Page 71 - 100 Hours to Destiny

logistics vehicle. And as I put my comm helmet on I prayed to God to deliver
st
myself and every United States Marine in the 1 Marine Division, Task Force
Ripper and Delta Company through this unfolding combat task. “And further
God, protect us from losing 80% of my brothers as predicted. Amen.” And as
I said that “Amen” my mind raced back to 80% casualties, and the minefields,
and the firepits, and the artillery, and the tanks, and the troops poised
against us; Truly, this was a daunting thought. I knew I had to fight back
these visions of how we would progress, and I decided right then and there,
“Take it one moment at a time and react to stimulus as those moments were
to unfold. Rock Pollard's words came at me like a Mack truck, “Listen to my
commands and fall back on your training”…. I could do that; I can do that…I
will do that! And the resolve to press forward was there.