Conditions Governing Access
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Arrangement
Biographical / Historical
Preferred Citation
Content Description
Conditions Governing Use
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Todd A. Wagner Iraq War correspondence
source:
Widder, Rita
Creator:
Wagner, Todd, Sergeant, b. 1968
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.153.w.r
Physical Description:
.1 Linear feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 2003 March 24 - 2004 April
Abstract: This collection contains fourteen correspondence written by Sergeant Todd Wagner, United States Army to Rita Widder during
the Iraq War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Afghan/Iraq 1
Container: 7
Container: 1
Container: 2017-153-w-r-_Wagner, Todd
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Rita Widder.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically. One card and one letter are undated; the letter was placed in an inferred chronology,
the card and photograph were placed at the front of the collection.
Biographical / Historical
Sergeant Todd A. Wagner, United States Army (b. 1968) was born in Canton, Ohio and attended Canton South High School. He met
Amy K. Stuhldreher at age 17 (she was 14, mentioned in letters) and they married six years later on December 14, 1991. There
18th anniversary of dating is mentioned in the letter dated July 20, 2003. The two of them had at least two sons as Wagner
mentions missing Amy and the "boys."
Wagner joined the Army National Guard in Dover, Ohio in 1987 and served with 18th CSB, 1485th Transportation Company. His
time serving in Iraq, about a year, caused him to retire after twenty years (according to donor; one of his letters mentioned
maybe retiring at seventeen years).
He wrote to Rita Widder, a friend, and her husband Frank who were "horse people" much like Wagner; a topic that is discussed
in the letters frequently. After the war, Wagner returned to Ohio and was last known living in Navarre.
Preferred Citation
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Todd Wagner Iraq War correspondence (2017.153.w.r), Center for American
War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Content Description
This collection contains fourteen correspondence written by Sgt. Todd A. Wagner, USA to Rita Widder during the Iraq War. Also
included is one photograph of Wagner in combat uniform taken in Iraq in 2003.
The correspondence mostly discusses the weather and conditions, explaining the incredible heat and dust and the living conditions,
as well as how much he misses the comforts of home and his family, thanking Rita for helping him get through this experience
through her writing and care packages.
He first wrote to Rita in March 2003 before heading to Corpus Christi, Texas where his unit's trucks were to be shipped out,
then from Camp Virginia in Kuwait. By June 8 he left Kuwait and took a four week mission through Baghdad north toward Syria,
explaining the harsh conditions and garbage in which the Iraqi people live. On July 6, he describes the mission specifically
and mentions the dangers of being on the road, though they only travel during the day and attacks are usually at night.
On July 20, he tells Rita that he cannot send home sand because the government is concerned about chemicals used by Saddam
Hussein on his civilians and that they sand may still contain those chemicals. He also mentions having visited Al-Asad and
Tikrit, cases of malaria, and how much he misses his family.
On August 20, he tells Rita that he had a stomach virus. He then mentions the Iraqi people; how they do not have much but
they have pride. He then sent a Christmas card with a small wreath ornament (not included).
On January 16, 2004 his patience wore thin and he says he is thinking about leaving the Army before his twenty year retirement
plan. His enlistment was to end December 2004 at 17 years and he says he "just can't do no more. I feel that I have served
my country and it is time to enjoy my wife and kids."
On soon returning home, he feared that everything will have changed. "I feel like my life has stopped, you listen to the same
music because you don't know what is new, we get very little news about what is going on at home, you watch the same movies
over and over. My favorite Smokey and the Bandit a classic. Now I have to go back home and everything will seem like it is
going 100 mph."
On February 10, he mentions the change in Iraq after about a year of war. "Last week we took a load of supplies to Fallujah
just west of Baghdad. That was the first time I have left post since 29 Nov. Boy what a change as you head toward Baghdad.
Roads are cleared of trash, they have painted some of the buildings. New road signs and most of all, more people walking the
streets. I have seen more women out and they don't have there faces covered. You can feel a sense of Freedom for these people.
It makes me feel good knowing that I got to help. By no means is this country safe. We still hear of convoys getting attacked
and people injured but it is getting better."
The last piece in the collection is an Easter card that says he will see them soon.
Conditions Governing Use
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Iraq War, 2003-2011
Iraq War -- (2003-2011) -- Correspondence
Photographs
Widder, Rita