Troops receive Xmas goodies

(18 Dec 2004) Headquarters for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, southeast of Iskandariyah (about 60 km south of Baghdad) 1. Wide shot soldier opening up box 2. Christmas decoration on tree 3. Mid shot soldier reading mail 4. Cutaway socks for gifts 5. Close-up shot soldier showing presents 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Corporal Justin Dawson, Armourer: "I just want to say hi to my mom, to my brother, to my grandparents back home, I miss you guys, can't way to get back home and celebrate all the holidays that I missed out here." 7. Close-up computer monitor with a girl 8. Mid shot soldier unpacking 9. SOUNDBITE (English) CWO2 Jace Hamlett, Personnel Officer: "I'm happy, every time we get mail, it is like Christmas all over again. I like to open the boxes and see what I get. So far I haven't been disappointed. I always get good stuff in the mail, from different people, you know, my mom, my wife, different people donate a lot of useful things for us, and so it always feels good when we open our mail." 10. Mid shot pan from soldier to letter 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Corporal Sarah Beavers, Combat Photographer: "What do I wish? I don't know... I'll just be happy when our mission is over and we can go home and, you know, get back to living a normal life." Joint Mail Mission Terminal run by KBR at Baghdad International Airport 12. Wide shot pan warehouse 13. Wide shot inside the warehouse 14. Wide shot people sorting boxes and packages 15. Mid shot boxes 16. Wide shot soldiers pulling a cart with boxes 17. Mid shot boxes being piled up on a truck 18. SOUNDBITE (English) Billy Janwich, KBR GS Mail Foreman: "I'm proud to be here, doing a service for my country. Being a former Marine, I know what the mail means and KBR is delivering to all your friends and family over here." Forward Operating Base Kalsu, southeast of Iskandariyah 19. Wide tracking shot trucks delivering Christmas packages and mail 20. Wide shot trucks 21. Mid shot a soldier bringing boxes inside a tent 22. Wide shot soldiers bringing boxes 23. Mid shot soldier sorting letters 24. Close-up letters 25. Wide shot soldiers in a mess (canteen) 26. Mid shot two soldiers sitting at a table 27. Mid shot tilt Christmas tree 29. Wide shot soldiers eating STORYLINE: Marines and other US military personnel stationed in Iraq got into the festive spirit on Saturday when they received a delivery of Christmas gifts and cards. Troops at the headquarters for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, southeast of Iskandariyah, about 60 kilometres (miles) south of Baghdad, read mail and unwrapped presents. Postal services for the US military in Iraq are operated by the contractor KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ab73f3fddb136d6f23ea407b59136aac