Monday, October 18, 2004

LCpl Daniel R. Wyatt

One of my closest friends Anthony, serves in the United States Marine Corps in
the 2nd Batallion 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division. It comes as no
coincidence for me that we are both deployed in this fight against
terrorism. Myself on the supply side, and he on the combat side.
However I might wish to be in his position and fighting for our country
and for the freedom of the Iraqi people, my place is to serve where I am
at. I read the Stars and Stripes paper every day and in it there is a
small article that announces the number of servicemembers killed in
Operation Iraqi Freedom. I noticed a name someone from his unit, LCpl Daniel R. Wyatt 2nd BN,
24th Marines, 4th MarDiv out of Chicago. LCpl Wyatt was from Caledonia,
WI.

Below is an email from the LtCol in charge of their unit, as he speaks
of the death of LCpl Daniel R. Wyatt. Please keep LCpl Wyatt's family
and his fiancee in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their son, and
husband to be.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Smith LtCol Mark A"
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004
Subject: Weekly Update 15 Oct 04


It is with the deepest sadness and most profound grief that I must report
to you the loss of Daniel Wyatt, LCpl, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC.
Daniel was killed in the line of duty, while conducting foot patrolling
operations in Yusufiyah Iraq. Daniel was killed by a command detonated
improvised explosive device. He died instantly, suffered no pain and was
immediately recovered by his fellow Marines. My command security element
and myself personally recovered Daniel's body and escorted him back to the
forward operating base, and then onto the helicopter for the beginning of
his final ride home. I cannot even begin to express to you the soul
touching sight of combat hardened Marines, encrusted with weeks of sweat
and dust, who have daily been engaged in combat, coming to complete and utter
solemnity and respect in the handling of the body of one of their own. It
puts on display a level of brotherly love you just cannot see anywhere
else.

We conducted a memorial service for Daniel in the battle space owned by his
fellow Marines, as well as one the following day at the Bn forward
operating base. I have spoken with his fiancee and expressed the sorrow and sympathy
of the entire Battalion. If I might for a moment, I hear and see some of
the media coverage. I hear the accusations and charges. I hear what could
almost be labelled as hysteria over the situation in Iraq. Let me tell you
something from ground level. The town of Yusufiyah that Daniel and his
fellow Marines seized, had not seen government structure or security forces
for over 8 months. FOREIGN FIGHTERS, TERRORIST AND THUGS have had free
reign and have routinely murdered people in the market for no reason other
than one day they MIGHT support a democratic process and speak for
themselves. For nothing more than they MIGHT choose a version of religion
even slightly different than the terrorists and foreign fighters. They
live in squalor and fear. The Marines of Daniel's unit have not had a shower
since seizing the town. They have eaten MREs day on stay on. They live a
Spartan existence that few can imagine. And, on all my trips to their
position for planning, coordination and command visits, I ask them if they
want to be relieved. To a man, they look me in the eye and tell me NO WAY.
Why? Well, I am not going to soften it for anyone, the primary reason why
is to kill terrorists. Please remember, that is what they are trained and
paid to do. But, they also tell me, they want to help the people of
Yusufiyah. They want to show all of Iraq that they can stand on their own
feet, push back against extremism, and with our help live the life of freedom that all men yearn for.
Yes, from the mouths of these young and hardened warriors, this is what they tell me.
And then...and then...they ask me how I am doing! Unfreakingbeliveable!
They worry about everyone else but themselves.

So believe what you want. That is your right as Americans. But I am
telling you, there are no heroes on any football fields, basketball courts
or halls of government. Their are honorable and decent people all over
America. However, the heroes are on the battlefields of Iraq. Suffering,
killing and DYING that others might live, and live in FREEDOM. Americans
free from terror, Iraqis free from opression and tyranny. I am an
under-educated gun toter from Indiana who is just lucky there is an
organization like the USMC where a half-wit like myself with some
rudimentary combat skills can succeed. But I do know heroes! I am
surrounded by over a thousand of them. And I am not the least bit ashamed
to tell you I have wept like a baby for Daniel Wyatt. Because when one of
these heroes falls, it is if an Angel of God himself has fallen from
heaven! I will not profess glory of battle or any other such hype. I will profess
duty and sacrifice. Daniel showed us all true duty and ultimate sacrifice.
I have no doubt that the instant he died, he was whisked to heaven on the
wings of Angels and placed before the unapproachable light of Jesus, who
himself said: "greater love hath no man, than a man lay down his life for
his friends."

GOD BLESS AND KEEP DANIEL WYATT, HIS FAMILY AND FIANCEE AND GOD BLESS AND
KEEP ALL THE FAMILIES OF 2/24.

Yours in profound sadness

Mark A. Smith, LtCol
TF 2/24 Cmdr
Mahmudiyah, Iraq