Book Review: "We Were One"

Patrick K. O'Donnell, author of Beyond Valor and Into the Rising Sun, takes his readers into the most dangerous place into Iraq embedded with Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Lima Company, 1st Platoon. These brave men went into the hell of Fallujah to take on mujahideen, former Baathists, and jihadis from all over the world.

It would be easy to pass this book off as just another war story that was written to give us a general idea of what our boys are facing in one of the most dangerous parts of the world as part of the War on Terror. However, O'Donnell gives his readers much more than that, his words make you feel the sweat, exhaustion, fear, and pride that the Marines of Lima company feel as they breach barricaded buildings, avoid snipers, and hunker down for sleep amid the explosions of RPG's and mortars.

Young men, most in their late teens and early twenties, were tasked with job of eliminating the terrorist threat from Fallujah. They are led by the "old men" in their late 20's and early 30's with combat experience who do everything possible to get their guys home safe. Fallujah can now be compared to some of the great Marine victories in World War Two in the Pacific, the Korean War, and in Vietnam. These men had true grit and many gave their all for their country, but mostly for the men standing beside them. The comment is repeated by the Marine veterans of prior wars that these men are the "next greatest generation".

O'Donnell exalts the heroism of the Marines who took Fallujah and exposes the ruthless evil of those they fought against. This book is only a brief glimmer into the entire military force in Iraq which is battling for Iraq, for America, for freedom, and in many ways for the world against oppression and brutality.

One Marine, while eulogizing a fallen brother in arms, said it best: "It's been said that the best revenge is living well. I think we should all live well for our brothers who have fallen. This disillusioned enemy that you faced and destroyed will never know the life he could have had, the life we will enjoy in the United States-the life that our fallen brothers loved, lived for, and want to see you carry on. Live your lives well for the men who fought alongside us."

Amen. Semper Fi.

[Please find a link to the book at Amazon on my site or go here.]