lors of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan (MEB-A) To: The Marines and SGTMAJ Ernest K Hoopii USMC From: LtGen Lawrence d Nicholson, USMC RET. RET Subj: Current events in Afghanistan Date: Tuesday 17 August 2021 Marines and Sailors, SGTMAJ Hoopii and I know that for all of us who served in Afghanistan wearing the cloth of our nation, the events of the last week have been excruciating to watch, and even more challenging to understand. I will not in this short note attempt to explain, justify, or provide reasons or excuses for the decisions made, or actions taken that contributed to the events that are still unfolding in Afghanistan. ‘There will be plenty of that being done very publicly in the weeks, months and even years ahead. What the SGTTMAJ and I want to emphatically re-affirm to each of you is something you already know, but something we want to further emphasize and underscore during this period of reflection for us all...and that is simply this: That each of you served with great honor, that every day you fought with great valor, and that every day you did your job in an unforgiving hostile environment, far from home and always acquitting yourselves and our Corps with the greatest of distinction, as we sought to make Afghanistan a safer and better place for the people we were protecting. It wasn't easy, we lost brothers and sisters who will never be forgotten. We endured endless patrols, firefights, IED strikes and unforgiving weather, but we never backed down or waivered. We answered the bell every day without fail and did our jobs. We did them well. We cannot control what occurs after we are gone, nor can we control the political winds that blow; all we can do is accomplish our assigned tasks and missions to the best of our ability while we are there, and that is something we did magnificently and will forever be proud of. No matter the stunning events of the past few weeks, nothing can diminish your selfless service to our nation, the accomplishments you achieved, and the spirit with which you fought...You raised your hand and said "IF NOT ME, THEN WHO".... We are incredibly proud of you and our great team, and I know you are too. We dominated the enemy at every encounter, we protected the weak and vulnerable from the enemy, and we looked out for one another on the battlefield every day. I hope each of you are still in touch with many of your great teammates, and I hope each of you will reach out to your combat buddies, see how they are doing, give them a "buddy check” and share this note widely with them. We were there for each other in the fight, and that connection to each other has not changed. We put it on the line every day and we made our families {whoalso sacrificed so much), our Corps, and our nation immensely proud. AND THAT MY FELLOW WARRIORS WILL NEVER CHANGE. You may be interested to know that we are Working through several different channels, to provide safe passage out of Afghanistan for a number of our former interpreters, partners, and their family members who risked everything to serve and work with us while we were on deck, Please keep in mind those Afghans we served with who remain behind, and find themselves and their families in great jeopardy. SGTMAJ Hoopii and could not be prouder than to have served with each of you in the fight. May God Bless each of you and your families. Semper Fidelis, L.D Nicholson LtGen USMC RET SGTMAJ E Hoopii USMC RET