A local soldier’s letter from Iraq





Happy holidays from Iraq!

It’s been about two months now since I’ve been in the sandbox (Iraq) and everything is going well. The weather is not too bad now that it’s starting to get closer to winter and cooling down to the 90s in the day compared to the 120s in the past. Scenery isn’t too bad, either, just a lot of sand in every direction you look.

The base here is pretty hooked up and I’ve been spending any free time I get swimming at the pool, going to the gym, reading, eating and occasionally going to the Internet center.

I’ve seen and experienced many things in these past few months that have made me stronger, both mentally and physically. Recently I participated in an operation during the elections to help the Iraqi people vote for their Constitution which went very well, except for the occasional mortar attacks.

In the last month, I attended several memorial ceremonies for fallen Marines and soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Even thought I didn’t know these men personally, I felt as if I had lost a bother. These courageous men were no different than you and I. They left behind wives and children, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, friends and family.

What will stay in my heart forever from those experiences were the chaplain’s words of comfort in which he explained that these brave men gave their lives defending freedom so that we can go about our every day lives back home. These men’s unselfish sacrifices will never be forgotten and there is a day dedicated to these men each year in which schools across the countries will close in order to remember these fallen heroes.

I want to thank you for your continued support and prayers. I am looking forward to seeing you all once my tour here is over. Lcpl. Matthew Shigekawa 5th Battalion, 14th Marines

Editor’s note: Matthew Shigekawa’s letter is shared with us all by his mother, Lucy, who aquiesed to our request to share it with the rest of the Moorpark community, where the family makes their home.


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