This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/10-2hearing.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) Got a letter yesterday from our son, 2nd Plt, B-Co, 2-8 in Baquba, after almost a three week dry spell. Says they are working hard, "If it weren't for my watch I wouldn't even know what day it is..." No mention of possible R&R yet although I'm sure he is at the bottom of the priority list. We too have mixed feelings about him coming home and then having to say goodbye again. Says they have been getting most of the new movies on VCD.... Also, mentioned as well as others that the phones at Camp Scunion are still broken. He is a Buc's and Gators fan so have been taping the games and sending them to him. Our prayers to all our soldiers and families out there.
2) In the past 3 days we received a 15 page letter and a lengthy e-mail from our daughter (2nd Chem BN, 46th Chem Co., attached to HHD 64th FSB, 3rd BCT).....The forward operations base where she just moved to a couple of weeks ago doesn't have an internet cafe, and she doesn't know if it will happen while she's there. She says, "The cops here are so funny, they were making up names for us the other day, so now they all call me Nadia. The man-robe (dress) they wear is called a "dishdasha" but I always make fun of it and call it a dishwasher, which irks them no end (it's all in fun), it's so funny how they throw fits whenever I walk in and say "hey! nice dishwasher!". With this busy schedule here, time is just flying by, that's the good thing about it." ...... All in all, she seems in good spirits. We continue to pray daily for her safety and that of all the soldiers!
3) Had to share my joy! My Soldier asked me to marry him Monday!! This is the same girl that sent you the letter about him getting the Brigade Master Gunner. Well, having fun now trying to plan a Wedding around a "tentative date!!" HAHAHA! He is a lucky man since I am an Army Brat, I have the patience for this! Besides I feel like the happiest girl on the planet. Life is Ironic, we had our first, blind date set up by my best friend who's Hubby works with him. But, our first date started about 15 minutes before he got his deployment orders. ironic? But, after time spent decided that the bond we felt was worth persuing and that this deployment would not break what we shared. And quite the contrary. I feel as though I have known him forever. I know that in a way for us this deployment has helped two people find what true love really is. Doesn't God work in mysterious ways. Like I said earlier, just wanted to share my joy!
4) Hello, I heard from my husband today!! He is with A Co. 704th DSB, Fort Hood, TX. He sounded like himself, for the first time in 6 months. He is in Qatar for R&R. He says it is beautiful there and he wishes he could stay longer than 3 days. He was so excited to have gotten to sleep in this morning and was looking forward to a possible trip to a 4 story shopping mall on the local economy. It was absolutely wonderful to hear him sounding so good. I finally got what I have been praying for: I heard him laugh!
5) I received an email yesterday from my son, a medic with E/704th DSB. This is the first email in months. What a joy! He doesn't usually talk much about where he is or what he's doing - here's what he said: Hey there, it's me. I'm playing the transient again and just happened to come by the internet. I am still doing very well. A couple weeks ago I was able to help many many Iraqi kids. We went on a winning hearts and minds trip to a school. We finished cleaning out a room when the kids figured out I was a medic. Next thing I know I'm running an Aid Station out of an empty schoolroom and my aid bag. I came back with only about half of the supplies that I arrived with......
6) I had the best day yesterday! My husband called me 3 times in the morning and we talked for about 4 hours total. He is the Support Platoon Leader for 1-68 AR. It was his last day on R&R in Tikrit and the phones were down the other two days. Then when he got back to his actual base in Balad, he was able to call me again! I was a little sad, because he said he put himself really low on the priority list for the 15 day R&R. He's always thinking of his men first. Hooah, drive on.
7) My son called yesterday, satellite phone did well for 20 minutes then started breaking up. Had to call back 4 times. He's with the 846th Trans Co/180th Trans. The unit is at Camp Speicher near Tikrit but he, his co-driver and a few other unit members have been on loan to the 54th ENG BN/130th ENG Brigade around Baghdad for several weeks. Doing explosive ordinance demolition. He just turned 20 end of August and would much rather be busy than bored. Said he was tired but fine. Packing to move to Camp Anaconda on Wednesday. Said he'd be up all night getting ready to move out. Thanked me for the 2 boxes he finally received - especially the jars of his favorite peanut butter and jam (sealed in ziploc bags and tons of bubble wrap) and glad I included spoons. Found a street vendor to buy fresh bread from. Made 2 sandwiches and cried with joy. Missed the chocolate milk he washes them down with at home. ..... One of the Captains asked if he wanted to be on the list to come home. Until then, he knew nothing about the R&R stateside. He said "Yes" and wouldn't know until he got to Anaconda or later this month when he is scheduled to return. ...... He's counting the days until he returns. Asked me to order and send brown t-shirts, soup cups and sugar. Said there is a dearth of sugar. That made me smile as his favorite drink is Southern Ice Tea with lots of sugar and lemonade. Said he would try to call from Anaconda with update and said again how much he misses home, his bed and my cooking.
8) I got two emails from my husband today (he's in HHC 3rd BCT in Balad). He's doing good and is looking forward to coming home for his mid-tour leave. By his calculations, he'll be coming home sometime in November. It's another month away, but hey, it's better than Aprill!! I am so thankful and feel so blessed that we get this wonderful opportunity...... He also says all of the guys are doing good and things have really settled down, says they pretty much have a daily routine set as far as work goes. They're just all waiting to come home! I pray everyday for all of our soldiers, and their dafe return home. God bless our troops!
9) I received 3 letters from my husband today (Alpha Co. 1-22 ) he said everyone is ready to come home and that he has not had any time off since he got there. He knows he is far down on the list to come home and he hopes that he at least gets a couple of days R&R soon. He said the missions have slowed down and that they mainly just patrol now. He said they finally have electricity 24/7..... Overall he is in good health but is homesick and wishes he could use the phone more than once a couple of weeks. Let's pray our soldiers come home soon!
10) Bob - our two sons (E/1-10 CAV and 101st) will both be celebrating birthdays in Iraq this month. One of our daughters-in-law suggested that we send an e-mail to all our family, friends and co-workers and BOMBARD the guys with birthday cards. We did-----and they are starting to receive them! One of them e-mailed the other day and said he was probably the most popular guy in Iraq--he had received over 70 birthday cards from complete strangers! And, he plans on keeping them a long time to look at in later years. I'm so glad we made the effort to help brighten their days for them. The 4th graders in our local elementary school sent letters. It has helped us to know they are hearing from others who care.
11) Our daughter (HHC/1-4 AVN REGT) emailed us last week and asked if we would send her phone card numbers so she could call us. I emailed her Sunday evening and she called us Monday afternoon. .... She didn't sound as upbeat as she has been, but it was great to hear from her. She told me to check my email because she had sent pictures of her and three of her soldier friends. She looks good, but I can tell she has lost some weight. She says she is not sure if she will take the R&R leave or not if it is offered to her. It depends when it would be. We would love to see her, but we all know how hard it would be to see her leave again. Whatever she decides, we will understand.
12) Hi Bob, I have been speaking to my son on a regular basis now. He is with HHC 1/22 IN, 4th ID. I am just beside myself with joy to be able to talk with him so often. It makes me feel as if he is down the street! He is working in a medical facility now so he is able to make calls, has access to showers, A/C, and yes, a stove!!! He seems to be in good spirits each time we talk. I know the fact he can call makes such a difference on both of us. He spoke of the 2 weeks he "might" get to come home. He said he was not sure if he would take advantage of this opportunity as the "good-byes" will be much harder. I do understand, but just the same, I hope he will come home if he is able to. I am looking forward to not only seeing him, but spoiling him as well! He is in good spirits about having to wait until April to come home to. He has a job to do and plans on being there until the end.
Back to Active Unit Main News Page