In the Mail

Greyhawk, Thanks for running a great site. Here for your reading pleasure is a story running in this Sunday's Boston Herald. Matt Boisvert is a kid I met at Walter Reed a couple of weeks ago, one of several local guys there I was interviewing for a Veterans Day story. At that time, when I asked what his future plans were, he said he was focused on passing his medical board so he could go back. I asked why, seeing as he has already given up a leg and has some work to do to get his arm back. He talked about the comraderie and regarding combat, said simply, "I loved it ... we enjoyed it." He had been in the initial invasion, and went back with First Marine Division in February in time for the first Falluja offensive. By then, he said, his platoon was like a team of athletes at the top of their game. He talked about the out-of-body experience of combat. Now of course, all jarheads are crazy and that's why we love them. But I was familiar with what he was talking about, due to my own experiences in March and April of 2003.

I've met a number of badly wounded guys and I've been impressed by all of them, coming away feeling like I was the one who got strength from them. Matt is among the more impressive in terms of his attitude. I also had one of those unexpected choking-up moments at Matt's welcome home party this afternoon and had to apologize while talking to his girlfriend, when she said she had dropped out of college to be with him while he is undergoing rehab at Reed.
The commitment of wives and girlfriends who stand with us and make it possible for the rest of us to pursue that which we must pursue is significant. I have a very good wife and three kids who have put up with a lot.

Best to you and everyone in the old neighborhood.

JULES CRITTENDEN