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| 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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On the first anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, Central Command reported the following - from CentCom news release dated 3-18-04:
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FROM OIF: THE FIRST YEAR
TAMPA, Fla. – Operation Iraqi Freedom Coalition Forces have successfully liberated 25 million Iraqis from the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
These highlights provide information regarding the accomplishments of the Coalition throughout the past year.
The OIF Coalition is comprised of 34 countries, including 11 NATO countries, and they have provided over 22,000 troops to support the efforts in Iraq. There are two multi-national divisions in Iraq: one led by the United Kingdom in central-south Iraq, and one led by Poland in south Iraq.
The international community has pledged at least $32 billion to improve schools, health care, roads, water and electricity supplies, agriculture and other essential services.
The World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and 38 countries have pledged to extend loans and grants to Iraq. Other nations are contributing humanitarian assistance, extending export credits and reducing Iraqi debt.
The UN Security Council on Oct. 16, 2003, unanimously approved Resolution 1511 that calls on member states to support the work of the multinational force in Iraq.
Security:
America's armed forces are taking the offensive against remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime and foreign terrorists, leading more than 1,600 patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week.
45 of the 55 most wanted Hussein regime members have been captured or killed, including the brutal dictator himself, whose capture sent a powerful message to the Iraqi people that the tyranny of the past will never return. The capture of Saddam Hussein provided a boost to intelligence throughout western Iraq.
The quality of intelligence is cascading as a result of the Saddam capture: the intelligence is of higher quality and allows a higher level of captures. Saddam's capture is allowing the Coalition to apprehend more mid-level financiers and organizers.
More than 230,000 Iraqis now provide security for their fellow citizens, and Iraqi security forces now account for the majority of all forces in Iraq. These forces include Iraqi Police, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, Iraqi Border Police, Iraqi Facility Protection Service and the New Iraqi Army.
Law/Governance:
Since July, the 25-person Iraqi Governing Council has had the authority to: name interim Ministers; exercise government oversight; prepare policy initiatives on Iraq’s national security, including reform of the armed forces, police and courts; lead development of a constitution; and approve Iraq's national budget. 24 Iraqi Cabinet Members also contribute to the business of the government.
First time in 13 years, an ambassador to the US was appointed to restore diplomatic relations.
90% of Iraq’s districts have municipal/government councils with more than 19 million Iraqis engaging in local political discourse
Ministry of Justice has established a Council of Judges to oversee the judiciary and prosecutors. Also, defendants are now provided lawyers.
Public Health:
240 hospitals and most of Iraq’s 1200 clinics have reopened. 70 private hospitals are operating.
800 tons of high protein biscuits have been delivered to 15 Governorates for malnourished children and pregnant/nursing mothers.
1.09 million humanitarian daily rations have been distributed to date.
22 million children and 700,000 women have been inoculated against diseases since the war; 90% of all Iraqi children now receive routine vaccinations
Pharmaceuticals distribution improved from 0 to 12,000 tons today, more than $210 million approved for the Iraqi Ministry of Heath for pharmaceutical supplies and equipment, basic health care services, medical equipment and power generators for hospitals
Schools:
Nearly all schools are open and 5.1 million students are attending class.
25 Fulbright Scholarships awarded for the first time in 14 years; Fulbright Office added 2 new programs for Iraqis.
Over 13,500 school buildings in Iraq; $4.4 million spent to complete 2,299 school renovations; UNICEF and other NGOs are rehabilitating 105 schools; 183K desks, 57K chairs, 61K chalkboards and 25K metal cabinets have been distributed.
33,000 teachers and 3,000 supervisors trained in instructional practices and classroom management strategies.
Commerce and Trade:
Iraqis use a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years; 4.6 trillion new Iraqi dinars in circulation.
Iraq Stock Exchange will open in April; Iraq Central Bank is fully independent and has been opened since Sept 03.
83% of all pre-war bank branches are open.
Umm Qasr Port turned over to Iraqi control in Jan 04.
393,950 jobs have been generated.
Estimated crude oil export revenues exceed $3.3 billion for Iraqi reconstruction.
Telephone service continues to expand with 95% of service outside Baghdad.
More than 170 newspaper are published in Iraq.
Power:
4400 megawatts per day is the current seven-day average, this is up from 300 megawatts per day in 2003.
USAID will spend more than $250 million infrastructure repair funds on power rehabilitation and an additional $75 million allocated to power reconstruction.
Water:
Coalition programs have cleared over 16,500 km of irrigation canals, helping over 10,000 farms.
Water storage in most Iraqi reservoirs is approaching historic averages.
Rehabilitated water treatment plants will treat nearly 800 million liters/day, benefiting 3.5 million people.
90% of Iraqis will have potable water by Apr 05.
Quality of Life:
Religious rites are being re-established for all sects.
New Ministry of Housing and Construction has started 1,008 new homes and is working with the UN to start 7 housing projects with 3,528 units.
Military Supplies Used:
Item - Quantity - Dollar Value
MREs 42.1 mil meals $285.0 mil
Bottled water 120 mil bottles $31.0 mil
Cots 342,000 $18.2 mil
Lumber 17.25 mil board-feet $6.9 mil
Plywood 750,000 sheets $10.9 mil
Combat Boots 673,000 pair $48.7 mil
Body Armor 191,000 vests $105.0 mil
Body Armor 361,000 plates $180.5 mil
(Do you think you'll see this article in the TV and print press today?)
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As so many of us welcome our soldiers home, this mother talks about her son who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq with the 4ID.
Mother of soldier killed in Iraq reflects on his last days
AMY F. BAILEY
Associated Press
CONCORD, Mich. - Mary K. Wheeler wants to know everything about her son's last days in Iraq.
She's starting to get some of the details through letters from those who served with her son, U.S. Army gunner D.J. Wheeler Jr., but it's not enough. So she's reading Robin Moore's "Hunting Down Saddam" and watching the movie "Black Hawk Down."
"I want to feel the heat. I want to feel the sand. If I ever had the opportunity, I would go to Tikrit in a minute just to see the area where my son last was looking and touching," Mary K. said as she sat on a living room couch in front of a life-size cardboard cutout of her dead son that's propped against a wall.
Donald Laverne Wheeler Jr., best known as D.J., was a 22-year-old Army specialist in the 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed on Oct. 13 when his Bradley fighting vehicle was fired upon by a rocket-propelled grenade.
As Friday's one-year anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq approaches, Mary K. says she thinks it's important to continue focusing on the United States' mission in that country.
"To turn away from what we're doing now and just go back and take care of us is just not acceptable as far as I'm concerned, not after my son gave everything he had," she said, her voice quivering slightly.
Mary K. talks easily about her son, his death and the war in Iraq. She goes through pictures of D.J., the only one of her 12 children who was in the military. She shows off plaques, laminated news stories and blankets made in his memory piled on a living room couch.
She also reads aloud letters sent from D.J.'s superiors: "In the time I've had in the Army, I have had only a very few soldiers that have really grabbed my attention. Your son was one of these soldiers," wrote Sgt. Kelly Lucas from the 1-22nd Infantry Regiment's second platoon.
A letter sent by Bradley Boyd, captain of the 1-22's Charlie Company, details the events leading up to D.J.'s death. It's a letter Mary K. says she is happy to receive, since her family went weeks without hearing anything from D.J.
"Finally, we're getting the story of the very day it happened and also the trek up through Iraq," she said. "It's like watching a puzzle go together."
She said the letters also are comforting because they show D.J. stood out among his peers.
"I just wish, like a mom would, that when your son makes a touchdown in football or hits a home run in baseball, or anything, you want to be there to say, `You were awesome,'" she said. "I miss that."
Mary K. wears a reminder of D.J. around her neck and on her shirt. On a long silver chain is a medal that says, "With God I served in harm's way. Iraq. 2003." She also wears a red-white-and-blue jeweled pin in the shape of a heart and a pin with the design of D.J.'s infantry division.
The Wheeler home just outside Jackson looks much like it did five months ago when the family first got word about D.J.'s death. Dozens of pictures of the 6-foot-4 former offensive lineman still are in the living room and yellow ribbons are on the front door.
The outside world, meanwhile, is focusing on other things.
Mary K. said she gets upset that the national media is concentrating on people such as celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart, convicted March 5 of obstructing justice and lying to the government about a stock sale, rather than developments in Iraq.
"The day the Iraqi Constitution was signed, all I was hearing about was Martha Stewart," she said. "My son went over there to give these people their freedom and I didn't even get to hear about it until I was in the car because the national news didn't want to talk about that.
"I get really upset with that because it shouldn't be something that's pushed under the rug."
Andrea Barrett, D.J.'s sister, said her brother's death has made her and some of her siblings think about joining the military. She recalled the family's visit last year to Fort Hood after D.J.'s death for a memorial service.
"It was just the way everyone was. They were so compassionate toward us," she said, sitting on the floor of the family house with her 7-month-old daughter, Caylee.
The Wheelers found out last weekend that most of D.J.'s unit is back home at Fort Hood.
"It truly was a relief for me to hear that they're all home," Mary K. said. "I can't wait to go and hug each one of them and be thankful that they're back.
"What they did over there was necessary. As far as I'm concerned, a modern-day Hitler has gotten out of where he was and people are starting to live in freedom."
March 18, 2004.
Copyright 2004. Associated Press.
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A 4ID Wife Reports on a Homecoming:
TODAY (Thursday), after four (count 'em) LONG delays (original 'wheels down' arrival time 3:25pm YESTERDAY, changed to 11:25pm YESTERDAY, then changed to 10:50pm YESTERDAY, THEN changed to 4:00am TODAY, THEN changed to 7:00am TODAY!), the first 1-67 AR contingent of 22 Soldiers arrived from Iraq (since the ADVANCE Party on 16 February). These delays were due to various reasons: mechanical, cracked plane windshield, and weather!
Finally, we had to evacuate the gym for a fire alarm set off by accident.
After minimal sleep, going through the family contact call list FOUR times, and frayed nerves regarding the delays...I had the pleasure (along with the other spouses and family members in attendance) of greeting the Heroes we sent off a year ago, one of which was my HUSBAND!
It was an emotionally charged event...and one I'll never forget. A hearty hug and 'Welcome Home' was given to all our BRAVO Soldiers...with special attention going to the Single Soldiers and sharing of cell phones to call home to parents.
Bob is right...during this 'waiting time', patience, flexabilty, and humor is the key! Added to these should be the bonds and friendships forged during the year with other spouses of our own unit as well as other 'Sister' units (3-67 AR and the 204th FSB), and of course our friend, Bob Babcock! These bonds are most valuable... SUPPORT is another key element to rely on.
It's FINALLY REAL....they're coming home. Continue to pray for the safety of our 4ID Soldiers and the Soldiers replacing them. Freedom is not Free - Pray for our Troops!
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in France:
19 March 1945 - D+287 - Report G 1 (personnel branch):
The 22nd Infantry Regiment was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the first badge was pinned on Lieutenant Colonel John F. Ruggles.
20 March 1945 - D+288
The 4th Infantry Divsion moved from the vicinity of Gerbeviller to the vicinity of Batzendorf, France, under the control of the VI Corps. Advance elements passed the initial point at 0500 and the entire division closed in the new assembly areas by 2030.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My son, who is with the 4th, HHC, 3 BCT, has been waiting since Monday, not sure where he is, but he contacted his brothers and said they are patiently waiting to take off for home, I have had brief contact with the FRG, telling me as soon as she has information on the time and date of arrival in Ft. Carson she will let me know. I am packed and ready to leave in a minute when I hear, to meet his plane. It has been so frustrating to wait after a year, when it is so close to him coming home. I took time off work to bake him some goodies to take out there, and check my e-mail frequently for news and to pack up his stuff to take to him. He says MOM, bring my civilian clothes, my guitar, and my dog. So as the time ticks away, my anxiety level increases. I will be so happy when he and all the good young men and women are back on USA soil. Safe. Just another MOM :) (Editor's Note - No one is "just another Mom" - every Mom is a very special lady, don't ever forget that...)
2) Hello Bob, I returned to my desk at 3pm Wednesday afternoon and my IM was popped up. It was from our son, B Co 4th Eng 1/8TF, 3BCT from Ft.Carson. Unfortunatly he had signed off before I returned to my desk. He says, "We have been in Kuwait for a day now, the track is clean and ready to go, that is good. They say the detail may last untill the middle of April, we'll see." Hoohah. This Dad is is gonna have a few pints of "green" beer tonight. We still have a ways to go but it is a
huge relief to know he is in Kuwait. I will continue to pray for all of our soldiers and their families. This is something I have learned will have to be a part of my daily routine for the rest of my life, because we will always have soldiers in harms way, be it at war or peace.
3) Just wanted to let you know that my husband (A/3-29 FA Fort Carson) called early this am. He sounded so good. It looks like we are down to one week left and he will be home. I am so excited and ready. I made him a huge banner that I will hang in front of my house. At times I think wow a year went so fast but during the time it seemed like forever.....
4) Heard from my boyfriend yesterday , A Co. 2-8 In (M), he had a standby date and of course, it's now changed. He is staying to complete maintinance on the Brads before he can come home and now isn't sure when he will be returning to Ft. Hood. (I knew I shouldnt be getting excited) I'm just venting. You don't have to put this in the update, I just know you needed the responses from us. I can't wait until our rollercoaster ride is over. My sense of humor is shot. (Editor's note: I include this to let all the other frustrated people know that they are not alone. It's okay, and good, to vent. Emotions and stress are high. Don't keep it to yourself, share it with someone who understands. The mission has to be accomplished, including preparing vehicles to return to the States. Keep the faith, it will be over before long).
5) My fiancee from (C-3-16 FA, 4th ID) writes: We hit the Kuwait, Iraqi border around 12 yesterday and spent the next few hours driving down here and getting settled in. We were supposed to move to another location because that is where the wash racks and facilities to clean our vehicles are but they are waiting to move out some other units from there to make room for us. Hope to be on a plane home soon!
6) Just wanted to let you know that our son called from Kuwait last evening. We talked for two hours. He sounded very tired, but upbeat. The connection was great and not complaining at all about the 3 second delay. The last time we talked to our son was in August. The trip down was uneventful and now they are just waiting to finish up some last minute details. He said that if everything went ok they would be home in less than a week. (How short is that?!!) Just waiting for that big bird headed to the USA..... We will keep praying for all the troops being deployed, and for a safe return trip for the troops and saying extra prayers for all the fallen troops. GOD BLESS!! Proud Army Mom of a 1-68 AR soldier.
7) Wow! I just read the memory of a year ago from the mother of the newlywed. Tears were really streaming down my face. I am the wife of a brave soldier waiting in Kuwait to come home and start our lives again along with our 3 children. This has been such an emotional roller coaster for me. Being strong for everyone around me, his parents, siblings and especially my children. Always assuring them that Daddy was coming home "soon". Even against my wishes, in the back of my mind thinking, what would I possibly say to them if, God forbid, he was never to come home. With everything that I have gone through as a wife, I can't imagine having one of my little boys deployed to war. Because they are always our little boys whether they are 5, like mine, or 25. As mothers and fathers, it is natural to always want to protect our children, but I can't imagine how all you parents have felt having their protection out of your hands. My hats are off to all of you. There is no need competing with who has it harder or who misses their soldier more, but as spouses, (as annoying as in-laws can be :)), lets not forget their sacrifices and don't exclude them. It's their babies out there fighting so our babies are safe!!! God bless all of us and especially our troops all around the world!!
8) Well, I have one son back from Iraq and another in Kuwait supposedly heading to Ft. Hood this weekend! I am excited and so thankful. But I woke up this morning to the news that a helicopter was down in Iraq. (No more news--only news of the bombings in Baghdad and the Ohio sniper.) I knew it wasn't my son but suddenly realized they have ALL become my sons and daughters over there. I grieve when someone is hurt or killed and realize now that I will not stop until they are all home. I will NEVER stop praying for God to put his shield of armor on these soldiers who are being asked to sacrifice so much for our freedom and the safety of freedom loving people everywhere...... God Bless.
9) You might suggest people check the History Channel and PBS this week, for both are running lots of pieces about the Iraq war on its first anniversary. Last night the History Channel ran a couple of hours of programming with lots of 4th ID shots and interviews RE: the capture of Saddam and the high-tech resources that the Army is using these days.
10) We heard from our son (HSB,3/16FA) at 3am this morning from Kuwait. He is out of Iraq! Hurray!! They are getting their equipment ready to put on the boats and then heading home finally! He sounded good and the connection was terrific compared to the phone service in Iraq. He reenlisted for another 3 years while in Iraq, so it looks like I will be an Army mom for a few more years. He said he is not sure when his unit will head out of Kuwait for Fort Hood but that they expected to be back there by the end of March. I can't wait till he is safely back on USA soil! He said they have heard how Fort Hood is all decorated up for the incoming troops. We told him we wish we could be there when he gets off the bus at the gym at Fort Hood, but with such short notice as to when he will arrive it is impossible for us to be there since we live a 26 hr. drive away. We are hoping to be there for the April celebration though. Now we are just waiting to hear from him when his boots hit USA soil again. God Bless our Troops everywhere.
11) I wanted to send you a quick note to express my indescribable joy that my husband has finally made it to Kuwait! He called me this morning at about 2:10 and I knew instantly that that was where he was for the simple fact the phone line was clear and I just screamed out, "You're in Kuwait aren't you?" To hear him say yes was the biggest amount of relief I have had in a long time and today was the first day that I went the majority of the day thinking about him coming home as to thinking about him being on a mission and having to worry about his saftey....I must tell you it felt great! I just can't wait until he is home and now with him being there it is foreseeable that he will be home soon and me, him, and our 6 1/2 month old son can start our family together finally!!!!!
12) I want to share something that happened to us, just in case it happens to someone else. Our son is with the HHC, 1-68 and we received a phone call from our
daughter in law in Colorado saying he was it Kuwait!!! The last few days had been very tense, needless to say. I called my husband right away and then fell to pieces! crying, shaking, cold chills!!! For the last 2 days we have been almost physically sick, felt like my stomach would jump out of my mouth! We finally realized how tense we were for the last year, praying, trusting God with all we had and holding on. With the news that he was on safe ground for the first time, all of that tension released . Please urge everyone to realize that it is OK, they will be fine. God is sooooooo good!!! We truly will continue to pray for the troops still over there and if
you know where we can go to get in touch with the 1st Infantry or others to give them support, please let us know. We want them to know we care and are with them all the way.
13) I finally got one of the calls I've been waiting for. My boyfriend from B 4th FSC made it to Kuwait safely! Not sure of the return date yet, but the next call will be to tell me when he'll be on the way! It's such a relief to know he's safe and one step closer to being here.
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Memories of a Year Ago - Waiting for Deployment to Turkey through the Early Days in Iraq
1) This time last year my husband and I were "living like gypsies" in the apartment we'd already packed up for the year-long storage while my soldier would be deployed. He was initially to be part of the spearhead launched from Turkey, but when that mission was stalled our entire existence was put on hold, as well.
We had an air mattress, 13 inch tv, and a microwave, which may not sound too primitive, but factor in three kids between the ages of 6 weeks and 7 years without the modern conveniences of home and I think you get the gist. We ate either fast food or at restaurants nearly every meal. My husband kept joking about "putting on his fighting weight," but no one blamed him for feeling the need to indulge himself and enjoy the things he would miss out on for so very long during the deployment.
We went from having no idea about when his unit would leave to worrying we wouldn't have enough time to get him to the gym for departure. You know the old Army adage, first you, "....hurry up and wait...." then you have to "...jump through your (you know what)..." That's exactly what happened!
I'll never forget that dreadful day of March 29, 2003, but I can honestly say now that I have my guy back home that we are closer than we were before he left. I was a new Army wife of just under one year when the war started, and this deployment was a harsh initiation to life as a military spouse. Now that we're back under the same roof, we both have a greater sense of appreciation for the little things, the subtle nuances that keep relationships fresh, intimate, and special.
2) When the orders came down last January for my husband’s unit to deploy, it was both anticipated yet a shock. You see, I was pregnant with our second child. My husband had been in Korea when our son was born and now it looked like he would be gone again. But, we made the most of the time we had before he left. We hadn’t even told our families that we were expecting again. Now there was a sense of urgency.
Little did we know that we would have 2 ½ months to enjoy the time together as a family. We were even fortunate enough to have an ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. My husband’s chest puffed out when he saw that it was a girl!! It was only a week later that he actually left Ft. Carson. Thank the Lord for at least giving him that picture of our precious baby girl. It is even harder to believe that she is 8 months old today!!
When my husband got the call he was leaving, it was a hurried anxiousness. He is a big procrastinator, so his bags were NOT even packed. We stayed up the first night packing. Sometimes, I just want to kick him in the backside for waiting. But, I was right there watching him pack. At 3 a.m. the next morning, another soldier came to the door to ride in with my husband. I was prepared!! Yeah, right!! But, I hugged and kissed him. I promised to take wonderful care of our growing family!! And I stood in the garage and watched him get into the car with the snow falling. As I shut the door, I realized what was happening. I went back to bed to try and sleep.
I knew that the buses would be pulling out the next morning at a certain time. I was determined to wave them off. So, I bundled up my then 14 month old and myself and drove to post. We waited in the car forever (of course, they were running behind)!! I finally asked some of the soldiers guarding the buses if I could stand next to them. They were wonderful to me and my son. We stood right on the corner where each bus would drive out.
Finally, the soldiers started to come out. I kept looking for my husband, but in all their gear, they seemed to look alike. Then, it happened, the buses started to move. And, the tears were right there with them. My baby boy and I stood there and waved at each and every bus. My husband was on the first bus and all the guys were beating on the windows to let me know he was in there. As I waved at the other buses, I watched his bus turn the corner out of sight. That is when the tears came in full stream.
After the last bus, I just stood there holding my son and crying. The guard soldiers just left me alone. They understood what was happening.
When I finally talked with my husband after that, he said that he couldn’t thank me enough for being there. So many of the soldiers had come to him and told him to let me know how much they appreciated my being there to see them off. I told him it was my honor to be able to wave off all the heroes in those buses.
By God’s beautiful grace, my husband will be returning shortly as well as those soldiers I saw leave for a world unknown. After watching the first flight of soldiers return, I am now beginning to get excited. I just have a little while longer until it is my turn to wave at him again, this time from the bleachers with my son and my daughter!!!!
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