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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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Wyoming National Guard unit returning home from Iraq
Associated Press
CASPER - A Wyoming National Guard unit, which had one soldier killed in Iraq, is returning to the United States this week and is expected to be back at its Casper home base by next Monday. The 21-member 4th Infantry Division's Rear Operations Center unit has been deployed since Jan. 27, 2003. One of the unit's members, Capt. Robert Lucero, 35, of Casper, was killed in an explosion in Tikrit, Iraq, on Sept. 25.
Guard spokeswoman Deidre Forster said some members of the unit may not return to Wyoming on Monday for medical reasons. Forster said she did not have any details to elaborate.
Gov. Dave Freudenthal and Adjutant General Ed Wright are scheduled to be on hand to greet those who do return. "These are the good days - he was there to say goodbye, and he'll be there to welcome them home," said Freudenthal's press secretary, Lara Azar.
Copyright © 2004 Associated Press.
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Post Deployment Experience
Although my son, with B-Co 1-8IN 3BCT 4ID, arrived safely at Ft Carson about a week and a half ago, I continued to wear a yellow-ribbon w/ American flag lapel pin. I had been wearing it every day since he deployed to Iraq in April, 2003. I wore the lapel pin to the office on workdays as well as on weekends and holidays. When he arrived safely at Ft Carson, we were as thankful as any parents, but I couldn't stop wearing that pin. It just didn't seem right to put it away with all the other soldiers still over there. There was a reason . . .
This past Sunday, we were eating out in a recently opened local restaurant here in northern Virginia and our waitress saw the lapel pin and asked where she could get one. She explained that both her brother and boyfriend were now in Kuwait, destined for duty in Iraq w/ their Army National Guard unit. I immediately removed the lapel pin from my shirt, explained its history, and gave it to her to wear. I told her to wear it every day, and just maybe she would have the same good fortune as us in having her loved ones return safely. Her eyes lit up like you wouldn't believe as she nervously accepted the lapel pin.
Later on during the meal, she came by and explained that her mom was at a table in another part of her section, and when she told her mom what had just transpired, her mom was brought to tears. This whole episode brought to mind the movie "Pay It Forward" (w/ Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt) . . . I hope that simple little pin has a bit of magic that will allow it to "pay it forward" for a long time!
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This is a repeat of an article that was included in the 1-22-04 update:
The Value of a Rally Point
Most of you probably know what a 'rally point' is - your soldier learned about them in Basic Training. I started teaching my kids about them when they were toddlers and am teaching my grandkids about them now - we've never been on a family outing without progressive rally points being established along the way. For those of you who don't know what a 'rally point' is - it's a designated place to meet if your group gets split up. Soldiers who are ambushed or in a firefight know to move back to their latest designated rally point to regroup and continue the mission.
As our deployment comes to an end and our soldiers start leaving for new assignments, leave the Army, and scatter to the four winds for various other reasons, we need to designate a rally point so we can get back together again for a reunion. That reunion may not come for several years, but I can virtually guarantee that at some point in the future you will want to hook up with those soldiers and wives on the home front that you shared this memorable year with. Without a designated rally point, that becomes a very difficult task.
For 86 years, 4ID veterans (and all TF Ironhorse soldiers and wives are now 4ID veterans) have used the National 4th Infantry Division Association (4IDA) as their rally point. Our Association was formed by our soldiers at the end of World War I and has been a strong force ever since. Family members are also eligible to become Associate Members.
So, this is the first (now second) of many notices you will see from me over the next 69 days to encourage you to join the 4IDA. At a cost of $15 per year, it is very cheap insurance to be able to stay in touch with your friends. And my experience with WWII and Vietnam vets indicates that, in many cases, it is the wife who first got her husband enrolled in the Association and insured that he paid his dues each year. (Paid for Life Memberships are also available).
So how do you join the 4IDA? Very simple, go to www.4thinfantry.org and click on the "Membership Application" button on the left hand side of the home page.
You may want to use the soldier's permanent home address rather than a temporary address that will likely change over the next few months.
Parents - maybe you want to sign your soldier up - knowing that although this isn't on the forefront of his/her mind now, it will be in the future. And using your permanent home address is always a good idea for the future so we can find him or her.
Soldiers and wives - DO IT NOW! Join the National 4th Infantry Division Association!
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
31 March 1945 - D+299
HQ 7th Army informed the HQ that the Company Commanders of D and M Companies, 8th Infantry, with one complete platoon from each of those companies, would report to Colonel Ladd, 12th Army Group at Fort Ehrenbreitstein, Coblenz, Germany, at 051200 April 1945, for the purpose of raising the flag which was lowered by these companies in 1923, signifying the departure of the last American occupational troops after the last war.
The enemy utilized hastily prepared road blocks, mines and demolished bridges in an attempt to slow the advance of our forces. Light resistance in the form of small arms and automatic weapons fire was encountered as friendly troops entered several towns.
The 4th Infantry Division continued its attack to the east with the 8th CT on the left and the 22nd on the right. Both Combat Teams advanced rapidly. The 12th remained in reserve and was alerted for movement by motor to a forward assembly area in the vicinity of Hardheim early 1 April.
Notes about logistics, month of March 1945:
Officers Enlisted
KIA 9 174
MIA 0 8
SWA 3 69 (Seriously Wounded in Action)
LWA 29 480 (Lightly Wounded in Action)
Total 41 731
Prisoners: 3,540
To put things into perspective, following are the casualties for 4ID (approximate force of 16,000 troops) from June 6, 1944 to March 31, 1945:
Officers Enlisted Total
KIA 262 3,536 3,798
WIA (SWA/LWA) -- -- 19,140
With the war continuing, the 4ID suffered another 15 officers and 175 enlisted men killed in April 1945 and 667 were wounded, to bring the totals through April 30 to 3,988 killed and almost 20,000 wounded. These numbers do not include those who died or were injured from non-hostile causes. And there were still eight more days of the war in Europe after April 30, 1945 ....
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) We received a phone call on 3/12 giving us a "heads up" that our son would be arriving at Fort Carson either on the 15th or 16th of March. He is a 1LT with 1-68 Armor, Charlie Company. It was recommended that we get in the car and start driving since we were leaving from Chicago. We had faith that this information was correct, so we started driving Sunday morning, 3/13. Later that afternoon, we did receive a phone call from Rear Detachment telling us that our son would be arriving on the 16th, and we would receive a phone call prior to the welcome home ceremony. By the time we received this call, we were half way into Nebraska, so thank God, we did leave that morning! We made it to Colorado Springs by the afternoon of 3/15, opened up his apartment and waited for THE phone call telling us when the ceremony would take place. We had heard that 1-68 Bravo Company had been delayed and stuck in Germany, so not knowing where our son was flying from, I called Rear Detachment to confirm that our son was absolutely on a flight home. They told me yes, but his flight was delayed only for a couple of hours. We then received the phone call telling us to be on base in 1 hour for the ceremony! We hustled over to the Center where the soldiers were expected and waited with the rest of the families. At 2:30 p.m. that day, the soldiers marched in and we celebrated! The "dismissed" order couldn't come soon enough! Once it did, we hugged and cried, loaded his gear into his vehicle and drove to McDonalds! This was his welcome home dinner! Yep, that's what HE wanted. We visited with him for a few hours each day over the next couple of days and then headed home for Chicago. How quickly a week can go by! Now onto our next job, get him home for leave!!!
2) Speaking of nerves on edge...an observation from Friday night...people with those latex balloon bouquets had some 'get away' from them in the gym...they POPPED. I observed my husband's reaction and asked some other soldiers there about how they reacted...(they were all newly returned from deployment)...all commented they reached for their weapons and quickly scanned the area searching for the 'enemy'. I know people weren't thinking of that when they purchased the balloons...suggestion would be to stick with MYLAR balloons!
3) It might be a rainy, dreary day outside, but for lots of us there is a huge rainbow in the sky! Our son and a whole plane full of his comrades touched down in Ft. Hood, Texas early this morning. It all started with a call to from his Captain yesterday informing us that he was in the air and heading home. WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE THAT WAS. Then about 12:30 a.m. this morning I was awakened by the sound of his voice calling me from Maine. He sounded like he was next door. The smile in his voice was so evident that I still get goosebumps thinking about it! At about 8:30 this morning, he called and said that he was safe and sound at a friend's home in Texas. My vision is of a smiling son eating everything in sight all day today! This is a doubly good day because it is also little brother's 22nd birthday. - yeah!!!
We couldn't be in Texas to welcome him back to the good ole USA in person, but we are assured of the multitude of folks that show up to honor these brave soldiers who are returning home from defending their country so darn good. I know you have prayed long and hard for him, please don't stop those prayers now. Until the very last soldier returns home to the USA, we have to keep the prayers going.
4) Hi Bob. What a great day ! My son in law, B Co, 2/8 came home today. My daughter called us from Texas at 11pm Maine time and said that he was in Ireland..They would be there for about an hour or so and then on to Bangor. I set the alarm clock for 2am ( we didn't sleep much after her call though), got up and started baking some chocolate chip cookies. We left our house at 3am and drove the 2 1/2 hrs to Bangor. What a long, not very relaxing trip it was because driving at night you really have to watch for the moose and deer who might wander onto the road. We got to the airport around 5:30 and were told by the greeting comittee that there had been some kind of problem with the plane and it had to land somewhere else first..Time of arrival was unknown..So we had a coffee and found out that the plane hadn't gone somewhere else but would be landing in approx 10 minutes...It was really great to be able to stand there and shake the hands of the soldiers and say, "welcome home"! After shaking hands with about 20 soldiers, I reached to shake another one when I noticed the name on the shirt and screamed out his name..He seemed just as surprised as I was but it was absolutely great..He looked really good and extremely happy, as did the rest of the troops..We called my daughter just to let her know he had made it in and of course to brag a little bit that I got to see him and hug him before she did. We got to take some pictures and then wish them well on the final leg of the trip..A soldier who I don't remember the name of came up to me and gave me one of those priceless gold coins as a thank you for welcoming them back. He was part of the 204th Forward Support Batallion. It is something I will treasure always. (My daughter is envious of "my" gold coin. Whoever he is I want to thank him for making a special day better than it already was. My daughter and son in law and their 7 month old son are now getting reunited and having a great time. It is nice to know they are finally a family! Thank God they are back. I will continue to pray for the ones still over there..God Bless the USA !
5) MY SOLDIER IS HOME! No words can express what I felt when I saw my son run into the gym at Ft Hood, along with 286 other soldiers! The gym was rocking and I do mean that literally. We spotted him immediately (almost fell off the bleachers from jumping up and down screaming and crying). He was initially supposed to return home the week of the 19-25 March, then we got word he was delayed and would not be home until the 28th of March-- then my daughter in law got word that he would be home on the 24th, no the 23rd at 2:30 a.m. I was packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice. And that we did. We arrived Sunday, to help my daughter in law prepare for his welcome home, stayed up a total of 22 hours straight (everything had to be perfect). The hour finally came, and we were overwhelmed with happiness! We got to spend the whole 96 hrs with him. Thank you for all your updates, greatly appreciate you -- you kept me sane. God Bless you and all the other soldiers! One of many proud mothers of a U.S. Soldier!!!
6) In response to the couple that traveled to Bangor, Maine in hopes of seeing thier son. I passed through Bangor upon return from Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. The Vets were there to meet us too. Probably some of the same proud vets. This is still one of my most vivid memories from that time. I would like to express my appreciation to these great folks that take the time to greet the troops when they hit American soil. It meant alot to me in 1993, and I'm sure the same holds true today. Whether you saw your son, or not: you touched the lives of many others. Thank you!
7) We needed to let family, friends and those of you that have kept the prayer chain going that we received a call from our son this morning (March 30) and he was home, he had just walked through the front door. They flew out of Kuwait City, then to Germany, then to Baltimore in the good ol’ USA, and on into Fort Hood, TEXAS. His group landed about 4:30 AM. After they checked their gear in and got through some debriefing, they were dismissed for the time being. He sounded very tired but he sounded very good. They are taking each day as it comes for now and we will be thankful for that. As we write this note to all of you, he will most likely be on his way to our grandson's T-Ball practice, a first for them both. He will have many more “firsts” to catch up with. Continue to pray for those still in harm's way, that God will continue to shield each and every one of them. Pray for those on the home front, too for the strength to endure each passing day.
8) I am just getting around to writing you. My husband whom I have not seen in 351 days is now home. I got the call on Sunday night (3-21) that he would be home. Needless to say, I was very excited about it. As it turns out, he was due to arrive at Ft Hood at 11:00 am Monday. At 03:30 am, I got another call saying that he would be here at 06:30. All you wives and soldiers know what a wonderful feeling it was that your loved one would be here within a few short hours. I mean what is a few hours when we have waited almost a year? The kids and I get to the gym to meet him. We got there at 04:30 to insure a good seat. The moment came and the soldiers started coming into the gym. I was so excited that I was crying, then that turned to panic. I could not find him. I was so scared that he was not on the flight. I was looking around but could not find him, then all of a sudden I looked about 10 feet directly in front of me and there he was. His face was all red, he had already seen the kids and I and was trying his best not to cry. Can I tell you that was the longest minute and a half that I have ever been through. Then they were released and I just ran, almost slipped and fell and then the next moment I was in his arms once again. It was the most wonderful moment in my life to once again be in his arms. My husband was one of the ones who did not get mid-tour so we had not seen him since April 11, 2003. He is currently on leave and is outside playing with the kids in the yard barefoot. He says that he missed the grass. Every chance he gets he goes and sits outside on the swing and rubs his feet in the grass. He loves it. The adjustment has been easier than I expected. They say to expect the worst and hope for the best, well that is what I did and the hoping has turned out better. The only advice I can give to other wives when their soldier comes home is to just let him do what he wants, when he wants to. Dont push him into anything. We all have been through a lot in the past year, but the soldiers more than us and it is them that we should focus on right now. Let them adjust back to a normal life. My husband's only problem that he has had since he came home is the fact that our bed is too soft. HAHAHA. He has been living on a cot for 351 days so I guess if that is all that he has complained about, then that is a good thing. May God keep all the soldiers that are still there and their familes safe until they can all be home.
9) My husband, 124th Sig Bn, came into Starker Gym in Ft. Hood, TX. On my way to the gym, as I drove past fence after fence of beautiful cup art, I cried pitifully over the overflow of love I knew had gone into it! I pulled up flustered and late to see a bus load of soldiers running to the door of the gym. I couldn't find my husband anywhere after the ceremorny - and was relieved to see my FRG leader who told me their flight was not yet to the gym. We were told pretty quickly that they were on their way. Over an hour later, this second group of wide eyed heroes came running in to the gym - and I thought they looked so energized for a bunch of sleep deprived soldiers. Imagine my relief when my husband walked over and stood at attention - DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. There was soldier between us, but I could see every line of his body, and the way his face looks when he is proudly doing his duty. I know there were times when he didn't feel so prideful for the loss of a good friend of his, CW2 Coulter, or the times he couldn't get through to home, or the times he felt like they were there for nothing. Though he rarely shared any of that with me, a wife just knows how her husband feels. He and I maintained eye contact throughout the short ceremony as I tried desperately to restrain our 6, 3, and 1 year old from running to him. I am not sure who got to whom first, but suddenly I was standing over him as he hugged and kissed our precious angels while I waited - seems like I had done enough of that, but I think I have learned patience over this year if nothing else! Then finally I was holding him. I think I cried so much before he got there I had it all out when it was time to cry for the end. I just wanted to get out of there. We had our emotional moments later though! I just want you all to know that it is over for us - but remember those who it is just beginning for, and never forget those whose soldiers never came home. Thank God for freedom.
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Memories of a Year Ago - Waiting for Deployment to Turkey through the Early Days in Iraq
1) The day we attacked Iraq is a vivd memory. My husband and I were getting ready for work that morning and we turned on the news to hear what was going on. And as my husband stood in front of the TV he turned to me and said, "The war hasn't started." I sat there dumbfounded because bombs were going off in Iraq and this soldier in front of me was stating it hadn't started. Not immediately thinking of what this meant to him, I responded, " It looks like it has". I sat there some more and watched my husband shake his head at the TV and then I realized what he meant in that simple statement. He didn't know what to expect over there except that the army was trying to get them into Turkey to be a part of this war. And now it had started without him. I was amazed at what this meant to my husband. The next day we both got home from work and once again turned on the TV. Again, he stared at the TV and said the same thing again, "The war hasn't started." I didn't say anything that time. I sat there and smiled at the man that stood in front of me. He is a gentle, loving and patient husband and I realized that day, 100% soldier. Despite the fact he was destined to go to Iraq (he ended up going the following week), a place that filled me with fear and my husband with uncertainity, I couldn't have been prouder of my husband, my soldier.
2) Bob, it does not seem like a year has gone by since I was told by my son he would be deploying to Iraq. It was one of the most difficult times in the life of his wife, children, and myself. We were literally frozen in fear and anticipation of when he would leave and if he would leave. It was a time of introspect for all of us. Each day that went by and we did not know if his time had come or if it would come, we would both be grateful and at the same time sad for the soldiers already in Iraq and embroiled in battle. My son wanted to do his part, what he had trained for, and to help his buddies out. That day arrived on April 9, 2003. We watched him pack and repack his things in his garage the day before he left. We shared, loved, and laughed. I remember telling my daughter-in-law, "I promise you, he will come back" and her response, "from your lips to God's heart." We heard from him when he arrived in Kuwait and then communication dried up. This interim of time was agonizing, just waiting. I remember when he called me to let me know they had arrived at their destination, but he could not tell me where that was. He sounded so tired and far away and my heart wept for him, because there was not a thing I could do, but trust in the good Lord. Communication remained sparse for a long time and then it got better. At least we could hear his voice and read his letters and know he was okay. We all bonded together with the many other families with loved ones so far away and in harms way. Had it not been for that, I doubt that we could have kept our spirits up. Writing to and supporting many others in Iraq was the best balm for this Army Mother. God bless all the many families and soldiers who supported each other during this most difficult time. Even though my son is home with us, his heart and our heart is still there in Iraq with so many still serving in such a dangerous place. You have been so instrumental in keeping all of us informed and in a positive frame of mind.
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