[From Brian Zahn across the border from Iraq.]

15 March

Dear Myra,

Received your tape the other day and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it. Thanks to you and everyone involved. It was really great to hear from the old school buddies. Since I don’t have the addresses for everyone on the tape please pass on to them that this old soldier was really touched. You may have heard that mail takes a while to get to us over here (38 days for your tape) so in case you think I had forgotten or neglected to respond that’s the reason.

I’m doing very well but really looking forward to getting home. My unit is part of the 1st Infantry Division or more affectionately known as the Big Red One. You may have seen or heard about us in the news but suffice it to say we led the attack into the Iraqi flank demolishing 3 entire Republican Guards Divisions.

We fought continuously for 5 days (well, 10 really but you guys weren’t supposed to know that we were in contact 5 days before the war really started) with no sleep. We only stopped to rearm, refuel, and reorganize. That was really the key to our success- we kept them off guard once the attack began. My battalion alone (about 1165 Infantry and armor soldiers with 60 tanks and Bradleys) was credited with destroying 2 Iraqi regiments (about 4000 enemy soldiers, 150 tanks and 100 armored personnel carriers).

I missed out on the last day of the Battle as I was slightly wounded and MEDEVAC’ed to a Combat Hospital. It’s a long story but they were going to send me back to the States. But I would have no part of that. I told the Doc to patch me up and I commandered a chopper back to the front line. I rejoined my unit just in time to attack and secure SAFWAN airfield- that’s where GEN Schwartzkopf presented the ultimatum to the Iraqi’s.

Please tell Don, Carey, Jewel (Congrats to the newlywed- wish I could have been there!), Kathy (thanks so much for the help with the tape),

Brad, Dave, Krista, Vicky, Jeb and Edwan and Sue (hope I didn’t forget anyone!) that I will write them as soon as I can get their addresses. I understand that the support for this thing back home is just overwhelming and your thoughtfullness is just one example. You truly have reason to be proud of your country, the men and women who served over here, and those at home who gave their time and effort in support.

I believe Desert Storm has demonstrated what we in the military have known for years but have had no opportunity to prove… that no army, navy, or airforce in the world is a match for ours; especially when we have the kind of political and social support we had in this war. For this, at least on behalf of the 1165 soldiers under my control, I’d like to thank all of you.

I don’t know exactly when we’ll be coming home. Right now it looks like at least two more months. We are holding the line of demarkation until the peace treaty is signed and then we have to clean up all of our equipment and wait for an airplane.

Well, gotta go. Thanks again for all you have done. I miss all of you and hope to see you soon. Maybe we can all get back together in Athens and, like Carey said “Reopen the 4th Quarter”.

Your Classmate and Lifelong Friend,

Brian

P.S. I also received your letter w/ the photos- thanks again! As I was telling Connie before I left home, the only thing that can bring a soldier closer to home than a letter is a picture or a tape.

P.P.S.- Hope you enjoyed the little souvenir of Iraq!

Myra copied all of us this letter, but kept the souvenir sand for herself!