The North San Diego County Chapter 493 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart will salute the late Army Staff Sgt. David L. Herrera at its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 8 at the Oceanside Elks Lodge, 444 Country Club Lane.

Herrera, a native of Oceanside, was killed in the line of duty in Baghdad last month while on routine patrol as a member of the Army's storied 101st Airborne Division. Chapter Senior Vice Cmdr. Charles Hargett said Thursday that Chapter 493 will present a memorial plaque to Herrera's family following a short business meeting.

After the plaque presentation, the chapter will hold its annual potluck dinner, which will include the famous pot roast of Jeanne Evans, who said the dinner also will pay homage to injured service members who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The public is invited. There is a $10 fee. Call (760) 598-1964 or (760) 723-3048.

In light of the personal toll this war has taken on North County residents, I want to share a copy of a letter written by the mayor of the Iraqi city Tall 'Afar, Najim Abdullah Abid Al-Jabouri, to the troops of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who are wrapping up a one-year tour of duty in that city. I've confirmed that it's a legitimate letter. He thanks the Americans for their service in his city.

Mayor Al-Jabouri wrote: "To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall' Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life. To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months. …

"Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. … Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner.

"Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3rd ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them. …

"Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.

"God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. …"

Contact staff writer J. Stryker Meyer at (760) 901-4089 or jmeyer@nctimes.com.