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 heard from my husband who is in A-CO 1-22, last night. He called around 3:30 am. He is doing good and I was the one who broke the news to him of them leaving in April. They hadn't been told yet. He also said they were on a raid to capture Saadams bodyguard and when I woke up this morning he was on tv. He was holding the bodyguards arm and leading him out of the home. It was very exciting to see him. I have been on the internet all morning looking for him and I have seen several pictures of him. When I asked how he was doing all he says is he is hot, sweaty and ready to come home. I dont blame him, but he said he is doing his job and will be home as soon as he can.......... So if your man is in A-CO 1-22 watch Fox News that is the best channel to watch to see your husband. (Ed Note: From all the action 1-22 has been in lately, I doubt they've had time to think about when they come home. I'm proud of my old unit - and all our TF Ironhorse soldiers).
2) My son called yesterday to tell me that his tank ran over a land mine and that I would see in the Washington Post the article with a quote from him. Said that he and his crew are fine but it was quite a shock. A lot of damage to the tank. Said all they saw was red (fire) and then smoke. Continues to reassure me that he's safe............(No unit given).
3) I have put out on the website around 10 photos from the Tikrit raid by the 1-22 from the AP photographer that was with them... http://a-1-8.org/Docs/activeunit/index.html (Ed Note: From Chris Rollinger, web master of A/1-8 web site).
4) To the wife who wrote about the satellite phone she sent to her husband in Baqabah... what kind of satellite phone was it? I didn't know we could send them phones & I have no idea to get one. I would love more info..(Prices & all that). Thank you!! (Ed Note: If someone has info and knows the phones will work from Iraq, send it to me and I'll put it in a future update. I've gotten several questions today on that).
5) This was featured last night about Fort Carson 4th ID on PBS you can see it again on this site: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/july-dec03/militaryfamilies_7-28.html
6) Until Saturday afternoon It'd been 4 months since I last spoke with my little brother. I can't tell you how good it was to hear his voice. He's a SGT in A Co, 1-66 AR, currently in Samarra. He tells me that it's most definately still a war zone where he is, they get shot at and shelled almost daily. It's hot, no running water, electricity only 8 hours a day, and the bugs are awful (in addition to the DEET I sent him, he and all the guys would appreciate something to stop the itch from the bug bites). Despite the obvious hardships he sounded up beat and positive and even more so by the end of the conversation. He's up for re-enlistment soon and says he will try to do so while he's still in Iraq (tax-free re-enlistment bonus). I'm very proud of my brother and all the troops.
7) Bob, this is a site that several of my friends and I have ordered from. It's got a great selection of patriotic and military-related tshirts & sweatshirts. It's www.choiceshirts.com
8) This shirt with "I support my Husband/Wife/Son/Daughter/ Dad/Mom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ft. Hood Texas are sold at both the PX's at Ft. Hood. (Clear Creek, and Warior Way). They have them in all different colors.. They are $7.00. They also have other ones with differnt sayings. I just got my husband one and am sending it over to him for a good laugh. It says I HATE...Sand and Camels.. Ft. Hood, Tx. (Ed Note: We know the source for those special tee shirts now, for those away from Fort Hood, we need someone to provide an email or web page for the Fort Hood PX and if they will do mail orders).
9) I just found this excellent resource for Iraq maps. There are lots of maps you can connect to from there that are smaller parts of the country and when viewed larger (I pasted to a Word document so I could view at 200%) the text is very clear!! The first few listed are huge, but if you click on the Iraq link where it says (Special Reference Graphic) NIMA 2003 (608K) it shows the latitude and longitude lines.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/iraq.html
10) I read the e-mails you send on 4th ID and I am very greatful for them!! They help keep me going each day!! Especially the section on "What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq." I wanted to include what I have heard from my husband who is with 1-66 Armor in Samarra. He called me this past weekend and told me he was staying at a R&R camp in Qatar. He sounded really happy and excited to be able to take some time away!! I asked if he was going to do anything fun and relaxing while he was there, since I had read about the R&R camps and knew some of the things they provided for the soldiers who stayed there!! He said that his rest and relaxation would be being able to talk to me all weekend!! I really needed to be able to talk to him all weekend since this last week was such a horrible week! It always seems to work-out (Them calling at the right time). It's was nice to hear his voice, and have him reassure me that everything is going to be okay! When I asked if he wanted me to send anything besides food, he said a blanket!! I was dumbfounded and laughed asking him why in the world he wanted a blanket!! He said that the place they're living in has an AC, but that it gets cold sometimes! So I told him I would send a blanket over!! Anyways I spent the whole weekend talking to my husband for hours at a time. It was without a doubt the best weekend I've had since he left!!! He's glad to know when he's coming home, he only wishes it was sooner (as I do), but that he will continue to do missions that will help the security problem there, in which could make for a sooner return home. I'm happy to be able to share this with everyone, since I know we're all starving for information whether it be about our soldier or somebody else's. It's nice to know that our troops are doing good away from home!! GOD BLESS EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY OUR SOLDIERS!!
(Ed Note: MG Ray Odierno sent me a note the other day saying they have recently opened up Qatar for R&R. Initially, 120 4ID soldiers went there for R&R and it is my understanding that a steady stream will follow them over the weeks and months ahead. And, they can drink any beverage of their choice and swim in the ocean there...).
11) My son with C Troop 1-10 CAV just called, it was 12:00 at night there.Seems like I misunderstood our conversation Saturday,I sent him a vhs tape for nothing. He said he would stick it in a box. I found out that his once a month paycheck there is where he gets to write a check and get cash. He says he is doing good. He and his sergeant are the only 2 out of 4 still together. It is starting to get a little cooler at night, around 120 degrees in daytime. We talked for 30 minutes and he said he broke a record by talking that long. He has plenty of time to think about what he is going to do with the rest of his life. As long as I hear from him every once in a while I am satisfied.
12) I heard from my son who is in the 1-67th HHC Co. I can't imagine the grief of the familes who lost their loved ones on Saturday. I had the privelage of meeting PFC Perez who was my son's buddy. He was such a fine person who was full of life. During the minute phone call, I asked my son if it was his "Buddy Perez" who had died, he said it was, he was in the back and he had to identify the bodies. I can't imagine what they are all going through. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families who have lost their loved ones.
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The last three stories show the highs, the growth and reflection, and the pain of the Iraq experience that all our soldiers and our families are experiencing. All of us will come out of this thing next spring with a year's worth of memories that will be indelibly carved in our minds. And we will be stronger people because of the experience. Steadfast and Loyal!

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