Meet The Marines
By David Mac Dougall, Baghdad Bureau
We’re continuing our embed with B-Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Fallujah. Today, we headed to one of the main checkpoints leading into the city. These were established to stop insurgents returning to Fallujah – you can only get in now if you have a residence card or have a job inside the city limits.
Until very recently the Marines were in charge of this checkpoint. Now they have a new role – “over watch” (a word we hear repeatedly from the military in Iraq). Over watch means that the Iraqi Police are now front and center at the checkpoint, taking responsibility for managing the ten thousand plus people who come into the city this way each day.
We’ll show you more about how the Marines are taking a step back, and handing over increasing amounts of security responsibility in Fallujah to Iraqis, in a TV story next week.
Meanwhile – here’s some pictures of the Marines we’ve met and have been working with. And that visit to Fallujah’s very own KFC restaurant I mentioned yesterday? You’ll just have to check back again on Friday… I’ve been promised that it’s “finger licking good”, and definitely worth the wait!
Check out the slideshow:


This is so encouraging to see! I worked in a support role during the April 04 and November 04 battles in Fallujah and know how bad it was. I have since left the military but am excited by the progress being made. Awesome work by our dedicated men & women in uniform.
There are no words to say how much we THANK YOU guys. Please dont pay attention to the loud mouthed lazy liberal left that have no idea what it takes to keep our bought and dearly paid for freedom here in the US. We are eternally indebted to you all and remember you always in our prayers.
The US Majority
Fallujah has certainly come a long way since November 2004! Way to go Marines!
The 1/4, outstanding unit. Cpl Jayme R. Vines should be there with you now, but he is looking down on all you and he has your back. Great job Marines, see you all in the spring.
CPL Shaun Clark is my nephew and is stationed in Baghdad, it is Great to see him in your slide show. We miss him, love him, and we are very proud of him and all of the fine men and women serving in all of the military services for our country.
I served with A 1/4 in the mid to late 90’s…and worked with Company B just before I EAS’d. Good to see that they’re upholding the tradition! Thanks for the story…but more important thanks to the guys putting their lives on the line on the war on terror.
CPL Shaun Clark from Pocatello Idaho is my nephew, it is Great to see him in your slide show. We miss him, love him, and we are very proud of him and all of the men and women serving in all of the different military branches for our country. Uncle Rick
Thank you to the Marines and thank you to D. Mac Dougall for letting me see my brother. He is in the slide show!
Thank you to our Marines and to D. Mac Dougall for giving me a chance to see my brother. He is on the slideshow!
Thank you so much for showing us our family!!! My son is on the first slide and we all miss him very much. He has a new baby on the way and I know it will be hard during the holidays for all of us who are apart. We are very proud of all the men and women who are serving our Country. Just remember we all love and support you. See you soon
My husband (the Yankee fan) is one of the marines in the slideshow! It was nice to see him
Thank you to Fox News for the chance to see my husband. Its been a while and its SO GREAT to see his face. Just want to let all of our boys know that everyone here at home is so proud of you! Its great to see you guys! TC from your wife and family–We love you SO much and can’t wait for you to come home!!!
BRAVO CO We are so PROUD of you all. It’s so good to see you all! 3rd PLT there will be pleanty of fresh baked goodies waiting for you when you get home
THANK YOU for all that you do, your sacrafice is never overlooked. God Bless the Marines of 1/4, Bravo Co. Much Love & Respect, Proud 0311 Wife.
Thank you and GOD bless each and every one of our men and women that proved it can be done and that never gave up! They will never know just how proud I am of them and how I thank GOD for each one everday. My son is a sergeant in the Army and if he has this much faith in what is being done…then so do I. I wish everyone of our children away from home a ” Happy Thanksgiving” and GOD speed you safely home.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You are loved!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS PICTURE! My husband is the one on the far right! I miss him so much and it’s so good to see him! Bravo Co…you guys are awesome and I thank you for all that your doing! We miss you all and pray for a safe homecoming! I am very proud of my husband and all that he does! We love you Cpl.Snyder and your daughters and wife can’t wait to see you!! God Bless and we love you!
My husband was in one of the slides. I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to see a picture of him. I am so prond of him, I miss him a lot and it really means something to me to get to see this. Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankyou son. My son LCPL kimo mitchell is in 1/4 bravo co. 4th plt. His second tour there with them. Thanks for all yo do guys !!! WE miss you !! Love Ya son, stay safe Dad
Thanks for all you guys do. My son LCPL Kimo Mitchell is in the 1/4 bravo co. 4th plt., We miss you guys ! Stay safe son. Love ya, Dad
Thanks 1/4 My son LCPL Kimo Mitchell is in bravo co. 4th plt. We miss you guys. Stay safe. Dad
I have a dear friend in the 1/4 bravo co. It was so great to see some of the guys he’s in Iraq
I have a dear friend in the 1/4 bravo co. It was great to see some of the Marines he’s serving with in Iraq. We are so grateful and proud for all you’re doing to preserve freedom and democracy in our world! Stay safe, see you in the spring.
Thank you David Mac Dougal, For putting a Face on the War in Fallujah and the fine work that the Marines have done. Without these men this War on Terrorism would be fought in our own Cities and Towns here in America. It was great to see my Son’s Face SSgt Reynolds. I should be use to having him in harms way since this is his 5th deployment once to Afghanistan and this is his 4th time in Iraq. I want to say Happy Holidays to the Men and there loved ones also as hard as it might be. God Bless these fine Young Men and Women that are protecting our Country!.
My son, LCPL Christopher J. Stowers is 1/4 1st Plt. I am so proud of you all. Hi! to LCPL Skaggs! Christopher, I love you………..
MOM