Stryker Brigade News

This is WHY these fine men are HEROS and LEADERS!!!! They continue with their personal committment and honor even in the face of adversity. I will continue to pray for these Strykers - even though my Stryker is home (for now). Thank you for sharing this emotional and heartfelt email.

Barbara

I agree they are HEROS and Leaders. My husband is over there in Mosul. And I pray for his safe
return. God bless All Soldiers and may you all return home safe to your love ones.

Not only does it take fierce bravery to be in Iraq, I think it takes the same bravery to write this letter home to the people you love the most. Thank you so much for posting this. It helps put into perspective how they are feeling and their gumption to be the best.

That was very difficult to read but very true at the same time. That was a great letter and thank you for sharing. My brother just came home in October from Mosul and I will continue to pray every day for the soldiers over there. God Bless!

I am in awe of SSG Holcomb and all soldiers. They have such honor, dignity, and courage. I only hope they know how incredibly proud of ALL of them we are, how grateful we are for ALL they do, and how many prayers are going out to them.

A perfect example of the bravery and courage of our men and women in harms way. It was difficult not to shed a tear or two as I read this beautiful letter. Thank you so very much for sharing it with all of us.
Maggie

I am Dustin's mom and we wanted to share his email with all of you, because we know he is just one of the many brave soldiers who are putting their lives on the line every day. We also know what it is like to be the ones at home hoping and praying that our beloved soldier will come home safely. You are all in our hearts and in our prayers.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful letter. I still have tears running down my face, partly in sadness and partly in awe of the courage, resolve, and strength of character our soldiers have. May God bless them and the difficult job they have to do. Praying always for all our soldiers to come home safe.

Thank you for sharing your letter.
My son also in Mosel. It is a very
difficult time for all of us.
Day and night prayers for our boys
and their families at home. Thanks
for such a beautiful letter. It is
an ecouragement.

I was very moved by this letter. My husband is over in Iraq right now with this unit. I pray and hope for all of their safe return. I have the utmost pride for each and every soldier over there. They fight for many reasons but I believe it ultimately is for all of us. With their courage we can still be free.

Thank you for posting Dustin's email. We will never fully understand the sacrifice being made on our behalf by these men and women, but we are FOREVER GRATEFUL. We cannot express enough how much we believe in these SOLDIERS. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Please - KEEP TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS - we are with you in thought and daily prayer.

Your son is in my prayers as well as all the soldiers over there. My Fiance' is over there as well. He is also with this Brigade. Thanks for sharing the letter with all of us. Ya'll are also in my prayers. And your son is not the only one feeling like that but atleast he is willing to talk about it. I myself am in the Army but when duty calls for war we have to get our mission done and pray that we all will make it back.

What a well written and moving letter. I remember writing in the same way in a different war. We are a Band of Brothers. Stay alert, stay alive. We are so proud and thankful for what you are doing.You are the cream of the crop.

Thank you for sharing your very tender letter from your son. All of us who are involved with this situation know the true feel of honor and pride. Words cannot express the emotions that go hand in hand with your spouse being part of the military offensive against the insurgents. We pray continually for everyones safety. Thanks again.

What a moving letter...Thanks ever so much for sharing it. Tears fill my eyes but PRIDE fills my heart for all the sons and daughters serving our country. Thank-you Dustin, for putting words on paper for all your fellow SOLDIERS.

As a former member of the army, that gives me great pride, and hits home hard. It is people like SSG Holcomb that motavates the hell out of me. I have been thinking about going back in and telling people why I want to. I am going to give them the letter from SSG Holcomb to explain why the army is so important to me and the people that have served. To SSG holcomb you keep on putting foot to ass for this country I will be in to join you shortly. If you see a SFC Bowman, my brother tell him I will be the second to have comfermed kill if the army will let me back in.

God bless you, Dustin, and keep you safe. Thank you, Mr & Mrs Holcomb, for sharing this very personal and poignant letter. Our prayers are with the family of your fallen comrade. Stay safe.

God bless and keep you, Dustin. My youngest bears the same name, I pray he will never have to do what you and his oldest brother have had to do. Thank you from me and all my family for your honorable service to our country and your countrymen and women. Godspeed you safely home to your family!

Thank you for sharing your son's letter with us. Bless him for having the courage and the insite to put his feelings into words. May God watch over all of our soldiers who are doing such heroic work for their country. Godspeed them home again safely. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost a loved one.

THANK YOU DUSTIN FOR YOUR LETTER. I AM A PARENT OF A STRYKER SOILDER MYSELF, I COULDN'T EVEN READ IT TO MY HUSBAND BECAUSE OF THE TEARS. MY SON LOST 2 OF HIS BROTHERS IN THE STRYKER BRIGADE ALSO I KNOW YOUR PAIN MY SON STILL HAS A EMTYNESS IN HIS HEART. WHAT A GREAT LOSS WE HAVE TO ENDURE FOR OUR FREEDOM. MY ALL THE SOLDIERS REST IN PEACE. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SERVE AND THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACIFICE. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS. WE ARE LEAVING SAT. TO BE WITH OUR SON IN FT. LEWIS, A COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD AND I CAN,T WAIT UNTILL I CAN WRAP MY ARMS AROUND HIM. I AM A PROUD PARENT OF A STRYKER SOLDIER.
RENEE KELLY

Thank you for sharing this letter. It was soooo hard to read as I know that it could have been my brother. He hasn't mentioned anything about being there for the roll call and all that, but I am sure that he wouldn't want to because he knows how emotional his family (especialy us girls) is and he trys to spare us the heartache of knowing about stuff like this. I am so sorry for the family of this soldier.

Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb (parents of SSG Dustin C. Holcomb):
Thank you for your courage in sharing this lettter from your son. Like you both, we are the proud parents of a SBCT soldier serving in Mosul. You must feel tremendous pride in Dustin and his desire to share his feelings with you. As many others have said in their responses, our prayers are with all our brave soldiers in harm's way and we pray for God to bless each of them and bring them home to those they love (and love them) and to "the land of the free"...free due to the brave men and women who serve in the military to ensure our freedom. God bless them all, keep them from harm's way and keep us strong as we await their return home to us!
John and Valerie Arminio

SSG Holcomb & family, thank you for sharing your letter. As a mom of a soldier, who returned safely appreciates the courage you are faced with daily. Please know that we are praying for you. Proud mom of Spc.Javier Marquez,1-14CAV,HHT

There is no doubt in my mind that our soldiers are the best, and are doing their best. While many of you think they are filled with the "Promise of America", and the worlds best interests, this is the truth; They are filled with the need for survival, to keep themselves alive, and to keep their "Brothers in Arms" alive. All respect and support for our young men is due, now. Yes, they have a concept of the "Greater Good" for the Middle East and all mankind. Yes, They pray our leaders and that their objectives are worthy of their sacrifice. But they, our Sons and Daughters bear the weight of our vote, our collective decision.
Do not object to their tactics, only they know. Do not question their resolve, it is the primary objective, the "Mission" that is foremost, "Wellfare of the Troops" is the secondary concern of the military. As in every successful Army, theirs is to "do or die", no question. Don't kid yourselves, bear the responsibility of sending them there. Each and every soldiers death reflects your choice and commitment as an American, you are personally responsible. Treat them, and their families with all the respect and support you can. Their sacrifice is dwarfed by the sacrifice of those of us who have seen their sons return. Your commitment to the fallen and their families must be a lifelong effort for you. They deserve the best of all of us, for as long as we live. Let your Son or Daughter know you respect, love, and pray for them. Let them know that we as the "American People" view their deaths as necessary to provide for the good of their country. God Bless you All. Greg

Thank You for letting us see this letter. Its heartbreaking.as my bro is w, the 1-24- and hes a fighter, he was injued but he is goin back to finish his duty :) just as he wished;) amen to all the those soliders fighting for are freedom and the young kids of this great land

To Dustin's Mom, I, too, am a proud Mom of a Stryker (son.....whose name happens to be SSG Dustin R.) with the 1/14 Cav which returned from Mosul in Oct. To read your son's letter made my heart swell with pride for our brave men and women for what they have to go through while in Iraq. How can anyone not be patriotic? Where have you ever seen such compassion and comraderie for their fellow soldiers and for their country that they are willing to lay down their lives for. We must support them in every way and to let them know that they are thought of and loved and kept in prayer.....each one.....for their safe return. I went through my year of waiting and worrying and praying and I can't tell you how happy I am that my son made it home safe. I am saddened by all who have been lost. My prayers to their families and my prayers are still with those still in Iraq and Afghanistan (we mustn't forget them). Dustin.....thank you for your beautiful letter and thank you Mom for sharing it. Being a Mom makes me feel as if I am every soldier's Mom and I worry and pray for them all. Thank you Dustin for your service and sacrifice. God Bless.

Thank you soo much for posting that. I am, for once, beyond words. God Bless.

Thank you soo much for posting that. I am, for once, beyond words. God Bless.

I truly thank your son, SSG Dustin C. Holcomb, for the courage he displayed in writing such a heartfelt letter. As a mother of a soldier in the SBCT, I am very much aware that all of our soldiers are in a life or death situation on a daily basis. And even tho my son tries to "protect" me from worry and grief, it is there. There is one thing that helps in the darkest times, and that is the knowledge that he has comrades such as your son, that care tremendously about his LIFE. Knowing that he is not alone, but is with some of the best trained soldiers in the world, watching his back when he cannot....eases my worries. I pray daily for ALL our men and women that are "doing their job" and have already sacrificed so much just by being away from their family, and living in such danger. God be with them all.

Debbie Ogg

Oh my......that was very hard to read,but a taste of the real world WOW I am speachless as tears run down my face......God bless all the troops!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Holcomb, thank you for sharing this letter with us. I know how difficult a letter or communication of this nature can be - it breaks your heart and destroys your peace of mind. My son just returned from Iraq with the 3-2 SBCT. Before his departure, he sat down with his father and me and discussed the very same issues your son discussed in his letter. His position at that time meant that he would be in a relatively 'safe zone'. However, he informed us that he had no intention of 'playing it safe' while others risked their lives and he informed us we should not expect him to do so. He also warned us he would do whatever was necessary and that he wanted to make a difference regardless of how small that difference was. When I tried to argue the issue, he reminded me that this was the way we raised him: we taught him to be an honorable man, to be committed and to do the best job he can, and to never take the easy way out because that was not always the 'right' way. He was true to his word. He volunteered wherever he could. A comrade of his within his same section also promised me that he would 'watch our son's back'. He was also true to his word. He followed our son even when that meant a delay in his return to his home, wife, and child. I am humbled by the honor, integrity, and courage of these men and women. I am awed by their acceptance of whatever befalls them and their dedication to each other and to their country. Most of all, I am ashamed of my petty fears and selfish wishes. I am not half the person my son or his fellow soldiers are.....

You will live your life over the next year in a strange sort of limbo. You will hold your breath and worry every time you hear of an attack. However, you will always be proud of your son and his incredible sense of courage and duty. May God keep you, your son and his fellow soldiers safe.

And this is why the American soldier will never, never be defeated. They are proud in life and fierce in battle.

My Old Warrior wishes to say he would be honored and proud to serve with this soldier and his generation of Warriors. He stands at attention and salutes them.

I have put this letter over my kitchen sink where I can read it daily to remind me that my country is in the very best of hands.

My prayers for the safety of each one of them.

I shed a few tears while reading this post. It reminded me of similar words my son Jarrett (USMC) used when informing me of his decision to enlist, "It's my calling in life and a challange I will not neglect to pursue." I do not think their are any insurgents or jihadist in Iraq that can possibly have the same commitment or strength of will as our sons and daughters have in this fight.

I am a Stryker mom and I worry day and night about him. I just want to thank you for posting your sons letter. I still can't read it without crying but it was from his heart and something I will never forget. My son was at the memorial for his fallen comrad and my heart aches for his family but also swells with pride for all our sons and daughters in the military. My sons wife is also their for her second stint in Iraq as not to be separated for another year. My prayers go out to all military families out there.

Thanks so much for the letter, which I just stumbled upon! The soldier killed in this letter was the son of my best friends, someone I remember with great fondness and sadness as a litle child. I've grieved with his family in the States, but I haven't until now had a chance to hear the voice of any of the men and women he was serving with in Mosul. SSG Holcomb's words give a little measure of reality to something that is still hard for me to think about. It means a lot to me to hear directly that the young man who died was honored there as he was here, and that his life and death made a difference to those in his unit, as it did to us back home.

The commitment and love in SSG Holcomb's letter are an inspiring statement about the wonderful people over there giving so much every day to to cause for which my friends' son died. May God bless SSG Holcomb and all those he serves with; I pray for you all every day.

SSG HOLCOMB, DUSTIN C, you have the heart of a soldier that will beat on through you, your brother Ryan, and all that have met you or read this letter. Your bravery and heartfelt patriotism inspire alot in the world around. Thank you and your parents for these words heard round the world. You are a true American Soldier. Here I am posting the poem I sent you in April and it holds more true now that it did then, come home to your family and the girl you now have waiting in Washington - you are in my prayers,

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER

BORN A HERO IN A LAND OF FEW
SERVING FOR WHAT'S UPRIGHT AND PROUD
SACRIFICING ALL FOR THE COMMON GOOD
LIVING FOR THE DAY WHEN ALL ARE FREE

STANDING UP FOR THOSE WHO WON'T
AND FIGHTING FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T
BRAVING THE UNTHINKABLE
AND STRIVING TO BE THE BEST

BRAVELY FIGHTING FOR THE CAUSE
WITH BRIDLED ANGER IN CHECK
A MAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD
AND BELIEF IN HIS COUNTRY'S PLIGHT

UNHINDERED BY REGRETS AND FEAR
LEADING THE COUNTRY TO REWARD
A MAN TO BE RECKONED WITH
AN AMERICAN SOLDIER

By: R.A. Cook

God bless you Dustin and all who are with you.

That was a very touching and hard letter to read. My husband is in Mosul. He and all our troops are my hero's. I pray for those still alive. And pray that those who have fallen have made their way to heaven and are amoung the angels. I pray for those families who have lost their loved ones. And pray for those families whos soldiers are still amoung us fighting for this wonderfull nation of ours. Thank you all for your sacrifices and bravery. I am thankfull for this wonderfull country of ours and we wouldn't have this country if it wasn't for these wonderfull, brave, strong and amazing men and women who are there fighting for it. Thank You.... You are ALL in my thoughts and prayers.
Sasha Hull,
Stryker Wife,
MissinMyBaby79

My husband is in Iraq right now and i miss him terribly. I think about him every day and it is amazing that this soilder has the courage to speak what is in his heart. I know is it hard because i can't even bring myself to think about the what ifs. I hope every soilder comes home safe and soon there are many people who miss you and have you in their hearts.

My son is one of those Stryker Heroes. He was in Mosul during the insurgent uprising in November. He and his crew are heroes in my eyes and have surpassed all and anything I could have ever hoped to be in my life so far. It is soldiers like SSG Holcomb, my son Michael, and all their comrades in arms that lets me know that America has produced another generation that will successfully bring this country back to the place it is meant to be. Honor and integrity I thought was a lost art until I saw what has shown itself in the character of our Stryker soldiers. May God bless them all!

Thank you Dustin and your family for sharing your thoughts. When I first read the I could hardly get through it; my son is currently serving with you. As I re-read it tonight, thoughts and prayers go out for every soldier's safety. Thank you for defending freedom.

Dustin, I thank you for your courage to write this letter hometo your parents and for allowing it to be posted. My son is with the Duece Four also and it is heart-wrenching to me knowing what you ALL are dealing with daily. He said the ceremony that was held for the fallen soldiers of the suicide attack last was the hardest thing he's had to go through and never wants to have to go through that again. Prayer is strength and I pray throughout every single day for all who are serving. You are all so brave, and in my mind, heroes. May my prayers give YOU strength, courage and peace in your heart for the many difficult days ahead. God Bless you Dustin for YOUR courage.

thanks for posting that letter it was very touching my brother is there to. dustin sounds just like my brother scott. its soldiers like them that make me and everyone else feel safe in this country.

thanks
strker sis

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS FOR PUTTING YOUR LIFES ON THE LINE. WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU ALL. MY DAUGHTERS BOYFRIEND IS STATIONED AT CAMP MEREZ HE'S WITH 115TH SIG BN FROM ALABAMA. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EMAIL. MY PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU ALL TILL YOU ARE HOME SAFE. lISA

Thank you for sharing your letter with us. My brother is in Mosul and has on many occasions expressed how wonderful all of the men and women he severs with are and he is grateful to all of them that are over there with him. I pray for his safe return as well as all of our service men and women and their families.

God Bless,
A Stryker’s sister

My son is a member of the Stryker Brigade and we are so proud of him and all of his buddies. I cherish my freedom and it is soldiers like the 73rd Engineers that allow me to have that freedom. God Bless all the soldiers in the Ft. Lewis Stryker Brigade. Come home soon and safe.
Thanks, Father of son in the 73rd engineers