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| 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
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) I just wanted to take the time to remind everyone that it is so important that we all continue to send letters, cards and care packages on a regular basis to our soldiers. It has been over six months since my soldier left and he and I have discussed on a few occasions that sometimes neither of us want to write because it feels like we have written the same letter a hundred times. From him: "We are as safe as we can be most of the time." "There was another ambush." "Please send Copenhagen." From me: "We are fine." "The kids are doing pretty well in school." "The parakeet got out and I had to catch him." Yes, it does seem so repetetive and hum drum, but their lives are based on repetition and routine and many times the only physical connection they have to us is what we send to them. Keep on keeping in touch with them. I keep some cheapie greeting cards on hand for those times that I don't feel like writing a real letter. If it has been a few days from the last time I wrote, I just pop a card in the mail with a quick note. It sends him my love and reminds us both what is important. You can also pool trips to the post office with other spouses making the trip. Just give them your customs form with the package and a few dollars to cover the shipping costs and the next time you need to go, ask them if you can take theirs for them. It really does help to not have to stand in line every week. Have a great day and LOVE YOUR SOLDIER! (Editor's Note: GREAT words of advice as we enter the mid tour doldrums - we can't let down...)
2) Yesterday the waiting ended...my son which is in C.Co, 1-22, 4th ID called. The last time we spoke was on July 1st, so I was very excited. He is in ****** with his platoon. He said it was like an entirely different place than Tikrit. For the last 6 months they have been doing raids and patrols around the clock. Now they are working 4 hrs a day and getting some much needed rest. He was finally able to use a phone. The food was better too. They are staying in old barracks that even have AC, They can visit the PX there if they need something. He's NOT one of the ones coming home for the 15 day leave. I just knew that was why he was calling me. But he seemed ok with it so I will be too. He said he would rather have the leave for when he doesn't have to go back to Iraq.Overall he sounded very upbeat. But he was saddened by the news of the soldier being killed yesterday in C. Co. Oh, he also said he was on GOOD MORNING AMERICA last week. He and another soldier were doing a raid in the clip. He was the one kicking the door down. I wish I had known so I could have seen him. I'm always looking for him every time they show any pictures from Iraq. He says it won't be long before they will be home, April 2004. He says, "Mama we are more than half way finished now. It will be ok". I'm so thankful for the phone call. It made my day. God bless our troops. Thanks for all your continued support .
3) Todays report about the Red Sox was fantastic! My husband (1/68AR, HHC Medics) is a Yankees Fan, I am a Red Sox Fan. I have been mailing him the sports section and he has told me that "Yes Hell has frozen over if the Red Sox made it to the playoffs"! He said he wishes he could be here so we could watch the games together. He is betting on this being a Red Sox - Cubs World Series! Just wanted to share this with you!
4) We got a call yesterday from our son (4-42FA) He is in Qatar for a few days R & R. He sounded good said he had sunburn on his face and back from all the swimming he has been doing. He was there with some of his friends and they are having a nice relaxing time. I am happy for him that he was able to get this as he won't be getting R & R to come home. But I said well at least we are over half way there to seeing you in April..... Of course I asked if he needed anything right now and he said nothing that he could think of that he needed. But of course that doesn't stop Mom from sending them out weekly. We plan on sending him PS2 games for his birthday (Dec) and Christmas they should be a big hit with all the guys. We pray daily for all of our fine young men and women and for their safety.
5) I talked to my husband yesterday he is with Bravo 1-44 ADA. He said that things were going fine. They did have a mortar attack a couple of nights ago that blew out some windows and some of the vehicles were hit by shrapnel. We are just glad no one was hurt. He also said that they had a tailgate party on Saturday and watched OU walk all over Texas. Which he was very happy about since he is a big OU fan. He was happy and the guys are great so it is a good week. Tomorrow we have CSM Blankenbecler's funeral, our first and hopefully our last casualty. God Bless our soldiers.
6) Our grandson, with HHB 3-29 Samarra, called Sunday nite saying he was fine but had a cold. Days are still 100+ and nites are down in the 60's and 70's - that is cold for them plus it was raining.He needed more AA batteries so they are in the mail to him. Said that he missed us. He'll probably get his 15 days in Dec. Today we got a long e-mail (only have 30 minutes time limit ) and it included three pictures of him. Digital cameras are great. Also sending 4 videos he has taken over there.His group had found some old German rifles from around 1898 and they had done a raid with Special Forces on an arms dealer. The humvee had run over a land mine but no one hurt - just shook up - glad humvees are "mine resistant" as well as "bullet resistant". Loves his little Motorola radios he ordered. Lots of the troops have them. We keep soldiers and families in our prayers.
7) My son called at 3:30 this morning (something good after that lousy Cub game). He was very upbeat. They have moved again and are living in trailers of some sort that have electricity but no phones yet. He finally got the computer I had shipped to him and is enjoying that. Now I have to go get DVDs and games! Good Christmas presents, I guess! He wanted to know about the Cubs. I had to give him the bad news about last night, but hoping to write him the good news after tonight's game. I hadn't talked to him in almost 3 weeks so it was especially great to hear his voice and know that he is doing well. He has no idea about leave, didn't seem to concerned about it this time. Hope everyone is having a good week and have heard from your loved ones as well. (No unit given).
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