This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/03-16hearing.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| 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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These are the two 1st Infantry Division soldiers who had just taken over from 4ID soldiers when they were killed:
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Capt. John F. Kurth, 31, of Wis., died March 13 in Tikrit, Iraq, when his patrol encountered an improvised explosive device. Kurth was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, based in Schweinfurt, Germany. The incident is under investigation.
Spc. Jason C. Ford, 21, of Bowie, Md., died March 13 in Tikrit, Iraq, when his patrol encountered an improvised explosive device. Spc. Ford was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, based in Schweinfurt, Germany. The incident is under investigation.
(Let us keep the families and fellow soldiers of CPT Kurth and SPC Ford in our prayers).
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"Hunting Down Saddam" by Robin Moore
I heard retired CSM Mark Vargas talk about a new book on Fox News last Friday morning so immediately went out and bought it at my local Borders store. After reading it over the weekend, I can highly recommend that you get it and add it to your bookshelf and memorabilia from Iraq. Pages 138 to 257 (of the 257 page book) are focused exclusively on the 4ID and their search and capture of Saddam. The first half of the book is focused on background information and the 101st Airborne's actions and success in killing Saddam's two sons (I've just skimmed that portion thus far). There are several good color pictures of the capture site, of Tikrit, and 4ID soldiers. The longest chapter, "Letters from Tikrit" is made up totally of the detailed letters (historical quality) that 1-22 Infantry battalion commander, LTC Steve Russell, has written covering their actions from June through December leading up to finally capturing the key people who led to the capture of Saddam. All in all, a great addition (in my opinion) to anyone's library. List price of the book is $24.95 and ISBN is 0-312-32916-4. It is available at a 30% discount online at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
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Please, Continue to Focus on Security
We still have people posting exact flight times on bulletin boards - that is not smart. Security has to be a full time way of life, not something you ignore when you hear that your soldier is coming home. The only ones who need to know exact flight arrival times are the ones you tell personally and who will be attending the welcome home ceremonies. We've been pretty good thus far, let's keep our focus on security for the remainder of the year. Don't forget - Loose Lips Sink Ships....and the internet is definitely not secure.
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American Soldier Defender of Freedom
In December of 2003, the Army National Guard launched the "Freedom Salute Campaign", an unprecedented program designed to recognize Army National Guard soldiers, their families, and others who have supported them as they answered the call to duty - both at home and abroad.
Eligible soldiers include those who were mobilized under one of three Operational Orders (Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom) or were on orders in support of those Operations for more than 30 days. (This includes state active duty mobilized soldiers and Title 10 soldiers). Each eligible soldier will receive an encased American Flag, a sequentially numbered commemorative coin; a "Defender of Freedom" certificate signed by Lieutenant General Roger C. Schultz, Director of the Army National Guard, and Command Sergeant Major A. Frank Lever, III, 7th Command Sergeant Major, Army National Guard; and a lapel insignia. The soldier's spouse and children will also receive items recognizing their support and contribution.
In addition, each eligible soldier will be able to recognize one individual or organization for outstanding support during the soldier's mobilization. This recognition will be in the form of a commemorative lapel insignia and a medallion with ribbon.
National Guard State Marketing NCOs are the points of contact and are the only persons authorized to nominate units and soldiers. If you have questions about whether your soldier or his unit have been nominated, you should contact the National Guard State Marketing NCO at your state National Guard headquarters.
More detailed information about this campaign may be found at http://www.virtualarmory.com/.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in France:
16-19 March 1945 - D+284 to 287 - Report G 3 (operations branch):
An extensive training program was conducted during four days. This period afforded an excellent chance for rehabilitation for all personnel and for maintenance of weapons and equipment. Full advantage was taken during the time available.
16 March 1945 - D+284 - Report G 1 (personnel branch):
Brigadier General J.S. Rodwell, Assistant Division Commander, was awarded the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre avec Palme by local French Royalty.
Forty-five hunded Combat Infantry Badges were received and distributed equally among the three infantry regiments. The 8th Infantry was furnished with 1500 Presidential Unit Citation Badges and the 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry with 500.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Just wanted to send you an update on my Husband getting home. He FINALLY got in on Thursday the 11th at around 2pm. I got to the gym at around 1pm and that last hour before we saw him was the longest hour in my whole year away from him!!! Being in the gym was like being at a high school pep rally . They had a DJ playing music for the kids to dance to and patriotic music to get us all pumped, and let me tell you what....they had us SO very pumped up!! I thought we were going to bring the walls down on that gym!! Being in there with all the other families who were waiting to hug their soldiers for the first time in a long time also and knowing that we all had been through a VERY long year was just AWESOME!! Even though I didn't know a lot of the people in there, I still felt an overwhelming sense of comfort that we all had been through the same thing. The first call came into the guy (I can't remember his name) who was keeping us all informed about the arrival of the airplane at about 2:10 pm...WE ALL CUT LOOSE!!! The next call came in at around 2:30 or so that the buses were rolling to the gym from the airfield..... We all got even more excited!! Then when the final call came in that the buses had just rolled up outside the gym, I thought I might pass out and that all four walls of the gym were gonna come tumbling down!!!! The soldiers had to do a short formation outside before coming into the gym, but when they did and that fog was rolling across the doorway and they each ran in singing it was the most EXHILERATING and overwhelming sense of PRIDE I have EVER felt in my life!!! I wasn't able to spot my Husband at first in the sea of DCU's but when we finally did find him there was no holding me or my 7 year old daughter back! Our youngest daughter was a little reluctant to go to Daddy at first, but he offered her some Oreo cookies he had left over from his sack lunch and they quickly became reunited! :) We are VERY happy to have him home and I just can't wait for everyone else to be home too!! May God bless and keep the remaining troops safe until they are once again in their loved ones arms.
2) I received a long awaited phone call from my son (3-29 FA) Saturday night around 2100 our time. He was calling from Kuwait! He explained they arrived there last Thursday after a two day drive thru Iraq. He was happy not to have to wear his helmet, vest and carry his gun (bet he didn't call it a gun) for the first time in a long while. I am waiting for the next call about when they will be flying back to Fort Carson so I can be there to welcome him home! God Bless all our soldiers...
3) I have heard from my boyfriend, (A Co. 2-8 In (M), two mornings in a row for about an hour each time! It's on messenger but it was sure great to find out he was now in KUWAIT! We've been trying to wait patiently to find that out for what seemed to be an eternity.. but was only actually a few days. They seem to be right on schedule which is GREAT... He seems to be in such a good mood, (a little fast food will do that to a man I guess). I'd like to think it's talking to me... but I know it's the food! ..... IT'S NOT OVER TIL THE LAST SOLDIER COMES HOME!
4) We got this quote in an email from our Battalion FRG leader... "By the way, in about 30 min. from right now (10:30 pm Sat.), the battalion flag will be lowered from Forward Operating Base Lion in Iraq and 1-77 AR will officially take over responsibility from 1-68 AR. The Battalion will have completed its mission and will be on their way home SOON!!" YAY!!!!!
5) Happy Dancing in Minnesota while waiting for my 173rd ABN BDE soldier son to be home tonight!!!!!!
6) I just received the call from my son, HSB/3-16 FA - he is on his way to Kuwait! I'm feeling so many different emotions that I can't get them sorted. I am so thankful he was able to call so I could tell him to be safe and how much I love him. Now my mind is going back to the 2 months we waited for Turkey to let us in and how nerve racking it was. When the word finally came - April 6, 2003 was the departure from Fort Hood, it was almost a relief to finally know something. Now we are looking back on the long year he has been away and forward to his arrival in just a few short days!! Our prayers are with our son and his Army family as they make this journey home, and with all the soldiers who are replacing them in Iraq. God be with all who serve! An Anxious Army Mom
7) Wanted to let you know that my husband HHC 2/8 Inf was one of the lucky Medics that returned yesterday (March 14)! It was quite a moving moment. He is now sitting here going through his bags. What a difference a year makes. It is so much better to watch and help him unpack than to pack him up. I don't even mind the fact that his stuff is scattered all over the house! Our prayers are with everyone who still have loved ones in Iraq and he will be the first to tell you the rest of his family is still away. I look forward to the big celebration in April for all our troops!
8) I received a phone call from my husband with B Co 2-8 INF this morning telling me he arrived at a camp in Kuwaitt and for me not to worry, that he was as safe as he would get. He told me to tell our two kids that he would be home earlier than the expected date.... We are so excited and anxious for his safe return back to Fort Hood. Our kids have been excited by making welcome home banners and they want to make Daddy a welcome home cake too. It was so good to hear his voice and know that he's okay. He said the trip was uneventful and he just wants to hurry home to me and our kids. We will never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. As happy as we are for us having my husband soon to be home, we can't help but think of those who lost their loved ones. They will forever be in our hearts and minds. We will keep praying for the soldiers that are still in Iraq and around the world fighting for our freedoms. God Bless the USA.
9) I had to write and let you know how grateful I am for the newsletters you have sent out this past year. My son with B/2-8 IN of the 4th ID will soon have spent a year in Iraq. I have followed the news and your newsletters closely during that year of worry. I am thrilled that he will be returning home very soon but saddened by the fact that my daughter is just beginning her year in Iraq. She is with the 201st of the 1st ID. They are in the same city but different camps. Last week, they were able to get together briefly and when I opened an e-mail Sunday, a picture of the two of them popped onto the screen. As you can guess that "made my day!" I am so very proud of our men and women in uniform and will continue to keep all of our soldiers in prayer.
11) I just wanted to let you know my husband is with the Co. B 890th Engineer Group. My husband and about 600 other soldiers returned from Iraq this weekend. They are in Ft. Stewart, Georgia working hard to get home!!! We are expecting them to arrive this weekend! We are so proud of our soldiers..... We lost one soldier, but know we could have lost a lot more. I can't wait for my soldier to return home!!! He has been gone since last Feb. God bless all of our soldiers!!!
12) My son is in A Co of the 1-22 IN. He arrived at Fort Hood, TX on Saturday 3-13-04. He called us the next day. We are so happy he is back in the States safely! We still keep our servicemen and servicewomen who are still overseas in our prayers.
13) Bob, As I read your updates and hear news from the friends I have made this past year I rejoice at the news their loved one is home or in Kuwait getting ready to come home. At the same time I hope they do not forget some of us still have loved ones in Iraq. and I ask all to pray for their safe return. My son is with the 1/17th FA from Ft. Sill and they have been assigned to the 4th ID for the past year and they are still in Iraq. There has been very little said about the 1/17th but they have assisted the 4th ID through all of this (as I am sure there are other support units) and
they continue to need the prayers. We know it should not be long before the soldiers of the 1/17th FA are home but there will be someone else taking their place and they will need support and prayers as well. I just ask everyone that reads the updates to please continue to pray for all of our military men and women. (Editor's Note: The vast majority of those reading these updates will continue to pray and follow the belief that "The War's not over until all the soldiers come home" and support our troops. For those who don't feel that way, that's their loss).
14) Hi, everyone. Just thought I'd let you all know I got one of the best phone calls around 3:30 this morning. It was my fiance, he's with B CO 1/8 IN out of Ft. Carson, and he had made it safely to Kuwait. He said about 55 guys came in his convoy and several were right behind him. It should only be days until he gets a flight out of there. God bless each and every one of you. For the ones who haven't got that call yet...it won't be long and you'll be smilin' from ear to ear.
15) My soldier (my son) returned home last Wednesday from Baiji. When I read your update tonight there was a piece written by a grumpy mom that was able to witness the wonderful site of the soldiers walking through the smoke. I was unable to attend the returning home of my son for many reasons but heard from my son what had transpired that fabulous afternoon and she explained it explicitly. I attached her story to an e-mail and sent it to all my friends telling them that he had come home and this is what he was greeted with. In that e-mail I also explained that even though my son had returned I continue to read your updates every night......
16) My little brother made it home to Ft Hood safe and sound on Saturday morning. I personally wanted to thank you for getting my family and I through the year. I don't know how other families go through this without someone like you. I also want to thank all of the soldiers of the 1-22 IN for bringing my brother home safely. I know it was a team effort, and I will never forget what it felt like when I saw my brother run into that gym... the relief on the face of his wife, and my parents faces will stay with me forever.... that and his big smile when he turned and saw all of us screaming like "hooligans!" It was great to see him laugh.
16) I heard from my husband today.....WOOHOO. I was so happy to hear from him. He is fine and he should be home soon. I was just happy to see him on the webcam....god bless the person who invented that. He looked so happy and we turned our webcam on too so he could see the kids and me. I am so proud of him and all the troops. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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Memories of a Year Ago - Waiting for Deployment to Turkey through the Early Days in Iraq
1) The engagement came in August 2002. The wedding date was set for July 2003. The War in Iraq changed everything but the love and devotion of one South Dakota Army National Guardsman and our daughter.
December 2002: Concern and wondering if he'd be activated and how they would respond with their pending wedding plans. Most of the discussion came from him; he didn't want to get married just to make her a widow.
Early January 2003 he turned 21, no news on activation.
January 20, 2003 The kids had talked on the phone, he had just been told they wouldn't be activated. Three hours later he called with the news, they'd just been activated. Our daughter came to our room crying and pleading for advice. She loves this man, she'd marry him in a heartbeat, even if the worst could happen, she needed to be his wife.
Through the cold South Dakota night she drove, calling home on her cell phone to keep awake, to share her fears and to cry with her Momma. Three hours later, well past midnight, she's walking down the hallway toward his door and the future they needed to decide.
The call came into my classroom on January 21, 2003 at 9:10 a.m. she said, "Momma, can you get here by 6:00? We're getting married." Two calls go out, his Security Guard radio calls him to the Principal office, "Our daughter is getting married tonight at 6:00." The second call goes to the florist to request bridal bouquets to be ready in 2 hours.
Emotions abound, no wedding dress... maybe I'll take mine. No family and friends to surround her with love... make some calls.
Her cousin 400 miles away, pulls children out of school, a husband out of college classes and plans to head west to meet us at the church.
Brothers get called at their job sites, shovels are dropped, delivery trucks head out with a replacement worker and the boys plan to travel east thirty minutes behind us to their only sister's wedding.
And so we go, over the same cold highway she traveled in the night, flowers and champagne securely tucked in the back seat. I stitch together the wedding ring pillow while the cell phone intermittently rings. "Momma, we have the license." "Momma, we meet the pastor at noon." "Momma, I'm walking through Wal-Mart trying to find something to wear to my wedding and buying gold bands." No tears, no concerns that her wedding attire would be a white sweater and black dress pants, she was marrying the man she loves and that was enough.
Much is thought about when a momma is driving to her only daughter's wedding but usually it isn't about war and if he'll come back. "Oh God, he must come back, please, God, BRING HIM BACK," is the heart wrenching prayer first said on her wedding day.
It's amazing what can be accomplished in a mere ten-hour window of time. His family and friends got a cake, green and gold decorations and food fit for the celebration. The Lutheran Church was beautiful, stained glass windows and all. His family had done it out of love and devotion and our family will forever be grateful for the wedding they pulled together with a moment's notice because of the war. That evening our beautiful daughter become an Army Bride.
Four days later, her much loved groom drove off to face an unknown foe. His unit was attached to the 4th ID. They sat at Ft. Leonard Wood until April 4, 2003 and then the true waiting really began.
2) My boyfriend got orders in January to deploy again. He had just come home from his second trip into Cuba and I was not ready to have him gone again. He had stated he wanted to do something outside the US so we had talked about Korea, then the new orders came. I had seen him after Christmas for four days but it wasn’t enough. I was crushed that he was again leaving. This time was a lot more uncertain and a lot more stress.
The wait time was absolutely horrible. Each time we attempted to prepare, the date changed by two more weeks. I couldn’t risk going to Ft. Hood on my spring break because he wasn’t supposed to be there at that point, but he was. I was devastated that I could have seen him before he left and due to the uncertainty, I didn’t. It took quite a toll on both of us. I spent more hours crying than anything. I tried to go on with my life with the constant worry. We talked often but there was always the though of when he was going to leave on the back of our minds.
As strange as it seemed, it was a relief to finally know when he was leaving. It was extremely hard but at least we were no longer in this waiting period of constant guessing. I didn’t want him to leave but I understood the need.
3) I remember my husband knew before I even had thought about it. I remember him going and getting all the Power of Attorney's (POA's) and his Will done. I cried when he handed them to me. He said, "Honey, come into the kitchen, I have something for you. He hands me the POA's and Will. He said, "Keep these in a safe place." "Why are you giving me these," I asked. He said, "Well, I had to get it done because we are going off to war." As my eyes filled up with tears he hugged me and said, "These are a 'just in case' thing, ok. That doesn't mean nothing bad is going to happen." I walked into the living room where our two boys and baby girl were. I looked at the boys and they asked what was going on. My husband and I had to sit down and tell a then four year old and two year old what was going on. We all sat and cried. I remember that day like it was yesterday.
4) I found it very interesting that you decided to highlight this topic as it is something I often think about. For myself and my husband a year ago, the stress levels were extremely high. For five weeks, his unit here at Ft Hood were told, "We'll be leaving on Monday". Then for five Sundays in a row we got a call saying, "Not this week." I lost count of how many times he packed and re-packed his duffel and backpack as the lists kept changing.....We were newly-weds, and I had not long arrived from the U.K. To be honest, the stress and ensuing arguments nearly ended our marriage before it had really begun. However once he deployed, we grew closer again. I was lucky to have him home after Christmas on leave, and am expecting him home for good very soon. It was a big learning experience for both of us, but at least I'll be better prepared the next time.
5) Our son was home on the day he received the call to go to Iraq. He came running into my room breathless, saying he was going to war. I could see the adrenaline surging through him. All his friends were called and came running to see him off. We watched him pack his gear and all eyes were on him for hours. Little did we know that night that it would be another two months before he would leave. The daily anticipation was difficult. Would this be the day? For him it was deflating. He was ready. Finally we received news he would be leaving so we drove to Ft. Hood to say goodbye. We spent as much time with him as we could. However our two year-old son was very tired and we still had a three hour drive back home. So my husband said goodbye and headed home in our car. I stayed behind to drive our son's car home so we could store it for him. He asked me if I would like to see a movie and of course I said, "Sure." After the movie, we went to get coffee and at about 1:00a.m. he said he better get to the barracks. When we parked, he said he would run in to get changed so he could leave his clothes in the car. While he was up there I felt the sobbing trying to surface. That was the last thing I wanted to leave him with, so I prayed a quick prayer for strength to see him off with support and a smile. As soon as the words left my mouth I felt a supernatural strength for this motherly job. When he returned to the car, we said our goodbyes and I prayed for him without a tear. I will never forget that precious moment. Now that he's home, it seems like that night was a million years ago. We are so thankful for God's protection over him and for seeing us through a difficult year.
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