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letter, and see more information, click link below each letter. My dear Gunny or, as you will always be to me, ynot: Again we come to another conflict that is putting America to the test. I know without a doubt that we will succeed. You have the honor, courage and commitment that it takes to get the job done. 
Krisirae Orta was married for four years to Marine Sgt. Aaron Orta, who is deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom with the 2nd Marine Division on the dock landing ship Whidbey Island. The couple divorced a year ago because, Krisirae says, Aaron is “married to the Marine Corps, and you can’t be married to two things.” Even so, she and her daughter from a previous marriage, 11-year-old Ashli Rae, “still love and miss him.” Mother and daughter now live in Aberdeen, Md. To a special United States Marine: For over a year now, we have been apart. I am proud you are a United States Marine as you love and protect our country. We love you, we miss you, we pray for you. Our hearts ache. Aaron, we love you more than you will ever know! We will continue to pray for you and the United States Marine Corps family that God keeps you safe!
 Debra Johnson’s son, 21-year-old Marine Cpl. Nathan Johnson, deployed Dec. 1 from San Diego with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, now somewhere in the Arabian Sea. Debra’s husband, Bruce, plays in a swing band that specializes in World War II-era tunes and dresses in period uniforms. Debra soon will portray “Rosie the Riveter” as part of the band’s performances.Dear Nathan, When you were a newborn, we traveled into town to get supplies for the building of our home. I remember the clerk that helped us, a tall, stout, older gentleman. I will never forget the blue blanket you were wrapped in, and the clerk commenting on how cute you were. I explained to him that many boys were born that January of 1981. He replied, “Must mean war.” As a mother, I did not want to hear a remark like that.
 For Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Timothy Hanson, military service is a family affair. His brother, David Kevin Hanson, a staff sergeant in the Nebraska Army National Guard, was mobilized for security duty at Lincoln Municipal Airport in Lincoln, Neb. Timothy, a police officer in Papillion, Neb., is a Gulf War veteran. David, who manages a large furniture store in Omaha, Neb., took part in the 1983 invasion of Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division. Their father served in the Korean War.Kevin, I wanted you to know how proud I am of you and your service to your country and now your state. This is your third war — the invasion of Grenada when you were with the 82nd Airborne Division, the Gulf War a few years later while still in the active Army, and now Operation Enduring Freedom and the fight against terrorism. However, this time the war has been brought home with the cowardly and evil acts of Sept. 11.
Janis Ticer and her husband, Lew, parents of Marine Sgt. Clint Ticer, are quite familiar with wartime deployments. Lew served in the Marine Corps for 26 years, pulling two in-country tours in Vietnam and serving a third tour in the combat zone aboard a Navy ship. He retired as a sergeant major in 1992. Janis, a homemaker — “We never get to retire!” — said Clint is assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious assault ship Bataan. The Ticers also have two daughters, one of whom is married to a Marine captain. Dear Clint, Recently I received a letter from you with the word “Free” where the stamp should be, and my stomach flip-flopped while my heart fell. I have boxes of letters from your dad when he was in Vietnam with “Free” written in that corner. I hoped never to see one again.
 Melanie Cloutier has been a Marine Corps wife for more than five years. Her husband, Capt. Eric Cloutier, is deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. Melanie just completed a master’s degree in education and is seeking work as an elementary school teacher. The couple has one child, a 19-month-old daughter named Hannah. Dear Eric, The weeks are slowly adding up. It seems like an eternity since we said our good-byes. I miss you so much. Some days are harder than others and the emotions take over and the tears fall. Some days it’s hard for even me to understand all the emotions this separation has brought about. There is sadness for you because you are missing the next several months of our young daughter’s life, months that can never be repeated. There is loneliness that attacks me when the day has ended and you are not there with me. The emptiness creeps in at the most unexpected times — happy times, sad times, or just any time I’d normally share something with you, my best friend.
 Kelley and Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher Harper celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in January. Christopher is deployed in the Arabian Sea with HMM-165, a helicopter squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. It’s part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Kelley is a freelance writer for the Department of the Navy’s Lifelines Services Network. The couple has two daughters, 9-year-old Ashlee and 5-year-old Morgan.Christopher, I am so proud of you. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished in your life, and you’re only just beginning. Not many people can say that they’ve done what you have the past 12 years as a Marine. And you still never look for gratification of any kind. “It’s my job,” you say. It’s as simple as that.
 Erica Lynn Harris has been married for almost two years to her high school sweetheart, Marine Sgt. Benjamin Harris. The couple lives in Sneads Ferry, N.C., near Camp Lejeune, but Erica is staying with her parents in Maine until Ben returns from his deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Ben has been in the Marines for more than three years and plans to get out this summer. The couple had their first child, Jacob, last year. He is now eight months old.My Dearest Ben, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. As I look into our son’s eyes every day, I see you. I miss you every second we’re apart, but there’s a reason for our separation. You’ve been my hero for years, now it’s time for the world to see you shine.
Rose and Mark Thompson are the in-laws of Marine Cpl. Eric Pentek, who deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Eric has been married to the Thompsons’ daughter, Danielle, for more than two years, and they have a 1-year-old son, Eric. Jr., who hasn’t seen his father in more than five months. Danielle and Eric Jr. are staying with the Thompsons in Perry, Ohio, until Eric returns from his deployment. Eric, We are so proud, knowing you are fighting for your son’s future and everyone who holds in their hearts the devastation of Sept. 11, and the sons and daughters who lost their future because of it. I know you missed your son’s first steps and you are still missing him.
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