MORALE HAS CURDLED in many American units around Iraq, despite the amazing success of coalition forces since the invasion began on March 20th. The reason isn’t 95-degree heat or the relentless dust or the suicidal harassment by Saddam’s Fedayeen. It’s the shameful total breakdown of the army’s postal system. “It’s the worst thing about this war” said Sp. Stephen Clifford of the 64th Armor Regiment, “The whole thing went well but they screwed up a lot of the small details: When the first task force came over six months ago they had enough people to handle the mail. But when everyone else came over, they never grew it!”
Mail is the only means the men and women here have to stay in touch with their loved ones, and vice versa. “It’s your only connection to the outside world, your only connection to the people you love” explains 1st Lieut. Matthew Ross, 24, of Spring Lake MI, serving with the 54th Engineer battalion.
