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Robert Laker
Photo: U.S. Marines
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Robert Laker, 23
Hometown: Palm Springs, California
Graduate of: Grants Pass High School
Robert Laker is a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He doesn't know if he will stay on active duty but is looking forward to a career in computer networking or possibly in the Marine Corps Reserves.
05.06.2003
Hello MTV,
It's been a while since I've written, and a lot has changed. For one, I'm really starting to feel the support from home. I appreciate all of the encouragement and e-mails of support. My mother lives in Beaumont, California, and she could hardly express how much people in that town are doing to let the world know they support our troops over here. I want to say thank you to Beaumont and everyone else who wants us to know that they're thinking of us. Don't ever think that your support is going unnoticed.
Crystal from Long Beach asked how I deal with the hot weather and what I do to stay grounded. Well, my routine has changed a little. Things aren't quite as hectic, so sometimes I find myself trying to find things to do with my downtime. Mostly, I spend time with my new friends over here. We all have stories, and getting to know all of the new people I've met takes up most of my time. We all have at least one thing in common: we're far from home and all of our loved ones. It's really easy to relate to one another. As far as the hot weather, it's just hit the 100s, so it hasn't become unbearable yet ... in time, I guess.
I want Zareth from Thousand Palms, California, to know that I found I was taking my freedom and rights for granted also. Sometimes it takes a big situation like this for us to realize how lucky we really are to enjoy those rights. I will never again forget, I can assure you of that.
Chandra from Big Piney, Wyoming, asks what I miss most about the States. Well, first and foremost, my daughter. I've missed more than two-thirds of her life due to deployment, and I can't wait to get home and try to get to know her again. I can never make up for the time I've been gone, but I only pray that she will understand one day that what we are doing is big, and extremely important. She lives with her mom in Oregon, so I'm going to have to do a lot of driving, but it will all be worth it. After her, though, I would have to say In-N-Out Burger. It's a fast food chain in California, and if you are ever lucky enough to eat there, make sure and order your meal "animal style." You won't be disappointed.
Lindsey from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, I do love our country. It's the greatest country in the world. I love what we stand for, I love our great (although short) history, and I will always do anything I can to help preserve that.
If you watch the news broadcast of everything happening here, I hope you see the Iraqi people cheer. Watch them dance in the street, watch them sing and say how happy they are that we came to liberate them. That's why we are here, that's why we are doing what we are doing. And that's why all of this is worth it. They've lived their whole lives in oppression, something we've never had to feel. Something we will never have to feel, as long as we've got brave men and women dedicated to the preservation of our freedom. Again, thank you all for your support, you are all in my prayers, and hopefully we will all be able to come home soon. God bless America!
Robert
04.07.2003
Hello MTV,
I am so happy to have the opportunity to introduce myself to the world. I hope that I can give you a good idea of what it's like to be overseas fighting for my country.
I've been in the Marine Corps about five years now. I spent my first two years at Camp Pendleton, California. From there I was transferred to Okinawa, Japan, where I spent another two years. I absolutely love being in the Marine Corps. I have had the opportunity to travel, and make many friends that I will never forget. I can't believe the exposure that I've gotten to the world from being a Marine.
This is by far the furthest that I've been away from home. The feeling over here is one of optimism and worry all at the same time. The scariest thing I've ever heard is the announcement of a missile launch. Everyone stops what he or she is doing, everyone forgets to breathe, until we hear whether or not it impacted. You can actually hear the collective sigh of relief as everyone exhales and resumes breathing.
It's amazing how we can keep a sound mind on the task at hand with things like this going on. I've never been around so many people that know their job so well. Every day, we save the lives of so many other servicemen and women. I know most everyone back home has a close friend, loved one or relative in the military they wonder about constantly.
It's weird, but we try to have somewhat normal lives too (whatever that means), as much as possible, anyway. It's a strange feeling to be able to laugh, and talk, and be somewhat comfortable, when you have thoughts of your friends living without even the simplest amenities. I love to hear about support from home. As petty as it seems, a simple "You are in our prayers" or "We are proud of you" means everything. I do get caught up thinking about anti-war protesting going on right now and sometimes I forget how much support we really do have.
I am so proud to be fighting for our country, and extremely proud to be led by someone like President Bush. Deep in my heart I believe we are making a difference here for the Iraqi people and ultimately making a better world. I feel lucky and privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of this.
Robert
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