Update on Bill Graff From: Dan and Karen Graff [mailto:kdgraff@mtc.net]  Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 9:23 PM  To: Van Kauwenbergh, Gary J Cc: Barbour , Ben  Subject: Update on Bill  Hi Gary, The update on Bill is that he is still at FOB Kalsu herding detainees, of  which they have had a lot lately. He is waiting for word on his request for transfer back to Co. G's weapons platoon. As you probably know from news reports, Co. G had a tough day Monday, when three of Bill's friends were killed by the detonation of a buried IED under their vehicle. Two more were seriously wounded. Co. G and its Bn, 2/24, is not in the Fallujah battle. They are south of Baghdad, in Babil Province. I am attaching a copy of an  email from Barb Wentworth, the wonderful Key Volunteer Coordinator of Co. G.  I know that many folks have expressed an interest, so if you think the  attached is appropriate to pass on, feel free. I am copying Ben, because he said his students might want to contact Co. G  marines. I think Barb at gymnut@wi.rr.com <mailto:gymnut@wi.rr.com> would be the best source of info and advice on that. Apparently the organized  "care packages" sent to the whole company have been so successful that  they had to stop them until more space was found over there. They've been giving away toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. to other units. Individual packages are welcome, however. Delivery of letters and packages is still considered a combat mission, we are told, and there is often a long delay when other missions take priority. Because Bill and 11 others are detached, theirs take even longer. That is why I haven't gotten back to Ben, I've been hoping that situation would improve, but it hasn't. Bill seems to be hanging in pretty well, but I think he has been unhappy not being with his platoon in action. I can tell that he is affected by these  casualties, of course. Cpl Warns made a wonderful video of their training in CA, and Bill got us a CD of it. Warns was working on another of their Iraq  service. So, his death seems a little more personal for us, even though we  did not know him.  Bill's base is still getting mortar and rocket attacks 3-4 per week, but  he hasn't reported any repeats of the 20-yard near miss last month that blew wood splinters into his elbow and kept his ears ringing for a while. Another marine was wounded by that shell. His shift is noon to midnight, except when  he is guarding prisoner convoys, mostly up to Abu Graib. We get weekly emails from the Bn commander, and some from the company CO. These officers [and their marines] are pretty impressive guys, in my estimation. Thanks for your interest. Dan