Marine Corps News Room

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/city/4_1_JO27_OVERTHERE_S10727.htm

Lance Cpl. Felipe Flores, a Marine Reservist with Bravo Battery 1/14 out of Joliet, was deployed Jan. 1 to Iraq.

Flores' company's main objective is to enforce protection in various parts of the Al Anbar province.

"We conduct perimeter patrols and man checkpoints," he said.

The patrols and checkpoints are essential to daily life there, as they provide safety for coalition and Iraqi forces that may travel down the main and alternate supply routes, Flores said. Due to security measures, Flores cannot reveal the whereabouts of the checkpoints or where his company conduct the patrols.

"The safety of Marines and other personnel are in danger and safety is a big concern here," he said.

"Without the support of other units our mission would have a hard time being successful," he said.

"At the present time, we are not working with any Iraqi forces. But when we first got into country, we had a chance to work with the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).
When we worked with the ISF, we provided security for a pump station that was essential for everyday life for two nearby villages," Flores said.

Security concerns also prevent Flores from discussing the number and location of Marines in his company.

"The morale in my company is fairly high. We like what we do here and we all know the importance of our presence here in the Al Anbar province. Most of us like the patrolling that we do. You more or less get a chance in seeing how another country lives and how most of the people are happy to see you.

"We have gotten the chance to get school supplies to schools in some villages that we were responsible for and the look on the children's faces of excitement and joy lets us know how fortunate we are back home." Flores said.

"And my staff sergeant, William Martinez, who is my platoon commander and on his second tour over here, he came out here from a Chicago-based unit 2/24. He often comes out too and talks to us and he understands the purpose of troop morale. He tells us his war stories and is always there to listen to all of our situations that we may have. He comes and gives us different motto packages that have different treats and games in there to help us out with the stress of being away from our families."

During their downtime, Flores said soldiers have many options to keep busy.

"We have Internet access and access to phones. We are able to contact our families two to three times a week. And there are other options; there is a gym and other activities to do as well.

"As for my squad, my squad leader has a squad day for all of us within the squad," Flores said. "We get burgers, steaks and just grill, play horseshoes and bags. We just have fun and relax."

Flores said he would like to become an officer in the Marine Corps.

"I chose the reserves to obtain a great leadership skill, and to have an understanding of a Junior Marine. In the event that I do become an officer someday, I can relate to the Junior Marine and he/she will understand what I am asking them to do," he said.

[b]Flores' family[/b]

Samantha, Flores' wife, got the surprise of her life when her husband sent a personalized video that was displayed on the big screen and a large bouquet of flowers at a JackHammers game June 25.
"I teared up and displayed one of the biggest smiles, and that was the biggest surprise I ever had," she said.

Flores expects to come home mid-October. When he returns, he and Samantha plan on traveling to their honeymoon site for their first wedding anniversary.

I would like to wish the Floreses happiness and many more anniversaries.

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