Thirty- eight (38) days in Iraq

All Doris Santos had of her son, Cpl. Jonathan Santos, was the last letter he sent home before he died in October 2004.

"This is Jon's last letter home, received two days after he was killed. 'Dear mom,'" Doris began reading. "'Everything is going good here. I just wanted to say hi and I am doing OK, tell everyone I am sending greetings from Iraq.'"

The letter served as the final words from her 22-year-old son, who died in Karabilah, Iraq, a mere 38 days after he arrived and with only seven months left to serve in the military.

But, as Doris would soon discover, the Bellingham, Wash., native had so much more to say about his life and deployment.


Unexpected Arrival
She learned that when she received her son's trunk. The surprise delivery arrived at her home and was filled with his boots, an assortment of home movies and a little green diary at the bottom. The soldier had documented so much of his life abroad.

The first 37 days of his diary reflected the harsh realities of serving in Iraq.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Santos
• Jonathan
• October
• 2004
• Karabilah
• Iraq
• U.S.
• Army
• marine
• corps
• killed
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• Soldiers

[foreverZONEmusic]

Doris came to my class about 2 weeks ago and told us about Jonathan's life before and during his time in Iraq, it was so powerful and emotional...it really made me grateful for my freedom.

[Historystartsnow]

That's good. I'm glad that you don't take your freedom for granted. Many people say horrible things about America, not realizing that they're utilizing their freedom of speech, for which millions of men died for.

[grady0064]

Raymond Plouhar"s family would like to thank you he only had 38 days left thanks from his sister Toni Plouhar

[USTAD13]

I just managed to see this documentary, it breaks my heart to see young peoples going to war & dying and the families are left looking for answers.

needless wast of young lives.

[ChuckNorrisEatsNails]

That is why people have to stop taking their freedom for granted

[civilpek]

poor guys heros