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>From a Central Command news release dated 11-21-03:
4 ID SOLDIER KILLED IN IED ATTACK
TIKRIT, Iraq – One 4th Infantry Division soldier was killed during a combat patrol when the soldier’s vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Al Ghalibiyah, 15 km west of Baqubah, at approximately 10 p.m. Nov. 20.
The soldier’s name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
The incident is under investigation.
(The next of kin HAS been notified - was notified late yesterday evening. No official DoD announcement yet so I will not release the name until they do).
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>From Voice of America:
Rockets Hit Iraq's Oil Ministry, Hotels
VOA News
21 Nov 2003, 16:55 UTC
Rockets fired from donkey carts hit the Iraqi Oil Ministry and two large hotels in central Baghdad Friday, causing extensive damage but few casualties. Coalition forces in the Iraqi capital reported finding two other donkey carts carrying weapons ready to fire. One of them was near the Italian embassy.
Eight rockets hit the oil ministry building this Friday morning, penetrating the walls and causing fires. But the building was largely empty on the Muslim day of prayer and no injuries were reported.
A short time later, six rockets hit the Sheraton and Palestine Hotels, which house journalists and officials working with the U.S.-led coalition. Several people were wounded in that attack, and one was reported in serious condition.
Separately, the U.S. military reported that another American soldier from the 4th Infantry Division had been killed in an explosion north of Baghdad on Thursday. Details of the incident were not immediately released. (This is the soldier reported killed in the CentCom release above).
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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Posted on Fri, Nov. 21, 2003
U.S. soldiers increasingly use Iraqis to secure and patrol Saddam Hussein's volatile hometown
JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press
TIKRIT, Iraq - Wadi Adnan, brandishing a Kalashnikov assault rifle, walked with two American soldiers toward a man they spotted carrying a rifle in Saddam Hussein's dust-swept and violence-prone hometown of Tikrit on Friday.
With Adnan acting as an interpreter, the man was questioned on the spot and his rifle inspected. It turned out to be a pellet gun, and the man turned out to be hunting for pigeons, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Soden, who trains Iraqis like Adnan to become Iraq's future national guard.
"All we did was ask the man some questions and let him go," said Soden, of Tucson, Arizona. "We told him to be careful next time, because if we had seen him firing the gun, we would have gotten him shot."
Adnan, a 34-year-old father of two, is among more than 100 Iraqis, some of them former members of Saddam's army, who have been given a crash 21-day course.
The U.S. 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Bliss, Texas (you'd think by now the Associated Press would know the 4ID comes from Fort Hood and Fort Carson), is increasingly using Iraqis to secure and patrol Tikrit in the heartland of the Sunni triangle, the region north and west of Baghdad where anti-American feelings run high and where attacks against the U.S.-led occupation force are frequent.
The joint foot patrol was largely uneventful.
"We checked some cars, but no terrible things. It's a good day," Adnan said in halting English.
The Iraqis have been trained in conducting raids, street patrols, car checks and other security tasks. Some, who speak English, act partly as translators, helping Tikritis and Americans communicate.
Another 107 Iraqis are undergoing training at a U.S. base here, and the Americans hope to set up a local, 600-member force called the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, Soden said.
Training Iraq's civil defense guardsmen is a crucial and difficult part of America's plan to gradually hand over power and responsibility to the Iraqis.
Tikrit, 120 miles north of Baghdad, is a difficult area because of the presence of many pro-Saddam groups. In recent nights, huge explosions have rattled the city of about 120,000 people and outlying areas as the U.S. military pounded suspected insurgent lairs with rockets, mortars, heavy machine guns and satellite-guided missiles.
"They still need our presence, although it's their city," Soden said. "We teach them what to look for, where they should go. They still need our command and control."
Ali Joseph, a 26-year-old Iraqi with the rank of lieutenant in the ICDC, said the Americans have to stay at least one more year, considering the threats that still haunt his city.
"We're very little and Tikrit is big," he said. "We need their power."
As he prepared to join a convoy of Humvees that would assist in a raid, Joseph covered his helmet with a net of camouflage cloth strips and prepared his dark sunglasses and a green neck scarf, which he said he would use to conceal his face from the public.
Many still threaten people like him who are regarded as working for the Americans, he said.
"Maybe after one, two, three, four months, they will understand," he said.
Soden said he asks some of the Iraqis to take off their coverings and show their faces.
"They should follow our lead and let the people see them," Soden said. "They're targets regardless, just like us."
© 2003 AP Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
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Cove man identified as civilian killed in Iraq
By Debbie Stevenson
Killeen Daily Herald
A local company Wednesday confirmed the death of a Copperas Cove man this week in Iraq.
Brent McJennett, a 40-year-old Desert Storm veteran, was working for Proactive Communications Inc. of Killeen when he was killed late Monday after his vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device in Tikrit.
McJennett was a network support specialist who had volunteered to install, commission and support satellite ground stations to provide Internet and telephone service for the soldiers of Task Force Ironhorse, company officials said Wednesday. McJannett had just finished a job and was traveling in an Army vehicle between Tikrit and Baqouba when the attack occurred.
"We are saddened by the death of Brent," said Marc Legare, the company's business manager. "He was a terrific worker, very enthusiastic and brought a terrific breadth of skills to the company."
Born Dec. 12, 1962, in Mount Cleens, Mich., McJennett graduated from East Detroit High School in 1981. He then enlisted in the Army, where he worked with numerous communications devices and Mobile Subscriber equipment.
During his 16 years in the Army, he was sent to Korea, Germany and also to Kuwait during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. His last assignment was at Fort Hood in 1998.
McJennett left the Army to enroll in college..........
McJennett also became a regular participant in the Killeen Daily Herald's online chat room for military issues. During those communications, McJennett debated hot topics, and announced his departure for Iraq.
His final message on Nov. 9 from Iraq told "the regulars" he had made it.
"It's Dodge City here," he wrote. "Hello to all the regulars that remember me."
According to the company news release, McJennett loved motorcycles, especially his V Star 1100, and he was an active member of the Texas Chisholm Trail, a component of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club. He remained connected to his military friends through Web sites such as the Korean War Project and the 143rd Signal Battalion......
Although he was only in Iraq for a few days, Legare said McJennett was enthusiastic about his Iraq mission.
"He was exceptionally motivated in his support for the soldiers of Task Force Ironhorse," Legare said. "In our last communication with him, he said he was very thankful to serve soldiers again."
McJennett's military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (fourth award), the Good Conduct Medal (third award), the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
Legare said the company is committed to continued support for McJennett's family.
McJennett is survived by his wife and his 4-year-old son; his 17-year-old daughter Samantha; his brother, Antonio McJennett Jr., and sister, Renee Kemplay; and his parents, Donna and Antonio McJennett Sr., who reside in Chesterfield Township, Mich.
According to messages on the Herald's Web site, plans are being made for a funeral for McJennett either Friday or Saturday in Michigan.
Contact Debbie Stevenson at deborah@kdhnews.com
(Our prayers go out to the family of Brent McJennett. Brent died with CW3 Alexander Coulter of 124th Signal Battalion, 4ID on 17 November. Brent and the chief were moving from site to site working on the ground stations, which provide the low rate telephone service the soldeirs are using).
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) We haven't heard from our grandson (1/8 HHB 3-29 - Samarra) in over a month ,so reading all the wonderful stories make me cry but keep me so connected to what is going on over in Iraq. .....Just wanted to tell about a project that we organized for the troops in our home town - had disposable cameras, mailing bags, toothbrushes, paste, small 2004 calendars, pens and candy plus candy canes donated and the kids at our church assembles all in individual Christmas bags for nearly 400 of our troops. Each bag had a sticker attached saying "Proud of you". Made us feel that we could help in a small way. Love and support those Troops. Keep them in your prayers.
2) Thought I would share this with everyone. My two-year-old loves to color, so I've started letting him decorate Daddy's boxes before we send them. I do the labeling after he colors so he doesn't cover anything, & my husband loves seeing his masterpieces.
3) I received a call from my hubby (B 1/10 CAV 4ID), at 1:30a.m. my time, I was so excited to hear from him because for the last 2 weeks he has been in a really dangerous place. He asked me what would make me the happiest woman in the world right now, I replied, for you to come home, hug me and never let go. He said how about if I come home in 4 or 5 days for R&R!!!!!! He had said he probably would not get it, Now He is coming home in only 4 or 5 days! I am so excited, it has been over 7 1/2 months since I have seen the Love of my Life! Life just has these little ways of saying keep your chin up, it will get better!!! I just pray for the safe return of all of our troops, God Bless them All!
4) You families are rocks. You are warm, loving and unwavering in your support of your soldiers. It is truly an honor to be part of the "military family." As the mother of an A-Co 2-8 soldier, I am constantly buoyed by your firm, enthusiastic, can-do attitudes. Thank you, and thank your soldiers. My son is now in Kuwait, awaiting a plane back to Ft. Hood, to be discharged soon. He is surely glad to be on his way home, but feels bad leaving his buddies. The mother who wrote that she had never met the man who would be coming home captured my emotions so well. Kleenex time! These soldiers have resolve and maturity second to none. I thank them for watching out for each other, and for working so darned hard for all of us. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all of you, your soldiers, and your sacrifices. My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones.
5) I am the mom of a Delta 2-20 FA soldier. I want to share a story from our battery. Like the rest of the batteries in Iraq, Delta has its share of new dads who haven't seen baby sons and daughters who were born after they deployed. Last week at our monthly FRG meeting, we met one of those new dads who was home on mid-tour leave, holding his child in his arms. He stood and asked if there were any familiy members of two other soldiers who are still in Iraq, and one mom identified herself. The SGT looked her in the face and thanked her for the sacrifice her son made because he had given his mid-tour leave slot to the SGT to come home and see his wife and new baby....Giving away his week of leave was a sacrifice, but that was not the whole story. During the week that soldier would have been home if he had not given his leave away, he was in a Humvee convoy that was ambushed. Not only was he injured in the explosion of an RPG, but he is also credited with helping save the life of another Delta soldier who was badly injured in the blast as he immediately jumped out to where the injured soldier lay in the sand and applied compression bandages to his wounds. What kind of man would do such things? There is a name for it, and the name is US Army Soldier....We have a lot of heros in Delta battery. We have those who serve day after day in dangerous conditions, those who have been wounded in action, those who have risked their own safety in protection or defense of their fellow soldiers, and those who will return there new babies to their mama's arms and board a flight back into harm's way in defense of freedom. Godspeed to each and every soldier of the 4th ID serving in the war against terrorism.
6) One quick note to add to the question about 'sure-fire' lights. They are great for searches and raids because of their intensity. Unfortunately, the lights and the batteries are expensive and some models require a special battery (I don't remember what type--its been a few months). Anway, for those who are going to send one over, send an extra battery or two but don't waste a lot of money on them. The Army Plugger and SINCGARS radio HUB batteries work in them and soldiers should be able to get them from their commo guys (Just ask for a HUB battery). They may not fit in all models, but I think they will in most. Also, for those on a tighter budget, you can pick up standard six inch mag-lights that have an attachment clip for the weapon and a pressure switch for the light. They work equally as well and are significantly cheaper. I'm sure Ranger-Joes or the U.S. Cav store has these in stock.
7) I would like to say 'thank you' to the woman who wrote 'A Mother Talks About Her Son'. I too am a mother of one of our brave 4th ID soldiers in Tikrit. What that mother wrote are the same thoughts I have had since the day we found out our son was going to Iraq. The fear and the ache in my heart, that never really goes away, are truly what only a mother can understand when her child (only child in my case) is sent to war. I have rec'd several letters since he left and I am so thankful for those but, to hear his beautiful voice for just a minute would be the gift that this mom would treasure for a lifetime. May God keep our soldiers safe and may they all come home soon. God Bless! (No unit given).
8) Bob, I just want to tell you it's been a while since I have heard from my son, but know he is very busy with Operation Cyclone II. He is with 4th ID, 1-10 Cav out of Ft Hood TX. I am just letting you know that I have been making cookies and such and sending to him to share with the rest of his troop. I have a huge box going out after Thanksgiving with cookies and home made candies. I know it may not be there till after Christmas, but still a chance it could be there before. I know they will love no matter when it comes in. I have been given lots of donations from companies - sugar, flour, chocolate, canned evaporated milk, about everything I need someone has sent some to help out. It has been great to see the companies willing to help me with this. I have also had singers donating CD's and sending them to my son, and his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers, is sending him a box of things. It is just wonderful !!!!!!! My hat is off to all of those stepping up and helping out. I know that my son and the ones he is sharing with are grateful too. God Bless the USA and our TROOPS !!!!!!!
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