> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Fourth and long to go - URL: https://www.smdp.com/fourth-and-long-to-go/ - Published: 2004-07-03T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T04:41:37.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Soldier spending Fourth long way from SM home* *By DANIELE HAMAMDJIAN Special to the Daily Press* Freedom comes at a greater price this holiday weekend for at least one native Santa Monican. Dennis Wilson, a 2nd Lt. in the California National Guard, will be dealing with a different set of fireworks on this Fourth of July — just south of Baghdad. “He is a devout believer in freedom for all people and believes in improving the quality of life for everyone,” said his wife, Sonja Ramsey, also a Santa Monica native. “All of us here in Santa Monica, many do not have someone in Iraq, so this does not hit home as hard, but for the Wilson family and friends from Santa Monica, the cost of freedom and the immense sacrifice is felt every moment of every day.” Ramsey, 37, has been trying to make the best of their first of year of marriage, despite that Wilson has been serving as the executive officer at Camp Kalsu, located south of Baghdad, since March. Wilson is in charge of ordering supplies for American soldiers stationed in the area. Ramsey’s biggest concern right now is the lack of military personnel in a camp that is, according to her, on open land with barely enough fences surrounding it. “It definitely seems like they’ve been dumped out there, in the boondocks,” said Ramsey. “To me, the military means preparedness, then when you get over there, there are holes.” It was only until recently that Camp Kalsu has been regularly provided with water and much-needed hygienic supplies. The soldiers refer to their bathrooms as “Kalsu Crappers,” which are to be cleaned by contracted Iraqis. “But you never know when they’re going to turn on you,” Ramsey said, adding many Iraqis and American contractors have stopped coming to the camp for fear of being killed. The psychology student said she is lucky if she can speak to her husband once a week, “and he never complains,” she added. With many soldiers returning to the United States because of injuries, Ramsey believes the need for military support is only increasing, despite the fact that sovereignty returned to Iraq last week. Wilson, also 37, attended Pilgrim Lutheran School, Grant Elementary School, John Adams Middle School, Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College, where he played football. Before going to Iraq, Wilson worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Wilson comes from a family with a long military history. His father, Ralph Wilson, served in Vietnam; his great grandfather was a member of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the Spanish- American War and his great, great grandfather was a prisoner of war in Anderson Ville Prison during the Civil War. He and his brother were both Airborne Rangers during the invasion of Panama. Wilson was wounded and subsequently awarded the Purple Heart, according to Ramsey. Due to operational security, the coalition press information center in Baghdad was unable to provide any information regarding the number of soldiers at Camp Kalsu. Since the war began, the California National Guard has sent 1,000 soldiers to Iraq, where seven of its personnel have lost their lives, said Lt. Colonel Douglas Hart, director of public affairs. Because of his exposure, experience and good sense of humor, Ramsey believes her husband has become a counselor to younger soldiers on the base. In an effort to keep him grounded, Ramsey and his family send Wilson care packages on a regular basis, including copies of the Daily Press, or oftentimes, just cutouts of the page 3 surf report, as well as surfing books from Rip Curl. Both avid surfers, the couple already is making plans for surfing trips in remote locations. “This place (Santa Monica) means a lot more when you’re removed from it... This is where we want to live, this is home,” Ramsey said. Ramsey, who lives at Wilshire Boulevard and Third Street, admits her priorities have changed. For years, she fought City Hall to have a preferential parking zone created on her street. “I don’t even care about that anymore and I fought for it for seven years,” Ramsey said. “He (Wilson) is my future, he’s my everything. “If I have to wait in line, if someone gives me coffee and it’s not hot enough or if my waiter takes forever, I don’t care,” she added. “I am so patient and tolerant of everything because I realized what my husband has to go through.” As Ramsey, her family and friends enjoy their barbecue during their holiday weekend, the safety of Wilson and his comrades will be at the forefront of their minds. “They’re just going to try to stay alive for the Fourth of July,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/070304-02_01.jpg) As part of a weekly contest, the first reader to accurately describe where this mystery photo was taken will win a prize. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/070304-02_04.jpg) to the Daily Press (Photo: Daniele Hamamdjian/Special) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/070304-02_05.jpg) Wilson, of Santa Monica, will spend Independence Day in Iraq. (Photo: Photo courtesy Lt. Dennis) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 3, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070304.pdf?ref=smdp.com)