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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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) We received a letter today from our son who is with B/2/8 in Baqubah. Here are a few things he said. "things are getting a bit better here lately, fewer missions, and better weather. It was only 105 today and it has been getting in the 70’s at night. I’ll probably be complaining about that soon too. Our AC units are in, but not connected, and having a reliable source of power still seems to be a problem." "A humvee from 1/67 (Tankers) ran over a pressure IED, and it blew most of the front end off. No casualties though, lucky! We have even found remote-detonated IED’s, so the way they are attacking is more subtle......" "Let me know if there is anything you would like, rugs, hookas, Saddam pictures, vases, etc. , etc. I’ll see what I can do. We have an Iraqi merchant that we get all our stuff through, and that guy can get anything!"
2) I hear from my hubby (C Co 124th Signal BN) almost everyday whether it's an email or a phone call. We are blessed that he is signal and is able to do this! .... He is doing well, but wants to come home just like all the others. He talks to our son quite often on the phone which they both just love! ..... He asks for gatorade, DVD's, and reading material. ......I am just thankful that I hear from him as much as I do.
3) I received 4 letters on Thurs, 3 on Friday, and a call at 12:09am on Saturday from my husband (Alpha Co. 1-22 IN BN). I wanted to share a little of one of his letters with you. Just so you know at my fathers place of business they have a sign up, a flag and a yellow ribbon. I told my hubby about it and this is what he said "tell your dad that they don't need to have stuff up on a wall for me. I am only doing my job and helping out a group of people that need a lot of help. I am not a hero or someone special. I am only a man who chose to do a job and now only have to pay for it by
missing his loved ones". When he called on Sat. it had been 12 days since I had heard from him and he sounds really homesick and missing everyone back home.... (Ed Note: Tell your husband I'm proud of him (and of all our soldiers) as he lives our 22nd Infantry Regimental motto of "Deeds not Words").
4) Sept 19th, Just recieved mail from my son in the 1-68 Armor C Company with Pictures! Immediately had them developed! Some of him being pinned Sgt. , he sent me one of his Sgt bars. And others pictures of the group of mechanics he works with. And lots of scenery. He says they are on the move again which worries me, but i know they are all in God's hands. He also sent a Tshirt from the 173rd airborne, It says 5k run Kirkut, Iraq. He said I would have to wash T shirt, because he wore it and they don't have washers, I haven't yet. It is weird, but his sister and I immediately smelled it to see if we could pick up the scent of our brother and son. We miss him so much it hurts our hearts. He is the special brother between two sisters and the special only son. We pray God watches over him and his entire company and all of our soldiers in Iraq.
5) I heard from my boyfriend (A CO. 2-8 IN (M) ) this morning. HE SOUNDED GREAT! I hadnt talked to him in more than 4 weeks and was getting antsy... but he called his mother this past week and this morning called me. Their company phone is down so I believe he might have been calling from a PX phone.. . He is finally getting some sleep and seems back to his old.. wonderful self. They are doing well and it seems to be cooling off, enough that he wakes up in the middle of the night to cover himself. GOD BLESS ALL OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SAFE!
6) I got another letter from my hubby in B 3-66, and he's happy to report that they now have a PX set up. They're really exited, and their living quarters (that old school) have also been mightily spruced up. Morale seems to be great these days, and thankfully, it is reasonably quiet in that area. He also commented how happy he (and his roommate) were to receive a scented candle, others who walk by their room kept saying how it 'smelled like home'. Just one more idea how to keep them in touch with the home front I thought worth sharing. (Ed Note: Great idea - Jan burns candles at our house much of the time and I love the smell of home).
7) Heard from one of my soldier's in 1-67 Armor today. Letter is dated 09/07 and post marked same date. Received today 09/20. He is with my son's unit and says he appreciates the packages, news, pictures, and letters. He is grateful for all the prayers and support. He tells me the temperature has finally cooled off and that is a real blessing. He says their activity has really slowed down over the last few weeks and it seems to be a lot safer. They will be training a new Iraqi Civil Defense Corps over the next several months. They are also building up the basic infrastructure of the region. He says it is good to know there are people that support and care about them over there.
8) Today I rec'd my first e-mail from my son who is with the 3/29 FA Bn from Ft. Carson. I have been checking my e-mail 3 times a day since he left in April and almost fell off my chair when I saw "Hey, Mom, hello from Iraq!" I had been really worried since hearing of so many soldiers deaths in the last few days. He said he was okay. They are just "rooting out the bad guys!" Living conditions for the soldiers are evidently improving. He said there was nothing he really needed but he will be getting more packages from home anyway! The great thing about e-mail is the message was only 2 hours old instead of almost three weeks old like the letters. Thank God for technology.
9) My son, who is a Pfc with HHC 3rd BCT - 4ID out of Ft.Carson, knew the
company commander of B/1-12 Infantry who was killed on Thursday. He had been
with my son and his unit up until a couple of months ago when he moved to command 1-12. My son called me to tell me about it on Thursday. He said this
Captain was unique, in that "everyone who knew him loved him". He said he was just "that kind of guy". My son was very upset about his death and said the whole brigade was deeply saddened.... He said the Captain always made everyone feel great and was highly respected by all. I hope his family reads this and can know how much he meant to all those who were priviledged to know him and love him. He will obviously be deeply missed and always remembered. May God bless you and bless him and hold him and all our boys close in his loving arms until we meet again. Our deepest sympathies to his great family and wife.
10) I spoke to my son Friday B/6-27FA from Fort Sill and they were just told Friday morning that they would not be home until at least April. He sounded pretty disappointed but by the time we finished 45 minutes later he was better. He asked if I would adopt a couple of soldiers that aren't getting any packages and of course I told him yes. I am sure that I can get them adopted if I can't handle it. They had some requests that I am going to try to do but he said they need board games or anything to help pass the time. My goal is to pass the word around the community and see if I can get lots of stuff sent over there. Fresh washed pillow cases was another request along with pillows. So here comes operation pillow push! My goal is to get 100 pillows and cases together to send to the unit. I think it will be fun. Others may want to check to see if there soldiers have pillows and if not send them over. He said that they were talking and all got "soft" when they started talking about downey fresh pillow cases to smell. "It would be the closest thing to home Mom!" It's funny how they appreciate the simplest of things from home.
11) I was finally able to talk to my hubby. He's with 4th ID (1-10 Cav -Alpha troop). He sounded really great! This was the first time in I don't know how long. The troop had just received a huge amount of mail. My husband said it was like christmas in september!! All kinds of boxes and letters from home that we had thought had been "lost" somewhere finally got to him!! He said there was mail for everyone in his platoon and that all the guys were on cloud 9!! He wanted me to make sure all the wives knew that although it's been a pretty hard few months with death hitting way too close to home, they were all hanging it there and taking care of each other. He also made mention of the fact that the weather is getting alot better and that they really are able to function more without feeling like they were in an oven.
12) I am a FRG leader for our troop (G-Troop 10CAV (not 1/10 cav!!) 1BDE 4ID. Our soldiers are in Tikrit. I have recieved word that my husband was one of the two injured in Thursday's battle. He lost his middle finger, part of his ring finger, and has shrapnel in his tailbone area. I wanted to thank you for your updates, and just keep you updated as well! He is in Kuwait right now. I have been able to talk to him. I am now praying that he will be home soon to heal along with us. God Bless you and of course ALL of our Troops.
13) My daughter rec'd 5 letters this week and one pkg with film from her fiance B Co 2-8 INF. He had some Polariods in the letters with him and some of his buddies after they got their Combat Infantry Badge pinned on. They were all lined up puffing out their chests, they looked so proud and we're so proud of them. Living conditions are improving, getting cooler. Time to send blankets, Walmart has twin size, bright colored blankets for only $4.88, was able to send five in their original box for him to pass out. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SAFE AND SOON!!!
14) In regards to the battery operated razor, Walmart has 2 Remington razors, one is $9.99 and the other is $19.99. I got my husband the 9.99 one and it works fine. He has used two since he has been in Iraq, but for 6 months that isn't bad I don't think. Once it gets dull you throw it away, but they also have this spray cleaner that is supposed to clean it and help keep the blades from getting so dull. The last time I purchased my husband's they were both hanging on a mini shelf across from the regular electric razors.
15) My soldier, 2/8 Bravo Co, 3rd Platoon, came home from Iraq last night (Thursday). He ETS's out in November! He is doing great - he sounds wonderful, but I won't get to see him until Saturday night. He has a 4 day pass & then can take his regular leave time in about 2 weeks. He's VERY happy to be home & enjoying the simple things in life, like bathtubs & towels :) I just thought I would let everyone know... and although he is home and safe, my prayers & my support will NOT diminish for all of our soldiers and you amazing families!! YOU ALL ROCK!
16) It made my day to get a call from my husband for my birthday. We got to talk longer than we've ever gotten to before. He's 1-66 AR in Samarra and things have been up and down there. There were some mortar attacks not too far away (I could hear them) while we were on the phone ..... He also said that the Iraqis are terrible shots so they haven't had to worry too much about it. He asked for more C and D batteries and more of the honey buns I sent him in several of his packages (they were just the little debbie kind but he suddenly has a lot of best friends when he has them-lol.) .....It sure made my day to hear from him though!
17) Just received a phone call from my husband (at 4:00AM Monday) HHC 2/8 Inf (Mech), he sounded wonderful! He said he may get to take an R&R trip for 3 days down to Kuwait he is looking forward for that opportunity. He just received his Combat Medic Badge I am so very proud of him! As I am of all our troops. Next week is our Wedding Anniversary 8 wonderful years but this will be a tough one so he wanted to wish me a Happy Anniversary. Packages are arriving and he said keep the letters and goodies coming. My sister and I have adopted one of his buddies who sadly his wife left him and he has no one to write to him or send him stuff so we are going to help him out and make sure he gets letters and some packages from home. I hope and pray everone's Soldier remains safe until they return in April to us for a great Homecoming!
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