Hugh Hewitt was broadcasting his show from San Diego State, the alma mater of 1LT Parker. Joshua was killed in Fallujah last spring. He is the type of man we have doing the job throughout Iraq.
He was so proud to go to Iraq. The same as when he had vowed to help the Mexican children, and the Chinese children, he felt that he could now help the Iraqi children. The week before Josh was killed, he had requested special permission to stay another year in Iraq. He didn’t want to leave until the work was done. He loved the kids there. He wrote home, asking for candy and toys, because he loved giving it to the kids and watching them smile. Every night, he ate dinner with Iraqi families. He loved them, and they loved him. He believed in what we are doing there. He told my cousin Laura that he wanted these children to have the chance to grow up with democracy, the way he did, so that they would have an honest chance of making their lives better.
On this Veterans’ Day, I would love to see his name splashed all over the blogosphere. He never won a Nobel Peace Prize, but did far more for peace than the thug who dies yesterday and will be memorialized through the weekend.
Go read the full memorial for Joshua over at Hugh’s site. If you agree with me that Joshua and his comrades in this war are far more deserving, let’s see if we can get his name at the top of a google search or two.
[…] Joshua Michael Palmer update
Go check the comments in my post on Joshua Michael Palmer. First class young man.
Filed under: Military — […]
Pingback by Bunker Mulligan » Joshua Michael Palmer update — November 15, 2004 @ 8:56 pm
This is an email Joshua sent use and I would like to share.
Jessica is my daughter, Joshua’s cousin.
We all miss Joshua
Congratulations Jessica! Achieving admission to a UC college is a mighty
accomplishment. I’m very proud of you. If you are considering the
University of San Diego I would be more than happy to guide you around
campus and introduce you to some of my professors (once I get back, of
course). It’s a small school. Many of my classes had about 15-20 students,
if that, and no class was taught by a teacher’s assistant. The campus is a
thing of beauty – birds of paradise in the gardens, classic Castilian
architecture, and an outstanding view of Mission Bay. And probably most
interesting to you, a newly constructed science facility.
Where ever you end up, good luck, and keep up the hard work!
As for me, I’m in Iraq, near a city called Fallujah. It feels a lot like
Indio. The land here is of creosote bushes alongside aqueducts, armor hulks
amongst sand banks, palm groves beside irrigated fields of green, herds of
sheep and crowds of waving children.
The children here like to play soccer, and have asked if we have balls to
spare. And of course they have a sweet tooth. When they call out “Mistah!
Mistah!” they either wave or touch their fingers to their lips, the
international sign for “feed me”. We take Tootsie Pops and other candies on
patrol.
Believe it or not, I’ve grown a mustache. In fact, all of the Marines have
been ordered to grow mustaches. This is to show respect for Arab culture
and sensibilities. Apparently, mustachioed men are viewed as mature and
wise. We’ve also learned never to use our left hands in social settings, as
the left hand is used for hygiene here. Pointing the soles of our feet at
someone is forbidden, as is speaking to women. These facts have changed the
way we normally conduct business, from house searches to arrest procedures.
Understanding their culture and acting in a professional manner allows us to
lessen instances of abrasive or offensive behavior on our part, and
establishes respect on theirs.
The people here are very hospitable. Yesterday I knocked on door, seeking a
quick hello and brief introduction. I ended up staying over for more than
an hour, eating lamb kabob and grilled chicken on pita bread, served with a
homebrewed kettle of chai tea. My Commanding Officer has ordered me to
accept everything when dealing with Iraqis, however I’ll be seeking
amplifying instructions on offers to smoke cigarettes.
So life is good here.
My address here is:
Lt. Palmer
3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, First Battalion Fifth Marines
UIC 39739
FPO AP 96609-9739
My Marines would greatly appreciate being adopted.
Thank you,
Joshua
Comment by Patrick Nieblas — November 15, 2004 @ 1:48 pm