Public Relations Update from Baghdad - a letter from Navy Captain, Vic Beck
Myles Bristowe, President-elect, AMA Boston
Volunteer Spotlight: Vic Beck
Shortly after being unanimously nominated for a second term as Vice President of Communications for the Boston Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Vic Beck had informed the Board of Directors that he had been called into active duty as a Navy Captain (Public Affairs Officer).
His job is to be the US military’s spokesman to the 1500 Arab media outlets based out of Media City in Dubai. In his words, “It is an interesting and challenging job, but the most difficult thing by far, is the separation from my family.”
I know I speak for everyone on the Board of Directors as well as our entire body of Members, when I say, we are all very proud and grateful for the service and sacrifice Vic is giving to his country. We look forward to your safe return to Boston!
Last week Vic sent us a letter from Baghdad and has given me permission to share it with you:
150 Days – An Update from Vic Beck
In Baghdad, Iraq
January 25, 2008So much has happened in Iraq since my last update only a couple months ago. There never is a shortage of news and information coming from Iraq however, with the decrease in violence, there are many days when we are not front page news in the U.S. (this is a good thing). Here are just a few statistics that are telling:
- From June to December 2007, the number of overall attacks have decreased roughly 60%.
- Civilian deaths are down 75% from a year ago and are now at a level not seen since the beginning of 2006.
- The number of Coalition Force losses is down substantially, though each one reminds us of the sacrifice that made progress possible in 2007.
- High profile attacks (car bombs, suicide car bombs and suicide vest attacks) are down 60% since its height in March 2007.
- With the help of local Iraqi citizens, in 2007 we more than doubled the amount of weapons caches found in all of 2006. While this has seriously degraded the enemy’s ability to conduct attacks, al-Qaeda still has the capacity to conduct horrific attacks against Iraqi citizens and Coalition Forces. 2008 will be an important year in Iraq and we’re hoping to achieve many milestones.
- We are working to transfer more provincial security control to the Iraqi Security Forces. There are 18 provinces and we have transferred provincial control for security back to the Iraqis for nine so far.
For me personally, I just finished a work marathon – 150 days straight of 17-18 hour days. I arrived in Belize yesterday for R&R. My wife and kids arrive tomorrow and we’ll be relaxing on the beach together for two weeks (and watching the Super Bowl at a beach sports bar at a reasonable hour – Iraq is eight hours ahead of Boston time). Then I’ll head back to Iraq and finish my year-long tour on April 24. More soon, but I won’t be thinking much about the war for the next two weeks.
Best,
VicCaptain Vic Beck, US Navy
Chief of Media Operations
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Strategic Effects/Communications Division
Tags: Baghdad, communications, Iraq, Public Affairs, public relations, US Navy, Vic Beck
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February 1st, 2008 at 11:31 am
Vic,
Let me echo Myles’ sentiments and add my own best wishes and blessings for you and your family and the rest of the forces abroad and at home. We love you all and though it’s not said enough — we believe in what you’re doing and hope to see everyone home and healthy as quickly as possible.
Best wishes,
- j -
February 1st, 2008 at 11:36 am
Vic.
I am really looking forward to seeing you back in the USA and back in the AMA. Your service is a sacrifice I trully appreciate and I want you to know my feelings.
Take care.
Cecil
February 1st, 2008 at 11:48 am
Vic’s experiencing a costly sacrifice - a year without his children to fulfill a year of service to his country. Politics and criticism aside, the troops in Iraq are there serving all of us. We can never do enough to support people like Vic.
Take care, and hurry home.
-Steve
February 1st, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Best wishes for a safe tour and speedy return home. Despite the lack of (negative) coverage in the news, never forget your country is behind you. Thank you for keeping us safe and keep up the wonderful job you are doing over there.
George
February 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
It was heartening to hear that violence is down in your letter and more heartening to hear that you will be able to have break from you Iraq tour to enjoy the superbowl and your family! Thanks for your hard work.
Keep safe and know that we support your good efforts from afar.
A fan from Newburyport.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Vic-
Thank you for your service to this country. If there is one thing we can all agree on about this war is we want our troops to be safe. Good luck and get home safe.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Vic,
I wish for your prompt and safe return to the United Sates so that you be with your family. We are truly grateful for all those who sacrifice for our freedom.
Sincerely,
Dave
February 1st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Vic,
Thank you for your service! My cousin is a Marine in Iraq and I know how tough it is for his mom and sister. So I can imagine a bit about what you are your family are going through. My thoughts are with you and them.
It’s an incredible thing you’re doing and we cannot thank you enough.
I look forward to meeting you at an AMA event one day very soon.
Stay safe…
Manya
February 1st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Vic
I wish you a successful mission and a safe return.
Michael
February 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Vic,
Thank you for your service to this great country.
Chris E
February 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Hello Vic -
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year and a safe and succesful return.
Thank you for fighting for the freedoms that we value and sometimes take for granted everyday.
Abby Witkin
February 1st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Vic,
Thank you for your service, best wishes for a safe return.
Ed
February 1st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I can’t thank you enough for the things you are doing on behalf of each American. While I’ve been abroad many times without my family and know the feeling of separation, I’ve never had to deal with the circumstances you face. I look forward to the day that Miles will drop a note to us all to say you are in the air, on you way home to Boston. I’ll include you and your family in my daily prayers; asking for your safe return and their well-being in your absence. In the meantime please know you are making a distinct difference for everyone in the world and that you are sorely missed here.
Kelly
February 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Thank you.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
With today’s communications technology it is easy to forget the important role people play in sharing and interpreting the news. Thank you for reminding me not to take information for granted.
Best wishes for a safe return to your family.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Vic - what an incredible sacrifice for you and your family, and tremendous contribution to our country. Stay strong and may all prayers and best wishes be stowed upon you, your family, and your colleages abroad.
THANK YOU
Best,
Suzi Robinson
February 1st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Thank you for your selfless dedication to serving in Iraq! I hope for you and your family that your tour ends safely and quickly. Unfortunately many people here in the US forget day to day the sacrifices that people like yourself make every day by being there. Having lost my cousin (Capt. Michael A. Cerrone) 14 months ago in Iraq I have immense respect for you and all of the others over there.
Amy
February 1st, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hi Vic,
Very few people are willing to make the sacrifices you have for your country.
Thanks again so much for your service. We look forward to having you back safe and sound on U.S. soil in a couple months.
Enjoy your well-deserved vacation with your family. And Go Pats!
Best,
Jim Gallant
February 1st, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Vic and family-
I truly appreciate the sacrifice you are making for our country. You and your colleagues in the desert are true heroes, always in my thoughts and prayers for a safe return. Enjoy the beach and watching the Pats “pursue perfection”!
Warm regards,
Melissa Carr
February 1st, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Vic and Family -
Thank you all for your dedication and sacrifice. You are an inspriration and I am so grateful for your commitment and your hard work. Clearly, you are starting to see some positive impact from all your collective dedication. Thank you for sharing some encouraging news with us here back at home. You provide a powerful example to us all here at home. I hope you enjoy your much deserved R&R and quality time with your family! Warmly Sue Burton & Family.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Dear Vic:
Thanks for being a great American. We are all very proud of you and pray for
our country for men and women like you who make us so very proud.
As the great Mahatma Gandhi said_
There are times when you have to obey a call which is the highest of all, i.e. - the voice of conscience, even though such obedience may cost many a bitter tear, and even more a separation from friends, from family, from the state to which you may belong, from all which you have held as dear as life itself. For this obedience is the law of our being.
Stay well
Jean
February 1st, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Dear Vic,
The words “thank you” do not seem adequate. But please know that your dedication and sacrifice are deeply appreciated. You’re doing the country and the marketing profession proud too. Take care, enjoy your R&R, and get home safely soon!
Sincerely,
Cynthia
February 1st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Dear Vic,
While I don’t know you personally, I do know Myles and he shared your e-mail with me. I was really pleased to learn about the improving situation in Iraq. It’s great to see that we are finally making progress in achieving peace in this part of the world. Thanks so much to you, your family, and all those who are making such a great sacrifice for our country. We owe you a real debt of gratitude. Keep safe and enjoy your much deserved R&R.
Nancy Ames
Westborough, MA
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Thank you for your service and sacrifice! Best wishes for a speedy return home.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Vic & Family,
I am a Vetnam vet and was a grunt. My heart goes out to all of the soldiers in a combat zone.
God bless you and your family. Come home safe and sound. We all appreciate the committment, sacfifice and and dedication that you continue to live by and display.
Come home safe.
Charlie
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Vic,
Thank you for everything you are doing, it is very much appreciated. Take good care and hope to meet you when you return home safely. I know many people who have served over there and you are all true heroes.
All the best,
Paige
February 4th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Thank you for your service. I hope to hear more about your work when you return. Be safe. Mark
February 4th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Thank you Vic and thank you also to your family. A year away is a long time.
Enjoy the R&R and come home safely soon.
Ron Montgomery
February 4th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
My thoughts are with you and your family, Vic. I appreciate the sacrifice that you make for our freedom.
Respectfully, Allison Snow
February 5th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Vic -
Thank you very much for your dedication to the armed services, our country, and the Iraqi people/cause. Stay safe and enjoy your vacation with your family.
Best Regards,
Deanna
February 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Thank you. I wish you a safe and speedy return.
February 21st, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Hello Vic,
I’m a new member of the Boston AMA chapter, and am proud of both you and the members who are supporting you. Thank you for what you do on our behalf.
Best Wishes,
Frankie Ridolfi