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


What Our Families Are Hearing from Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Just a quick note that at 11pm(cdt) this evening my daughter got a 5 min call from her fiance B co2-8 Inf-4id and it was only the second time she got to talk with him since april 11.(he did try to call her five other times this week while she was at work and then finally called his parents). She has been getting letters almost daily and the latest was mailed june 15 and she rec'd it today, june 27. For the most part the mail is improving although we have mailed 7 packages and he has rec'd only 3. His unit does move around constantly though so it would be harder for them to receive mail. he's still asking for Gatorade and the idea about the CD's from the radio station is great, we're going to try that here in San Angelo. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SAFELY AND QUICKLY!!
2) RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO FROM MY SON, C TROOP 1-10 CAV., HE SOUNDED GOOD, SAID THAT HE WAS DOING OK. I MAILED A 50 POUND PACKAGE ON 6/10 THAT WAS LOADED WITH FOOD, HE RECEIVED IT YESTERDAY. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD MADE A HUGE DENT IN IT...HA! HA! SAID THAT HIS FAVORITE THING WAS THE SUMMER SAUSAGE. HIS ONLY REQUEST WAS THAT I GET A FEW ITEMS FOR SOME OF HIS BUDDIES THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM HOME.....GUESS WHAT, I AM GOING SHOPPING TODAY.
3) My daughter called this morning, she is in 705th TC. with 4th ID. I had not heard from her since Memorial Day. Also had only been receiving mail from her dated mid May? Was worried if she had received any for us or the packages we sent to her. She sounded real good sprits, amazing how they seem to adapt so well? She told me she was "Bombarded" ( HER WORD) with packages. Wonderful feeling, ( smiling Mom) . She ask for more bug spray, her favorite lounge pants, A Tank top and a Fan if we can manage it!
The most special thing she told me was of a fellow Soldier that was not receiving much mail or packages and it really bothered her. All though I send extra to share and I know she does, she said it is not the same as hearing your name called for mail. So she ask, Mom to please send stuff to him then she gave me his name. Here she is, tired, hot, eaten up with bugs, homesick, and living in not the best conditions and yet she thinks of someone else? Wow! What a wonderful kid I have there, I couldn't be prouder at this moment.
4) What a great day yesterday was!! I opened my mail and there was a picture of my son and the squad he is in. My son is with the 4th ID C Co. 2-8. They all looked good. Then I got a 10 minute phone call from him and he sounded great. He said they got mobbed when they take the candy out to the kids. He got a lot of the boxes we have sent along with boxes from most of his sisters and said he has no more room under his cot for food. We all have a right to be so proud of our sons and husbands.
5) WOOO HOOO!!!! Got another phone call today. My cell phone rang and when I looked at its display I knew it was my husband (B.Co. 2-8 INF 4ID). We talked for a few seconds and then my husband couldn't hear me anymore, but I could still hear him and then he was gone. Then my phone rang again and the next few seconds sounded like a Verizon commercial (Can you hear me now?). He sounded really good but also very tired. He told me that he hasn't been getting any letters lately but was thrilled when I told him that I had gotten 3 more since the last time we talked. He asked me to send him some magazines and white socks (he said he really really needed those). He also told me he needed some more DCUs, because he gave some of his to some fellow soldiers who had ripped theirs up. The last thing he asked for were some bulbs and batteries for his Surefire flashlight. We got to talk for about 5 minutes and I was so happy that I got to tell him how much I miss him and that I love him. Hearing him say that he loves me too made my whole day sooooo much better. For all the spouses and families who haven't heard from their loved ones lately, don't let this bring you down. I have found out that when you expect it the least that's when you get a call.
6) My husband is in B/2-20 FA. Today I got a phone call from him and yesterday two letters. One was postmarked 18 June and I received it nine days later so the mail is really picking up. He didn't ask for much since there is a PX (milvan) in the area. He only said to send more Gatorade, Kool-aid and bug spray. I guess the PX isn't carrying those items or is having trouble keeping it in stock. He said most of them are living in buildings but the only have one room with an A/C so that is their tv room. He has been able to call either myself or his mother every weekend this month. I'm so happy they now have phones. It makes it a lot easier to actually hear his voice and my daughter loves talking to him. She reverts to baby talk when ever he calls (I wonder what it'll be like when he comes home). It'll be interesting.
7) Son in HHC 14th ENG BN, Ft Lewis. Have received 1 short email about 3 weeks ago and then 2 letters (also short!) at once, dated 10 & 21 May. Postmarks are illegible, so transit time is unknown. He wrote about the contrast between the haves and have nots in Iraq, having seen one of the palaces. He said they are busier than they want to be but that they "have big guns". Parts for equipment are a challenge, but he complained about that stateside, too. Probably been that way since 1776....."fog of war and bureaucracy". He had received at least one or two packages; and said they were "right on", and to keep them coming. He specifically mentioned snacks, drink mixes. We have taken many cues from this listserver and owe many thanks for ideas on packages. We figure anything he doesn't use or need is good barter or treats for fellow soldiers or deserving locals. Miss his voice...hoping the satellite phone will fall into his hands. Are we spoiled, or what!?! Compared to 1944 (satellites, emails)!! He stated a time window for coming home but source was not mentioned, so won't repeat it in case it is only rumor. However, I will say it was definitely not near term. If other HHC 14th ENG BN families reading, please share news... they are a small group, so they must know each other.
8) I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY HUSBAND THIS AFTERNOON!!!! (JUNE 28TH,03) I WAS SOOO EXCITED THAT HE CALLED, ALL THOUGH I WAS EXPECTING IT! HE'S NOW ABLE TO CALL EVERY 5 OR SO DAYS. HE'S WITH B 2/8 INF OUT OF FORT HOOD, TX. HE SOUNDED IN GOOD SPIRITS SO THAT MADE ME EVEN HAPPIER! HE JUST KEPT ASKING IF I WAS OK? AND IF MY SON WAS OK? HE REALLY MISSES US AND LOVES US. THIS CALL HAS BEEN THE LONGEST WE'VE TALKED - A WHOLE 6 MIN. 41 SEC ALLLLL WORTH IT. I ALSO GOT A LETTER ON FRIDAY DATED MAY 5TH 2003 SO I'M GUESSING MAIL IS STILL COMING BUT REALLY LATE! ANY MAIL IS GOOD MAIL THOUGH. JUST SAYS THAT TO KEEP THE MAIL COMING EVERYDAY! KINNA HARD TO DO WITH A 2 YR OLD BUT I DO TRY EVERY OTHER DAY. I LOVED THE LETTER AND THE SOUND OF HIS VOICE IT'S LIKE MUSIC TO MY EARS EVERYTIME!
9) Thanks you for posting this letter from "HER SOLDIER, who's with 4ID, 1/8 IN", as well as "Thank' You to the 1/8 Eagle Spouse" for quoting her soldiers thoughts. A smile, that did bring, to this Hooah! 1-8 IN wife. Yes, we are all in this together….. I look forward to reading news, updates, concerns, and the simple joy of knowing that if today is the day I open the mailbox and there is not a letter from My Soldier, I will smile and pray he is getting my letter I sent to him instead on that day. And if by chance we both are stareing at the moon and stars that very night, and oceans apart… I will envision what he is seeing or feeling through the words of others shared in this site. Our togetherness is shared through a chuckle, smile, or drop of a tear as we share the 'precious words' written to us; our thoughts of the times that lie ahead, past and present. I am so thankful for the Army Family, and the opportunity to share. I always try to keep in mind; even on my grayest of days ~ "Too Blessed to Be Stressed" .
10) I wanted to share this special anniversary message my husband sent on our 4th wedding anniversary, which was June 26. He is in South Tikrit, with 4ID, 1 BDE, 4FSB, E Co., and a soldier to the core. I can't think of a better anniversary gift- that he was gathered with his fellow soldiers, smoking a few cigars, under the clear desert sky, celebrating our anniversary. Here is the "Op Order" he emailed me:
Happy Anniversary, Hon. 4 wonderful years. Wish I could be there to celebrate it with you. I have ordered a cigar social to celebrate it the best I can:
RAIDER ANNIVERSARY Who: Everybody is invited What: Cigar Social Where: Tikrit South, under the camo net When: 261930DJUN03- UTC Why: To celebrate (my wife) and my 4th anniversary. Coordinating Instructions: Bring your own chair and bring your own cigar (coordinate with me if you are short a cigar). RSVP to ‘Echo Mike’ on (radio frequencies and email address censored for security purposes).
11) My parents recvd a call from my son yesterday. I was not at home. He is with 4ID 1/22 HHC IN BN. He called once and had about a minute and a half to talk and the phone kept fading in and out and finally cut off. He called back a little later too. He said he has recvd all the packages we've sent and is requesting additional dried fruit and drink mix. He has sent letters to us, but we haven't recvd any yet. He said he isn't in any danger at the moment. He sounded tired and much older on our answering machine.
12) I just thought I would share with you all a little happiness I got today ..My husband with the 4th IN at Fort Hood TX (no specific unit given) called today 28th of June about 8:30 am this morning. I was so happy to hear my baby's voice. To me he sounded like he was right next to me. In my mind he was calling me to tell me, "I'll be late from work" ...but no instead he said, "Babe, how's the kids doing and yourself. Don't worry about me, I'm doing good as long as you keep writing to me." He really sounded good, very up beat ..the call only lasted about 5 minutes. He also said that they are letting them call home every 4 to 5 days, and so far he has. I can also say that the mail is coming in faster. Just this Friday I received 3 letters from him, dated 15 June and I got them 27 June. He didn't say where they were but he did ask for more foot spray and ramen noodles soup.
13) We were fortunate to receive two letters today--one day after our anniversary--from our two sons in Iraq. We feel like we hit the jackpot. 1-10 CAV son is near Iran still with less than desirable conditions. No elec., no running water, no hot meals, etc. They seem to be working very long hours. I am concerned that he is working so many hours since he is flying a helicopter. He has sent us 10-12 letters and we have received two. This latest was written June 9 so it took 20 days to get to us. But that was fine. It was just good to hear from him. He is asking for DVD's so someone must have a player. I am sending Gatorade and I think a pillow after hearing from some of the others. He had to drive 2 1/2 hrs. to get to a phone to call his wife--one way!
101st son is still in Mosul. Says things are extremely hot and that it makes it hard to sleep. Also, seems to be slowing them all down a little. But he does have one hot meal a day and is able to shower frequently. He also has access to e-mail several times a week. (Ed Note: We salute you who have two loved ones in Iraq - that is extra worry but also an extra feeling of pride).
14) Today was Christmas in June-I got a call at 4:30am and then a letter this afternoon dated June 12th! My husband is with 1-66 AR, still around Samarra. They have recently gotten the AT&T phones up there so we got to enjoy nearly 10 minutes of pretty clear conversation. Between the recent attacks and all, it was such a relief when he assured me that they were nowhere near any action (to his dismay) and that the most resistance they are getting right now is from the bugs. He said they are still pretty bored (I told him I'd rather him be bored than shot anyday!) but he was in much better spirits than the last time I talked to him. His only request was for me to send more chew. He figured up that it would cost him $125/month just for chew and even with shipping costs, it would be MUCH cheaper to send it from here. Plus he said that, at this point, I could throw some dirt in a can and throw in some cigarette tobacco and it would be better than what they have there. Other than that, things seemed to be going pretty good and he said that there really wasn't any new updates. He said he is very homesick and wishes he was here to watch our son turn one in two weeks.
As far as his letter, he said that they were *supposed* to have e-mail up and running soon (although as of his phone call, there was still no idea when that would actually happen.) He did request fly strips and was excited that a raid they did several weeks ago had yeilded more items than a more recent house to house search had yeilded for another unit (not that it's a contest but it did stroke their egos a bit.) He was looking forward to doing more raids. And of course that he loves and misses us more and more each day.
Also-not sure if anyone has sent in the link for Books For Soldiers - Care packages for the mind. but you can sign up your soldier to receive books overseas. It's a great organization. Thanks again, Bob, for all your updates-they are the first thing I look at when I open my mail and are ALMOST as good as getting a letter from hubby. I feel just a little more connected.
15) Hubby is 204th FSB...4th ID..! I got a call from DH and a letter...he sounds very good and states that they are good...... He talked about being hot and wanting showers...I as a wife have been fortunate, I have heard from him often..he calls as much as he can...sometimes the calls are short some long...he says that they need anything to spruce up water!!!! He is tired of drinking water but that they are ok! They would like to receive Ramen Noodles just because they share their boxes and that that goes further than other stuff....and is cheaper as he said! He also said that they had been given a sattelite phone to use so families will be getting calls or should, so to be expecting them!

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