From: Mark Palmer, US Army
Date: January 28, 2004
Re: Hello to All!

Hey Everyone,

Well, looks like the mortar boys are up to it again. Three more mortar rounds yesterday...during daylight hours too. They hit around 4:10 pm yesterday afternoon. This time they used the big boys... 120 mm mortars. After surveying the damage to a solid concrete wall and the crater...I think our buildings here will withstand them also.

Two of them hit inside our perimeter, one right outside where the engineers were working. Some minor injuries to a guy's hand, the dozer blade took the brunt of it. Anyway, we are all fine. Hopefully we can take out the ones who did this. They must think of us as a soft target to be that bold. I am counting the days until I get to be home with my family and friends. Be safe and continue to pray for the safety of the soldiers here as well as the innocent Iraqis who are not a party to the terrorism. Best to all, Mark

From: Mark Palmer, US Army
Date: January 28, 2004
Re: Hello to All!

Hey Everyone,

I am back and safe from Babylon. I was just at dinner in the dining facility and at 6:15 pm the mortars began raining down. There were many rounds tonight. at least 15 before I stopped counting.

As far as I know there were no injuries. But I have not been outside yet. I will have to walk to the barracks and mortars are very unforgiving. SOOOOO, I am delaying here for a few minutes. I hope that some of our patrols outside the wire find these guys... It has gotten to be altogether too routine for mortar attacks. Anyway, I am safe. I am looking forward to being with all of you again...