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President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
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Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
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U.S. troops kill eight Iraqis in gun battle
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. troops killed eight Iraqis and wounded another in an exchange of fire near the volatile town of Samarra, north of Baghdad, a U.S. Army spokeswoman said Wednesday.
The soldiers were operating southwest of Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Tuesday when the Iraqis opened fire on them with automatic weapons, Major Josslyn Aberle, spokeswoman for the 4th Infantry Division, told reporters.
"The soldiers returned fire and pursued the attackers," she said.
The troops shot and killed eight, wounded one and arrested 26 others. Two of the attackers' vehicles were destroyed and four others were confiscated, Aberle said.
No soldiers were wounded. Samarra is among several hotbeds of anti-U.S. insurgency and violence in the central area of Iraq.
01/14/04 09:16 ET
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited.
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>From Central Command news release on 1-14-04:
WRAP UP OF 4TH ID’S ACTIVITIES
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi National Police (INP) and military police soldiers from the 401st MP Company conducted joint raids in Samarra, capturing three individuals targeted for possible involvement in attacks against the Coalition. The INP and the soldiers located and confiscated 50 AK-47 assault rifle magazines and some military uniforms.
In a separate incident, soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade discovered two weapon caches near Kirkuk in the afternoon of Jan. 12. The first cache consisted of 50 rounds of 120-millimeter mortar and the second cache found nearby consisted of 13 rounds of 120-millimeter mortar and one 62-millimeter rocket. The caches were destroyed in place.
A logistical patrol from 3rd Battalion, (no number given) Field Artillery saw attackers firing automatic weapons at two dump trucks 15 kilometers southwest of Balad in the afternoon of Jan. 12. The patrol requested assistance and a 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment quick reaction force responded. When they arrived they learned that the two drivers had been injured and were taken to a local hospital, the extent of their injuries unknown. The soldiers also learned the attackers fled the scene in a four-door dark sedan. An OH-58 “Kiowa” observation helicopter responded to the request for assistance as well and located the attackers’ vehicle at a house 15 kilometers from the scene of the attack. The quick reaction force went to the location, searched the house and found two AK-47 assault rifles. Six individuals in the house were detained for questioning.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) soldiers detained an Imam in Jabal during a joint raid by ICDC and 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry soldiers the night of Jan. 12. According to an Iraqi police officer, which brought the information to the ICDC, the Imam invited an individual from Fallujah to speak during prayer call through the mosque’s loudspeaker. The individual told the people of the town that it was their duty to attack Coalition Forces, ICDC and the Iraqi police. The Imam was detained without incident.
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Reconstruction Fund Helps Provide Better Life for Iraqis
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2004 – Millions of dollars dispensed through a U.S. civil affairs fund have fueled myriad reconstruction projects across Iraq, improving the lives of Iraqis in the post-Saddam Hussein era, according to a senior U.S. military civil affairs officer.
Army Brig. Gen. David Blackledge, commander of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, noted today in a Baghdad briefing that U.S. civil affairs troops in Iraq are playing a vital role in operations "to improve the lives of Iraqis across the country."
The Commander's Emergency Response Fund (CERF) was established in May, the general explained, "to allow commanders to make an immediate impact and address local (Iraqi) issues." To date, commanders have allocated more than $126 million in CERF money, Blackledge pointed out, to improve schools, buy new textbooks, clean up water, provide electricity, and improve medical care and security across Iraq.
Each major U.S. military command in Iraq, the general noted, is assigned CERF funds according "to the geography, population and needs of their respective region." Blackledge said civil projects funded by CERF "are the grassroots effort by local commanders to quickly deal with short-term needs" of the Iraqi populace. The projects, he added, are coordinated between U.S. commanders, local Iraqi leaders and officials, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The CERF fund "has been tremendously successful, because it is administered by the local commander who is actually living and interacting with the (Iraqi) citizens in his area of responsibility," Blackledge pointed out. Almost 1,000 CERF projects totaling more than $6.8 million, Blackledge said, have been established to support newly established Iraqi local governments, as well as Iraq's new legal system.
An independent judiciary system is operating across Iraq for the first time in nearly 30 years, he pointed out, noting that nearly all of Iraq's 400 courtrooms now are open. After years of censorship and oppression by the deposed regime, Iraqis today can read about developments across their nation through more than 200 independent newspapers, Blackledge pointed out. And, he continued, 35 percent of Iraqi households now get news through satellite TV dishes, which were illegal under Saddam Hussein.
Public health across Iraq continues to improve, Blackledge pointed out, noting $6.4 million in CERF funds have assisted in the reopening of Iraq's 240 hospitals and 95 percent of the country's 1,200 health clinics. And, Iraqi health care facilities in need of repair "are undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction," he added.
More than $29 million in CERF funds have been spent for education, Blackledge pointed out, noting that 5.9 million Iraqi students have been registered and are now attending school, a figure, he said, that exceeds pre-war numbers. Outdated schoolbooks filled with Baathist Party propaganda have been jettisoned, Blackledge said, noting 51 million propaganda-free textbooks have been printed and distributed. All 22 universities and 43 technical institutions across Iraq are now open, Blackledge reported, noting college applications "are running at a record pace."
More than $22 million in CERF funding has been spent on increasing security for the Iraqi people, Blackledge reported. More than 230,000 Iraqis, he said, are now employed in security work. Iraqis, he added, now account for half of all security forces in Iraq.
And, more than $9 million in CERF funds have been used in more than 1,200 Iraqi water and sewer projects, Blackledge said. This including the clearing of more than 18,500 kilometers of irrigation canals, Blackledge said, which resulted in the delivery of "water to tens of thousands of farmers, creating jobs, and revitalizing the Iraqi economy."
"Iraqis," Blackledge noted, "see the improvements and are optimistic." For example, the general noted that seven out of 10 Iraqis polled expect their country and their personal lives to be better five years from now.
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Hood readies for 4th Inf. Div. homecoming
Re-deployment workshops scheduled at Bennett Clinic
By Mollie Miller
Sentinel Living editor
Paper welcome home chains are growing and calendars are turning into a riot of red "x's" as Fort Hood families log the final days of a wait that began more than nine months ago. With fewer than four months remaining before the projected re-deployment date of the 4th Infantry Division, the post community has begun to ready itself for the day that many have only hesitantly dared to dream about.
For some waiting spouses and families, the pending re-deployment has translated into higher stress levels and questions like "what can I expect when my Soldier returns home" and "how can I make this re-deployment experience as easy as possible?"
Maj. Chris Choi and Maj. Annette Schwendinger, family practice physicians at Fort Hood, have recently found themselves fielding questions like these as their patients brooded over the fast approaching homecoming.
Determined to find answers to their patients numerous questions as well as help them weather the final stretch of the deployment, the doctors began talking about concerns common to all of their patients and brainstormed on the best way to address them.
"We had noticed that a lot of our patients seemed stressed and overwhelmed by budgets and child care and issues surrounding the re-deployment and we wanted to do something to help them out," said Choi.
After much discussion, the doctors came up with a program that would address many of the issues their patients had brought up in a convenient and relaxed way - a 4th Inf. Div. and Task Force Ironhorse Redeployment Day.
"We wanted to do a more comprehensive program that would show families what resources are available to them as well as answer some of their questions about the re-deployment," said Choi.
Encompassing classes like Recognizing Combat Stress, Smoking Cessation, Nutrition for Life, Stress Management, Home Finances and Planning Your Special Get-A-Way, the day-long event is sure to offer something to help waiting families prepare for the return of their Soldier.
"We wanted to attack the main issue of what's going to happen when the Soldiers come home from deployment as well as address concerns about issues that might cause problems with the spouse gets home," said Choi. "We also wanted to get the spouse feeling better about themselves and put them in a good place so they would be better able to deal with their soldier coming home."
Choi, a Soldier, mother and military spouse herself, is no stranger to long deployments. Her husband, Maj. Yong Choi, has deployed frequently in the past, leaving her to run the household and care for their three children alone. Choi said that these past experiences helped her pick the classes that will be offered during the Re-deployment Day.
"[In the past] my greatest challenges have usually involved having to do everything by myself. The kids have to get to school and activities, my job demands a lot of my attention and I still have to be able to keep myself personally feeling good and able to handle everything," said Choi. "The topics that we picked out for the classes cover a lot of stuff that I would have used during my own husband's deployments."
Understanding that children also play an important role during re-deployment reunions, many activities are scheduled during the Re-Deployment Day that will cater to their specific needs. From bike rodeos and babysitting courses to a special visit from McGruff the Crime Dog and an opportunity to send a message to their Soldier, Fort Hood's children have not been forgotten in the planning of this event.
"Getting the children involved helps them get ready for mom or dad to come home," said Choi. "The classes we are offering are going to help them understand some of the expectations of the home coming and maybe teach them a little about where mom or dad has been for the past year."
Many Fort Hood organizations are coming together to help make this event a success. Schwendinger said the Re-Deployment Day will be a cooperative effort between the Chaplain Corps, the American Red Cross, Army Community Service, Child and Youth Services, Family Readiness Groups, Outdoor Recreation Services, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Darnall Army Community Hospital.
"We have a lot to offer our families," said Col. Dan Shanahan, 4th Inf. Div. rear detachment commander. "Professionals from Bennett Clinic have been instrumental in developing the program and volunteers from the greater Fort Hood community will participate in making this day a great success - I encourage everyone to attend."
Schwendinger also encourages everyone to attend, regardless of whether they think they are stressed or not. The re-deployment day, she said, is sure to offer something that will help everyone make it through the last few months of the deployment. "We are almost at the end [of this deployment]," said Schwendinger. "We are just trying to give [the families] a little more rope to hang onto until everyone comes home."
The 4th Inf. Div. and Task Force Ironhorse Re-Deployment Day event will take place Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bennet Clinic, Meadows Elementary School and 4th Inf. Div. Headquarters. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 288-8888. Registration information will also be taken on the day of the event beginning at 10 a.m. at Bennett Clinic.
(Editor's Note: Plans are under development for redeployment seminars at Fort Carson for the 3rd Brigade Combat team, similar to the plans at Fort Hood. Details will be announced locally at Fort Carson and in my update when they are final.
If anyone has an official source at the other TF Ironhorse posts that I could contact to get information on their plans, please let me know so I can see what is planned in other places. In the meantime, families should contact their Rear Detachments and Family Readiness Groups for information at their local installations).
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Horrifying Letters Lead to Happy Homecoming
By Jamie Muro
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- For months, Trish Harrison has received letters from her son, Private William Harrison.
The letters are what you might expect from a son who is far away from home. He talks about how he misses home cooking, friends, and just spending time with his family.
But there are other aspects of his letters that have been disturbing. Descriptions of how shrapnel shredded a mechanic's face, or how bullets have zipped by his friends as an unexpected attack occurred. William has been in Iraq, part of the U.S. Army, and he's ready to come home.
"I'm excited, and I can't stand it, and ten minutes is like an hour," Trish Harrison said.
Trish should be excited. Her oldest son is finally coming home. In fact, she hasn't seen him in more than a year.
Monday was supposed to be just another day of work, simply another day at a restaurant where she makes pastries look like an art form. But all that has been put on the back-burner so to speak. Trish is clock watching, but not because she wants to go home, rather waiting for her son to.
"I can wait ten hours as long as I know he's going to be here."
There is a busy lunch crowd today at Truffles restaurant. The place is buzzing with energy. Much of that is due to hungry customers, but part of that lunch crowd is family.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, William walks thru the door in military fatigues. He has a hat on that shields his eyes, but it can't erase the grin.
A crying mother runs down a hallway, arms out-stretched as she plants a hug that's been 13 months in the making.
"How are you doing?" Trish asks. "Are you okay?"
"You're skinny as a twig," William replies.
The homecoming will last only sixteen days. William must return to Iraq. But for his family, any time home is plus, especially this week.
William (C/1-22 Infantry of 4ID) turns 21 on Thursday. (Happy Birthday, William - today is that Thursday).
First Coast News
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Luxembourg:
The daily after action reports from our 4ID WWII archives are resuming as of today. The 4ID is ready to take the fight back to the Germans now that the Battle of the Bulge has proven to be unsuccessful for the Germans.
15 January 1944 - D+224
The 4th Infantry Division made plans for the relief of the Division by the 87th Infantry Division. The movement of our reserve elements to the new zone of action was initiated.
The 8th Infantry Regiment maintained its defense along the west banks of the Sauer and Moselle rivers, with the 1st Battalion on the right, and the 2nd Battalion on the left. The 3rd Battalion remained in reserve in the vicinity of Mecker until 1625 at which time it began movement to the sector of the 10th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Infantry Division. At the close of the period, it passed to the control of the 5th Infantry Division.
The 12th Infantry maintained the defense along the west bank of the Sauer river with the 2nd Battalion (left) and the 1st Battalion (right), the 3rd remaining assembled in reserve.
The 22nd Infantry maintained the defense of its sector along the west bank of the Sauer river with the 1st Battalion (left) and the 2nd Battalion (right) and the 3rd in reserve.
The 347th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division closed in an assembly area in the vicinity of Rodenburg at 1800 and was attached to the 4th Division.
The 346th Infantry Regiment began movement to the 4th Infantry Division sector at 2030 and was enroute to relieve the 8th Infantry during the hours of darkness.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My son, Capt. HSB/3-16 FA, said he would be mailing a box of letters with names and addresses of soldiers and comrades. My son, never one to save anything, took my advice passed on from you, Bob, about the importance of keeping the names, ranks, and social security numbers of his colleagues. Now he will be able to correspond and keep in touch with the life long friends he has made while in combat. Thank you for making a difference in this officers future contacts.
2) I just got a call this a.m. from my son who is stationed a little north of Balad. He is with the 4th, 3rd Brigade, 1/8 infantry out of Ft. Carson. We have not heard from him in a couple of months. He sounded fine and is looking foward to coming home. He said he has been in Samarra for quite a while and finally got back to Balad. He and his unit have been very busy rounding up the insurgents and trying to keep the peace. God Bless him and all the soldiers over there. What true patriots and Americans they are.
3) Our son is with B Co (Beast) 4th EN BN 1/8 TF in Balad. They have been very busy since Cpt P was taken from them. He said that night was pretty bad, they took 6 mortars and they were all way to close. Since then they have been sandbagging all their huts and of course all the other usual stuff, missions, TCP's, guard duty and raids. He has been hearing about possible movement south but he takes eveyday (and night) one at a time and figures he will continue to do what he's been doing until told different. He says everyone is doing well under the circumstances with Cpt.P and all, he says they're a strong bunch of guys and they'll make it through this. He is eligable for a waiver to E4 so he is very hopeful that one comes through for him. He also said that he has already put his name up for extra detail in Kuwait once they get
everything ready to load on the boats. I guess that means we will have to wait a little longer to see him. He would rather stay behind and let someone with a wife and children go before him, besides he says it's 1-3 more weeks of tax free pay. I want to send my thoughts and prayers to the family of Cpt Paliwoda and to all of our military soldiers and families. Steadfast and Loyal.
4) I read your news almost every day and this is the first time I have written. My only two children (boys) are in the military. My oldest in the Army (B/1-8 IN) currently in Iraq and my youngest in the Marines and was with the first unit entering Baghdad - he came back in May and his unit is returning to Iraq in February to relieve the current troops. I can truly say this last year has been the longest and proudest year of my life. I'm truly thankful the brave men and women who represent the United States in our military. They are all heros no matter what their job may be and to the families who support them back here in the States I want to say thank you for supporting your family member while they are away. .... I want to say one more thank you. To all the Viet Nam Vets I want to say thank you. You were never given the respect and recognition you should have. Most of you didn't have a choice but you went and you fought only to be ignored or hurt when you came home. I'm sorry for that - please know there are those of us who do care and thank you for your military service.
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Families Sharing R&R Moments:
1) Finally ! I can write to you with our "GRAND" information. Our Godson, C/1-22 Infantry, arrived home from Iraq Monday and will be home for 16 days. The first thing he said was, "I have been craving LEE'S Chicken every since I got on the plane".(oops, his mother has her own catering business). 16 days is a very short time since we haven't seen him in 13 months, but at least we can talk to him, touch him, and love him with no worry for his safety. He is very thin but very beautiful. He was unable to make it home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's BUT he will be 21 tomorrow (Thursday). We are planning one humongous blast Friday. Thank you for your updates, he was going over them last night as well as the pictures from Michael's site (www.1-22infantry.org) and was very pleased that I was printing off and setting up notebooks that he can keep for his (children/grandchildren) future. We are so excited at this time that we can hardly think straight. (This is the same soldier as in the article about Happy Homecoming).
2) I just wanted to let everyone know that my son arrived last week (mid-tour leave). He surprised me at work. Needless to say, I left early. We have had a great time. He has spent a lot of his time with family and visiting friends.....He looks bettern than I would have imagined, I think he might have even gained some weight. Tomorrow he is going to an elementary school where his cousin attends to thank them for all the support and the "No soldier with a Christmas" fund raiser they held. They collected numerous gifts for his platoon. He is going to present them with a flag that he brought back signed by the entire platoon. He's looking forward to talking with the kids.
3) 1) I wanted to share a wonderful story concerning our son. He is with the HHC 2nd BDE. His father turned 50 years old on Friday and our son knew that we were having a surprise party for him on Saturday Jan 10. To our GREAT surprise our son came home and surprised ALL of us! (Thanks to his wonderful fiancee). We are overwhelmed with such joy! My husband said later that night, "Have you ever blown out your candle and received your wish ?" He DID! He looks wonderful, and he slept like a rock in A bed Saturday night for the first time in 9 months. God Bless all our soldiers and may God keep them safe and return them home real soon, so all parents and loved ones can hold their soldier as we did for the first time in 9 months! I have never had a feeling like that before! Thank you for letting me share the story...
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Redeployment Tips:
1) As a preteen my dad deployed during Desert Storm. He took a month of leave when he came home and was around all the time. After 7 months of "freedom" while he was gone, it was hard to adjust to his stricter rules when he came back. Now, as a soldier looking forward to going home, I can understand the desire to be home a lot and recreate a niche for myself. But, it is very important for soldiers to understand that families are not used to them being there and have had a year to create a new routine. Much like leaders arriving at new units, service members should spend some time observing the new family routines before trying to change things. And family members should remember that they aren't the only ones making adjustments.
2) From a reader: My mother-in-law wanted me to send along this tip. If you are extended family - parents, siblings, grandparents - please understand that your
son/daughter needs to spend some time alone with his or her spouse and kids. It isn't that they don't want to see you but they need that adjustment time first before the big family reunion. (Editor's Note: Or, if you go to the arrival homecoming, don't stay too long or maybe volunteer to watch the kids for a few days while the couple gets away. Key is, ask the couple what their preference is. I met my wife for a week in Kansas City before we headed to Oklahoma to see family after my return from Vietnam).
3) I was reading today's tips, and I REALLY hope we see more from the Vietnam vets. (Editor's Note: Lots of my Vietnam vet buddies are reading this - let's hear your words of experience. Interestingly, fewer of us Vietnam vets were married during deployment than is the case now, but we still have words of wisdom).
Anyway, this is my husband's third deployment longer than six months. After each one we have had our share of issues. We always come up with a problem/ issue that we haven't met before. Never fails. We learned how to talk to each other after the first one (after about 4 months of communication classes recommended to us by our pastor)...definitely worth every minute of effort involved. After the second one we decided to figure out exactly where his place was in the family - I had a heck of a time reintegrating him into MY routines. He would give up, go sit down and watch TV with a "Fine, do it your way." ...... which would piss me off even more. Used some of those invaluable lessons from above and worked that one out (but it also took time and patience). We also had disagreements about the children after that one. I had just spent a year being consistant keeping them from becoming monsters...he came home, wanted to spoil them absolutely rotten and let them do pretty much anything they wanted. Don't fight in front of the children!!!!! They will divide and conquer to get their way if you let them. This one was also resolved - we are now a united front. Even now, my six year old will ask Dad for something over email, and the first thing from my husband is, "What did your mom say?" Good man.
4) From Linda Odierno, wife of MG Ray Odierno, Commanding General of 4ID and Task Force Ironhorse: There are a lot of great resources on Ft. Hood and Ft. Carson. Reunion can be wonderful and special, but it can also be a little stressful. My experience having been through three major deployments is the importance of going through the Army's Re-deployment briefings. The briefings provide information and techniques which will ease the stress of the homecoming and are designed to help guard against any problems. All the soldiers will receive reunion briefings before they leave Iraq and there will be an extensive program when they return to the States. There are briefings/classes available for you through your Family Readiness Group, Rear Detachment Commander, and Unit Chaplain. You may find out the dates at your Unit Family Readiness Group Meeting or you may contact them to find out when the re-deployment brief will be given. You will be glad you attended. The briefings inform you on what to expect when your soldier returns. No matter how long you have been married, you will find the briefings very helpful. Enjoy being together again.
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