This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/10-10hearing.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
What our families are hearing:
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
Click to Send us your news
What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) I got a box the other day from my Hubby (4th MP Co). It had 4 rolls of film in it. Needless to say I ran to one hour photo! They were great. He was able to go to my website where I listed the photos & label them for me because I was lost as to what I was looking at. He also got to call today at a decent time so he could speak to our son. He sounded great & said he loved the letters, please keep them coming. He also told me his gunner (who had gotten no boxes before us) loved the boxes that me & our family sent. He was touched & we were glad to help.
2) We received an eleven page letter from our son, 1-67 Armor, A-Co. The letter was so wonderful. His letter consisted of two-days in the life of our soldier (Sergeant). He went in to detail on raids and how his unit was involved in a firefight (I can't believe I'm writing that in association with my son!) and what he/they do on their down time. And what we never hear from the media - all the good our soldiers do helping the children and surrounding community. Rebuilding a school, cleaning a field for kids to play or just being there to prevent fighting. It was so amazing, I made copies and sent it to family, his friends and shared it with co-workers. He is doing well, happy, healthy and waiting for the next care package. Proud is an understated word for how I feel about my son and his guys. I pray for their safety. May God continue to bless them all.
3) We have gotten official word that our son will be coming to the states for a two week break, he is with the 2-20 FA. He left on Feb. 5th being one of the sea going soldiers for two months so it has been over 8 months. I plan to have all of his favorite foods ready for him. It will be hard to wait till next week, more anticipation than Christmas!
4) My brother called me this morning at 6:30. He's with HHB 3/29FA in Samarra Airfield. He said it was about 115 degrees there today.(1:30pm his time) He said the mail is kind of slow again, but he's still happy to get his mail. He's pretty happy about his bank balance, too! He said it's amazing how much his money adds up when there's nothing to spend it on! He asked me again to send him a fiber optic Christmas tree to put on his table he built beside his cot. So, I'll be going Christmas tree shopping this weekend.
5) Dear Proud Grandparents, I am so happy for you and and your new grandson, Kristopher Seth. It made me cry. We, the Army families/wives, have children and sometimes they don't know their father for a long time because of situations like Iraq. I had my children during Viet Nam and now my son is in Iraq. When he was born I cried because I thought I didn't want him ever to be in the military and see where he is now. Those were my thought then but now I am very proud of him. I am still terrified and worry about him but I just pray to God that he and all our soldiers be kept safe so they will be able to come home and hug their children and wives. An Old Army Wife and Mother
6) I just spoke with my husband who is in B Co 2-8 INF 4th ID and he informed me that he was in Kwait and would be home this Saturday!! I have never been more excited in my life, but the best part is that he will get to meet our first child, a 6 week old baby boy, for the first time!! This past 7 months have been very hard not having him around, and even though he only gets to come home for 15 days I am going to charish that time soooo much. I love my husband and fellow soldiers very much and there are no words that will ever express how greatfull and proud I am to all of them for everything they are doing. I just hope that all the other families get a chance to see their soldiers for mid-tour leave even if it is only for 15 days!
7) Thought I'd pass on the note of wanted foods for our troops - my grandson (1/8 HHB 3-29,Fort Carson) is in Samarra and one of the favorites has been beef jerky and pepperoni sticks plus the number one is Pop Tarts which he says he heats up on top of the humvee. Cereal bars are also handy. Ask your soldier about the beautiful sky over there and the falling stars? Our e-mails tell of wonderful sights. Thanks for all the other great ideas. We sent 230 Trick or Treat bags over to be distributed by our grandson - now working on Christmas!!!!
8) I just wanted to send a few ideas that we send my son... One of the things he likes most is the disposable toilet seat covers and small travel rolls of toilet tissue (found in the camping section at Walmart). Some other items are: seasoning salt for the MREs, peanut butter in tubes, jerky, nuts, cereal bars, and cheese in the can. I've gotten several travel games for them to play while they are waiting for their missions.
9) I had a surprise e-mail from our son today. He rarely has e-mail access. He is with C/1-44 ADA in Tikrit. Today was his 25th birthday. We got a lot of good advice from your newsletter about gifts. In the end his Mom sent him the ingredients for a peanut butter pie, which is his favorite. He reported that he was able to assemble it and enjoy it with his buddies. He celebrated by going out to eat in Tikrit. He had what they call a "dirty bird" or rotisserie chicken at an Iraqi cafe. Afterwards they bought and smoked Cuban cigars. All things considered he enjoyed his birthday. On a sad note he also reported that the entire ADA unit is grieving over the loss of CSM Blankenbecler last week. It has been very hard on the Battalion.
10) I've sent my husband "just add water" pancake mix (yesterday) & Cherry Limeade that I make myself. Smuckers makes the limeade & I send 4 unsweetened cherry koolaid packets to mix with it-that & Tabasco are his biggest requests. He loves atomic fireballs, so I got a big tub of them at Sam's & use those as packing material instead of foam or paper. (No unit given).
11) Just an exciting day at work! My friend got a call at work after lunch today and it was her son (C co 1-67, Baquba), he was sitting at a debarkation point in Iraq wanting to know if mom could pick him up in Austin on Sat for his two-weeks leave. We all screamed and cried at the same time. My son-in-law is 2-8 but attached to his unit and we're praying that in Dec when his daughter is born we'll be receiving the same type of call. Thanking God for making these visits possible and continuing to protect our troops in Iraq.
12) I just wanted everyone to know that I had received a call from my son, 1-8 IN, tonight at 6:00 p.m. We talked for 45 minutes. He was back with his unit after R&R which he had near the end of September. The phone connection was its typical self. However, he sounded more up-beat that he has ever been since he got to Iraq. He was even kidding around with me and actually laughed several times. I can only say that the 4-day R&R that he had did him a lot of good. He reminded me that it was 21 days until his Birthday (Oct. 31) and asked if I sent anything. I teased him a little bit and acted like I didn't send anything. I finally told him to expect three boxes. I did want to let people know that I gathered up all his friends for a B-day party without the B-day boy at our house. I then had each person sit in front of the Video camera and recorded their own personal messages to my son. I also let the camera roll as they were talking about him and reminising. I then converted this Video into a DVD which I sent off. I also took some digital camera stills of everyone and made this into a giant Birthday card, each page having it's own picture with a funny caption under it. I know a lot of people do not have the cabilities to create a DVD and I believe you can take this to a camera store such as Wolf Camera to have one made from your Video tape. I'm just lucky that one of my other children know how to do this type of stuff. I wish I could be there when he gets the DVD and see his reaction.
13) Today, I got the surprise of my life.....my soldier with B Co 299th Eng Bn walked in for his mid-tour leave. Always has loved to surprise his mother and I sure can't chastise him this time! He looks wonderful although he has lost some weight. Very confident and self-assured and unfaltering in his support for his mission. He is particularly glad to be home for the big game this week - that would be Texas-OU. Sorry, Bob, but he's a Longhorn fan. Hope you don't pull my name from your e-mail list! God bless our troops and I pray that each one of you gets to hug your soldier really soon. (Editor's Note: I'm sure he will have a great leave except for the disappointment of seeing my Sooners beat his Longhorns again...)
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