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

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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) We got a letter posted 7/29 from our son with B Co./1-22 in Bayji – it arrived in only 11 days, a new record for us in CA. He said his unit has been “extremely busy – seems like business is picking up” in the aftermath of the Hussein brothers’ demise. B Co. is scrambled out on “Elvis sightings” fairly often, i.e., to investigate rumors of Saddam in the area. Our son is sending 8 rolls of film to us via one of his buddies who is returning to the States (lucky, lucky buddy...). He said B Co. guys only get phone access about once a month for 10 - 15 minutes each. They are occasionally able to persuade the guys in the nearby 3-66 AR, who apparently have greater phone availability, to let them make additional calls (everyone in the sand box should share their toys, right?). He used the 3-66's phone to call his wife last week to discuss their second son’s arrival in a couple of weeks (LOTS to discuss there). He said that MSNBC has had a TV crew following them around and said to look for him on a feature about oil fields. He also said he needed more envelopes (more are now enroute, some cleverly preaddressed to dear old mom and dad back at the old homestead). All in all, he sounded like he was doing OK.
2) Heard from my son Saturday, with the 3BCT 1-68 Armor C Company, they had branched off from A and B company and are now attached to the 173rd Airborne, he is feeling better, last conversation was when sounded bad, like he had larygnitis/ bronchitis. Had finished a maneuver he was so proud of said they had caught someone on the card list. Sounded as if he was beaming with proudness! And he sounded happy to be with the 173rd. It seems his calls come every 2 weeks, and usually I am writing a letter to him at the time and deep in thought of him. I say, "well your brother should be calling soon" and shortly there after he does. I had sent him off a couple boxes of over the counter medicine, just things he may have trouble getting. That the guys and him if they need it will have without going to Medic area, not sure how far away he is from it. Peptobismol, Vicks, Tylenol, Allergy medicine, Anbisol for toothaches, and expectorant. Then I sent him a can of Beef stew, Chili, Bushes baked bean(his favorite) and cans of peaches. Was slightly more heavy than most of my boxes but will be worth it, about 13 lbs each. Also sent some face masks for the dust. We use them in the hospital where I work. They were staying near a grain silo area, which gives a few of the guys a problem with allergies. Yes, he is sounding much better!
3) My husband (3BCT, 1-68 AR C-CO) called this morning around 1 AM MST. He was using the phone at Kirkuk. I could hear helicopters and guys talking in the background-- seemed like an exciting place to be! He said that he was going swimming later. I'm so glad to hear that they are getting to do something fun! He asked for me to send protein powder because they're supposed to be getting some weights and gym equipment soon. He seems to be getting mail & packages pretty quickly now-- except for a folding camp chair that I sent in a long box that seems to be "lost"-- I'm assuming that it's being held up somewhere because of its size. He sounds like he's in great spirits-- just misses home and family a lot........
4) I just wanted to thank the lady in Ft.Hood who gave me the idea for a pillow drive. I'm not sure how many she sent over but our Family Support group is paying shipping costs, the Postal Service is providing free boxes, and the people in my community of Carpinteria, Ca. and Santa Barbara are providing the pillows or donations to make it happen. Also, I just want to thank God for the encouragement to do this and for protecting our Troops in Iraq. Please bring them home safe and soon. Godspeed.
5) As always I check my email as soon as I get up and love reading the letters from other family members of the Army's 4th ID. I wanted to share something that happened to me. I work in a doctor's office and proudly wear a picture of son daily, most people will comment but sadly don't really show interest. Today I had a WW II veteran come in, he was a member of the 29th Field Artillery and when he saw the picture of my son in his Infantry uniform he stood as straight and tall as he could and snapped a salute that was as crisp and clean as a newly taught private. Of course he asked all about my son and where he was, what he was doing and what we hear from him. He passed along this message - no matter where you go, who you become in civilian life, how the world treats you - in your heart of hearts you will always be a United States Army soldier. He told me to tell "my hero" thank you for all that he is doing and that there will never be another thing in his life that will change him like his time in the military but that he will have to choose for it to be a change for the better or the worse. Words of wisdom. I told him about this website and promised to bring in all of the information that I could. Just want you to know Bob that you are appreciated by all of us out here in the civilian world. HOOAH and God continue to bless the 4th ID. A proud mom of US Army's 4th ID, 1/22 Infantry Battalion, Alpha Company, Headquarters Platoon.
6) Just thought I’d also respond about the mail delivery and other things. In talking with my postmaster I was told that the Armed Forces will take priority mail over regular or parcel post mail, so since I was told this several months ago, all my packages go priority. Also, someone had mentioned insurance and whether to insure high-price items like laptops. When I sent my son his Game Boy Advance in June, I insured it (it’s not that expensive to insure). The post office assured me that the insurance was good, even for Iraq (but would probably take 6 weeks to ensure that the package arrived before they would honor it.). Also, since packages are going to an APO in the States, the insurance is good at least that far… for peace of mind in the States? My son is with the 733rd Trans Co located in the Tikrit area. Haven’t heard from him for over a month. However from updates we’ve received from commanders over there (553 CSG, 64th CSB), we know his unit is involved in MAIL DELIVERY between Baghdad and Tikrit, so if your soldier’s mail is getting there in a very timely manner, the 733rd could very well be responsible for that! (Just wanted to give them a pat on the back!) [They also are involved with other deliveries, maintenance, etc.]
7) I saw one of the women post about the Yellow Ribbon with "Support Our Troops" on it. Well the people that started the program Operation Sandbox were here with me at Fort Carson for a week. We are selling Yellow Ribbon Magnets as a fundraiser to be able to send the soldiers Christmas presents, also for shipping costs,and supplies. If anyone is interested in the Yellow Ribbon magnets they can buy them right online at The Operation Sandbox site. Here is the link: http://www.operationsandbox.com/page9.html
8) Bob, my son is with the 1133rd and I read your board because it makes me feel a little closer to him for some reason. I cried when I read the letter for the woman who approached the lady at the drive up bank and thanked her. It doesnt seem to me there are to many people in this world that even remember that there is a war still going on. Its great to know some people care so much about soldiers they don't even know. I live in a very small town and don't hear it but maybe once a week from someone...I'm still crying. Keep the prayers coming, they work...God bless all the soldiers.
9) Just wanted to give an update on my husband with A/1-10 Cav. He called me this morning at 0800. Sounded tired and said he was miserable since it is HOT over there. Was upset about the RPG explosion that killed LT Nott. Said he was involved in it but didn't want to talk about it until he gets home. He was acting first sergeant but is now back on his tanks where he is at at the traffic control points. They don't see much, but in town there is more going on. So, I am glad he is back on his tank now and hope they will all be okay after the recent tragedy. ..... I sent him a polaroid about a month and a half ago and have received several pictures. He looks good although he has gotten skinny. But I will fatten him up when he gets home. I pray this is over soon and our troops return safe. God bless!
10) We heard from our son (HHC, 3rd BCT, a radio operator in the Brigade TOC) this past Saturday morning. He called from the R&R facility in Tikrit and sounded in good spirits. He mentioned that the other day the temperature had reached an all time high of 135 degrees in midafternoon and said that when it gets that hot all he and the guys in his platoon do is "just look at each other and sweat." He also said that his unit had been moving around a lot, but when pressed for details politely refused to give any, citing operational security concerns. He's right, of course, and I'm proud of him for sticking to his guns, as it were, but nevertheless it is a bit frustrating for his Vietnam vet old man not to get any of the details. At any rate, his mother and sister both commented on how mature and mentally tough he seemed on the phone, essentially laughing off the hideous conditions and being much more interested in talking about mundane everyday details of our lives back in the world. Some things don't change, and one of them is the way service in the U.S. Army in a war zone turns boys into men.
11) Just FYI: The Dell computers are available directly through the AAFES website, www.AAFES.Com, and offer a discount this way, no shipping costs and no tax. This also enables you to pay for it with a Military Star card. Got a letter from my husband (B 204th FSB) that only took 10 days! But, I also had a letter that I had written returned, got to my house Aug 4th, originally postmarked 22 May. It was first missent to two different APO's, then finally returned to sender.
12) I've gotten 7 calls in the last 4 days from my boyfriend, Lucky me! He's with BCO 1/8 3rd BCT out of Ft. Carson. They are in Balad and all are still doing good. He has been working on his track the few days and thats where the phones are so he's taken full advantage of that. He said he is getting a shower every day and they have enough water to do laundry as well. He has asked for a scrub board so if anyone knows where to find one please let us know. Heres just a little FYI, his mom and I went to Academy (sports and outdoors) and had a blast shopping for him. At Walmart a twin size matress and pump were $20 each, so $40 in all. At Academy they have a better mattress and pump for all around $23. If they aren't getting showers very often, we also bought a 4.5 gallon shower bag that has a spray nosel on it so they can take one. They also have pickles in a bag, which I had never seen one before so I bought a few and I'll have to wait to see how he likes them. I just thought I'd let everyone know that. Also, he loves the cassette tapes that we record for him and he says to keep sending them. Then he can listen to them over and over. Also, he requested on Oct. 11 I better be having the VCR on recording football. I guess I'll have to do that for him, but it won't be a problem.
13) My husband called today (12 Aug 03). He is in HHC 1/68 from Ft Carson. He wanted me to know that their computer used for sending emails is down due to a virus (probably that worm virus going around). He knew that I'd be wondering what happened when I didn't hear from him in a few days. So, if folks are used to receiving emails regularly from their loved ones, there won't be any for a while. This is a nasty virus folks! I work for the Army National Guard and two of our computers crashed today because of this virus.
14) My DH called this morning (local Iraqi time 1000 hrs), 12 Aug 03. He's with B Co 3-66 AR (attached to B/1-22 Inf in Bayji) and he sure sounded a lot better then last time. Things are looking up for them! The inspection team placed them first priority on the list for upgrades, and they're hoping to get AC installed as early as next week (thanks goodness). ............ They have their own water buffalo now, as well as a field kitchen which means there will be real meals to look forward to. Phone use is still very limited, but it is now rotating towards them at least once a months as opposed to the previously stated 10 weeks in the worst case scenario. His renewed request: Folgers coffee bags (the individually packed) and creamer, ice tea and drink mixes of course, as always. He also mentioned that he is getting the most mail and other soldiers are starting to give him the evil eye now that their own mail load seems to slacken (they were getting mail long before mine was, so there:) He asked me to remind you all that "the local Iraqi Walmart" ' is out of envelopes and such, so if you want to keep getting letters, consider sending a stack of stationary, and to please write more so he can stop sleeping with one eye open :)

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