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

Click to Send us your news


What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Heard from my husband.......He also shared some of what life is like there for them. While they still have to be aware of the homemade bombs and occasional RPG's, the area that they patrol and work with is very much in order. The people are more than willing to, and I quote, "drop information on a dime." The children and adult males still run along side the vehicles and the troops as they move through, with shouts of "Hello Americans! Thank you Americans! Don't leave us Americans!" My personal opinion on that is that 2-8 Inf C co. is doing EXACTLY what they've been trained to do, and they are doing it in the compassionate American way. These people are being treated with respect and concern, and it's being reciprocated. I am incredibly proud of my husband and his troops. He said that because of the relationship they have with these people, they were able to make a "large haul" last week and that an Al Quaidan member was snitched on immediately. It was a wonderful conversation. And I'm left feeling so much better about what is going on over there. I think I'm going to stop watching the news :) Wouldn't it be nice, if they (the media) thought that good things were news too? My husband said that in his area, he would say that the support is no less than 99%. Only a smattering of Loyalists and Baath and Al Quaida support. And he said that he feels the 1% that's left supports out of fear!
2) We heard from our son Tuesday night (6:30 pm) Louisiana time. (3:30 am) Iraq time. He is in 4th ID 1-12 INF.-3RD BCT. He is doing fine. Ready to come home of course. Says the letters, cards, and packages are what gets him through. Also the fact he knows he is being prayed for by his family and people he doesn’t even know. Weather is cooling off a bit. He said his unit was able to get some weights, so therefore I am on my way to the health store for protein mix. Things have calmed down a bit in his location. His 21st birthday is coming up Ocotber 14th. I told him we had some special things on the way for him. He was very excited about that. He is also sending 3 disposable cameras home to get developed. Can't wait. GOD BLESS ALL OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SOON.
3) I got a phone call last night from my husband who is with Bravo Co., 588 EnBn, and he sounded okay but very tired. He says he's been working for two days straight before he gets any sleep. He says he is freezing at night (80 deg) and I told him that a blanket is on the way. He asked me to send a portable DVD player since everyone else has one. He also wants more food, food, food!!! I told him that our son and I bought a surprise for him. Then I put our 3 year old on the phone and the first thing he did was to tell his daddy what we got him. Don't you just love toddlers!! Overall he, once again, did not complain!! God Bless All of Our Soldiers and Their Families!!!
4) Heard from my son ,704th DSB, out of FT. HOOD. He seems in good spirits. He joked that he coud use a costume for Halloween, presents to give to female soldiers at Christmas, and for St. Patricks day, a bottle of good Irish whiskey. Letters from him take about two weeks to get to me in Iowa. Anyone have an idea how long it's taking to get packages to them? It was nice to read the mom's e-mail this morning about her daughter in the 704th DSB. I suspect that her daughter and my son are serving together.
5) From a soldier in the 21st Combat Support Hospital in Iraq: The reason I write to you today, is to let you know that if the two soldiers in the IED attack were from 3RD Coscom, they are out of Germany, not Fort Hood. It is an easy slip, and I know you try to make sure that you get the information as accurate as possible, but I did not want families worrying about our Fort Hood Families, when in fact it is Germany Families that we need to be praying and worrying for with this particular situation.
We see the majority of the 4ID patients that are evacuated to the Level III hospitals in theater. There are four locations for these hospitals. Two of them are a part of the 21st CSH. One is in Balad, and the other hospital that we are operating is in Mosul, Iraq. It is very reassuring to read the responses from the family members in your last portion of the Daily Update. I know lots of soldiers from 4ID that have access to your site that are reading your words everyday......... I know tomorrow will be a very emotional day for our nation, and for our soldiers over here. There are numerous Patriot Day Ceremonies scheduled across Iraq. Please tell your readers that the US Soldiers will never forget or question why we are here, and our remembrance of those we lost on 9-11 are 3000 more reasons why we freely chose to be here, representing our nation, in Iraq today. The time we are spending here is but a phase of our journeys as soldiers, and it is a time that we will always remember in our lives.....
6) A.Co. 4th Eng Bn at Ad Dujayl. This was the longest we have been able to talk since he left (40 min!) even though we kept losing the connection. He said that the temperature has come down to around 100 degrees in the daytime now, and it's actually cold at night now. He also said not to send him extra things anymore unless he specifically asks for something (put that money in the savings). Many soldiers have memberships with CD/DVD clubs, and the guys do a lot of trading. They are also able to get a lot more things from Aafes now..... They've got new, more stable shower and latrine facilities, and the work is being done on their permanent quarters, which are like small trailers, designed to house up to 4 soldiers. These structures will have air conditioning and electricity. .......... He sounded more upbeat than he has in many weeks (I even heard him smile), and all I can do is continue to praise him and everyone for the work that they're doing. He feels negative sometimes because the Iraqi people, some of them, won't even try to help themselves. I help write the newsletter for our FRG, and I constantly remind people that it took many years for Germany to recover after Hitler's regime. They had to learn how to be a different society. They had to learn how to function under freedom, when all they know is life under oppression. Now is the time when we have to take them under our wing and be patient, give them time to learn HOW to do for themselves in a positive way (rather than resorting to stealing and violence, which only hinders their progress, but is all they know).
7) To the lady who wrote about the shirts and underwear that drew moisture away from the body that you found on the aafes website, can you please tell me where to find them? I went to the site and I was looking everywhere but didn't come across them. This would be greatly appreciated. (Ed Note - send me the info and I'll include it in an update for everyone to read).
8) Just wanted to share that our son called today. We lost connection twice, but he was able to call right back. He is B Co 3-67 Armor (medic). He sounded in good spirits, said it has cooled off tremendously. Around 100 day time, 75-80 at night. He still does not want a blanket sent. I guess after being so hot, he doesn't want to think about that yet. He told me about a cool web sight about his unit. I went there and there was lots of good information and I got to see pictures, and even my boy!! The sight is www.fobhound.com.... God Bless, and God Bless our soldiers!
9) My son is with the 2/8 INF Charlie Company 4th ID out of Fort Hood Texas. He was part of Operation Cliffhanger that took place on August 11th. They were loaded in Black Hawks and dropped in the middle of a village of around 40 houses. It took them about 45 minutes to reach "Objective Michigan", where they made their way to "East Lansing." At first I thought why in the world did the Army send my son to East Lansing, Michigan and not let me know about it ahead of time. I was sure I could have gotten a police escort (I work with an amazing police officer at our local high school) and been there within an hour. Then as he continued with the details of their effort I figured out he was still in Iraq. I guess it was a hopeful mom wanting her son home. God Bless all of our Brave Soldiers! He also added to keep the Kool-Aid and Ramen noodles coming.
10) We received an another email from our daughter tonight. She is doing ok. Said the mortars were still a regular thing. They had filled 4,000 sand bags and placed them around their tents the other day. She had received the latest package from us and a letter & pictures from her boyfriend. She had also received a box of letters from 5th grade students who have adopted her. She has hanging pictures of her family on one side of her cot and drawings(sent by a 5th grader) of the Pledge of Allegience and pictures from New York(taken by our other daughter this summer)hanging on the other side. She says she sees them every morning and remembers what she over there fighting for. She says it is cooling down more and more and now she has even had to put on her winter PTs to sleep in.(4TH ID,1-4 AVN REGT)
11) Dear Bob, Just wanted to update you and all the wonderful people that I have met since this war began. My nephew who was injured the middle of August in the ambush in Balad is finally home. He arrived here at Madigan in Fort Lewis, Washington around two this afternoon. His wounds are healing well and he is now able to walk with a brace on his leg and he is using crutches. The army here gave him a very warm welcome and we are all very proud of him. I wanted to thank all the people that sent their thoughts and prayers and get well cards of support. We will all help each other get through this war and I am still here to support and pray for all of our fine troops over in Iraq. Take care everyone and God Bless Our Troops. A Very Proud Aunt of a 1-8 Infantry(MECH) soldier. This was a very happy day for me!

Back to Active Unit Main News Page