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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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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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We're under two weeks until April 1 - bet you never thought we'd get that short. Troops continue to flow in to Fort Hood, Fort Carson, and other places around the country.
All of this good news is tempered with the sad news coming out of Baghdad where the car bomb killed so many people yesterday. And I know many of our Fort Hood families have friends and family members in the 1st Cavalry Division who are in the process of taking over responsibility for Baghdad from the 1st Armored Division. The joy of the 4ID and TF Ironhorse return is tempered with the ongoing job that remains to be completed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world.
As for short timer comments, here are a couple more:
I'm too short for long conversations!
I'm so short, I'm counting seconds!
News continues to be hard to find. Keep your notes coming my way, we're going to have to depend more and more on sharing information among ourselves as each of you hear from your soldier.
Expected high temperature today and for the next two days in Tikrit is 71 degrees.
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Still nothing from AP or Reuters but here is what Stars & Stripes had in yesterday's edition:
1st ID takes over from 4th ID in Sunni Triangle
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, March 17, 2004
TIKRIT, Iraq — The U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division took control of Iraq’s deadly Sunni Triangle on Tuesday when the 4th Infantry Division transferred its authority to the incoming division.
Soldiers from the divisions assembled at Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit for the change of command from the 4th ID’s Task Force Ironhorse to 1st ID’s Task Force Danger.
The ceremony was marked by the casing of the 4th ID colors and uncasing of the Big Red One’s colors in front of Saddam Hussein’s former presidential palace complex, now 1st ID headquarters.
1st ID takes responsibility for security in north-central Iraq, an area which includes cities such as Tikrit, Samarra, Baquobah and Kirkuk, all hotbeds of anti-coalition activity.
The commander of coalition forces in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, told those gathered that the change of command was a historic moment and an honor for “two great divisions, their soldiers and leaders.”
The 4th ID conducted thousands of raids, captured tons of ammunition, spent millions of dollars rebuilding Iraq and created more than 50,000 jobs, he said. The division’s greatest moment in Iraq came in December when it helped capture Saddam.
1st ID commander Maj. Gen. John Batiste praised 4th ID’s work in Iraq but added: “for the leaders of 1 ID and Task Force Danger the mission continues. Terrorists, foreign fighters, former regime elements, criminals and “anyone trying to destabilize Iraq” are the common enemies of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces," Batiste said.
After the ceremony, Spc. Joe Ghamdi, of 4th ID’s 1st Brigade Command Group, smoked a cigarette and dreamed of going home soon to a massage and a Jacuzzi.
“I’ve been mortared five times, RPG-ed seven times and shot at three times.”
The young soldier was also involved in the capture of Saddam.
“The code name for his capture was ‘Jackpot.’ When it came over the radio everybody looked at each other and we were like, ‘No,’ because we’d had several raids before,” he said.
Ghamdi went to the farm where Saddam was captured. He said he saw the former dictator flown to captivity strapped to the side of a helicopter.
He was ordered to guard several hundred thousand dollars found with Saddam.
“At that time we felt the war was over. It was a big relief because we thought we would not be attacked as much,” said Ghamdi.
Meanwhile, a 1st ID soldier standing outside the palace after the ceremony said the first two weeks of his tour weren’t what he thought they would be.
“You have to prepare for the worst because you are going to one of the most dangerous places in the world but it’s a lot better than I expected,” Pvt. Jesse Granger said. “Here in Tikrit we are living and working in palaces. It is a real place in the world with trees and blue skies.”
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Fort Hood Welcomes 4th ID Soldiers Home
KWTX News 10 - Waco Temple Killeen - 3-17-04:
For the soldiers, it has been a year full of highs and lows since they left the Central Texas post on the eve of the war one year ago. The men and women of the 4th ID traveled for a week to reach their final destination, home. The trip had to be worth it for the warm welcome they received from friends and family waiting at Abrams Gym.
The returning soldiers were greeted by an overflow crowd of cheering, crying friends and relatives. Once the face-to-face greetings were exchanged, the returning soldiers told how the connections with home kept everyone’s spirits going.
Sgt. Brian Brenham talked about the importance of news from home, “Writing letters, getting letters was a very important part, also one thing that the Army did was hooked up Internet service and made you feel you were almost home.
The returning soldiers served in various units, from forward support, to tank and artillery battalions, and each one said everyday in Iraq was a challenge. Brenham told News 10, “It got pretty busy from time to time, sometimes went in spells, a little scary at times, a little bit quiet at others but everything went well.”
Although the 4th ID’s capture of Saddam Hussein was a highlight, most soldiers say it was their mission as a whole that will be remembered in years to come. A battalion commander in the Raider Brigade, Lt. Col. Mark Huron said when he looks back, “I'm going to remember that the 4th I-D, Raider Brigade, my soldiers, made history, changed a nation and I think we will read about it years from now in history books.”
Fort Hood is almost a busy as the desert of Iraq with 4th Infantry Division soldiers coming home and 1st Cavalry Division soldiers moving out to replace them. Wednesday more 1st Cavalry Division soldiers leave Fort Hood for their tour of duty in Iraq.
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173rd Soldiers welcomed home
Story and photos by Diana Bahr, Outlook Editor
CASERMA EDERLE, VICENZA, Italy – In what seemed like a never-ending line of desert camouflage uniforms and tan boots, the Soldiers of the 173rd Infantry Brigade (Airborne) (part of TF Ironhorse in Iraq) filed onto a muddy football field Friday afternoon, formed ranks and faced the audience and visiting dignitaries.
Crowds of family members, friends and co-workers jammed the bleachers and lined up along the running track, cheered and waved flags as each unit was announced.
The ceremony opened with brigade commander, Col. William Mayville, assisted by brigade Command Sgt. Maj. William Gunter, uncasing the brigade’s colors and attaching the newest battle streamer — representing the brigade’s participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After opening remarks by U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler, who congratulated the Soldiers for their efforts, U.S. Army Europe commander, Gen. B.B. Bell took the podium and he was followed by Southern European Task Force (Airborne) commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas Turner.
“Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade served with valor and distinction during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They made a lasting contribution to bringing stability to Kirkuk and surrounding areas. The 173rd Soldiers helped establish an independent civilian government, a new police force, and they restored basic services to the people of Kirkuk, improving their daily lives,” said Turner. “We will not forget our Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, nor will we forget the shared sacrifices of our Italian allies. “
"Once the Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade have completed an intensive reintegration process and taken some much needed leave, the Soldiers will go back to a normal routine surrounded by the outstanding support of the Vicenza community. We are grateful to Italian authorities and the people of Vicenza for their continued support of our Soldiers and their families,” he said.
At the conclusion of his speech, it was time for Turner, accompanied by Mayville and Bell to end the ceremony with a pass and review of the Soldiers.
As the troops marched off the field, the crowd moved over to a fest tent where the celebrations continued. There was something for everyone – from a ‘Kid’s Korner’ where clowns entertained and children could have their faces painted, paint pictures, jump rope and have fun—to concerts from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for the rock-n-rollers to Italian group, Hill Billy Soul for the country-lovers to the U2 Tribute band, Elevation, to the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders—who everyone seemed to adore.
In between the acts, comedians entertained, AFN’s Z-106 covered the events live for those stuck on duty or at home, and free food fed the famished.
Earlier in the day, Joan Jett was on hand in the post exchange, signing autographs on CDs, skateboards and other items fans brought, and then posed for photos.
Jett is no stranger to military bases as she’s played concerts in more than 15 combat zones in the past few years. “Shortly after 9-11, I was on the phone to a friend at the Pentagon,” said the raven-haired rocker during a backstage interview. “I said that I wanted to go to Afghanistan and perform for the troops, by mid-October I was over there. It was something I felt I had to do.”
Many of Jett’s USO-sponsored trips overseas to perform for the troops are deliberately kept low-key by the performer. “It’s between me and the troops,” she said, brown eyes snapping. “Not me and the media. It’s an honor for me to be here. The troops deserve all the support they can get from us … it’s our freedom they’re fighting for!”
Several Sky Soldiers had the opportunity to go backstage and meet privately with Jett before her concert. Among them was Capt. David Gann, 501st Forward Support Company. “I missed seeing her when she performed in Afghanistan,” said Gann. “I listened to cassettes of her so much I wore them out. I got her to sign a CD for me. It’s great that she’s over here to entertain the troops.”
Jett didn’t let her fans down as she sang and sweated through an hour and a half performance. Saving the best for last, she played her signature song, “I Love Rock ‘n Roll’ and bringing the crowd to their feet and singing along.
A couple of songs later, “Crimson and Clover” found the crowd surging toward the stage, swaying to the beat. At the end of her set, SETAF Chief of Staff, Col. Blair Ross, presented Jett with a plaque. Not content with just a plaque, Jett requested—and received—an airborne beret.
Before leaving the stage, she told the troops how honored she was to play for them and how proud she was of their service to their country. As the festivities wound down, Turner took the stage and thanked all those who came out for supporting and honoring the Soldiers and family members.
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One Family's Homecoming Story and Perspective:
My son finally made it home. After sooo much anticipation .... There was a lot of "he is on his way" and then he gets stuck in Delaware with a broken plane. We were in Ft. Hood, went to the gym all pretty and then were told by our contacts that they had made a mistake. But you know I just couldn't get upset at these wonderful ladies who try sooo hard in trying to coordinate all these flights and informing parents, etc. As I am leaving the gym, my cell phone rings and I couldn't hear with all the noise (I was sooo disappointed that we had the date wrong). It was my son on the cell phone, "Mom ,it's okay ... don't get upset. I'll be there tomorrow." This went on until 2:00 p.m. ... Again, "MOM... they don't know if we will leave (I hear DISAPPOINTMENT now on his end!)" We all begin to say our rosary in his apartment (he is soooo close and I just want to go get him myself in Delaware!) Then through the second decade of the rosary the cell phone rings!! "MOM, we are headed home in a transport plane... I'll be there by 5:00 p.m or 6:00 p.m." Thank You Lord Jesus!!!!
Our son's uncle is in Tikrit working for a contractor and I wanted to share his note after we sent him the pictures of our reunion with my son....
Thanks for sending the pictures. I could not view the pictures without tears of joy and pride. Here in the camps you see a lot of soldiers - the soldiers replacing some of the ones you saw at Ft Hood and some leaving. The looks in their faces are different - doubt, apprehension, and other hidden feelings for those arriving and extreme anticipation for those packing to leave. The emotions in these pictures tell a story you can’t perceive unless you’ve been here. It is extremely heartwarming. SSG (name withheld) is OUR son, our nephew, our brother, our cousin, our brother-in-law, our friend, he’s OUR soldier, our hero. In the dining halls, the PX, everywhere, these soldiers lose their individuality – everyone has a family, everyone has people that love them and fear for their welfare. The American public forgets that sometimes. Believe me, those of us here that support the troops understand that and we respect each other because of it – we’re all on the same ship on a turbulent sea. Getting home is all we think about while we loyally do our jobs. You will never know what our soldier has gone through; even if he would tell you, you wouldn’t understand. It’ll be a long time before he gets all that fine dust out of his lungs and the personal pains that get imbedded into his heart. He’s lucky to have so many of you who will care for him on the way back to the realities of the life we take for granted. Not everyone I work with can say the things I say here. They can look at the pictures and fail to see what we see and feel what we feel. It’s a great feeling and you guys must dwell in it for a while longer. Our soldier might be home in spirit, but he’s still here in the back reaches of his mind. You must understand that and understand that he can’t do it without you all – and maybe a little ‘space’ when he needs it. I am doing well and I will prevail. I’ll be home in July.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in France:
Nothing reported, reports resume tomorrow.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My two Army Captain sons are both in Kuwait, one leaving Iraq with the 4th ID and one arriving as the CDR, HSB 2-82 FA, 1st Cavalry Division (1CD). They are at two different camps; I hope they can link up a take a picture. (For many of our families, the year is not over - the second year is just starting...)
2) As of Saturday my son is back at Ft. Hood and I am one happy Mama! We knew they would be getting back sometime late last week, but when the call came that they were in the air I was ecstatic, to say the least. We have talked with him a few times the last few days....he took his pass and went with some of his "brother's" for a few days of R & R! He sounds so relaxed and happy! God bless each and every one of those young men and women!.... I can't believe a year has come and gone....it was a year filled with fright and worry and helplessness and pride.....those middle of the night phone calls that were way too far and few between....CNN blaring in every room of the house, hanging on each and every word reported from Iraq, searching the screen hoping to get a glimpse of my soldier. My heart breaking for the families that lost their loved ones and wondering if we would be next.....hearing reports and then calculating when we could possibly receive a knock on our door......and yet, through it all, my soldier was strong and brave and accepting of his mission...how I wished I could have had some of his strength!.... He is back in the USA and it only took me a few days to have this feeling of peace wash over me....yeah it's all good now! We continue to pray for the families that have lost their loved ones in this battle and we also continue to pray for all of our soldiers and their families....may they all find the strength to get through this!
3) I am the mother of a SSGT of the US Army who has been serving in Balad, Iraq since March of last year. He is now in Kuwait and is waiting for his flight home. Today, St. Patrick’s Day, is his birthday. He is 24 years old today and I am so proud of him and the man he has become. He is stationed out of Fort Carson, Colorado and is in Technical Support with the 4th Division out of Fort Hood. To all the soldiers who have come home or are on their way home I say congratulations and job well done. To those soldiers who are replacing our soldiers, we will keep you and your families in our prayers and pray them home as we have since the beginning of this conflict.
4) Happy St. Patrick's Day, Bob....and yes, go have that beer. I understand your frustration. The bleeding heart liberal press just doesn't find patriotism and history, especially MILITARY history, very exciting. Why we need to learn so much about some nut in Fresno killing 9 of his family members is beside me.
5) I woke up to bright sunshine today and actually slept past 5:30 am for the first time in a long time. I decided to take some time off to prepare for our trip to Ft. Hood. The first thing I read was your update. I can't agree with you more! Let's not tell anything good about the soldiers in Iraq or, let's not cover the largest troop movement since WWII. Instead,...... and if I hear Martha Stewart's name in the news anymore, I think I'll go to K-Mart and throw up on some of her merchandise. Although brief, the interviews with the 4ID troops were pretty good and I was surprised that ABC actually reported something positive, in fact I was shocked.
6) My husband's unit, (5th Plt, 4th MP, 4ID) along with four other units, arrived back at Fort Hood on Tuesday morning. I just wanted to pay tribute to the wonderful Homecoming ceremony the Army had organized at the gym. All the family member were crowded on the bleachers, and when the troops finally ran in, with smoke bombs going off all around, the place went wild!.... I had trouble seeing my husband among the ranks, but as soon as the order to dismiss was given he came walking straight towards me with tears running down his face. I think it was the happiest moment of my life. His parents were there too, having travelled from Alabama to welcome him home from his first combat tour...... We've only been married just over a year, but I've decided that no other way of life could provide such extremes of emotion - both good and bad! I must admit that morning in the gym made up for a year of worry. It was truly fantastic!
7) Hi Bob, I received a phone call from my husband who was in Camp Speicher for most of the year, but I now got the news that him and the 230th Finance BN (4th infantry division) is now safely in Kuwait getting things cleaned up to come home soon!!!! Hooah! God continue to guide and protect our soldiers! God bless them all!
8) Thank you for including the story about the five soldiers returning to Greenville, SC! They were on the front page of our newspaper which brought me tears of both happiness and sadness. I'm trying very hard to be patient while waiting for my 19 1/2 year old son (1 BCT) to touch down at Ft. Hood, TX, sometime late this month or early April. When he's able to take a leave and come home to SC, which is in Greenville County, my hope is that he, too, will enjoy such a joyous reunion as those soldiers did!
9) My brother who is in the 4ID 1-68 AR is home and I am glad. He got home last night into Colorado Springs, CO at around 5pm. He called my Grandmother and she asked him what was the first thing he did when he got home and he said he took a shower and put on some real clothes. I am so happy and thank God that he is home now.
10) I share in your frustration, Bob. I too searched all day and evening for any related story without any luck. It's a crying shame that our media is able to interpret to the American people only what they feel is "news worthy". We the military family know all the wonderful things our division has done for Iraq and the world, I just wish the average American was able to see things on the news from a different aspect other than all the deaths and bombings. Please have a great big frosted Irish beer for me!!
11) A short note to let you know that our daughter (4th ID 2/4 AVN)is safely in Kuwait as of this morning. I know the journey was not uneventful, but do know that none of our soldiers in this convoy suffered any harm.......Thank You God!!!!
Of course I will feel even better once they are all back on American soil, but I must say that I seem to be able to take a complete breath now....something I haven't done for a year!! Go drink your good ole' green Irish beer..... have one for me and have several for all of our wonderful soldiers. Don't anyone stop praying until all of our soldiers are safely home! God bless the U.S.A. and the 4th ID!!
12) I was fwd this update by our daughter. The letter that you printed in this update #1 is about our granddaughter and her Wedding in Jan. 03. We were family that couldn't be there, and from those dates on I've been praying for all the troops that are defending our Beloved USA. These men and women are securing our safety and I'm very proud of each and every one of them. Just because these troops are coming home doesn't stop my prayers. We still have a niece and her husband in the theater. She a civilian, he a Marine. Keep up the good work. Thanks for the updates.
13) My son, (C/1-68 AR) is in Kuwait! I got a message from his girlfriend last night, who is in Colorado Springs and works on Carson. She talked to one of his buddies, who arrived Tuesday from Balad. My son left Balad Sunday and drove their tool truck to Kuwait ! Arrived Tuesday! Soon he will be home! Praise God! Keep him safe on his way from there. And let us not stop there, we must keep our soldiers still over there, and the ones taking our soldiers places, and our soldiers in every foreign land in our prayers...ALWAYS! We must not let a day go by that we do not include them in our daily prayers. Ours are home, but it isn't over till they are all home!
14) We just got the call today! Our only son is coming home (2/20FA). They're coming in to Ft. Hood at 4am in the morning (3/18/04). We heard from him this past Saturday from Kuwait, he said his convoy was attacked from Tikrit to Kuwait - which was very scary. But God protected them all and they're now on their way home! We can't be there in the morning - so to all those who can - give all our soldiers a big hooah & a big hug from us here in California! (Thank you for your updates - It's been so great to get news - we can't seem to get any anywhere else.) God bless & keep all our troops while serving overseas!
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Memories of a Year Ago - Waiting for Deployment to Turkey through the Early Days in Iraq
(I decided last night that I'm going to take all the memories from a year ago and include them in my CD covering the last half of our tour in Iraq. I know I won't have room to include them all in these updates over the next few weeks. As I read through all of them, they are great and I don't want to lose any of them. I'll use one or two or three each day, depending on other news, but will commit to include them all in the second half CD coming out in May).
1) You asked for our thoughts on how we felt one year ago when the 4th ID was waiting to be deployed to Iraq, not knowing when or how. Well, here's one mother's story.
We had a great Christmas. My son was on leave. He had just come back from a year and a half deployment in Honduras bringing with him his beautiful new wife. We met had her when we went down there for their wedding a few months prior and loved her instantly, however this vacation we came to know her and love her even more.
They would be stationed at Ford Hood, Texas and we went into the attics and the sheds and the garages putting together household items to ship to Texas so they could set up their apartment. They were starting their new life together finally in the US and we wished them all the best. But in the background loomed the threat of War in Iraq and even though we knew that there was a possibility that my son would be sent to the Middle East, we tried to bury it in the back of our minds and concentrate on our joy.
Vacation ended and they made their way three quarters of the way across the US, secured an apartment, received their shipment, and set up their new home. It was wonderful being able to pick up the phone and talk to them without having to worry about the astronomical charges the calls to Honduras cost. We talked several times a week.
Then the phone rang one evening as I was watching FOX news. They were reporting on the impending war. My son said, "Mom, I have my orders. I don't know when I'm going to leave, but my unit will be going over to Iraq." My heart skipped a beat and it felt like someone ripped my stomach out of my body. I was speechless. I knew I had to remain calm, I knew there were decisions to be made – his new wife spoke only a little English, she couldn't be left out there by herself. But all I really wanted to do was fall apart. MY SON WAS GOING TO WAR. AND HE COULD NEVER COME BACK.
I don't quite remember how I got through the next couple of months. I prayed a lot, I cried a lot and I hung onto every word of every conversation my son and I had together from the night of that first phone call when he told me he was being deployed to Iraq until the last night before he left.. I kept thinking; this could be the last one. Maybe I'll never hear his voice again, maybe I'll never laugh at his unique sense of humor or get annoyed at him because I felt he was being too headstrong. Maybe we'll never share computer tips or writing tips or any of the othe
r special moments that are unique to this mother and her son….
Then there was the waiting. They were going, now they weren't. They were definitely going, but not this week. They were going next week, no the date was changed. Turkey won't let them in, maybe Turkey will, no they won't……And then the next phone call. Dad is coming to pick up my wife. I'm leaving it two weeks – not sure exactly which day but we are definitely leaving. We spoke almost every day until the last day and then there was no news.
I watched every single news station. I would wake up in the morning and start at Channel 2 and go right on up to FOX news listening to every report. I would fall asleep at night to the voice of the newscaster. Blackhawk down, Jessica Lynch, numbers killed. I didn't know where he was. I didn't know if he was flying or in a convoy. I did know he was alive – because bad news travels fast.
And then one night I was searching the Internet for news and he signed on to Instant Messenger. My heart rang out. He couldn't talk long, but he was okay. He said he was relatively safe. It was short, but it was enough.
Over the next few months it became a little easier. I still prayed a lot. I sent care packages and e-mails. We talked occasionally. He came home on a two week R & R at Christmas. We had another great time.
If this has taught me anything at all, it's this: Treasure each and every minute you have with your children. You never know what the Lord has in store for you. The little annoying things really don't matter. It's the little moments of joy and laughter and even just everyday conversation that count. Hold on to each and every second.
I've been through many rough times in my life. Divorce, sickness, loss. But I must say that this has been the most difficult year of my life. And, it's not over yet, my son still needs to make his way out of Iraq, which I think he is in the process of doing now. I haven't heard from him in a while and I was told that there would be a communication blackout when they started to move.
So, I continue to pray and with God's help, he will be safely on the ground in Texas and reunited with his lovely wife in two or three weeks.
Bob, I can't tell you how much your daily e-mails have helped me through this difficult time. I felt like I was still in touch and when there was no news about Iraq on the networks, there was your newsletter. When I felt everyone else had forgotten about our brave men and women overseas, your network of people reminded me that I was not alone – many were hanging in there with me....
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