Letters, some from North County, line walls of Iraq air base
By: DARRIN MORTENSON - Staff Writer | ∞
AL ASAD, Iraq ---- For homesick and war-worn travelers who stop at this remote desert airfield about halfway between Baghdad and Syria, wishes from home are written on the wall.
Messages of support from elementary schools, churches and individuals from across the United States cover the walls of the main troop terminal and passenger chow hall at Al Asad, the largest American air base in western Iraq.
Hundreds of U.S. troops stop at the air base every day on their way to or from one of the dozens of military bases, outposts and hot spots across Iraq.
"We support you," reads a huge banner painted in bright red on a beige background hanging over a white plastic patio table usually crowded with Marines.
The poster is covered with names and wishes from people, as is another poster nearby that reads, "We support our troops."
Valentine cards from schoolchildren line the walls of the corridor leading outside, and in the nearby terminal building, construction paper pictures of rainbows and trees colored in crayon fill the halls.
For many troops from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and other aviation units, Al Asad is home for six months to a year.
For many more, this sprawling patchwork of airfields and barracks set in a bleak desert stretching west to Syria is just a point in their journeys ---- often the first stop in Iraq at the beginning of a tour or the last stop before leaving the country and heading home.
As hundreds of Marines bound for Camp Pendleton passed through the dusty hangarlike terminal earlier this week, some found messages from North County and San Diego.
"I love you," wrote Helen Marie Stevenson of San Diego on a piece of purple construction paper posted next to dozens of notes from other elementary school children.
"P.S., make it home," the note added.
On a long stretch of butcher block paper scribbled on by dozens of North County well-wishers, Oceanside resident Ryan Copeland wrote, "We all have a dream ... and you make it happen."
An autographed photo of blond beauty Troy Lemperle, Fairest of the Fair from last year's San Diego County Fair, hangs in the hall for homesick or love-lorn troops.
A note from Patti of Oceanside reads, "You rock!"
Someone named Myrella wrote, "Never give up!"
His unit already outside, a lone Marine walked slowly down the hall Tuesday, twisting and turning, bending down and stretching to read the messages from home before rushing off to catch up with the others and board a flight bound for somewhere.
He passed one by Christi of Oceanside, who wrote, "We are blessed because of all you do," and another written by Vicki, who wrote, "Hey, you need to come home ... we are waiting for you."
He passed another by Anne, who reminded the Marines to "Remember, you are loved," and one from Jill, 8, who said, "God bless you all," beneath a self-portrait and a stylized three-striped America flag.
The Marine gone, the room was empty. And waiting for the next troops to pass through here, on their way toward danger or away, is a note from Terri Taylor of San Diego, another one from the Poderick family, and still others from Angel, Tom, Salvador and Sabrina ---- all wishing the troops well.
Contact staff writer Darrin Mortenson at dmortenson@nctimes.com.
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