Sir,
 So, on 24May I was on a bodyguard mission, so to speak, down in Jalalabad. J-Bad, our cool nickname for the city, is fairly close to the border of Pakistan and not a nice place for Americans or coalition partners. Anyways, the ride out was actually quite pleasant as the scenery was a nice change. For example, I actually got to see trees and grass, and even water. Seeing the vivid color of green again was a strong reminder of wanting to be back home. A color that I will never take for granted again.
 On the route through to J-Bad we have to travel through a small town called Syroebbi. This town is in no way friendly, and have no police elements to keep things in line. It is, for lack of a better word, untamed. The main route coming in has even earned itself the nick name IED alley. We came in contact on the far end of town with a rocket being launched, and overshooting us by at least 300 meters.  At that point we broke contact and hauled ass to friendly parts. However, usually ISAF will investigate attacks at a later date, but they generally don't go into Syroebbi for fear of attacks themselves. Smart people
 There have been several IED's as of late as well. Two were detonated here in Kabul just two days ago in a well traveled traffic circle. This route is used by coalition forces regularly. No injuries were reported aside from structural damage.
 Also,one of our guys from A co. suffered shrapnel wounds from an IED yesterday down in the Herat province. He is going to be okay and is expected to return back to duty in one week.
 So, that's about all I have for now. Funny how much madness can happen in a couple of weeks, hugh? Anyways, work as usual over here my friend, but everyone is still eager to go out everyday and do his job. That's the real courage you don't hear about on MSM, sir. When people go through things like that, and still continue to go out again and again, and  never complain. It's not about the big fire-fight or what makes it on CNN, but more about the consistency of a man's character to still go out the next day no matter what happened the day before. Maybe not every soldier is like that, but the men I serve with are, and I am proud to be with them everyday. In summary, that, sir, is what a lot of people back home don't understand. Sounds a little like being a cop too hugh, sir?
 Anyways, enough of my dramatics and rantings about liberals being ungrateful and not understanding anything important. Woops, that was another under-toned ranting. ha-ha  Seriously,  I hope you are well there in Florida. My prayers are with you and your family, and I will see you soon.

                                        -Steve

p.s. I haven't forgotten about your t-shirt either

He sent these photos along with this e-mail, the captions are his...

 Oasis

The reason they call it IED alley...

J-Bad mountain road (My comment- What a place for an ambush!)

 Hope you enjoy a soldiers point of view..