OPERATION "BACKPACK"
During the month of June I was asked if our own "A/1/7 Marine Corps Association - Korea 1950 -1953 would like to participate in Operation "Backpack" that our Marines of 1st Battalion 7th Marines was involved in trying to give the children of Iraq something that just might help them to readjust to their new lives in a free Iraq. I contacted several of our members and they felt that this was a worthwhile endeavor. So I sent a check and letter to Mrs. Conlin, wife of LtCol Conlin, CO of the 1stBn for this project. I received an email from LtCol Conlin and it published for your information: "Capt "Shifty" Shifflette and the Marines of A-1-7 Marine Corps Association, Gentlemen, Thank you for your most generous contribution to the "Backpacks for Iraq" Program. Following in your footsteps, we are showing this country that the Marine Corps is ruthless on the battlefield, but magnanimous to those yearning for freedom. Our current Command-ing General (also a the former First Team Commanding Officer during Desert Storm) put it this way, the First Marine Division is "No better friend, no worse enemy!" With your help we are winning freedom in the classrooms of every school in this country just as aggressively as we fought for it on every battlefield. You can be very proud of your Marines and Sailors in the First Team, and particularly "Able" Company, who tend to go by "Animal" Company these days. In the last six months they deployed to Kuwait, held the Iraq board on D Day-1, |
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seized the Al Zubyr Pumping Station called the "Crown Jewel" because it controls 14% for the world's oil, cleared Route 1 of Feedayen Guerillas, seized Al Numaniya Airfield, destroyed the Republican Guard Baghdad Division, crossed the Dyiala River under fire, seized the Rasheed
Airfield, seized and stabilized downtown Baghdad, and occupied and stabilized the Holy City of Najaf. They traveled over 400 miles across deserts, rivers, swamps and cities achieving the longest inland drive in Marine Corps history. Their latest exploit
was to overthrow the corrupt
governor of Najaf in a lightning fast raid that would have made Presley O'Bannon proud. Your legacy has lived on in them and they are proud to be carrying on the proud traditions of this storied battalion.
Thank you for you service and continued support. Please keep in touch with us. It is our linkage to our past heroes that makes our young Marines so strong. Please take care, and keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we fight the good fight to make our world free. Simper fiddles, C.C. Conlin & The Marines of the First Team LtCol Christopher C. Conlin, USMC Commanding Officer 1st Battalion 7th Marines UIC 39763 FPO AP 96426-9763 Najaf, Iraq Attached are 2 Photo of additional donated backpacks being presented to Ava Conlin (Wife of LtCol Conlin) and 2ndLt Bonifant, Logistics Officer of 1/7. These, as well as others, are to be filled |
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with school supplies for shipment to the Marines of 1/7 to be given to the children in Iraq. Approximately 100 full backpacks have been shipped thus far. With more to be shipped. (Sorry my ugly face is in these pictures as it was Mrs. Conlin's idea.
Semper Fi! Bob Licker 
The Ice Cream Kid is making his moves again! Bob continues to stay in touch with our Marines of 1/7 in Iraq. Keep up the good work. Semper Fi! "Shifty" |
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Semper Fi |