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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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ONE SOLDIER KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN ATTACK NEAR TIKRIT
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 4th Infantry Division soldier was killed and one wounded in an improvised explosive device attack while conducting a patrol north of Tikrit at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Nov. 3.
The soldiers were evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital. The wounded soldier is in stable condition.
The soldiers’ names are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
The incident is under investigation.
(No details are available on the soldier's unit or name as of Tuesday morning at 8:00AM EST).
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Although none of these casualties are from the 4ID, many are from Fort Hood, Fort Carson, and Fort Sill, posts where our 4ID and TF Ironhorse families are located. This is a consolidation of three separate DoD announcements and accounts for ten of the sixteen KIA in the Chinook. We pray for the families and fellow soldiers of all our casualties.
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today (Nov 3) the deaths of ten soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers were on board a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter when it went down on Nov. 2 in Al Fallujah, Iraq. Killed were:
Sgt. Ernest G. Bucklew, 33, of Enon Valley, Pa. Bucklew was assigned to Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
Pfc. Anthony D. Dagostino, 20, of Waterbury, Conn. Dagostino was assigned to the 16th Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.
Specialist Darius T. Jennings, 22 of Cordova, S.C. Jennings was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Carson, Colo.
Pfc. Karina S. Lau, (female) 20, of Livingston, Calif. Lau was assigned to the 16th Signal Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas.
Sgt. Keelan L. Moss, 23, of Houston, Texas. Moss was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, 36, of Oklahoma. Pennanen was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
1st Lt. Brian D. Slavenas, 30, of Genoa, Ill. Slavenas was assigned to F Company, 106th Aviation Battalion, Army National Guard, Peoria, Ill.
Spc. Frances M. Vega (female), 20, of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Vega was assigned to the 151st Adjutant General Postal Detachment 3, Fort Hood, Texas.
Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez, 29, of Calif.. Velazquez was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, III Corps Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla.
Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, 30, of Mississippi. Wilson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla.
The cause of the incident is unknown and an investigation is underway.
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This is Michael Hedges' second tour in Iraq with the 4ID. He was one of the embedded reporters who went in with them in April and returned again in September for his second tour. We're glad to have him back with our 4ID/TF Ironhorse soldiers.
Oct. 25, 2003, 9:35PM
Low number on leave list a precious gift
By MICHAEL HEDGES
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
TIKRIT, Iraq -- Heat, fatigue and occasional danger have blurred the passage of time for many American troops more than six months into the U.S. occupation of Iraq. But soldiers unable to say if it's Tuesday or Saturday can usually recite one critical fact -- their number on the leave list.
"I'm 42, so I'm looking real good," said Spc. Armond West, a Washington, D.C., native who now lives in Hawaii. "I should get to go in November."
"I'm 127. That puts me on the `not-going-to-make-it' list," said Staff Sgt. Sean Hightower of Baltimore.
"I'm 95. That is right on the border. It'll be close for me," said Staff Sgt. Phillip Allen of Killeen.
Numbers on the all-important list determine which soldiers get a respite from Iraq and fly home to the States for a two-week visit under a program designed to bolster morale. Soldiers like Allen and West who hold a number under 100 have a reasonable to good shot at getting leave before their 4th Infantry Division heads back to the States next spring.
Each battalion-sized unit in Iraq maintains its own leave rankings. People move up or down on the lists based on factors that include their time in Iraq, the danger or stress of their jobs, and special considerations such as a new baby at home or whether they were wounded in action.
"It is called an order-of-merit list," said Capt. Andy Sanchez of Corpus Christi, who is in charge of the list for several units in the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade. Soldiers lightly banter about their numbers between raids and patrols in still-hostile Iraqi towns.
"I'm 76, and that should get me to Dallas and then to Fort Hood by the end of the year," said Staff Sgt. Clifford Ransom, 38, who lives in Killeen and referees high school football when not deployed.
Spc. Andrew Christy's number has already come up. He recently got word that he could leave in a week for a stateside visit. "I'm going back to Warren (Ohio)," he said, as he patrolled the uneasy Iraqi town of Bayji. "I just want to see my family. It'll be good just to see American people, eat American food and watch American TV."
The Pentagon instituted the home leave program in late September when news stories from Iraq were full of accounts about morale withering in the summer heat. An August survey taken by the military newspaper Stars and Stripes found that half of the 2,000 soldiers who responded felt morale was low.
The home leave program appears to have had a positive influence. Numerous conversations with soldiers over the past month showed that a small minority view their tours of duty here as either utterly intolerable or extremely rewarding. But most voiced the sentiment that their stay in Iraq, however dangerous or unpleasant, simply involves the type of work that they had signed up to do.
Under the home leave program, roughly eight to 10 soldiers in each 350- to 400-person battalion get leave every week. Sanchez estimates that about 60 percent of the soldiers on his list will make it home before the program is suspended as preparations are made for the end of the 4th Infantry's stay in Iraq.
When a soldier's number rises to the top of the list, the Army flies him or her to Kuwait and then to Baltimore, where the 14-day leave officially begins and ends. Once in the United States, troops make their own travel arrangements to the destinations of their choice.
In Iraq, some soldiers check their positions on the list almost every day. A few inevitably complain that the criteria used to move some people higher because of an injury or other factor bumped them down unfairly. One soldier recently complained about the program's injustices throughout a ride to the site of a raid against suspected Fedayeen guerrillas. Why hadn't he moved up on the list, he wanted to know, after a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle, puncturing his right eardrum. After all, a guy in the same vehicle who got nicked by shrapnel won a higher spot.
Sanchez said some soldiers unlikely to make the cut for leave back in the States are sent to Qatar for four days of R&R.
Before the home leave program was instituted in September, a few soldiers from each 4th Infantry battalion went to Qatar to relax each week. Now, Sanchez said, officers start from the bottom of the home leave list to pick soldiers who will get a few days off in Qatar.
A few troops have opted to take their names off the list altogether. Some want to save their leave time for one long getaway after their units return home. Others say they want to stay here and keep up with their responsibilities.
"Most of my guys will be going home in the next couple of months," said Cpl. Clay Simpson, the leader of a squad of soldiers in the 1st Battalion of the 22nd Infantry Regiment who turned down an opportunity for a stateside visit. "I'm happy where I'm at," he said.
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Support Our Troops - wear a logo T-Shirt or sweatshirt
We have written before about the T-Shirt shop outside the PX at Fort Hood. For those new to our update service, or for those who have lost the address, check their web page to see if there are items you want for yourself, your soldier, or others. My wife, sons and I all wear these T-shirts to show our support for the troops. I asked the ladies at TsToGo to send me a paragraph about their new stuff to include here:
Look for NEW $5 T styles including Army Wife and Army Aunt . Affordable Sweatshirts $15 and Hoodies $25 for the folks in the cold weather states under the "Over $5 Category."
Most T-shirt sayings can go on a gray or white sweatshirt or Hoodie and we even have a Navy one thrown in there... Be sure and order Christmas early, the response to the website has been awesome from all the Family members needing to show their support, but we want to make sure that we get all the Santa's taken care of ASAP...Esp. those sending gifts overseas, they have a Nov. 13th deadline, I believe, and if for overseas shipment please note that in the message area, I will try and get those out ASAP to them. WWW.TsToGo.com The war is NOT over until our Soldiers come home!
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I included this article in an update in early October. But as we get closer to the deadline for mailing packages to Iraq, I thought it was worth including again. As my favorite philosopher Forest Gump would say, "And that's the last I'm ever going to say about that..."
October 9, 2003
Military Postal Service sets holiday mailing dates
by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample
AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
WASHINGTON (NNS) - If you want make sure your holiday packages arrive to service members overseas on time, mail them by Nov. 13. Otherwise, your package could very well be on the proverbial "slow boat to China," said Mark DeDomenic, chief of postal operations for the Military Postal Service Agency.
Military postal operations employees ship about 250,000 pounds of mail each day to Iraq. That number is expected to go up to about 325,000 pounds each day during the year-end holiday season, which is why DeDomenic suggests that people mail holiday packages early.
"Mailing early is the best way to ensure that mail gets through the pipeline and to its destination on time," he said.
The Military Postal Service Agency has set the following deadlines for holiday mail:
Parcel Post, Nov. 13;
Space Available, Nov. 28;
Parcel-Airlift Mail, Dec. 4;
Priority and First-Class Letters or Cards, Dec. 11.
Those dates also should be observed when sending mail from most overseas locations to the United States as well, DeDomenic said. ....
"The smaller the package, the easier it is to handle, the quicker we can move it," DeDomenic said. "Shoe box-sized packages are perfect."
Because packages going to an APO or FPO address will require a U.S. Customs label, DeDomenic said, senders should be specific about what is inside the package.
"People tend to like to put on the customs label 'gifts,'" he said. "This is very vague and that is the type of thing that will slow mail down. We must know exactly what is in those boxes to ensure that they are mailable items." .....
It's a good idea to place a copy of the address inside the package, just in case the address label or package gets damaged. "That way, the package can be rewrapped and sent to the correct address," he said.
To ensure packages arrive safely, DeDomenic suggested using strong, sturdy boxes with lots of wrapping. He said boxes should be packed tightly, using packing materials such as popcorn or newspapers, to keep contents from moving.
He also recommended that senders use good tape, because the humidity in the desert tends to destroy tape's adhesive qualities. "Masking tape is a definite 'no' when it comes to mailing, and (light-duty transparent tape) is terrible," he said. "Reinforced nylon tape works very well."
It's also important to remember what can't be mailed, DeDomenic said. Hazardous materials, firearms and flammable liquids are prohibited inside packages. This includes alcoholic beverages and even some perfumes that may have a high alcohol content.
Also, he advises not to install batteries inside the electronic items that require them. "Things tend to get turned on (from jostling during shipping), and that causes security concerns," he said.
Because of security restrictions, mass-mailing operations such as "Operation Dear Abby" or "Any Service Member" cannot be supported by the agency this year using traditional mail, DeDomenic said. "We ask that the American public use electronic Web sites or send greeting cards via e-mail" as alternatives, he said.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
4 November 1944 - D+152
Only two small enemy patrols were reported. Harassing small arms fire was
again directed at our front line troops.
The 8th and 12th Infantry continued the same activities. The 22nd Infantry continued patrolling, placed harassing fire, long-range fire from machine guns, and a 57 mm antitank gun on enemy positions. It made plans for relief on 5 November by elements of the CT 39, 9th Infantry Division. Reconnaissance was made of the area in the vicinity of Krinkelt for contemplated new assembly area.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing from our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Received my first phone call from my son who is serving 4ID 2-8 infantry. He wanted to emphasize that morale in his group is not down, though they would prefer to be home. It was so positive to hear that most Iraqi's are not only supportive of American efforts, but grateful. The quality of life is visibly improving in Balad and Baquabah for the Iraqi people. Good news for a mom to hear on the day of so much pain and tragedy for others. Good to hear that what we are doing is making a difference. "This is not Viet Nam, Mom". Those words bring comfort.
2) Thanks ever so much to you, Bob, and to all the brave and loving families who support their beloved soldiers and each other, through this tense period. I avoid watching news coverage, and instead rely upon this site for my daily dose of 4ID info, and morale boosting! My A-Co 2-8 son is awaiting his trip to Kuwait as he approaches his ETS date. He had been in the midst of a lot of "door splintering" raids. Mrs. Miller's note about being a soldier's mom hit home in a really big way. My own experience differs from hers, however, because people seem to be calling me more often, and asking about my son even more frequently! I swear they are crawling out of the woodwork to offer kind words and rousing support. People are so good, and they think so highly of the men and women serving our country. Please know that their service is so highly regarded.
3) Just wanted to say that I have gotten to talk to my husband a couple times last night, the phone cut us off a couple of times but it was a pretty good connection. He is with A CO 4th ENGR BN from Ft. Carson! I received 2 boxes from him on Friday. It was wonderful to get the boxes from him. I got 3 more disposable cameras from him that I got developed and got a couple more pictures of him! :-) He sent some beautiful blankets and some other things that are beautiful as well!! I am very grateful the he will be returning home around the end of the month since he is ETSing. My heart goes out to ALL the families that are going through all the grief of losing their soldier and to the wounded soldiers and their families!! Lets keep praying and keep all our soldiers in our thought and prayers!! Bring them home safe and soon!
4) I got a call from my fiance! After not hearing anything for over a month. He said he just needs to get back into writing letters gear again after finding out they were staying. I hope so . He's w/ HHS 6-27 FA in Balad. He called from an AT&T phone center. I could really hear him well! So, that was really cool! He said his days are very routine, cold showers and all. They don't have a microwave where they are so he had sent me a picture of him kneeling and just staring at what I thought was a piece of garbage in the sand. After randomly studying the picture wondering what he was doing, I come to find out it was a package of microwave popcorn I had sent and he was waiting for the sun to mabye pop it. Ha! I told him I had finally figured it out when he called and he just laughed. He sounded great. I can't wait until they all come home.
5) Today after working the nightshift I got home and of course checked my email. I saw that I had just gotten an email from my son so I decided (mother's intuition) to check to see if he was on messenger. Even better than that he was able to get on a webcam!! Couldn't tell it was him from the tears that swelled in my eyes. He looks rough and thin but looks great. We were able to spend a long time on the webcam and in messenger. He is with the B6-27FA from Fort Sill.... My heart and my tears go out those that have suffered losses recently and throughout the past 8 months. My prayers go to all of them. I was blessed today to be able to see my son again.
Tears on my pillow, pride in my heart.
6) The last two days in a row I have gotten an e-mail from my son, HHC 1/67AR 4ID. He is stationed at Camp Scunion, but goes to Warhorse nightly to do guard duty in a tower. They apparently have laptops that the guys can use, maybe like an internet cafe.... His last one was today at 0300 hrs his time, he said it had been quiet, "no mortars fired at us tonight, a good thing but it makes me wonder what they are up to." Hopefully nothing. He has not had much time to sit down and write lately, so a little e-mail every day is a true blessing. My prayers go out to the families of the guys and gals who were on the chinook yesterday. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
7) My son (B Co., 1-22, in Bayji) called us three times while on R&R in Qatar and, among other things, relayed a relatively amusing story. Bayji is on the Tigris River north of Tikrit. My son's unit was patrolling in a brushy area near the riverbank when they heard an explosion coming from the river. Everyone hit the dirt and prepared for an attack through the brush which screened them from the river, but no further shots or explosions ensued. They sent a couple of guys to scout out the situation. The scouts spied a lone unarmed Iraqi standing by the river, looking intently at the water. They rushed through the foliage with their rifles up and, by gesture and sign language, demanded that the guy explain the explosions. He immediately raised his hands and tried to make them understand. It seems he'd just been fishing -- with a hand grenade! There is so much loose ordnance lying around Iraq that it's easier to find grenades than fishing gear. It may not be sporting but it's really efficient, as long as you don't mind an occasional piece of shrapnel in your fish fillet...
8) My daughter got a call today around noon from her honey in B Co 2-8 ...... They got to talk for 15 min with no interruptions. He did say he wasn't going to take his mid-tour because his platoon wasn't up for it until mid-January and he didn't think he could handle two weeks with her and their new daughter (due Dec 3) and then leave them again. My daughter is in agreement because she was worried about not being able to handle him leaving again, I'm trusting he knows what he's doing. God Protect Our Troops and bring them home Safe and Soon.
9) I just wanted to let you know that my grandson, 1-10 CAV, 4 ID(M), B Troop called on Thursday. He said he was doing good. They play cards in their spare time. He said its hot in his tank but that's to be expected. Other than that, he said he can't tell what is going on. We knew that. ....
10) I really don't have anything, except my husband (who gets to write every 3-5 weeks) will be lucky enough to be able to take part in this opportunity for him to come home for 15 days!!! He wrote me a couple of days ago (he's with HHC 3rd BCT 4th ID). I'm so proud of him, Bob....he's my hero!!! I think of all of our soldiers as heros!! They are fighting for our right to do anything in our country! They are our freedom!!!! Even though there are things in the news........that we know are not totally true.....we know our soldiers, and we know what they stand for. They stand for freedom, and truth and honor, and anything that their contry demands of them. I know some wives feel like caving in....Lord knows I do at times....but, our God would never put us in situations that He knew we couldn't handle. I know we're strong...... we're the wives and the mothers and fathers that have to support our men. And that's exactly what they are....men! Men that are sacrificing their life, to make our life better. Please don't take that for granted. These wonderful and couragous men and women our fighting for me and you.....don't ever forget that!!!! I lost one of my best friends this weekend, and I will never let the love that she shared with people die with me. She was an amazing soldier, and she believed in our country, and I will fight till my death to uphold that. They all fight for our country, GOD bless every one of them....they are our elite!!! I pray for, and love every soldier who is fighting for my rights, and my freedom!!! GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND PLEASE BRING THEM HOME SAFELY!!! I LOVE THEM, AND OWE THEM EVERYTHING!!!
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