UPDATES FROM LONG ISLAND SOLDIERS

Hello Long Island,

Thank you again for the continued support in the emails that I have received. Exciting news for me this week, my wife began her new job. I want to thank "Hampton Dermatology" in Southampton for employing my wife and affording her the opportunity to continue her medical career.

My Company began a few new projects this week. Our most recent project is fund raising (within our Company) and sending "Goodie Packages" to an unfortunate family. The Poole family, is from Long Island who’s only two little boys, Tyler and Spencer (right) are diagnosed with Duchenne, a fatal form of Muscular Dystrophy. These children will require 2 wheelchairs in the very near future. We plan to send a signed Company photograph, backpacks, and other "Goodies" to Tyler & Spencer as well as contribute towards those wheelchairs. We would like to say hello, and keep your spirits up to the Poole Family.

We conducted another one of our medical operations in Baghdad last week which was a very successful mission without any incidents. The medics and doctor’s always come back with enormous gratification after these medical missions. They treated numerous civilians and the Iraqi citizens were very appreciative.

Two weeks ago was an exciting USO Visit that included Singer Wayne Newton, Actor Rob Schneider, Singer Neil McCoy, and other celebrities. It was very exciting for the soldiers here to meet these celebrities face-to-face and receive autographs and photos with them. We want to thank them all for their time and willingness to put themselves in "harms way" to show their support for us.

October 24th featured our monthly horseshoe tournament in which was a "nail biter" in the end. My team lost the final game 21-17. Regardless, it was exciting and allowed for social gathering of soldiers within our Battalion.

For Halloween, we had our Baghdad Film Festival and Scary Movie Night. Incorporated, was a festive environment with many homemade decorations and a delicious barbeque with ribs, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, soda, and chips. A big thanks goes out to Staff Sergeant Rafferty (a West Islip resident) who did much of the organizing and put this event into action. In addition, kudos must go out to Captain Gilliam and Staff Sergeant Fuata for their "grilling" expertise. Our Halloween Festival took place in our makeshift courtyard with an outdoor movie which featured "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". It was a successful event and a much needed rest.

As for me, I completed my Junior Leadership Development Course on the 1st of November and will return to my normal duties. It was an educational week that helped build my leadership skills and combat efficiency.

Wrapping up this week….. it has been a good one. We continue our humanitarian efforts and begin planning for our next missions. I hope everyone at home feels safe and knows that everyone over here is "getting the job done"!

Until next time…..

SGT Shawn Wilkins
wilkins_shawn@yahoomail.com 

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