Hardrock Newsletter (Nov 04)

Dear Hard Rock Charlie Families,

Hard Rock Charlie Company has been living up to its name here in Iraq. The company has been doing great work and has taken on a major workload here at Camp Habbaniyah. The whole battalion has been running 100 MPH and Hard Rock has been carrying its load and then some.

I wish you could see your soldiers. They are all great men and they truly are magnificent ambassadors for our wonderful country. The men of Hard Rock are strong but thoughtful when need be; aggressive but patient; and committed. It is a wonderful feeling to see them all prepping for a mission, standing guard or even relaxing and telling war stories after a successful mission. I am very proud of them and I know you are too.

The company has been busy doing several missions to include the majority of the force protection for the camp. That includes manning the entry control points (ECP's); several guard towers; and the command and control. We are also rotating being a quick reaction force (QRF) for the battalion and conducting a route security mission. Both missions require one platoon. Plus, we also have conducted numerous platoon, company, battalion, and brigade size missions. It is really amazing how much we have done in such a short period.

Hard Rock company soldiers are doing a hard job and they do it everyday without complaining but they are able to focus because of the grand job you the families are doing back on the home front. I know personally I feel incredibly guilty for leaving Suzanne and the children for so long, almost a year in Korea and now a year in Iraq. But, she has never said or acted in any way that would add to my guilt. She is my rock and my humanity and I know you are for your soldiers. Thank you for your hard work for your understanding and your concern.

A special thanks to Mrs. Naughton for all her hard work keeping 2nd Platoon and the rest of the company informed, rallying the families and thinking of new projects to help soldiers and families. And thanks to my Suzanne for visiting recovering Hard Rock soldiers at Walter Reed.