Dear Mrs. Mears and Students,

1. Dear Mrs. Mears and Students, Hello everyone. I am sorry this has taken me a couple of weeks to reply, but I have been extremely busy here at work. I really appreciate the package, and all the letters in which you sent me. It is very uplifting to know that people I have never met, are this supportive. It is especially heart warming to know it is from such a young group of people such as yourself. That is a good sign for the future of our country, considering you ARE the future of our country. My name is Staff Sergeant Robert (Robby) Price, and I serve with the Special Troops Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade from Chattanooga, Tn. My family (wife, and 3 of my 4 children) live in Maryville, Tennessee. I live approximately 20 or 30 minutes from Knoxville, Tn where the University of Tennessee is located. I have served over 20 years (since late 1990) in the TN Army National Guard, and have not yet decided whether to retire or not. I know each of you have had questions about what it is like here, what we do, why I joined, and what types of hobbies I enjoy. However, I would like to explain the war and the events surrounding the war to you, if that is alright? Hopefully, I will still be able to answer most of your questions in doing so. Keep in mind that I am speaking from my own opinion and experiences, though, not anyone else’s. I always wanted to be a Soldier. Most of my family were in the military, and I wanted to keep up the tradition. My cousins and I would always make a big game of running through the fields playing war as kids. Growing up, I would day dream about being the hero who saved the pretty young lady and then left her behind to continue my duty. When I was 17 and a Senior in High School, the Gulf War broke out. I was at the recruiter’s office the next day ready to enlist. I originally wanted to join the Marine Corps, but due to my age I had to have my parents sign for me. That was something my mother refused to do. It took me a couple of weeks, but I finally talked her into the National Guard. My first actual experience in this war taught me though, that no matter how much you play or train for war – fear will hit you. I crossed the border into Iraq for the first time on 12 December, 2004 as a gunner on a cargo truck. I had never been so scared in my life. It was freezing cold (yes even in the desert it gets that cold), and pouring down rain for most of the three (3) day trip to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) where I spent the next year of my life. I believe my whole life changed that day when I crossed that berm. My personality, my actions, and my lifestyle all adapted to a new way. For the most part, though, it was a change for the good. It forced me to gain responsibility, and learn to trust those around

2. me. I spent a lot of that time either working in the motor pool conducting maintenance, and got to travel on a few convoys. I got to see first hand the beauty that Iraq has to offer, but also the horror that war has to offer. The news does not tell you that the military has completed a lot of important tasks in Iraq. We have built schools, roads, helped to establish city governments, and have tried to re-establish their electrical grid so that all Iraqi people can enjoy the comforts that we take for granted back at home. All this has created a huge change in the way Iragi people live. Iraq had a 20% literacy rate when the war began. Therefore, most people could not even read their religious beliefs. Now, the country is turning that around and realizing that what they have been told by the insurgents was false prophecy. The Quran only teaches an inner Jahad (religious war) within their own persons. Basically meaning, each person of Islam should strive to do the right thing. Also, they are moving away from their harsh treatment of women. Women have always been a lower class of people here. Now they are serving in the military, holding political offices, and in most places can dress more stylish fashions. With all that we have seen, and done, this war has been conducted at a great cost both in money and in lives. However, the cost of Freedom is often high, and to create freedom for the less fortunate here is important. Out of everyone that I have met during this conflict, very few would not come back if needed. I have missed several big events at home, to include the birth of my youngest child, and I have even seen my buddies fall. The one thing that keeps us all going, though, is knowing that by keeping the war here in the Middle East – we keep it away from our loved ones. The enemy is too busy trying to find a way to keep us away from their Holy lands to affectively launch any thing against our homes. So, knowing that my daughters can play safely in the yard and go safely to school is all I need to follow through. I hope that you all have found this letter informative. I am sorry if I did not answer all your questions, though. I hope that you will remember to keep all of us serving away from home in your prayers, and remember that what you see on the news is not always correct. Listen to your teachers, your parents, and your religious leaders. They will guide you to being the type of person you need to be. Thank you, SSG Robert Price STB 230th SB