This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/12-14hearing.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
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) "Babe, we got him!" phone call from soldier of 1-22 Infantry to his wife.
2) Email to me at 6:54AM EST today: CNN is reporting that 4th Infantry Division troops have captured Sadaam Hussein.
3) Email from www.1-22infantry.org webmaster at 7:36AM EST today: The tv just said that 1st Raider Brigade was involved in Saddam's capture.
4) From the mother of a soldier who was likely on the raid: I know that you must be so busy trying to gather all of the info about the capture...we are trying to watch everything and then we are going to church...'talk' to you later!
5) In addition to the TV News our son was able to e-mail us with the news.!! He was on guard duty when he was told. He is with the 4th also, somewhere futher south.
I'm sure you'll will have a great Update tomorrow!!! Now for the rest of them! Proud Army parent!!
6) Email received at 8:28AM EDT: Bob, where are you? Can't believe you haven't reported on this last capture yet. I was so excited I cried, being my son is in that country. I couldn't wait to get to the computer and read your update. I know you have been taking the weekends off but this is really wonderful news. Thanks for all you do, you're wonderful. Bin Laden must really be worried now, my husband is in his country with the 10th Mtn Div at this time, hopefully they'll find him next. Just waiting on your update cause I know it's going to be GREAT. Have a wonderful day. A daily reader----4thID mom and 10th Mtn Div wife. (Editor's Note: I'm working as fast as I can to get an update out....)
7) From a Vietnam helicopter pilot vet of the 4ID, and good friend of mine: Hallelujah Bob! And thank God it was the 4th Division that got the job done! Congratulations. I know you feel ten feet tall right now.
8) An email to the wife of MG Ray Odierno, CG of 4ID (which I was copied on), from a Vietnam vet of the 4ID:
When you have the time, would you please ask your husband to tell the troops of the Fourth how very proud we are of him and of the entire division?
I got up early this morning to do some work at the office without the distraction of the phones and myriad people trying to get my attention for one reason or another, and I listened to the news on the drive over here. When I first heard the news of Saddam's capture, I was hoping that the Fourth had accomplished the task, and then when the news conference was broadcast, Gen. Sanchez confirmed that the Fourth had gotten the despot. He mentioned your husband by name. How very proud you and your family must be. (As you can see, I'm so pleased that this note is hardly a paradigm of coherent or competent prose.)
For the first time since we defeated the Iraqis on the battlefield, that nation has a real chance at democracy. I truly believe that cutting the head off the serpent will cause the instances of terrorism that have plagued our troops and jeopardized the peace effort to diminish and, very soon, to stop altogether. The Fourth is responsible for that.
What a great day for me to have the Fourth's bumper sticker patch on the door of my office. Of course, it's on my car as well. I'd love to affix another to the front storm door of my house, but I don't think my wife, even though we celebrated our 33rd anniversary on Friday, would go along.
I think history will record the capture of Saddam as one of the most significant events of the modern era and certainly as a seminal event in the Middle East.
9) I couldn't help but send you a quick note after getting up this morning and seeing the news. I called my son (who recently returned from Iraq) to tell him but he was actually sleeping so his wife was going to tell him. Maybe things will change for the better now that we have finally captured the tyrant. I pray for all of our people over there - may they all come home safe and soon. I am anxiously awaiting your update - you must be beside yourself too. Praise God that this part is finally over. Enjoy your day.
10) I want to take this time to congradulate the 4th ID on the Capture of Sadam. I am really proud of the young men and women involved.....
11) A Great day for the proud and dedicated soldiers of the 4ID.
12) From a chaplain's wife: This is a copy of my first e-mail to my husband this morning. I am so happy today. My husband is with 3-16 FA. "In less than a week we have gone from God protecting 3-16 FA from serious injury or death by the suicide bomber outside the compound to the victorious capture of one of the enemies of the world. God bless America. Also, God bless the future work of our nation in helping Iraq have a future without the tyrant, Hussein."
13) Plus I had several Instant Messages from ecstatic mothers and wives of 4ID soldiers within minutes after the announcement this morning...
===================
Finally, for this special edition - I sent the following note to my key contacts of the 4ID in Iraq at 7:40AM this morning (including MG Odierno):
Subject: 4ID Vets and Families Are Proud of You!
HOOAH! Just heard the news we've all been waiting for - CONGRATULATIONS to all of you, to all of TF Ironhorse, to all of the 4ID, to 1st Brigade Combat Team, and to the soldiers on the raid that captured Saddam Hussein. You have done a fabulous job for the Iraqi people, for the world at large.....and written a HUGE and PROUD new chapter into the history books of the 4th Infantry Division.
I'm sure I speak for all the veterans of the 4th Infantry Division and for all our TF Ironhorse family members, as well as for America and peace loving people of the world when I say how happy we are with what you have done for the world. Congratulations on the continuation of a job well done.
And keep your heads down, the final die hards will probably be out in force for the next few days.... but I know you'll take care of them just as you've been doing since April.
===================
Let us all continue to Thank God for this capture and continue to pray for the safety of our troops. The war is not over. This is only one piece of the total mission that has to be accomplished. Our troops will not come home any sooner than originally planned, but they have taken one more HUGE step in getting this war over so that in the future they won't have to go over there again. God Bless America and God Bless the soldiers of TF Ironhorse and the 4th Infantry Division.
Back to Active Unit Main News Page