Greetings! To the distinguished members of 3rd Reconnaissance Bn. Association.

I hope that this correspondence finds all of you in the best of health and the highest of spirits. Things here at the "Forward Shadow" are well, the men's motivation is high as well as their rate of mission success. I'm sure that we all are very busy so I'll get to the business at hand.

As I'm sure most of you will agreed that it was a long wait but I've finally submitted photos for the Association website. Gentlemen, I'm sure you'll see that while we are in the desert but these young men are indeed fighting a counter insurgency just as many of you did. The enemy is cunning and wears many different costumes during the daylight but shows his true agenda during the night. The gear has changed but the mission and the men are the same. I'm sure that through these photos you can see that. Let's not be confused, the men of this Battalion strive everyday in every mission to push this Battalion's legacy to greatness.

This month's successes came at a very high cost. As most of you know on 4 April 2005 our Battalion lost forever, LCpl Jerimiah Kinchen. During the same action, Sgt Alejandro Del Rio and LCpl Clinton Barkley were both seriously wounded. Sgt Del Rio is recovering well at the Naval Medical Hospital in Bethesda, Md., as well as LCpl Barkley, who was recently transferred to the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. They are both in great spirits and the Battalion is proud of them for the "can-do" attitude that they are exhibiting. Stan "Doc" Stellers reminded me about these men sacrifices with a Vietnam era saying, "All gave some, some gave all." Our thoughts, prayers, and undying support go to these Marines as well as their families.

The Marines and Sailors continue to work very hard in our Country's efforts to make a free and safe Iraq. The men push themselves to the limits of their individual endurance in order to achieve even the slightest bit of success in the field. They are a great bunch of men to have around especially if you are in some sort of trouble. I continue to share with them all of your emails that contain your many words of encouragement and sincere concern. Your thoughts and support do not go without notice and deserve our sincerest gratitude.

In closing, Gentlemen, it is for all of us here at 3rd Recon Bn. a distinct honor to serve in this unit during combat, none of us take that responsibility lightly. We wish all of you and all that is yours the best. Til next time, our mission in Iraq continues…

"Semper Fidelis"

W. E. Thom
Sergeant Major
U.S. Marines

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