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>From Killeen Daily Herald 2-13-04:
Col. Parry outlines 4th Infantry movement
By Debbie Stevenson
Killeen Daily Herald
The 4th Infantry Division is preparing to head home, Fort Hood's garrison commander told a group of Harker Heights chamber members Thursday.
"What we're going to see is a very compressed time frame to bring the 4th Infantry Division back," Col. William Parry told about 45 members of the governmental affairs committee of the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce gathered for a luncheon.
The return is set to begin in late March, Parry said, and will be a compressed, mass movement for about three weeks.
"Some days there's going to be 50 soldiers, some days, there's going to be 3,000. It's compressed," Parry said. "(The division commander's) goal is to have them back by Easter if they possibly can."
The return of the 4th Infantry, which will have been based in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit since late March, marks the start of the 1st Cavalry Division's deployment to Baghdad, where it will relieve the 1st Armored Division.
"You're going to see 1st Cav Division leaving and just right on their heels 4th Infantry Division coming in," Parry said.
"This is an unprecedented time in Army history with eight of the 10 divisions on the move," Parry said. "Four divisions going in, four divisions going out."
The massive deployments, which included III Corps' first extended move from Fort Hood in 50 years, have not been seen since the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Then, an exodus of family members almost crippled the local economy.
Today, the post's 200,000-strong population remains a key economic force, pumping an annual $4 billion into Central Texas coffers. With that much at stake, Parry acknowledged the prospect of prolonged deployments by the post's major commands had been viewed with "great trepidation" in January 2002.
"But what I try to explain to people is, wait a minute, this is a lot different than in 1990," Parry said.
By the time Iraqi forces rolled into Kuwait in August 1990, the Army was in the midst of a drawdown from 12 to 10 divisions, Parry said. The Killeen area had been hit with the inactivation of the 2nd Armored Division when the 1st Cavalry Division received its marching orders to the desert region.
"There's no inactivation going on right now; there will always be some troops here," Parry said.
"There is stuff here to keep them here," said Parry, including a better family support system, infrastructure and schools.
"I'll tell you who really sold the stuff, who really held them back, was the kids," Parry said. "The kids said, 'my friends are here, I go to school here I don't want to go some place else and not know anybody."
On the community side, Parry touted partnership initiatives such as the adopt-a-unit program and support from groups such as the cities' leadership, merchants and the Association of the United States Army.
"We collectively and everybody in this room — cities, merchants and so on — banded together and said, 'Now let's get smart and figure out what we need to do to keep those families here,'" Parry said. "And they stayed."
Contact Debbie Stevenson at deborah@kdhnews.com
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DefendAmerica Web Site Delivers Valentine's Wishes
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2004 -- With 114,000 service members deployed to Iraq and another 11,000 in Afghanistan supporting the war on terror, Cupid's arrow is going to have to travel a few extra miles this Valentine's Day.
The 4th Infantry Division reported a slight increase in the number of "care packages" arriving for soldiers at its headquarters in Tikrit, Iraq. And division spokesman Lt. Col. Bill McDonald said many soldiers are using the Internet to send flowers and candy to loved ones at home.
The cyber-waves are expected to overflow Feb. 14 with Valentine's Day wishes between deployed troops and their "special some ones."
Already, Valentine message page on the DefendAmerica.mil Web site is brimming with heartwarming messages both to and from deployed troops. Anyone with Internet access can use the site to send best wishes and Valentine's Day messages to the troops.
Some messages, like the one sent by Staff Sgt. Paul Cornett, a deployed soldier in Baghdad, Iraq, are meant for the American public as a whole. "I thank all of you for your support," Cornett wrote. "If it was not for you, we would not be able to do what we do. Our job is nothing out of the ordinary for us. We do what we have to because of you. Thank you. You all are the true heroes."
Some messages address a particular service member, such as Spc. Shane McRoberts, who received love and prayers from "dad and Lori." "Be safe always and know the immense sense of honor you bring to our family," they wrote.
Pfc. Mike Gower's Aunt Barb sent Valentine's wishes, urged her nephew to stay safe and reminded him that she loves him.
Carol and LeRoy Kramer from Wisconsin sent Valentine's Day wishes "to all our troops, but special wishes and thanks" to Company B, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment "and the rest of the 82nd" Airborne Division.
Capt. Scott Greenblatt sent special wishes to 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division.
Other messages sent through the program push wishes to all deployed military members. "Your efforts in Iraq will help to diminish the overall terrorism in the world, and specifically that which is aimed at America and all that our country stands for," wrote Michelle Zahariades from Palm Desert, Calif. "Hugs and kisses to you on Valentine's Day."
"Your love of America by your service to all Americans is the greatest Valentine of all," wrote another well-wisher. "Thank you all so much. I hope you know how much we love, support and appreciate each of you."
To read more of the messages or send your own to the troops, visit the DefendAmerica.mil Web site and click on the Valentine's Day box.
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Myers Wishes Guard Brigade 'Godspeed' in Iraqi Deployment
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 12, 2004 – "We'll be good. … We'll be careful, and we'll be back," was what Army Brig. Gen. Danny H. Hickman promised the thousands of family members gathered at the Crown Coliseum here today. Hickman will lead the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade – a part of the North Carolina National Guard – to Iraq next month.
The brigade is the first complete National Guard combat brigade to deploy since the end of World War II. The brigade also has soldiers from West Virginia, New York, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, Alabama, Texas and California. It will be part of the 1st Infantry Division, which will relieve the 4th Infantry Division in the northern part of the country.
Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley participated in the deployment ceremony for the brigade. The soldiers and their families filled the Crown Center to the rafters.
Myers was especially pleased to see the families. "This is terrific," Myers said as he turned and motioned to the families. "This is what service to your country is all about. It's not just about (the soldiers). This is a family and a community affair, and you have shown yourselves well. "It's a great scene," he continued. "It's the way it is in America, and we're lucky for that."
Myers then addressed the more than 4,000 troops of the Old Hickory Brigade. He told them that the threat to America, its allies and interests is grave. "I fully believe that our country has never been threatened as it is right now by terrorism," Myers told the soldiers. "You've got to go back to World War II where the freedoms we stand for have been so directly threatened. In many cases, the only things that stand between terrorism and our freedoms is you. This is a very important mission."
Myers also told the soldiers what the nation expects of them. He said it is a given that the country expects them to be courageous and to "take the fight to the enemy." But as citizen-soldiers, the country expects more from them the chairman said. "We expect you to take your experiences with your communities and take that into Iraq as well," he said. "There's a lot of mentoring (of Iraqis) that needs to be done. There's a lot of lessons about how to live free, how to support democracy, how to build communities, how everybody can work together for a common good."
He said these are lessons that the volunteers of the National Guard know intuitively, and they will be important lessons to teach the Iraqi people. The brigade, Myers said, also will take with them what every American brings: the character and compassion that are trademarks of the nation. He said these qualities are "just as important as being the fierce warriors you've been trained to be."
The general said that being National Guardsmen – citizen-soldiers – may give the brigade an edge. "You are part of the citizenry, and that is something you should be very proud of," Myers said.
The chairman said the families bear most of the deployment's burden. He said the issues families must deal with "are endless." The chairman said he and his wife, Mary Jo – who also was at the ceremony – fully believe "that families serve, too. The families also sacrifice." He assured the soldiers and their families that the military will do all it can to help the families as they cope in the coming year.
Myers thanked the employers of the Guardsmen. He said the Defense Department is working to provide more predictability for the Guardsmen. Then the plain-spoken Myers turned to the soldiers and became almost poetic. "In the largest sense, … this is your moment in history to make a difference," he said.
"All we do is the same thing you did when you raised your right hand and swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. "You have this wonderful opportunity to change the course of history. And you're going to do it," the chairman continued. "You are going to give hope to 25 million people who, if they didn't have you, wouldn't have that hope. You're going to give hope to millions of Americans who wouldn't be near as secure if you weren't over there on the front lines of this war on terror. I'm proud to stand in uniform with you. "From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate the talents you bring to this fight and we wish you Godspeed, and a year from now we'll be standing here welcoming you home."
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
13 February 1945 - D+253
Except for a ten man patrol which approached Hermespand at 0420, the enemy remained entirely defensive in CT 8's sector. Early in the period a small counterattack by 25 infantrymen approached Prum from the north but this force was repulsed with no loss of ground.
The 4th Division continued to improve the defensive positions and rotated battalions on the main line of resistance. Enemy activity was mainly made of harassing and interdictory fires.
The 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry continued mopping up enemy resistance in and around Prum.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Got a call early this morning (Thursday) from my husband, 1-66AR. He got to talk to the kids for the first time since he's been back from R&R in November. It really made their day (and his!) He is anxious to be getting home. He said the weather has been pretty wet and cold there. He was a little down about missing out on valentines day but is really starting to get excited about it getting so close to time to pack up for Kuwait. He asked us not to send any more packages just in case and said he has run out of room to keep everything. He says just getting to talk to us helps a lot but everyone is having a lot of homesickness. While we were talking there was a big explosion in the background so we were a little worried but it turned out to be a controlled explosion. All in all he sounded like he was doing very well. We're keeping him and all the soldiers-those coming, going, and in between-in our prayers!!!
2) I heard from my son who is with B Co 1-22 IN yesterday. He said all were doing well and were really getting excited about coming home. He said that they had had a briefing yesterday about actual homecoming dates and that made it seem REAL. He said he probably wouldn't get his 30 day leave until May and wanted me to try to come to Ft. Hood in April. My son is a single soldier so I am going to do everything possible to try to get there to spend some time with him.
3) I just heard from my daughter-in-law that my son, 173rd ABN BDE, is in route south and heading home. I’m so very excited he will be in safe surroundings again. He was the Liason Officer to the 4th ID HQ Division in Tikrit and found the experience to be invaluable. He continually speaks of all the good that is being done on a daily basis and the plans they are making for future projects for the Iraqi people. I wish more of that would be splashed in the news instead of all the negativity. God Bless all our soldiers past and present and God’s speed to the arriving soldiers. I’ll continue to keep them all in my prayers. And thank you Bob for your updates. They have been so comforting and inspirational to see how our country continues to carry the good of the world on our shoulders.
4) Bob, I just had to tell you, our Fighting 5th Engineer Soldiers are coming home!! The advance party will be here in Fort Leonard Wood tonight! Two of the companies in our battalion have safely made it to Kuwait. The other two companies will follow soon. What a great feeling to have them so close to coming home. There is a certain sense of relief when they make it to Kuwait, a little less worrying. So far the first in, first out theory seems to be working as our soldiers were of the first in the 4ID to enter. We are so glad that to have this coming to an end. Regretably we lost 3 great soldiers on Christmas Eve, so along with our happiness there will be a sadness that they are not totally complete. We will celebrate and rejoice as our fallen soldiers would want us to do. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that it is happening, it's the 4ID's turn!
5) My son arrived home to Ft. Campbell this am (2/10) about 7 and called me after the wife hugs and kisses to let me know he was safe and sound. Tomorrow’s instant breakfast, now that I have more to spare than I ever hoped to dream of, is for the soldiers of the 4th ID. I plan on it being absolutely delicious… one instant breakfast for me is one less breakfast for them to have in Iraq. 50 days and a wake-up until April 1, 2004… !!!!!
6) I talked to my husband (HHC 1/68 AR) today (2/11). He said they're starting to pack up equipment & that one piece has a final inspection on Monday! Doesn't mean much, he's heard they have to clean & pack vehicles, but it does get him one step closer to being home & seeing his new son.
7) Oh, initially (about 2 months ago) our son said he wanted his Dad and I to be there to greet him, his girlfriend is already at Ft. Hood, so she will be there for sure. We need to check if he still feels that way, it sounds like a better idea to give him some time with her and to just not "have to entertain or have obligations for us". We plan to go for the 22nd April. Thanks for the advice in the updates, I would have gone with what he said before ( which is what I wanted to hear of course), but now will ask again. He did tell us 2 days is our time limit, so we know that much anyway.
8) Our soldier is with the 1133rd Transportation Company based out of Mason City, Iowa. Last week we were informed that the first "brother" of this AWESOME unit was killed - at the same time his partner was injured and is now in Germany recovering. Several from this unit have been wounded & prayers are being said steadily, but this is the first "assassination" that has happened to our close "family" & it has affected all of us; even those who didn't know this young 23 year old personally... We're all planning to go to his funeral this weekend out of support & respect for his family & his unit. The 1133rd has logged over 1.5 million miles since last April & we want them to know that we are SO proud of them & their efforts to help the people of Iraq! HOOAH! I just wanted to let you know that a LOT of us 1133rd T.C. families have subscribed to your newsletters - just to get information that the media doesn't talk about and you have done a superb job. Thanks again for all
that you do - I'm sure your newsletters will be stored in family archives for many years to come. REST IN PEACE SPC. JOSH KNOWLES! (Editor's Note: Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of SPC Knowles).
9) I was able to share instant message with my husband (534th SIG CO) this morning for about 45 minutes. He is trying not to get too excited about coming home but you could tell by what he said that it is on his mind. There are still missions going on so his thoughts are with that. Thank you for all the redeployment tips. Even though we've been in over 20 years and had many deployments it is nice to be reminded of what to do and what not to do. This is the first conversation where he talked a little about what he wanted to do when he got home (sleep on something besides a cot!). Our thoughts and prayers are with all these heros till they are ALL home!
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Families Share R&R Moments:
3-66 AR. I thought that R&R would never come for my boyfriend when time had started to run out and the end was getting closer to come home for good. These last two weeks have been the greatest anyone could ask for although I do believe that his departure this time seems to be hitting me much harder. As January was getting closer he called me to tell me that he had gotten the go to come home for his 15 day leave, but then a week later it was taken away. As upset as I was, we both tried to look at it in a positive way in that he would be home in a few months no matter what. Next thing I know the phone rang again a few days later, once again him telling me the dates he would be home for his break. I thought it might all be a joke, but he reassured me that I needed to get everything together to be able to go visit him and meet his family for the first time in Michigan. Things were hectic dealing with college and work, but I pulled through and was able to be with him 8 of the 15 days, and not to mention that I arrived about 5 minutes before his flight did to surprise him and be the first to see him off the terminal and also see him leave just yesterday. He looked really good, beefed up quite a bit and had the biggest smile on his face that made me shine. The days that we had together I will cherish in my heart. Although I was scared that he might have changed, things were greater than ever. His personality and sense of humor shinned through overall and I am so proud of him and what he has done for our country. It was a dream come true as well as a blessing that I had prayed for time and time again that he be able to come home. Now we only have about 2 months to go and I can't wait. Everybody stay strong, the end is near. And thank you to all of our military, men and women, for the sacrifices that you have made to make our country be free and live our life's day to day without worry and terror. God Bless.
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Redeployment Tips:
1) This is what our family did when my son returned, and perhaps it will help others to cope. He was plucked from his unit while he was still in the midst of a mission, and although he knew that he would be leaving Iraq, he did not know the exact date. After being in Kuwait for a few days, he arrived at Ft. Carson and phoned us. We live in AZ. His wife was still in Iraq, and he was so tired and the trip back was such hassle that he just wanted some down time alone. He was met by staff and others on the post who knew he was coming in. The first call he made to me, as soon as he had had some sleep, was over an hour long. He talked about everything and the more we talked the better he sounded. I called his hotel to talk several times that day, and each time he sounded better. I REALLY wanted to be there for him, but he insisted that we not come. So we talked daily several times a day for a couple of days, and then we called and said we were coming to see him. He said definitely NOT to do so. He began to gather himself and bought a cell phone and gave us the number, so that he could be reached any time during the day. I immediately called family members and gave them the number and asked them to call. Brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. all kept up the calls, some daily until his wife returned to the states a month later. By this time, he had seen his buddies on post, rented an apt., and gotten belongings out of storage. His focus eventually became the preparation for his wife's return. I wanted to see him so badly, but did respect his request. He and his wife had a wonderful visit with usand his brothers, during the holidays, and all of us continue to heal from the process.
Each family will have to do what is best on an individual basis. Although it was hard at the time, responding to my son's wishes was what was best for him, and eventually, for the family. My best to all who look forward to reunions with loved ones. I may add that my late husband, my son's father, served in Vietnam, so I was somewhat familiar with the soldier returning from war situation.
2) I have something to say about the troops coming home…..when my son (who is single) lands in Fort Hood I will be there waiting for him!! I made a promise to him that I would be there…I understand the feelings the wives have…however I disagree… how the MOMs are being treated… we gave birth to these man and women… just as you wives gave birth to their children….would it hurt to share him for a day or two??? That is just how I feel…..my son is no way a Mamma’s Baby but you only have one Mom in this life. I am sure a lot of people will disagree with me …but that is just how I feel….. (Editor's Note: As I said before, this is an emotional topic and I don't want to devote a lot of space in the future to debating this. The real answer is - like they taught me in Infantry School - "it depends on the situation and the terrain". Translated, that means it's up to the soldier, wife, and parents involved - and it can be a very complex series of personalities to deal with. No one should try to answer for anyone other than their own family. BUT - the family involved, including the soldier in Iraq, should COMMUNICATE with each other, give thought to the feelings of all involved, and surely they can work out a workable solution. And parents, be willing to stay in a hotel and have a very short visit as one option).
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