I have recently been sent clippings about the cops back in New York who are collecting old Kevlar vest panels and sending them to Iraq for soldiers to augment their truck's armor with. I am very proud that Sgt. Hal Carver and Comm. Duncan of PWPD are involved in this endeavor too.

On May 2 I was on patrol in Baghdad in a Hummvee when someone was kind enough to toss a grenade under my truck. By some miracle we all walked away from this! The truck will be undergoing repairs for a while though.

When I finally got a chance to check the truck over, I noticed something. I was sitting in the only seat which was draped with old Kevlar vest panels donated by my comrads in New York.

I was very moved as I realized that, by extension, my brothers and sisters in blue were "on patrol" with me in Baghdad. Again, the support I have received from back in P.W. has pulled me through another day here. I hope I'll be able to thank everyone involved in supporting me here in person when I return.

SSG John Chalker

69th NY Infantry

Iraq