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4th Infantry deployment ramping up at Fort Hood
Associated Press ^ | 11/30/05 | T.A. Badger

Posted on 12/04/2005 11:34:04 AM PST by bnelson44

FORT HOOD, Texas - As he prepared to head off to war in Iraq, Army Pfc. Perry Rasmussen was still sorting through conflicting emotions.

“As a person, I'm a little afraid and I'm worried about my family and friends,” said Rasmussen, a 21-year-old gunner from Portland, Ore. “But as a soldier, I've got to suck it up and do my job.”

Rasmussen was among several hundred soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division who said goodbye to loved ones and boarded planes Tuesday to fly to the Middle East. By the end of December, nearly 21,000 troops from the division are scheduled to be deployed on a yearlong tour.

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Tatum was going to Iraq for a third time. The Boston native served in the Gulf War in the early 1990s and went back during the 4th Infantry's first deployment in 2003-04.

He said a lot of younger soldiers like Rasmussen have come to him with questions about what to expect in the war zone.

“They're looking for direction on the hard things - 'Will I be afraid, and is it all right to be afraid?”' Tatum said while waiting to leave Gray Army Airfield. “A lot of people think they have to disassociate themselves and be distant. You don't - you just need to keep your focus.”

(Excerpt) Read more at heralddemocrat.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 4thid; army; forthood; iraq; oif; rotation
They are also deploying from Ft. Carson, CO this week.
1 posted on 12/04/2005 11:34:06 AM PST by bnelson44
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To: bnelson44
For those who don't know, the 4th ID is HUGE!

Here is their website

2 posted on 12/04/2005 11:37:02 AM PST by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker!)
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To: bnelson44

Drives me nuts...let's let EVERYONE know, who is being deployed (include full names please),
when they are being deployed, where they are being deployed, who they are going to replace.


Or they could just watch CNN and get that info. <*disgust off>


3 posted on 12/04/2005 11:37:42 AM PST by stylin19a
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To: bnelson44

And bigger than it was. This is my old division (3-66 Armor and B/704 MSB). I served as a battalion chemo in this division and as a trans company platoon leader and XO. Great division...even though it was sad to reflag from 2AD to 4ID (I was there for the transition).


4 posted on 12/04/2005 11:40:37 AM PST by AlaninSA (It's ONE NATION UNDER GOD...brought to you by the Knights of Columbus)
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To: AlaninSA

My understanding is that after their deployment they will be returning as the 4ID and all of them will be posted at Ft. Carson.


5 posted on 12/04/2005 11:52:20 AM PST by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker!)
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: bnelson44
DFU SONG: Christmas 2005 - Jingle Bells (Jingle Bells, Saddam smells; reprise from 2003 capture)
DFU CHRISTMAS 2005 COLLECTION | 12-2005 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland

Posted on 12/03/2005 9:36:55 AM PST by doug from upland

MIDI - JINGLE BELLS - 1st version


Dashing through the sand in their camouflage Humvees
It's the 1st Brigade...the 4th Infantry
They felt it was big...something's in the air
They're steadfast and they're loyal...guess who they found hiding there



Oh, jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control
Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control



They had focused well...job's nearly complete
In their language there is no word called "defeat"
They bagged the Ace of Spades...that's in the deck of cards
A message to you, Saddam, babe -- George Bush sends his regards



Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control
Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control



Special Ops pitched in...with Task Force 121
When the war began...Saddam's on the run
The 4th pulled it off...they're a mighty force
Saddam learned one more word in English --- that is Ironhorse



Oh, jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control
Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control



They are far away...Christmas in Iraq
Keep them in your prayers...until they all come back
It's time to send our thoughts...a message loud and clear
A grateful nation sends to them a hearty Christmas cheer



Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control
Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control



It is no surprise...some are saying cut and run
We'll be finishing...that which was begun
Bush will stay the course...evil's gonna lose
Fifth columnists, the time is now to prove which side you choose


Oh, jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control
Jingle bells, Saddam smells, in his spider hole
It got worse, his Depends burst...he had no bladder control


7 posted on 12/04/2005 11:57:18 AM PST by doug from upland (The troops will come home when the mission is complete)
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To: dayflower

Akin to 'gearing up' / a build up / momentum / acceleration... of their pending deployment. There would be visible signs or clues around the base, indicating the 'ramping up' aspect.


8 posted on 12/04/2005 12:06:03 PM PST by railsplitter (with extreme prejudice- destroy the enemy... foreign and domestic)
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To: stylin19a; bnelson44; All
Loose Lips Sink Ship

9 posted on 12/04/2005 12:17:19 PM PST by Wolverine (A Concerned Citizen)
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To: Wolverine
Loose Lips Sink Ship[s]

Send an email to the NYT and other MSM outlets to vent your frustrations.

10 posted on 12/04/2005 12:35:32 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: AlaninSA
Prayers to all 4IDers. It seems like they just got back. Hate to see them go back into harm's way again so soon. :(
11 posted on 12/04/2005 12:38:17 PM PST by Milhous (Sarcasm - the last refuge of an empty mind.)
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To: dayflower
Ramping is an expression related to a chart showing an increase. It is a very common term in manufacturing i.e. ramping production.


12 posted on 12/04/2005 1:55:51 PM PST by Straight Vermonter (John 6: 31-69)
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To: Wolverine

This is not classified information, and has been released by the 4th ID. They are a lot of soldiers and have release that they will be deploying all during the month of December. Notice what little I am devulging.

But thanks for the warning.


13 posted on 12/04/2005 4:17:36 PM PST by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker!)
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To: bnelson44

well all i know if i was an 'insurgent' (funny hwo they are still that even tho iraq has VOTED')

i would be saying

ohhhh...sheet....


14 posted on 12/05/2005 12:45:01 AM PST by Irishguy (How do ya LIKE THOSE APPLES!!!!)
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