Just got this email from Iraq regarding Coach Tressel's visit. Thougth I would share it with you.


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By Mr. Ed on 13:46:04 06/01/09

Mr Ed

My name is Tom Byrd and I am the Battalion Commander of the 93D Military Police Battalion. We are responsible for training the Iraqi Police in western Baghdad from Taramiyah in the north, Abu Ghraib in the west and to Mamudyiah in the south. I can tell you that I am truly humbled that I have the distinct honor and privilege to serve with young men and women that display the type of caliber that our Soldiers demonstrate here each
and every day in Iraq.

Ground hog day is a term that is used often over here except for today, today, we had guests from the states that for a few minutes distracted our thoughts from the heat and risk that we face each day as well roll out the wire. The Sweater vest himself, Coach Tressel was here in Camp Liberty (Baghdad) as part of the 2009 coaches tour along with Mack Brown and a few others. He looked very tired, but he was hanging tough signing flags/pictures etc....for the Soldiers. Don't think that he understands what this means to our young troops (even old ones like me) and how this affects the morale...especially on days when it is starting to hit 110+ outside, add another 30 degrees with the body armor. What is amazing is Coach and the others freely give of their time to come over here and see our young hero's and short of the smiles and handshakes, they get nothing in return.

As a Battalion Commander with 1300 Soldiers, a Commanders coin is used to recognize outstanding performance. After Coach Tress autographed a picture congratulating my spouse and I on 18 years of marriage, I presented him a commander's coin of excellence for all the significant
accomplishments since his arrival at OSU...including a 7-1 record against Michigan. I will try to forward a few pictures, if you want to hang on the board then hooah, I have no issue with it.

Regards
Tom Byrd


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