I don't like the way that guy (left) looks>
From Mosul.
Posted on 01/04/2005 5:57:07 PM PST by airborne
I have been posting this elsewhere, but I'm getting so much information (and hope to collect info from others) that I wanted to start a seperate thread to keep you informed and, maybe, help my mental health by sharing.
Here's the story from Ft. Riley...
Deployment Ceremony to be held at Bramlage Coliseum
12/23/2004 10:37:51 AM
A deployment ceremony will be held Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan for approximately 3,500 Soldiers. The Soldiers are with the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.
This is 3rd Brigade's second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade completed a one-year deployment in March 2004.
This is the first rotation to Iraq for the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor.
The ceremony will include a formation and remarks by post officials, including Maj. Gen. Dennis Hardy, commanding general, 24th Infantry Division (Mech) and Fort Riley, and Col. David Bishop, commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division.
The Sergeant Major of the Army, Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Preston, plans to attend the ceremony.
The ceremony is open to the public. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. No helium balloons, wrapped gifts, outside food or drinks will be allowed.
Those wishing to attend should allow adequate time to enter the coliseum. The Kansas State University Campus Police and the Riley County Police Department will search purses, bags and gifts.
In order to confirm media accommodations, all media wishing to attend the ceremony must R.S.V.P. to the Fort Riley Public Affairs Office by noon Jan. 4. The Public Affairs Office will make arrangements with Kansas State University for media.
Media will need to report to the southwest entrance of Bramlage, by the Ticket Window, by 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, to be credentialed and take part in the media briefing. Law enforcement officials will inspect media bags.
It's also the start of "Farm Show Week" here in PA.
About half her platoon was to Iraq on the first tour.
Thanks, it's great to have conservative values, isn't it?
She should be grateful for the lull. She'll have plenty to do soon.
Child’s tip leads Multi-National Soldiers to a large weapons cache, truck bomb
(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (January 4, 2005)
An Iraqi child led Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment to a large cache of weapons in an abandoned building during a patrol in western Mosul that consisted of 30 60mm mortars, 21 rocket propelled grenade rounds, dynamite, various roadside bombs and components, five RPG launchers, over 100 mortar fuses, grenades, ammunition and intelligence documents.
Soldiers also discovered a stolen fuel truck in the configuration stages of a truck bomb. The discovery of the truck bomb possibly saved the lives of hundreds of people.
An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed both the truck and munitions with no injuries reported during the operation.
I hope we can make a lasting change for them.
Keep your head up and your heart full. She'll be fine and she'll be AWESOME!
My daughter was in Iraq from spring 03 until spring 04. It was the hardest year of my life, but she came home with good friendships, more good memories than bad, and a new vision of herself. Try to keep in touch as much as possible, but she'll be busy...
All my best to you, and I'll be thinking about you and praying for you and her.
Tough, very tough. Although my daughter is 6' tall,drop-dead gorgeous and not to be messed with, it was a hard year from spring 03 to spring 04. She accomplished so much and experienced so much - mostly positive - in that year that sometimes I'm a little envious.
Blessings of all of them. They are beautiful and awesome.
Thanks for your post. It helps a lot to hear how other parents of females handle theirs going to war. Thank your daughter for me too! Where is she now?
I don't like the way that guy (left) looks>
From Mosul.
I'm a big supporter of our military and currently have a bunch of penpals in Iraq. One is a former seminarian turned Marine and another is a priest/chaplain. I worry about them as though they were my own children! Please let me know if any of your friends or children's friends over there could use some support and encouragement. As a member of several online groups I know how much they appreciate total strangers writing and sending things to them, and I'm always glad to hehlp. God bless our fine men and women in the military!
Thanks, and welcome to FreeRepublic!
(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (January 5, 2005) – The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion provided new shelter, blankets and kerosene heaters to the Moqabli Syrian Refugee Camp in northern Iraq. The internally displaced persons (IDP) camp was originally created for Syrian natives and could comfortably accommodate 50 people. The camp now provides shelter for more than 550 people.
“There are many problems here that will take time to remedy. My primary concern now is that we help the people survive the winter,” said Maj. Robert Schultz, 426th team leader.
Winterization is just one step in the overall plan to improve the IDP situation in northern Iraq. Based on initial assessments of the camp living conditions and sanitary conditions, the 426th and the Kurdistan Agricultural, Reconstruction and Development Organization designed 48 housing structures to complement the tents that the people are currently living in.
The 600 blankets and 60 kerosene heaters were purchased with funds from the Commander’s Emergency Response Program.
And they say kids don't like MRE's!!!
By Leslie Olsen
A young Beech Grove man who celebrated his 21st birthday in Iraq last month has become the 45th person with strong Hoosier ties to die in the conflict. Army Private Cory Depew’s grief-stricken mother lashed out against Americans who are critical of the war.
Brendan Favor is Cory Depew’s 18-month-old son. He does not realize today what's he's lost, but someday he will.
“There are casualties here at home. There's a little boy that's never going to know his dad,” said Ann May, Depew’s mother. Loving pictures of father and son will be treasured, especially one with a poem that reads, "As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."
“He lived life to its fullest. He was…he enjoyed the life he had,” May sobbed.
Private Depew, an Army scout with the Stryker brigade combat team based out of Fort Lewis, Washington, was killed Tuesday near Mosul when his military vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Ann May says her son knew he wanted to join the military in eighth grade. “The only thing that angers me is when people say he had no business being in Iraq, that we as a country have no business being in Iraq because that someway diminishes what he gave his life for,” said May.
During his last two-week leave in September, Depew helped Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church build its peace garden.
“Today, when I saw the information about Cory's death, I realized that this is something that his family, a special way his family can remember him forever,” said Teri Duell, church development director.
Depew grew up in Plainfield before moving to the south side where he attended Southport high school. Funeral plans are pending until his body is returned home.
Lord, keep them in your peace, because I know the pain is great.......
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