Subject: I'm fine

Date: Sat, September 11, 2010 2:14 pm

I just wanted to write and let everyone know that I am fine. I am sure Jennifer has passed all the information along that she gets. First I just ask for everyone to keep my Soldiers that are still very much injured in there prayers. Joe Berrian, Michael Campbell, Daniel Harubin, Kyle Perry, and Joshua Winters. Joe Berrian and Michael Campbell are still very serious but they are expected to recover. We have a great medical team here in Iraq and in Germany. At the hospital in Balad where they initially sent us there is a 98% survivability rate if they show up with a pulse. The actions of my Soldiers on the ground that day and the actions of the medical staff saved at least two lives that day.

Next I ask that you pray for the families of the two Soldiers that I lost, Philip Jenkins and James McClamrock. They were both married and Jenkins had two young daughters. This is very hard for me to write. I can't explain what its like to lose Soldiers. These men are something special. Everyday they continue to risk their lives for someone else, people they never met, but ultimately they do it for each other. The bond between men like this is unbreakable even in death. I'm proud to have served with men like Philip and James and you should be proud of them too.

Please don't believe what the media has put out. There was no argument between my Soldiers and Iraqi soldier. There was nothing to provoke this. The man that did this we killed. There was more than one but we will get them as well. This was a planned attack by a terrorist organization. He infiltrated the ranks of the Iraqi army. It's hard to fight an enemy that wears the same uniform of an army you are supposed to be allies with.

My men are going to be fine, this is a hard week. The memorial is in a few days and I hope to get some closure and to get busy to keep there minds off of it. Myself and two other wounded Soldiers were able to come back and be with the boys in my platoon. They will be able to get back to work but unfortunetly I have about a month before I will be able to. The bullet hit me just under my shoulder blade on my right side but stopped at my rib cage.The doctors said they want to leave it so they don't cause anymore damage digging it out. I have to go to the aid station twice a day to change the packing and the dressing and get it cleaned. It's pretty damn painful but it gets easier everytime. No permanent injuries, I should get full range of motion back when the muscles heal.

I'm fine is what I'm trying to say. Please keep calling Jennifer to support her. She is having a harder time then she is letting on. I love every one of you and will see you soon. Please, someone pass this on to my father, for I would really love to talk to him. Any way I will stay in touch.

Love and Miss You Guys,
Kris