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Dustin - Ohio Archive

Dustin is a team leader in Lima Co. 3/25, which will be deploying to Iraq after training in 29 Palms , California. Dustin is a Corporal (E-4) and has been in the Marine Corps for five and a half years. Before being deployed Dustin worked at ISG Columbus Processing. He also attended Columbus State majoring in EMS/ Fire Science. Dustin served as an EMT/ Firefighter in Baltimore, OH for three years. After his return home he has hopes of getting into the bar business with a friend of his.

From Dustin
4.23.05
Hey everyone im back fo a couple days. We were only going out for a day originally then there was a firefight a couple cities away so we moved in to help out. We ended up staying a few days to help out and find the badguys. But, were back now for a brief time then ill be gone again for a long time, probably over a week. Things are getting pretty hot here. The last few days have been around 100 or more. Ive never sweated so much in my life. I even sweat when its dark out. I weighed myself with and without gear on the other day, I carry around about 70 lbs just with my flak jacket, weapon and ammo. I guess i shouldnt complain yet theres still about 40 degrees to gop this summer. Well gotta go im outta time. Ill write when i can Dustin

4.9.05
Im finally back after another 8 day mission. Things are really sucking here. We go from city to city clearing houses and palm groves. We have been finding alot of wepons and terrorists items though. The weather here has been around 80 to 90s . Which isnt too bad until you consider we have on long pants and sleeves with about a 40 lb. vest on trapping all the heat and a helmet. But i guess i shouldnt complain yet. We still have another 50 degrees to go to get to 140 degrees this summer. Soryy if i havent been writing alot we dont get much time in between our missions. I know people all wondering what to send. A couple things i want are Toilet paper, spam, summer sausage, and pepperoni sticks. Try not to send too much candy. Everyoe has more than we need. Thanks to everyone for the letters and packages. I really enjoy them. I miss everyone alot and cant wait to get home, and go on about three vacations. Well i guess ill talk to you all later and ill try to keep you updated as best i can.
Dustin

3.25.05
Hey everyone,
I just got back a couple hours ago from our two week mission. It really sucked. Two weeks without a shower, as you can imagine we all smell very nice. We did a ton of clearing houses. It is a totally different world here. I have been keeping a daily journal so everyone can read the day to day when i get back. Things are starting to get warm here a little, but its not too bad yet. Believe it or not its a week shy of a month that we've been here. I can't wait to get home though. Everyday me and the squad discuss food that we miss from home. I usually throw out Genji's. Well im running short on time so ill talk to you all later. Keep writing Love Dustin
P.S. Ill send a few new pics as soon as i get a chance.

3.8.05
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for the letters of concern. Things are going pretty good for me so far. I am in Iraq right now. Our platoon will be moving to another location that i cant disclose at this time. Unfortunately there wont be phones our email there so i wont be able to update my info very often. So far life has been ok. The food in the chow hall is great. We had T-bone steak and crab last night and steak a few nights ago too. So you could say that were doing good. Other than that not much new. I will try to write back as soon as i can but please bear with me. Thanks again and keep the mail coming.

Love, Dustin

From Family & Friends
Dustin, I know this is my first letter to you since you have been gone, so hopefully this makes up for it. Kristin E and I went out to the bar last night and talked about you. We are so proud of you here at home. Words cannot explain how proud of you that I am. I think I have told everyone that I know about you and the fact that you are fighting for this wonderful country. Every time I speak of you I hold my head up high knowing that you are a STRONG PERSON. It takes a certain type of person to go into harms way and stay as positive as you do and for that I tip my hat to you my friend. Dustin, if I could talk to you right now man to man I would ask of you one thing. Take care of yourself and your brother Marines. You guys are the backbone of this country. I don't know about anyone else but I know when I here the word Marine it makes me think of FREEDOM. I hope you just concentrate on your mission and know you do not have to worry about anything at home. Your family will always be safe I will see to that, the Genji will be here when you get home and I will help you eat it. One more thing the beer will flow smoothly just as well to. Before I finish this letter I read a quote the other day and it made me think of you so I am going to write it down for you to read also.

"People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind.
Think big anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you've got anyway".
- unknown

I hope this helps and know that I pray for you every
night. God Bless You Dustin.
Your Brother Brandon
P.S: Say Hi to Mike for me if you see him and tell him
I am proud of him also.

Hi Dustin,
We want you to know how proud we are of you and want to thank you for what you're doing for us and our country. We miss you very much and think of you every day. Terry says "keep that Charlie Brown head down. Gotta go, gotta _ _ _ _ ! " Please contact us when you can. We love you!!!
Debbie & Terry
XOXO

Hey Dustin,
I finally got to see your new pictures today (tues. march 1) They all look so good. Well...Ok the one with the goggles was kind of goofy! But cute! We miss you SO MUCH! It was so good to hear your voice last night on the phone. So weird that I was just thinking about how much I wanted to hear your voice again just before the phone rang and it was you! Prayers do get answered. We know that our prayers for your safety will also be answered too! Each day you are away you are one day closer to being home with us all again. Stay sharp and focused in using all your training and ....yes I'll say it again! PRAY! and you'll be home with us safe and sound before you know it. Can't wait to hear your next call and to get your new address. I have my daily letters piling up here at home waiting for a post mark!

We Love you with all our hearts and more than you'll ever know!
Love Marla and Dad!

Dustin~
I am so glad that we got to spend time together in Vegas... It was so nice to finally get to see u again, I am going to miss you so much while u are gone. I hope you had a great time, I'm sure u did since u were the only one winning!! Just be safe and make the best of the time that you have to spend over there. We will be thinking about you everyday, u will always be in my heart! Stay safe and get your butt home soon!!!!! Love You and miss you!
Kristin (E) or spongebob if u ask Brandon

Hi Dustin!
Saw your Mom, Kristin and Kristin and Nick at the pot luck. Everyone misses you so much. I hope you all have tons of fun in Vegas! Enjoy yourself. Your Dad is still in France and says "Bonjour!" (hi) he'll be back late Friday the 25th. We look forward to hearing from you soon. As always you are in our prayers and thoughts daily. Love you and miss you so very much! God bless you
Love always
Marla and Dad!

Hi Dustin -
Thought I'd send you another note since Nick said that you guys have been able to look at them once in a while. The family day pot luck was fun yesterday. We did a couple of cute things for you. Hopefully you'll get everything ok. Sounds like a lot of people are going to Vegas this week. I'm sure everyone will really have a good time. I know Kristin is looking forward to it. Everyone misses you and asks about you. I'm sure Malibu and Timmy miss you too although they do have it made at "grandma's" house. Hope everything is going alright. Sounds like you're with some good guys. Have fun in Vegas. Don't drink too much or lose too much gambling!!
Love, Mom 2/21/05

Hi Dustin,
We are all pulling for you and the worlds finest, and wish you all well as you take care of business. Tell all those hard charging devildogs I said "GET ALL YOU CAN MEN AND COME HOME SAFE!!!"

Semper Fi,
Paul

Hi Dustin,
Great pictures! I really miss you. I hope the cards and letters we are sending come a little bit more regularly. We send 'em out daily but it sounds like they get to you in fits and starts! Hope the box of beef jerky and other goodies gets to you in tact and soon!

Your Dad and I miss you so much! It was great to hear from you the other night before he left for the South. It is bitter cold here! zero degrees today!

We pray for you daily and think of you often. Stay focused and be strong! We love you so very much!

Marla and Dad Derga

Well Dustin, you've been gone for over a week now and it certainly seems like it's been longer. I got some pictures today from the key volunteer that showed some of the things you have been doing. I really appreciated seeing them. Everything's fine here. I have talked to Kristin E. several times and I appreciate her concern and support. The cats are being pretty good (you know that's hard for Malibu) and there is nothing really exciting going on. I miss you and hope everything is going well for you. Hang in there. Miss you and love you.

Mom 1/17/05

Hey Dustin! I heard you called mom the other day. Sounds like things are calm now, but I'm sure the training will pick up quickly. Everything's going fine at home. Kristin came over to the house the other night and showed us the scrapbook she's putting together for you and some pictures. It looks like it will be very cute. Well I hope you're doing ok. Hugs and kisses!! Stay strong!!

Kristin (your sis)

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." - President Ronald Reagan
Just thought I send you a quote by my favorite Pres. I'm so proud of all of you and what you are doing. Gods Speed! Train Hard!!! Dustin I miss you!!!

Krisin