Rocket Deflecting Canopies for our F. O. B.-Original Post 29 January 2007

Today I sent the following letter to both our local news in Kansas City and Good Morning America on ABC. It has also been submitted to local news and newspapers in South Carolina and to a local Blue Star Mothers Group by one of our moms in our company. Your help is needed. We need to get this out to every news outlet! They need to see this! We want our soldiers home safe!
I have watched your recent reports by Chris Cuomo in Baghdad. I am so thankful he and his crew are well. I truly appreciate the comments made on behalf of our M.Ps. I too am in awe of their professionalism in a difficult situation. My son is one of these M.Ps.
My son is stationed at Camp Rustimiyah in Baghdad. This f.o.b. is shelled by rockets more than any other f.o.b. in Baghdad. The barracks roofs on this f.o.b. are made of tin. There is no protection for our troops while they sleep, eat, or try to relax. There is no relaxation on this fob. They need a reflective canopy.
Fox news reporter Steve Harrigan last November came to Camp Rustimyah and reported on how dangerous it was and how he and his cameraman were scared because of the shelling. They could not see how soldiers could get any peace. Read the report here:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228205,00.html
One soldier has already died on 09Sept2006 when a Katyshua rocket (supplied by Iran) came through the roof into a soldiers room. One died, one was critically injured and 6 others suffered injuries of varying degrees. I have also learned that there have been more deaths as a result of the mortar attacks, however, they are not American personnel.
Camp Liberty-a huge base in Baghdad is receiving a million dollar canopy over their PX. They have not been shelled in over 2 years.
Camp rustimiyah is the home of several MP Companies. These soldiers are in the heart of Baghdad, working tirelessly day after day. They deserve to be able to come "home" at the end of a long day and not to have to worry about rockets coming through the roof into their beds at night.
These soldiers have to wear the protective gear in their rooms, and any time they exit the barracks-even to go to the bathroom or to take a shower. They get no rest or relaxation.
My son serves in a unit at f.o.b. Rustimiyah. When we are "talking" through Instant Messaging-he "goes away" two or three times each session-running for the bunker because of "incoming". This is a daily event. They are shelled at least once daily.
Please help me get the word out that the rocket repelling canopies need to be installed first to the f.o.b.'s that are being shelled-then to the ones that are not. I do not understand our government and the way they think. Is money (in lost inventory-supplied by Haliburton) more important than the lives of our soldiers?
Thank you. I can provide more information if needed. I want my son and every other mother's son or daughter safe from harm.