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) I got a call from my son this morning. He is with the 4th ID., 588th Engineers BN. Alpha Co. and is now in Kuwait awaiting a flight home. They are traveling by bus to Camp Wolf to wait their turn to catch the flight. He said there are 7 other soldiers (that are under ETS/PCS orders) from his unit with him but he did not give me their names other than Jesse. It could be as long as two weeks or as little as two days before he gets his turn but that is ok. He is out of Iraq finally. Hang in there everyone and hopefully they will all be home soon... (Ed Note: This is an indication the stop loss has been lifted. ETS is Estimated Time of Separation and PCS is Permanent Change of Station - key events in any soldier's life, either getting out of the service or moving to another assignment).
2) I had only gotten one letter from my son in the last few weeks; then on Saturday 7/19/03 I got THREE. (dated 6/23, 6/25, 6/28). He mentioned receiving items from a box that I mailed in early June. He said they had moved to a place near Bagdad called Balad. He requested books or anything to read as he said he is reading everything he can get his hands on. Also he said I did really good sending him clothes pins so he could keep his clothes from falling into the dirt that he had washed and he really appreciated the drink mixes. (He is a 1LT with 3-29 FA Charlie BTRY).
3) Saving the clippings and letters is wonderful for historical purposes and we have always done this, but take it a step further for the kids.
We have Daddy books. They are simple three ring binders with the clear plastic sleeves on the front so the kids can make their own covers for them. We photocopy all the articles on our unit and put them in plastic protective sleeves with the three hole alignment down one side. We also put any snail or e-mails in there, the envelopes,postcards and any momentos that are flat that he might send home in one of his letters to them. We have used these books for a while and keep things from other deployments in there too, it helps the kids understand that Daddy thinks of them often and that he comes home when his job is done. It is also great because they have something that is theirs that they can read and look at whenever they want and it is a connection to their father. Our son's is different from our daughter's because the letters he sends are for each of them independent of the other so they take turns reading them to each other. We try to keep things in chronological order so they understand the time frame by which things happen. Also, make sure you keep the originals when you photocopy something for the books, that way if the orange soda spills, it isn't a problem-simply make another copy and slip it in a sleeve.
They make great show and tell items for school too!
4) My mother-in-law heard from her husband last night, and boy do we have a story for you! Here goes:
My husband is with 1-68 AR in Iraq, and his father is with 220th TC Maintenance (National Guard unit)also in Iraq (southern Iraq). Well, they got to see each other!!!!! Isn't that awesome! 1-68 is just north of Baghdad. His father had to drive a humanitarian mission 100 miles north of Baghdad and had to pass through the area where my husband is. Well, on the first mission, he saw a sign that read: 1-68 Armor, but he couldn't stop because the convoy was already going and he had no way of stopping. However, when they got back, there was a guy who owed him a favor. So, he asked if he could go on the next convoy mission which was leaving in like 4 hours on the remote chance he might see his son. The guy said yes. Had he not seen that sign that said 1-68, he'd not have asked to go because he was exhausted. But, he did. So, they were again driving along and he saw a sign that said the 4th Infantry Division. So, since he was the first vehicle in the convoy, he pulled over and stopped the convoy. He got out and asked the guy if he knew a (name taken out) with Bravo Company. The guy said yes, but that he wasn't w/Bravo Co. anymore and had been transferred to the aid station. So, he asked where he could find the aid station, and the guy said, "Well, see that bunker about 200 yds. off over there? That's it. And we can drive you, but how will you get back?" So, he asked the convoy if he could stay. They said yes. They said that if he couldn't find him to just meet up with them, and if he did, that they'd just pick him up in the morning. So, he went to find my husband. And he got to the aid station, and asked one of the guys. He yells down the bunker, "Hey ***(name removed)! You need to come up here now!" He was off duty and didn't want to be interrupted from reading my letter, so he was a little grumpy. He goes, "I'm off duty right now!" So, the guy says, "***(name removed)! Get up here now!" So he came up and didn't recognize his father at first because he's lost about 50-60 pounds. But when he figured out it was him, his eyes about bugged out and he goes, "DAD!!!!", and went to shake his hand, but my father-in-law says, "Screw that! We're huggin!" So, he got to stay the night w/him and they talked and everything. It was such a good thing for both of them! Praise God! Just thought people would like to hear an uplifting story to remind us all that miracles do happen....even in the Army!!! Ha ha! Have a great day!
5) You’ll probably received about 400 of these (no, this was the first one I received), but since I have archived all your reports since 5/27/03, I have the one where you included the URL to the Yahoo site with the pictures. Here it is: http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=4th+infantry+division
And another reader sent the same url plus this comment: If you can't get through on that link then try this: Go to http://news.yahoo.com/ On the search bar choose News Photos and then type '4th infantry division' and click on search.
6) I received two phone calls from my husband over the weekend. He is in the C TRP 1/10 CAV 4ID. He says all is well. We had a good talk we laughed together. I have received at least more than 30+ letters from him and a few phone calls in the the time he has been gone. He said the mail is doing good. His birthday was the 12 of July. He received the two packages I sent him for his birthday. He said he enjoys all the pictures I send. He says it helps him get through the days there and reminds him of what he is there for. OUR FREEDOM. He said that he should be able to call at least every 2-4 weeks. Our anniversary is at the end of July....... for his present I sent him an ID tag that I got our family picture put on. It is really nice. Well Thanks for the updates. It's always nice to know that you aren't in this alone.
7) Heard from our son yesterday 7/20, medic w/HHC 1/12 INF, 4th ID, only for about 3 mins. He sounded tired because they've been moving around since July 4th. However everything is fine. His father, sister, & I passed the phone around so I didn't get very much conversation in. He called to speak w/ his dad before he leaves for Afganistan(10th MTN DIV). His father's advice to him was "THE MORE IT SUCKS THE BETTER YOU LIKE IT" Not so sure that our son thought the same way, but he did laugh about it! He wanted his father's address so they can keep in touch. I had mailed some boxes to a soldier my son informed me was not getting mail or care pkgs--that now is no longer true because he got all 4 boxes last week at once. His 1st Sgt also received the 5 troop morale boxes I sent over. I figure that's the least I can do---SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. I love and pray for them all. ........ Military Mom & Spouse
8) Received package from son in HHC, 3/66 AR in Baiji. He sent home 7 rolls of film from time spent on ship and on to Iraq. The close up picture of him on the ship shows a round face boy compared to the close up picture taken in Iraq - a thinner face man with a determined look and hopeful eyes. Also received a letter today postmarked June 28 - received July 21 -I thought this mail situation was suppose to get better!!
Of course he says he wishes he was home and that the days drag along if there are not missions to go on. He wishes the Iraqi police would pull their weight ........ Has good words for the Kurdish population in that they are friendly and helpful to the soldiers.
9) I recieved a letter from my husband the other day dated the July 4th. He's with 3-66 in Bayji. He said it was extremely hot there and they had to work all day. He woke to a bradley being broght in that had ran over a land mine, there was no way that they could fix it. They had a good dinner for the 4th, steak and braukworst and potatoes and a cold soda. Then had to go back to work. He said there were a lot of activities to do but his team had to work all day. I sent him 3 instant cold compresses and he said he loved them and they really help. The 4th just made him miss home though, not being able to be with me at the fireworks but he said he's keeping his head high and knows he'll be home soon. I am very proud of him for being so strong through all of this and I can't wait to see him again.
10) I heard from my husband this past week. He is in A Co. 3-66 Armor, HOOAH!! He called and said he wouldn't be able to communicate other than snail mail for a few weeks. His unit has recently been able to send email, huge boost to the morale, both his and mine! I was asked to print off all messages and mail them to him, he doesn't have that capability and wants to re-read them. He is doing well and is in good spirits (looks FINE in the pix!). One of his soldiers just returned to Hood this past week and brought me cameras and an audio tape. My husband was so upbeat on the tape, it is loads of fun to listen to, he has a wonderful sense of humor. We (the kids and I) had his soldier over for dinner. What a wonderful visit, he looked like my husband's "mini me". We've been instructed to take good care of his soldier while we have the chance, as he will be pcs'ing soon. Easy tasking, will do!
11) Here's the complete url for the editorial by William Saffire in Monday, 7/21's New York Times. It's good to see an intelligent view and analysis of the whole Iraqi situation so eloquently told. I read this as a morale booster for both the troops and for us families. My son, with the 404 ASB near Tikrit will have a fine read, too! http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/07/21/nyt.safire/index.html (Ed Note: I enjoyed the article, worth going to the web page and reading. Sobering yet shows what needs to be done).
12) I got a call today 7-21-03, from my son who is with the 588th Eng. BN out of Fort Hood. He is doing fine. He said he is eat up from sand fleas and mosquitoes. Says he looks like he has the measles. But, not to worry, they are clearing up. He has had a head cold. I ask if he had been cooling down to fast. He started to explain that he had not and realized that I was trying to make him laugh. Which he did when he caught on. He was in really good spirits and said he had been getting my letters and packages and appreciated them very much. I ask if he had taken pictures, cause I have been sending cameras and he said he had lots of pictures to be developed. His dad got on the phone with him and told him if it would make him feel any better to know it was 99 degrees in the shade at home. He thought that was funny. He says he can't wait to get home to see us all. I can't wait for him to read the updates and everything that has kept me going while he has been gone. I really want to thank you for being so great and keeping us so totally informed. God Bless all our soldiers and keep them safe till all their return.
13) We received a phone call around noon Jul 20th from our son who is with A Btry (2nd Plt), 1-44 ADA. He sounded very upbeat and said he was doing well. He said he has been receiving all of the packages sent to him, although he informed me that the CD's he asked me to send a couple of weeks ago arrived but the cases were empty. Boy did I feel dumb! Needless to say, I didn't bother to look inside to make sure the CD's were in there before I mailed them. Anyway, he asked for two CD's (in their cases), tuna (which he said all they guys fight over) and cereal (his most prized posession over there). I sent him some of the small boxes of cereal with containers of parmalat milk, and he is happier than a pig in... well, you know. He said he would prefer the cereal over chips and cookies. What have they done to my son? Anyway, I was so happy to hear his voice since I missed his call last week. I almost missed his call today, becuase I ran to the post office to mail his package, and sure as luck would have it, that is when he called. He got to speak with his little brother and sister as well as big sister, and then was cut off. The younger kids had sense enough to call me and tell me to get my butt home in case he called back. And he did, so I got to talk to him for about 5 minutes. He has been able to call regularly but said that he can call more often with phone cards. Of course, there are now phone cards on their way to Iraq for him. Since I have seen several of you indicate that there are soldiers not getting any packages, I thought I'd ask my son if there were some in his platoon not receiving packages, and there are, so I went out and got stuff to send them. I think it's important to remember all the soldiers and how important morale is to them getting the job done safely. May God keep them all in His care and return them safely home.
14) This letter was dated 5 July 2003 about the 4th of July celebration and I received it 21 July 2003.. . .Yesterday we had our 4th of July celebration. basically it was mandatory fun and everything that usually gets done still had to get dome so it was actually more work. We had a guidon relay, HMMWV drag race, basketball and then moved indoors for ping pong, pool, spades and domino games we (B/2-20) didn't win anything:-( At night we had fireworks which was basically explosives that EOD had captured. The officers served/cooked for all the soldiers. I got stuck on the grill. (Note from spouse - he ALWAYS gets stuck grilling at 2-20 functions!) I cooked brats, steaks, and hamburgers. The BBQ grill was two big parts for a storage case of a Soviet ground to air missile. My hand and arm are starting to recover from the heat. All in all I guess it was a pretty good day. The chow was good at least. . . . Over the next few days we are moving. Evidently we are too far away from the flag pole to visit easily. We are staying in the same military complex though. The buildings we are moving to are better than the ones we are in now anyway. We should have water, you know, the kind that comes out of those things called spigots as soon as we get down there. We can't drink it of course, but you can shower in it and use it for the swamp coolers which we are starting to buy.
15) Received a call from my husband today (7/21) attached to 1/67 Armor in Ba'Qubah. They have a satellite dish now so they are able to hear Fox News and is aware of what is going on in other parts of Iraq. I've sent him about two boxes of food per week in the past three weeks. He says he eats the soups and canned meat as soon as he receives them. He especially enjoyed the pepperoni and canned salmon and told me to be creative. They've been eating MREs the past three months straight so anything different is a treat!

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