Fallen Marine writes to family

Editor's note: The following are excerpts from undated correspondence Marine Dawid Pietrek sent to his mother and younger sister back in his native Police, Poland. Pietrek, who lived briefly in Bensenville and was a caregiver for an Elmhurst family, was killed Saturday by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, where the Polish immigrant served with the hope of becoming a U.S. citizen.

My beloved girls:

I've been here two weeks in Afghanistan. It's hot over here, about 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). For the time being, I'm stationed in Kandahar. Our first week here, our base was attacked by rocket fire. No one was hurt. Our biggest threat in Afghanistan are (land) mines and roadside bombs. Beyond that, the people of Afghanistan love us and say we are doing a good job.

They are terrified of the Taliban … We are helping and protecting these people and providing them with schooling and medicine.

I'm well and I'm feeling good. I love you both so much. You are the most important things to me.

If something should happen to me remember - this was my decision. We're defending people here and fighting terrorists. (But, nothing will happen to me because I'm watching over myself).

Please write back soon and tell me what you've been up to. Love you both and miss you - Dawid.