SPc. Jim McNease in Iraq with a couple of buddies Recently one of my younger buddies wrote me about writing a little about his trip, furnished by his Uncle Sam. I told him to send it on, along with photos. This is his second letter that he wrote to me.

Hello, Mr. Terry, I have added these four photos. I couldn't decide which ones to send, so I sent all four, and you can use whichever ones you prefer. I don't know if you could put two in the paper, but I decided to send them just in case. I thought you could pick which looked the best. Of course, you have the funny one of me, in what I guess is my Christmas suit, and then the other with me and my buddy's favorite of the Georgia flags. The other guy in the picture with me and the flag is Joel Atkins. He is a 2005 graduate of Lee County High School. I only felt it was right to add another Georgian, and friend, with me in the photo. If you didn't get the photos, just send me a message back, and I will re-send them and if you did get everything, please send me a message confirming that you did. I will be forever grateful.

Spc. James R. McNease and a Leesburg buddy, Joel Atkins in Iraq. Also below is a few things I would like to say to everyone back home.

From Jim

I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and support that I have received since I have been deployed. Knowing that you always have a place at home, no matter how far away you go, is something that helps keep all of us soldiers driving on. I await my safe return sometime in April of 2010. That will complete my one year rotation here in Iraq.

Ok, now I will provide you with a little background information on me and my unit. I am currently deployed with The 1st Calvary Division, 1st Air Combat Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas.

And last, this is something I have been working on and felt it was fit to share.

Through the eyes and ears of a soldier, many things can be found. The ups and the downs, along with all of the sights and sounds. Seeing the sun rise over the mountains in distant places, or watching it fall behind the dunes of lands that seem so wasted, or even the splendor of a full moon across an empty dessert sky. All this lets you see everything God intended and why!

Of course, with all this good, there has to be some bad. Like the sound of artil- lery rounds booming across the skies of Baghdad and the bands of fire that light up the mountain sides of Afghanistan.

But even with all that happening, I am privileged at the most because of the love and support that each of you show. So I know now that even being away, all of you pray to help me in every way. It makes it easy to know that even if I'm gone, I'm never really too far from home.

Spc. James R. Mc- Nease

United States Army Thank you, Mr. Terry, for giving me the chance to say hello to everyone back home. Feel free to edit my grammar and any other things that you see fit. I'm not a writer yet, but I think with all the time alone I have, I might can at least end up writing a small book of thoughts - ha ha. Anyway, I hope all is well on the home front, and hope to return home to stay, one of these days. I'm gonna leave my address on here, and if you think you would like to post it as well, I do not mind. Thank you again and Merry Christmas to everyone back home!

Spc. McNease, James R ACo1-227 ARB, 1ACB
Unit #6061
APO AE 09378

Editors Note: Jim, thank you for the letters and what you all are doing for this nation and our people. You have done much more than 99 percent of us citizens and our leaders. You have put your lives on the line for our freedom and to help others help themselves.

God Bless You.

God Protect You.

May you come back home safe and more of a man than most who are here.

Terry

P.S. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.