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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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From a Central Command News Release on 12-10-03:
4th ID CAPTURES CRIMINALS, CONFISCATES WEAPONS
TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse over the past 24 hours conducted 184 patrols and five raids resulting in the capture of 36 individuals. Thirty-four of the patrols were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the Border Guard.
Weapons and equipment confiscated include six AK-47 assault rifles, three other rifles of various description, one machine gun, one rocket propelled grenade launcher, six rocket propelled grenades, five hand grenades, two mortar rounds, one block of C4, two sticks of TNT, 13 Roland missiles and five improvised explosive devices.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Still not used to being a military mom and feeling bluer than blue now that my son was deployed on December 1 and not really knowing much, I just happened to stumble on this website. I think it is great...reading the messages has soothed my heart a little. Thank you for keeping this going. It is good to know that there are so many who do care about our troops. I sometimes feel so disconnected from life when I see everyone enjoying the freedom of this land and taking it for granted while our troops are sacraficing their lives, the comfort of their warm beds. I will continue to pray for the safe return of all soldiers. ..All I know is that he was last in Fort Carson, 4th infantry, A-1-8...but that is all I know...I just couldn't believe how I stumbled on this website...I was looking at something else and happened to notice the title..
2) Just wanted to let you know my husband came home on mid-tour and it was the greatest feeling to have him home after being gone so long. He didn't talk about his adventure there, and we didn't push him. He looks good though thin but I held him and that was the best feeling. He had steak for a week. He returned to finish his job, and that was the hardest thing to do, but we kept strong for him since it was too hard the first time for him to see his family so upset. He's a great man and a wonderful father. Can't wait to have him home for good, he's with HHC 3/66 AR- Ft Hood TX.
3) HHC 1-8 IN 3RD BCT 4TH ID Yesterday my husband left back from R&R and the tears began to stream down my face before it was even time to make it to the airport. It was a blessing that we spent Thanksgiving together and enjoyed our early Christmas present. Now every bit of cheer he brought home within that mid-tour leave is just empty. But, as wives, we have to be strong. It is hard for our soldiers too. So that time home for them, no matter how spent, meant the world to them. They can look back and enjoy the memories to know that they made it home to see a little bit of what we have done for them while they are over there. I know it is hard and tough but all we can do is love them and cherish each and every moment we have with them. Always Say A Prayer for our soldiers.
4) We got another call from our son on Tues. morning (2:30am)! First time we got to talk to him since he turned 20!! He is with A-Co 1-22, just outside of Tikrit! He had just gotten off duty and sounded very tired...which he admitted he was. As always though, he was very upbeat...even joked with his father who had broken two of his toes. There is a bit of a delay in the mail system. ... He has not received any of the Christmas boxes we had sent..and he said the day before he had gotten 15 cards from me...I send at least one a day. ... He said he is really enjoying the hot chocolate packets I sent. He asked for popcorn, they now have a mircrowave...and more power bars....his requests are minimal! I am so incredibly proud of him and his attitude and fortitude! What a fine young man he has become!!! His presence around here is sorely missed, as it is almost a year (Dec. 27th) since we have seen him. We have to stay strong for our soldiers, who are probably missing us just as much, but are so busy doing such a difficult job over there. They are all truly special people, whose families are just as proud of them as I am of my son! Bless all our troops and their families!
5) Bob - I am one happy mom! I received my Christmas gift early - I received a call from my son about 4:00 pm yesterday and we talked for an hour. He's with 4ID 1-22. It was wonderful to hear his voice! The time just seemed to fly by. He sounded well but, very tired. We talked about the weather, the people, the country of Iraq, all the family, how he has more down time now and phone access. He has received all of his Christmas packages and even munched on the home made cookies I sent him while we talked! With my daughter-in-law expecting their 1st baby (a boy) in the new year he's a little depressed that he's not going to be able to be present for the birth but, he feels he's where he needs to be. Both my son and daughter-in-law have shown how strong they are as individuals and as a loving couple. My grandbaby is going to be truly blessed with such wonderful parents and I have been blessed as well. May God keep our soldiers strong and bring them all home safely in the new year.
6) My husband is in B/Btry 1-44 ADA 4 ID out of Fort Hood. He called to tell me that he would be coming home on his two weeks R&R on the 20th of December. I am so excited I can't stand it. He asked me not to tell the kids which is extremely hard. Even if we got nothing for Christmas having him here is all I could ever want or need and we are truly blessed. I can't wait to cook and clean for him, it my sound strange but I really miss it! Thank You!
7) Thanks again for the updates. As parents of a 4ID soldier (3/66 AR BN), your updates give us a connection to our son as well as other families sharing the same pride, same fears, and same Faith that all our sons and daughters will return home soon to pick up their lives where they left off months again. Your note today about watching the young couple meet at the airport and then seeing the woman express her heartfelt gratitude without even hearing her words touched every fiber in me. The pride we feel for what our son is accomplishing over there without a complaint is overwhelming. I truly hope when our son returns home, he receives the same reception from his fellow Americans. We are so proud of them all and for the opportunity to tell them.
8) My son called last night which is great and I asked him about his Christmas packages. He said he has gotten a lot of them. We don't know what all we sent, but he did get the ones intended for Christmas. I asked him if he opened them and he said, "Heck Yea, no one telling me to quit peeking or get out of the presents, Santa's not going to come, I opened them all." ....... My point, we mailed them on Nov 13th and he received them by Dec 7th. He is in Baqubah, Camp Scunion HHC 1-67. We talked about him being there for Christmas and he said they were going to have a good meal and then do the same old thing. Will be a tough day for all. On a brighter side, I asked him about Christmas trees. I had heard those women on tv saying that they couldn't have them there in Iraq and he said, "we have tons of Christmas trees", so at least we know they are decorated over there. I know here at home this Christmas we'll focus more on the true meaning for us. I know we all are feeling a little more grateful for things these days, take a little less for granted. My prayers to the families who have lost soldiers, this Christmas will be hard for them more so....God Bless Our Past and Present Soldiers and Merry Christmas from Las Vegas......
9) My husband is in 4-42 FA and I forward the updates to his parents and mine. It helps everyone stay informed. However, like very many 4ID wives, my husband is not going to be coming home on mid-tour leave. I am fine with that. There are only so many spots, so I understand. And every soldier is just as deserving as the next for some time off. They have all been there 8 months already and still have a few months remaining. However, it only hurts to read all the comments and stories from all the wives and moms who feel compelled to write about their loved one's time at home. Even my husband wrote, "Oh, and that's awful that women feel compelled to write about the wonderful time they had with their husbands home for R&R for all the wives who's husbands haven't to read!" We are a happy Army couple, in fact we are career Army. We are not whiners. But many other wives have also expressed to me the hurt that comes when reading these emails that people write about what a great time they had. I know they aren't intended to hurt, but they do. Is there any way that you could just try to print less of those? The airport stories are great, but the stories about all the fun stuff they do with their husbands or sons are just hard to read, b/c we also so badly want that. I really didn't want to complain, but it just seems to be getting more and more. And with the holidays here, it just makes it worse for us. (Editor's Note: There wouldn't be as many R&R stories in these updates if I got more notes and stories from those of you who are hearing from your soldiers still in Iraq. Some days I have plenty to choose from, other days I have a limited number of notes so use what I get. It's an interesting dilemma - some want to hear about what others are doing on R&R, some don't. I understand both sides of the issue and will do my best to be sensitive and balanced. And while I'm talking about input, please keep your notes as short as you can. The real long notes that I receive are not useable because I don't have time to edit them down, thus I delete them after reading).
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