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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
President, 22nd Inf Regt Society - http://www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
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Just in as I was wrapping up this update this morning - we lost another Soldier from TF Ironhorse...
Iraq Bombings Kill Two U.S. Soldiers
By ROBERT H. REID
Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)--Roadside bombs killed two U.S. soldiers in separate attacks Monday in Baghdad and a city northeast of the capital, the U.S. military said. Gunmen also killed an American civilian and wounded three others in a weekend ambush south of here.
One soldier from Task Force Iron Horse died and four others were wounded when a bomb exploded at about 9:40 a.m. in the center of Baqouba, about 35 miles northeast of here, the 4th Infantry Division said.
Two Iraqis were arrested, including one who had a cell phone that may have been used to detonate the bomb, according to Master Sgt. Robert Cargie, a division spokesman in Tikrit.
The other fatal bombing occurred in the center of Baghdad about 9:20 a.m., killing one soldier from the 1st Armored Division and wounding another, the military said. The 1st Armored is due to leave Iraq in the coming weeks and be replaced by the 1st Cavalry Division.
The latest deaths bring to 540 the number of U.S. service members have died since the United States launched the Iraq war in March. Most have died since President Bush declared an end to active combat May 1. ......
On Sunday, a special Iraqi police unit arrested a senior Baath Party leader on the U.S. military's most-wanted list during a raid Sunday on his home in a Baghdad suburb. The capture of Mohammed Zimam Abdul Razaq leaves only 10 top figures still at large from the list of 55 issued after Saddam's regime collapsed. Abdul Razaq was No. 41, and the four of spades in the military's ``deck of cards'' of top fugitives.
Deputy Interior Minister Ahmed Kadhum Ibrahim touted the arrest as evidence that the still-rebuilding Iraqi police force "can be depended upon in the fight against terrorism''--looking to give his troops a boost following the rout of security forces in Fallujah. The United States plans to transfer security responsibility to U.S.-trained Iraqi forces after the handover of sovereignty by July 1......
AP-NY-02-16-04 0642EST
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press.
(No further detail on this lost TF Ironhorse soldier, will hopefully have it tomorrow).
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Artillery Lieutenant Fired Up About Helping Iraqi Kids
by Staff Sgt. Nate Orme
Public Affairs NCO for the 3rd Personnel Command
KIRKUK, Iraq—Field artillery officers aren’t typically known for their sensitive side, but when it comes to helping kids at schools they have been assigned to watch over, they can be like guardian angels.
At least that’s what some Iraqi kids will surely think when they receive the tons of school supplies 1st Lt. Kyle Barden is planning to bring them, donated by Americans through the charity he and his brother started.
It all started after Barden’s unit, the 173th Airborne Brigade, D Battery, was placed in the somewhat unfamiliar position of running a town, directed and aided in their task by thinly stretched civil affairs units.
“When we first got here (in northern Iraq) the environment was such that they put us in charge of a town,” Barden said. “The town is a mostly Kurdish village named Laylan with about 10,000 people. We are in charge of establishing and running the police force, electing the mayor, the city council, the utilities, and the school system. The civil affairs assets were very few and far between. There was a CMOC (Civil Military Operations Center) in downtown Kirkuk with representatives for different types of projects. Units would go to them and get contracts. The water rep helped us contract out and funded three water towers.”
Barden said one of the biggest problems was that the town’s eight functioning schools did not have any supplies for the students.
“I emailed my older brother, who is a stockbroker in Charlotte, N.C., and asked him to send some school supplies,” Barden explained. “He started by writing a letter to extended family, friends and church. Before you knew it, it was huge. The Charlotte Observer did a story on it. People from other states learned about it; the President mentioned it in his address; it’s been on the news.”
Barden’s brother, Taylor Barden, set up a nonprofit corporation which the lieutenant bashfully said is called Kyle’s Schools, adding that he wants to change the name to get the focus off him.
“The intent was to square my schools away. In Laylan there are approximately 2,000 kids. We’re going to saturate Laylan then start going to other towns,” Barden said.
With the response so far, it shouldn’t be hard. Barden said that both businesses, particularly Office Depot, and citizens have donated.
“My brother told me to expect 20,000 pounds of supplies. We were having a hard time getting it here, but then a pilot from Delta Airlines, James Harper, offered to fly it over here for free,” Barden said.
Barden said the town has been very enthusiastic about the projects his unit has initiated.
“We have a really good relationship with the town. It’s a primarily Kurdish town and the Kurds love Americans,” Barden stated. “I’ve told the mayor about the school supplies, but the kids have no idea. There’s every type of supply you can imagine—also toys. We’re just going to show up and start handing stuff out.”
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Redeployment News on 4ID Web Site:
It has been quite a while since I've looked at the 4th Infantry Division web page. Tonight I checked it out and see there is a place to go for Redeployment News. Included in that, in addition to updates with late breaking news when they have things to report, are links to Chamber of Commerce sites with lists of hotels and restaurants in surrounding cities, among other things. So - I highly recommend you bookmark the following web page and look at it frequently over the next few weeks:
http://pao.hood.army.mil/4id/
Also on this web site is the words for the 4ID Song, the Army Song, and an audio track with the music for both songs - remember, we have to memorize the 4ID Song before April 22. It won't hurt to learn the words to the Army Song, too, if you don't already know them.
If you want to go direct to the Killeen Chamber of Commerce web page to check out hotel and motel options, you can use this link: http://www.gkcc.com/ It can also be linked from the 4ID web page.
Pictures and other stories are also available on the 4ID site, as is the 4ID organization and other interesting news and information.
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Deploying Unit Shows Differences Between Active, Reserve
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Feb. 14, 2004 – It is different when a National Guard unit deploys. The "total force" includes active duty and reserve component service members. And while the missions that like units go on are identical, there are differences in the way active duty and reserve components deploy.
These differences were apparent at the Feb. 12 deployment ceremony for the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade. The unit is the first National Guard combat brigade to deploy since the end of World War II. The brigade will deploy in the next few weeks, and includes units from New York, Minnesota, Maryland, California, West Virginia and Illinois.
The core of the brigade is the 3,500 members of the Old Hickory brigade based in Clinton, N.C. The unit will serve with the 1st Infantry Division, and relieve the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq.
While the Guard and reserves have been stalwarts in the war on terror, most of the units deployed have been in the combat service and combat service support areas. But that doesn't mean some combat units have not deployed.
The Florida National Guard sent combat units to the Middle East last year, and the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve have had squadrons providing air support to coalition troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 188,000 reserve component service members are serving on active duty today.
The first difference between active and reserve component forces that a person notices is in age. The 30th looks a bit older than the typical active duty unit. The infantrymen and armor crewman average three to four years older than their counterparts on active duty, officials said.
Many served on active duty and transferred to the Guard following that service. Some of the soldiers in the brigade wear combat patches from the 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division. The age difference is most noticeable in the noncommissioned officer grades. Some platoon sergeants and first sergeants in the unit are approaching 50.
"Yeah, we're a little bit gray," said one first sergeant with a smile. "But you know what they say: 'Age and treachery will overcome youth and enthusiasm every day.'" The first sergeant said the added experience will help in the situations the soldiers probably will confront in Iraq. "I think we will have more patience," he said. "We have more experiences to draw on." He laughed and said, "Also, most of us have teenagers at home."
But not all. Many families with small children and babies attended the ceremony. One 5-year old boy was dressed in desert camouflage and saluted (with his left hand) during the national anthem. Others held up signs wishing Daddy or Mommy good luck in their mission.
How the families will cope during the yearlong deployment is a concern to the brigade leadership, and that too, is a different from active duty. On the active duty side, soldiers deploy from a post, and efforts to help the families are concentrated at that base.
Even the North Carolina portion of the brigade has soldiers coming from every portion of the state. That concentrated family support effort won't work for the Guard. "We've come up with Family Support Teams in communities around the state," said Chaplain (Capt.) Steven King, a Protestant chaplain with the brigade. "We're also working with the Big Red One on family matters. The (North Carolina) adjutant general's office is also working with state agencies to provide support during the deployment."
While the dispersion of service members can be viewed as a problem in family support, another aspect of Guard service helps in the situation. In many cases, service in the National Guard is a family matter. Many of the Guardsmen are the third generation of family members serving in the unit. They come from small towns and cities all over the state, and they are rooted in the communities.
"My family has been in North Carolina since the 1700s," said one lieutenant. "I'm related to half the people in town. I guarantee that if something happens to me, there will be 200 people at my house asking what they can do to help."
A Guard official said many of the communities have adopted 30th Brigade companies and are working together to see that families have what they need to make it through the deployment. Civic and veterans organizations also are working to ensure families have what they need. "Like the Army, these communities will care for their own," he said.
Officials said the tradition is the same in other states. The New York infantry unit that will deploy with the brigade has a similar attitude toward service, officials said. The 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry comes from central New York state, and the people of the region are gathering around the unit as it prepares to leave.
The counterpart to this is that communities, too, rely upon the Guardsmen. State officials said that many communities are losing the very people who make it work. Many police, firefighters, paramedics and government officials also are National Guardsmen. A state official said one town's Volunteer Fire Department was decimated by the call-up. "Other people, who don't normally volunteer, stepped forward," he said.
A final difference between active duty and reserve component service members is that active duty personnel do not have to worry about their jobs upon their return. The military asks a lot of service members, but it also asks a lot of employers of reserve component service members. "Large corporations have the depth to absorb a year-long loss of personnel," said a state Guard official. "Smaller companies do not."
Some companies have continued the Guardsmen's medical coverage. Still others have made up the difference between the Guardsmen's civilian pay and their military salaries. Smaller businesses don't have the pockets to make these kinds of allowances, but they are still doing what they can for the called-up Guardsmen, said officials.
There have been remarkably few problems to date, said the official. The state is working with the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve organization to anticipate problems. "I expect the real problems will surface when the brigade comes home," said the official.
With all the differences, there are similarities between the active duty and reserve component. The professional attitude, the unit cohesion and the sense of mission are the same. The Guardsmen of the 30th Brigade have been through the same training and have the same equipment as members of the active Army. Their leaders are held to the same standards as NCOs and officers on the active side. Perhaps the most telling aspect of their service is the sense of obligation to do their parts. "My granddaddy went (to World War II), my daddy went (to Vietnam)," said one sergeant. "Now I guess it's my turn."
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Looking For Someone With Ties to Country Music Scene:
I must confess that country music is not something that I listen to very often so am of zero help with this request. But, hopefully one or more of our readers has some contacts to help this FRG (Family Readiness Group) leader accomplish what they are trying to pull off for the April 22 Welcome Home Celebration at Fort Hood.
Delta Company, 1-4 Aviation Regiment FRG has hit a roadblock in our efforts to get Toby Keith to come to Fort Hood for the 22d of April 4ID Welcome Home Event. Fort Hood MWR tells us that Toby's management company declined the USO invitation to perform because he will be in the recording studio at that time. Our FRG would like to start a letter writing campaign to see if we can persuade them to reconsider.
Toby Keith's web site doesn't list an email address to use for a letter writing campaign, but we do have a snail mail address for them. I wanted to ask if any of your readers out there might have ties to the Country Music scene and might be able to give us some guidance on what to do next or which direction to go with our efforts. We wonder if Toby Keith himself even knew of the invitation or if his management/production company declined on his behalf.
This is really important to us. I mean after all, 4ID was the one who got Saddam. Our soldiers deserve the best welcome home celebration we can give them. I would think Toby Keith would like to prove to the world he is sincere in his support for the United States military. His song "American Soldier" hit #3 on the charts last week and I wouldn't be surprised if it hit #1 this week. So maybe there is a reader out there that knows how we can get letters to or influence Toby Keith? I've thought about joining his "Fan Club" but wasn't sure if that would get us any closer. Any advice is welcomed.
Thanks, from one of the loyal 1SG wives
Co-Leader
D Company 1-4 Aviation Regiment FRG
(If you can help, contact Karen at ck1holt@hot.rr.com).
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
16 February 1945 - D+256
At 1600 the enemy launched an attack of company strength towards Hermespand. One of our observation posts was surrounded and cut off at about 0430. A patrol sent to investigate found that the enemy had occupied the observation post.
The 4th Division continued to defend within its sector.
One attack of company strength against Company C of the 8th Infantry was repulsed at 1600.
The 2nd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry was in the process of relieving the 3rd Battalion in Prum at the close of the period.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) From the proud widow of a WWII 4ID Vet: Bob thanks so much for all you do. The updates are great. It is good to hear news directly instead of the media. In this update, I read the ceremony in Fayetteville, N.C. for the 30th Heavy Brigade. I was there with my family for the event. It was emotional for us, since my grandson-in-law (my granddaughter's husband) is a scout with Co.E,196 Calvary and will be leaving soon with the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade. My heart and my prayers have been with all out troops throughout this war and I will continue to follow closely until the last one returns home. I hear this brigade will be replacing the 4ID. I pray the soldiers will return home safely. God bless their families and God bless America.
2) My husband (C Co, 588 ENBN), totally surprised me for our one year anniversary. With the helping hand of my father-in-law, he had a beautiful dozen roses delivered to my work. On the card it read...
Happy Anniversary
Sending All Of My Love From Iraq.
P.S. I'll love you until the last rose dies.
At first, I was a little concerned because I knew my beautiful roses would only last a few days, but then I noticed that he sent me 11 real roses and one silk rose. That was the best anniversary gift that I could have received while he was away and I'll cherish my silk rose for the rest of my life.
3) I read the letters from the mothers of the soldiers coming home and I am a soldier's mom also. My son is a single soldier so I thought there would be no problem with me, his brother and grandmother being there when he got off that plane at Fort Hood but I was wrong. I talked to my son about his homecoming and he said he would rather us wait just a few days before coming down to Texas to see him. He said of course I would be the first person he called when his feet hit the US but he said things were going to be so hetic trying to get his stuff out of storage, moved back into the barracks, getting his car up and running good again plus all the things the army had planned for him as soon as he got back that he was afraid he wouldn't have any time to spend with us and if we would wait a few days things would probably be a lot better for him and we would have more time to spend together then too. I realized to this would give him some down time to deal with whatever he needed to deal with before having to face everyone. I realize he has changed while he's been gone this tour and plan to respect him and wait until he gives the GO sign and then we're going to be on our way!!!!
4) I want to thank the wife that wrote about her in-laws being there when her husband came home. She is so right, parents have shed tears, spent sleepless nights, wrote lots of letters, sent packages, you name it they have done everything they thought would help their child and his family during this deployment. This lady sounds like the daughter-in-law everyone dreams of, kind, considerate, unselfish, and loving. Her in-laws as well as her husband must be so very proud of her. Thanks Bob for sharing such an uplifting letter.
5) I have to agree with the spouse that wrote in saying she would never keep her in-laws from being there when her soldier comes home. I sure won't. His family has stressed out enough this past year right along with me and they have been really good to me and my family. My soldier and I were married 2 months and 4 days when he deployed and his mother and brother where in town when he deployed. They along with my family and my kids got me through the first night alone without him. These parents deserve that special time with their soldier too, after all they are the one's who gave birth to them for us to marry in the future. My husband came home for R&R and his mom, stepdad and brother made the long 18 hour trip again to surprise him. It was really wonderful having them all here. Please don't count out the parents. They need to see their soldier with their own eyes so they can let reality set in that he/she is fine and is home. I really don't know if any of the extended family will be able to come when he redeploys but if they were, my door is open to them and they are welcome to stay as long as they desire. Proud wife of a
1-67 AR C Co soldier.
6) A big thank you for printing the letter from one of our 1133rd families about JOSH KNOWLES. Several of our families read your newsletter and appreciate the information you provide. Josh was a great "young" soldier and will truly be missed by family , friends, and his 1133rd family. As we went to the visitation tonight we were amazed by the people, pictures, and flowers. As we saw this young man's life before us in photos and momentos, it was hard to remember that he was a soldier because he wanted to be a soldier. For those of us that questioned why did this happen, perhaps the answer was on the t-shirt he sent home weeks ago from Iraq stating, " Soldiers never die, they just go on to the next mission." We will miss JOSH and all the other soldiers like him. We hope in their "next" mission they will find peace. Our prayers go out to the Knowles family and to Peter Bieber who was his truck partner that was also injured in this attack.
7) Our thoughts are with the parent whose son is with the 1-10 Cav in Military Intel. and will be delayed in coming home due to his being a liaison for his unit. We heard from our son (A/1-12 IN) and he told us he had volunteered with a buddy to do the same sort of thing for their unit. He will travel to Kuwait and be of assistance as soldiers from the units begin the process of heading back to the States. We are anxious to have him back in the States but understand that someone will be last and it is nice knowing his delayed return is due to being one to help those coming home sooner. Being in Kuwait will definitely make up for it to some extent.
8) Just heard this song, and it hit right home with my father. It is called "Letter From Home" by John Michael Montgomery. I don't know if it has made it onto the airwaves across the country, but you can hear it at the following link:
http://www.johnmichael.com/upload/audio/rm/letters.ram?CID=04b02dfb9168426d801970fb88ee7c52
It is a great song, and I think would touch many of us who are waiting for our loved ones to come home. Have a good weekend, and thanks again for all the info you provide to us.
9) Just wanted to let you know that my son (223rd MS NG) is in Kuwait now. We
feel such a relief that he is out of Iraq. I told my husband that now maybe we didn't have to watch Fox News all the time. We tried, but it didn't last long, we still have military "family" over there that we care about. We are so thankful that he will soon be home and I would like to encourage those that are now leaving for Iraq to keep the faith and that "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7)".
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Readers Share R&R Moments:
1) My husband left today. Yes, on Feb. 14th. But he left at 5:02 pm. The airport in Colorado Springs let me and my 3 kids go to the gate with him. He came home on the 30th of Jan. He surprised me like he always does. And it was the best 15 days. Having him home I actually got to sleep and get caught up on my sleep. He is with the 4th ID he is 1/8th IN C Co. out of Ft. Carson. I just would like to say thank you to our troops and GOD BLESS!
2) My husband (3-29FA) was home for his R&R and we had such a wonderful time. We mostly relaxed and did things he wanted to do. We did go to Ohio to see his family which was a great time. I was a nervous wreck when I first saw his plane pull up to the gate but once I saw him things were like he never left. This was our first time being apart since we got married. We enjoyed being together. He was even home for my birthday and that made it special. Even though it was hard saying goodbye again, it was well worth seeing his handsome face and having a normal converstation. Only 2 months longer and he will be home.
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Redeployment Tips:
1) Don't get frustrated over the next few weeks. For the majority of our families, your soldier will most likely be home within the next 44 days, that's just over six weeks. As troops start coming in to Fort Hood, Fort Carson, and other posts, you may wonder why they are home and your soldier isn't. Don't think like that. The Army always does things with the mission as the top priority to focus on. If a unit that left the States after your Soldier's unit gets back first, don't let it upset you. There's a reason for it happening, and it's not for you to worry about that reason.
The worst thing you can do for your mental health, for your family, and for your soldier is to compare return dates among units and even individual soldiers. Your soldier will be home when it's his or her time. Don't debate the fairness with yourself, your FRG leader, or anyone - accept it. Be ready to enjoy them once they do get home.
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