GIs Get Turkey, Juice and Calls Home

[unhappycamper]

GIs Get Turkey, Juice and Calls Home
December 26, 2008
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

DELARAM, Afghanistan - There was little hint of Christmas day when the sun rose over this barren military base.

The Marines had their missions lined up: to protect trucks carrying wheat seeds to farmers from a Taliban attack; to link up with the Afghan police to track a Taliban leader believed to be hiding in the nearby mountains; and to continue building new facilities to provide creature comforts on this base, part of U.S. military push into new parts of Afghanistan.

But as the day wore on, platoon leaders tacked on a new mission - to make sure every Marine had the chance to call home.

"It's important for the morale of my boys," explained Lt. Phil Gilreath, 23, of Kingwood, Texas, a platoon commander.

Marines are used to being away from home on Christmas. About 40 percent of those stationed here have been to Iraq or Afghanistan before or have missed the holiday due to training.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/gis-get-turkey-juice-and-calls-home.html?col=1186032310810