- Joined
- Jul 5, 2005
- Messages
- 193
Below is an edited letter forwarded to me by Mr. Sain of American Snipers.org.
Though I have supported this organization, this letter proved that I am not doing a good enough job.
So I am posting this so that all of you, if led to do so, may send some gear.
Most of us are not on the tip of the spear, fighting for freedom. The money I spent on lunch today, could have bought some of the gear listed in the letter. We here at home have it easy.
I am willing to supply any product I carry at my cost for anyone who wishes to send these men gear. PM or email me for info.
If you do not want to use me, but want to help by making a donation to www.Americansnipers.org you have the link.
If you want to go to the hardware store and ship some stuff on your own, email me for the address and info.
If this offends you, get over it.
The letter:
Mr. Sain,
My name is SSG XXXXXXXXXXXX. I am the medical platoon sergeant for X-XX Infantry, Xrd Brigade, 3rd ID, out of Ft Benning, Ga. We are currently deployed to Iraq, in the vicinity of XXXXXXXXXXX. Things here are pretty rough. Now, obviously, I am not a sniper, but I have been a medic with the infantry my entire time in service, from the 82nd to the 101st, 75th Ranger Regiment, and now 3rd ID. There is no other group of soldiers I would rather serve with than infantrymen.
The reason I am writing is on behalf of my battalion sniper section. I go out with our scout/sniper section on a regular basis and have nothing but respect for them and what they do. The skills snipers possess are not easily attained, and not everyone can do what you guys do. Recently (3 weeks ago) a good friend of mine, a sniper, SGT XXXXXXX, was shot in the throat by an insurgent sniper. Ironically, XXXXXXX was our first sniper to get a confirmed kill. This insurgent sniper has taken out 5 of our guys so far. The round that struck XXXXXXX entered under the angle of his jaw on the right and exited the back of his neck, severing his carotid artery and shattering his 3rd cervical vertebra. Believe it or not, he actually lived. He is back stateside, but he has left-sided neurological deficits, and we don't know how much movement he will regain. Only time will tell. A really crappy thing about his situation is he has his first child due next month.
The snipers and scouts are my second family. I would rather be with them than my medical platoon. They know how to take care of their medic, and I would lay down my life for them. Our unit does not equip our soldiers very well, so if there is anything you might be able to donate to them, they would greatly appreciate it. Things they could use:
1. 2 or 3 ACOG sites with night sites. The ACOGs they are using right now are the base ACOGs without night sites. 2. Miltec or some other good cleaning/lube, something graphite based. The sand over here is like baby powder. 3. Canned air, and anything else you can think of that would help them clean their weapons. 4. Carabiners/snap links, zip ties. 5. Small assault-type packs for short missions. The ones they have are crap. 6. Small binos. They always complain about how bulky and awkward the ones they have are. 7. Anything else you can think of. They would definitely appreciate anything you can send.
They don't know I'm doing this for them. I appreciate them and love them as my brothers, so I want to help them out. Even though XXXXXXXX didn't die, we still lost him from our every day life.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my email. Take care, and keep up what you are doing. It's great to see so much support for the military.
Thank You,
XXXX XXXXX
Though I have supported this organization, this letter proved that I am not doing a good enough job.
So I am posting this so that all of you, if led to do so, may send some gear.
Most of us are not on the tip of the spear, fighting for freedom. The money I spent on lunch today, could have bought some of the gear listed in the letter. We here at home have it easy.
I am willing to supply any product I carry at my cost for anyone who wishes to send these men gear. PM or email me for info.
If you do not want to use me, but want to help by making a donation to www.Americansnipers.org you have the link.
If you want to go to the hardware store and ship some stuff on your own, email me for the address and info.
If this offends you, get over it.
The letter:
Mr. Sain,
My name is SSG XXXXXXXXXXXX. I am the medical platoon sergeant for X-XX Infantry, Xrd Brigade, 3rd ID, out of Ft Benning, Ga. We are currently deployed to Iraq, in the vicinity of XXXXXXXXXXX. Things here are pretty rough. Now, obviously, I am not a sniper, but I have been a medic with the infantry my entire time in service, from the 82nd to the 101st, 75th Ranger Regiment, and now 3rd ID. There is no other group of soldiers I would rather serve with than infantrymen.
The reason I am writing is on behalf of my battalion sniper section. I go out with our scout/sniper section on a regular basis and have nothing but respect for them and what they do. The skills snipers possess are not easily attained, and not everyone can do what you guys do. Recently (3 weeks ago) a good friend of mine, a sniper, SGT XXXXXXX, was shot in the throat by an insurgent sniper. Ironically, XXXXXXX was our first sniper to get a confirmed kill. This insurgent sniper has taken out 5 of our guys so far. The round that struck XXXXXXX entered under the angle of his jaw on the right and exited the back of his neck, severing his carotid artery and shattering his 3rd cervical vertebra. Believe it or not, he actually lived. He is back stateside, but he has left-sided neurological deficits, and we don't know how much movement he will regain. Only time will tell. A really crappy thing about his situation is he has his first child due next month.
The snipers and scouts are my second family. I would rather be with them than my medical platoon. They know how to take care of their medic, and I would lay down my life for them. Our unit does not equip our soldiers very well, so if there is anything you might be able to donate to them, they would greatly appreciate it. Things they could use:
1. 2 or 3 ACOG sites with night sites. The ACOGs they are using right now are the base ACOGs without night sites. 2. Miltec or some other good cleaning/lube, something graphite based. The sand over here is like baby powder. 3. Canned air, and anything else you can think of that would help them clean their weapons. 4. Carabiners/snap links, zip ties. 5. Small assault-type packs for short missions. The ones they have are crap. 6. Small binos. They always complain about how bulky and awkward the ones they have are. 7. Anything else you can think of. They would definitely appreciate anything you can send.
They don't know I'm doing this for them. I appreciate them and love them as my brothers, so I want to help them out. Even though XXXXXXXX didn't die, we still lost him from our every day life.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my email. Take care, and keep up what you are doing. It's great to see so much support for the military.
Thank You,
XXXX XXXXX
), shipped out yesterday. :thumbup: God speed to the snipers and their medic, who are eat'n dust for us!
