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) Just wanted to let you know that I talked to my boyfriend on Sunday morning (5:30AM). He is with 4ID, HHC, 1-66 Armor out of Fort Hood, Texas. He told me that the satellite phone was broken hence his inability to call for the last 24 days. He sounded good and has gotten all of the packages and letters I’ve sent from about a week ago.
2) I got a well needed call from my soldier (3BCT 1-12 Ft. Carson) last night. I haven't been home the last two times he has called and I was starting to feel really guilty. He said all is well and that he may be on a plane home tomorrow. He was supposed to ETS (Estimated Time of Separation - date you get out of the Army) in May so he is lucky enough to get to come back before April. He said not to hold my breath since this is the 3rd fly out date he has been given. He said he's not getting excited until his feet touch the ground States side, I guess I can't blame him. My heart and prayers go out to those whose loved ones will still be there fighting and I'm sure my soldier will love these updates to keep track of the friends he is leaving behind.
3) Got a letter from my son yesterday, Alpha Company, 3-67 Armor. He still has his great sense of humor - not complaining at all. Told me not to worry and that the missions he is on that I have read about aren’t as scary as I have read about. Such a nice son to try to make me not worry. His morale seems to be very high. Letter was dated August 8.
4) Excellent phone call from my son in A-Co, 2/8 (M) yesterday! Says he's not sure where he is, but there are no bugs and he hasn't been shot at in 5 days, so he's pretty happy! It's still above 120 during the day, but it gets into the 80's at night and he has to crawl into his sleeping bag. He is really cranking out letters to us, and to many friends and family. He writes beautifully, and surely sounds upbeat, steadfast and loyal! Books and CD's are really appreciated, there are lots of card games going on, and he insists that he's the reigning UNO (card game) champ of Iraq!
5) We got a call from our son who is in Baji. He said its very hot but he is doing ok. He broke his fingers playing volley ball so they are having some fun. He is with the 4ID 2-20 Arty out of Fort Hood.
6) There was an email from a young lady who requested ideas on making a birthday special for her soldier. If you can reply, or I can with information you supply, I would like to tell her what we did for my son. He turned 21 on April 14 (he's with the 4th ID, 404 ASB - they were conveying through Bagdad on that day). I emailed everyone on my email list and asked them to reply with a birthday message for my son. I also asked that they would forward the request to anyone they knew who knew our son. The response was overwhelming. As each response came in, I would "cut & paste" it into a word document. The result.....9 pages of messages from many, many people. From my work associates, to church members, to his high school teachers, to his friends, girlfriend's friends, etc...., we had so many people. He was thrilled. He said he can't keep all he receives, but he did keep the birthday message letter. This could also be done with a video recorder, if her soldier has a way to play the video. Or, possibly with a cassette recorder. That would be great!
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This is for the woman who asked about making a deployed husband's birthday special. When my husband was in Kosovo, I sent him a twinkie and a candle so he could have a "Birthday cake". I also tape recorded our family singing "Happy Birthday" to him and a little message about how much we loved and missed him. And we wrapped all his goodies in festive Happy Birthday wrapping paper, along with his gifts. He said that package really brightened his day!
7) My son is also a Medic with the 4th ID, E/704 DSB. He has been able to call me about once a week usually on early Thursday or Friday mornings around 4-4:30 a.m. I like that because he is sure to catch both parents home at that hour. His last call on Wed, 8/21 he sound pretty upbeat. Complained about the heat. His dad made him laugh and that made me feel good. I asked him about the camel bags I saw mentioned in one of your earlier reports and he said they all have them. I sent him a loaded up laptop about 4 weeks ago which he has received. He loves it even though he can't connect to the satellite for e-mail. He plays the games, watches DVD's and listens to the music I downloaded for him. I also made the screen savers pics of the family and pets, etc.
8) We've received 2 e-mails and a letter via regular mail in the past 2 days from our daughter, who is in the 46th Chem Co, 2nd Chem BN, attached to the 64th FSB. She writes that they have had two major improvements in accomodations. One is that the PX had mattresses for sale, so she now has a mattress for her cot. The other is that they now have Porta-Potties. She says "The internet has been more consistant for the last few days, it's so nice! The computers are in our MWR tent. They also have a TV, VCR, and DVD player. They have about 30 DVD's, but if anybody wants to send more, that would be great, I will donate them to the MWR tent. In good news, we are supposed to be moving to new tents, with 2 A/C units each in them. I am still sleeping in my sleeping bag, sheets would be awesome. I do have a pillow, the PX sold those for a few days, I was ecstatic, sleeping arrangements have really improved with that and the mattress." We are very proud of our daughter and all of the soldiers, and pray daily for them.
9) Received a letter and package from my son, originally with B Co, 1-8, 3BCT out of Ft Carson, but currently assigned to the HHC 4ID Command Group. Post mark was Aug 12th and we received it on Aug 26th . . . 2 weeks, not too bad. He sent us a couple of embroidered Operation Iraqi Freedom tee-shirts. You can bet we will wear them proudly. He's in Tikrit, in good spirits and enjoys receiving packages from home w/ reading material and news. He said they sent 2 guys from his unit on R&R leave out of country. He hopes his time comes up in the near future. He also noted that a "Brown & Root" chow hall had opened up . . . a good thing.
10) My daughter-in-law heard from her husband last night at 11:30pm...early compared to most!! He a medic with A Co, 1-8th INF 3rd BCT from Ft. Carson. It was about a 10min phone call. Hes ok... He sounded tired, with a little cough. They are hangin in there...he asked for our prayers...its been tough lately...attacks & ambushes (no details). He was wanting some "real" food...no more candy etc. I went shopping with a list of ideas from this website and have two boxes ready to go in the morning, thanks to everyone. We need to keep our soldiers and their families in our prayers...I'm sure somedays seem overwhelming for all. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
11) I did hear from my son the other day, HHC, 362nd Psyop attached to the 4th ID, and he has gotten his first hot meal finally. Since he isn't a letter writer, we don't get to hear from him often. I was ordered to watch for a humvee with a yellow smile face on the back that says Have a Nice Day. Thats how I will know if I see him on the news or not. He did ask for the zippered pillow covers instead of a pillow case because they are having problems with critters climbing inside the cases and visiting them during the night. He also asked for flashlight lightbulbs as they are impossible to come by there and he is going through a flashlight a month. A birthday suggestion is to have an early party for him, invite friends and family, have them all sign cards and record them singing happy birthday to him and wishing him well with individual messages. Mail it in time for it to arrive for the day with hostess twinkies or another well traveling treat that can be shared along with a package of candles. He can then have his birthday with family, old friends and new ones too.
12) I wanted to thank the mom who wrote about www.armytimes.com website. Tonight after reading her letter I went to the site and opened todays (Aug 26th) photos. The second picture was a beauitful picture of my son of HHC/1-67 Armor. Tears of joy! It is just too much of a coincidence that her letter that day led me to my son. Bless you and Thank you so much!
13) I heard from my soldier (B 2/20 FA 4ID) this morning! (1am) and we got to talk for almost an hour! It was amazing and funny because the call kept getting cut off and he went to get another phone so he was arguing with the lady(?) about using the phone. She told him he had used the phone for 20 minutes and he argued if the phone would not cut out I would of used 20 minutes so she gave in! He said never ever mess with a soldiers call minutes! ha ha Anyway we talked about the kids, family etc. But up until this morning I have been able to maintain strength but for some reason all my pent up emotions came out. Needless to say, I started to cry when he had to say goodbye again,so of course he got worried. I felt really bad and dumb at the same time. But all in all he said everything was good as it can be!
14) My husband is a medic with HHC 124th Signal in Tikrit/ Baqouba. He and the guys there are doing pretty well according to him. Just homesick and HOT.......Also, a couple of idea's... I'm starting to collect Christmas decorations to send along with some presents. I'm gonna start sending them in October because I have the feeling the mail is going to get pretty backed up the closer it gets to December. Also, his mother and I have sent him an electric hot plate type stove and some pans with some "real" food. They don't have a mess hall set up where he is yet so at least the guys can get a break from MRE's. A year without him is just unimaginable, but being a part of the military makes you a stronger person for sure. God Bless all our troops! Bring them home SAFE and SOON!

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