you're supposed to be here.

Lt Jarosz

2nd Platoon Commander, Lt Andy Jarosz.

Check Point

Charlie Marines patrol under a bridge that's in our battle space.

A Little Break

Cpl Johnson, Sgt Auten, and LCpl White take a little break on one of their long patrols.

Pfc Hilliard

Taking a break under some cover.

Check it Out

Make sure you check out the I MEF site for Charlie Company media:

http://www.imef-fwd.usmc.mil/imef/imef-public.nsf/sites/imeffwd?OpenDocument

Fixed

I'm gonna go ahead and say that you don't want to mess with these two.

2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon

Not a bad caches find, Second.

Cpl Caron, GySgt Smith, and Sgt Harris

Alright, so they're posing...

Thank You

Charlie Company would like to say a special thanks to MarineParents.com for sending us more Girl Scout Cookies than we can eat. Oorah.