This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/9-23hearing.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| 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
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Heard from my husband this morning about 6:00 am, he is with A CO 1-66AR out of Ft Hood,TX. He sounded really good, just says that he is very tired. He does mostly night missions. He would like me to send more magazines to read to take up some time. He did ask for a pillow, a blanket, and of course some "real" food. But he really wanted to know how his 2 boys were doing and how school was going for them, and making sure the rest of his family was doing ok.
2) We hadn't heard anything from my husband - A Co. 2-8 INF. ( M ) in about 4 weeks , and then finally this week, a letter, 2 e-mails, and 2 phone calls!! He was actually able to call our daughter on her 10th birthday Sat. around midnight. She was estatic of course to wake up for that! He is back at Camp Normandy and seems to be doing well. All he's asked for is more music, batteries, and fatty snacks as he has lost lots of weight. There is still no a/c, but he said it's getting cooler. He is amazed at the iraqi living conditions and proud to be helping them build a better future. GOD BLESS ALL OUR TROOPS AND BRING THEM HOME SAFE AND SOON!!!!!
3) My husband is in 1-67 AR Charlie Company and has been in Tikrit all weekend on R&R.. It was a wonderful way of being waken up at 6:10 am Saturday morning to him telling me he was taking some R&R time.. It has been an awesome weekend, one I will not forget for a long time.. He said the palace is beautiful and is planning on taking a lot of pictures, which is great. I am just really happy about this. They all need down time. He happens to be with another soldier who has made his mom and dad very happy this weekend. I went straight out that after noon and bought 2 calling cards and have charged them up 3 times already this weekend. It was very well worth it. Just thought I would share this wonderful news with every one. When your loved one goes on R&R and you know he is going to be able to call or email, you just can not seem to leave the house and I havent. Hope every one has an awesome week..
4) I have recieved several emails from my husband this weekend (2nd BDE 4ID, Baqubah). He is working night shift now and has more time to send emails. He said he is doing okay. They got somemore trailers in this weekend, but they can't live in them until they have all of them in place and the power hooked up. He told me that he has to sleep outside of his tent, since he has to sleep during the day, because it is so hot and there is no air circulating in his tent. I am grateful that I have gotten to "speak" to him so often. We have gone as long as two months with no word. He has told me about RPG's being fired all around them and non-hostile gun-fire being shot in the air. Speculation is that the Iraquis are just making their presence known. I am glad he tells me even the not so good news. It keeps me from being nervous about all the rumors that fly. Life is good because I know he is alive and well. God is definitely keeping watch over our soldiers.
5) I heard from my son this weekend, he is with the 704 DSB. He was on R&R for 3 day's in Qutar. He called every day,some days 2 or 3 times. It was wonderful hearing from him. He didn't say much about things over there, he was more interested in what was going on back here at home. He did say that it was cooling off some but during the day the temps still reached 100 to 110 deg. and that it felt cool compared to the HOT that they were used to. He said that they were getting hot meals but keep the powder drink mix's coming. Iam so proud of him and all the other soilders. We must keep praying for their safe return home.
6) We are thankful to God and privileged to have received a call from our son in Tikrit on Sunday. He was also able to call his wife that night. He is with G-Troop, 10th CAV, 1st Platoon. First I want to say we are praying for the FRG leader's husband as he recovers and for the other families who were affected by last week's battle. All of us grieve with and pray for you. Our son's voice sounded wonderful to our ears. They set up some weights on the roof of their house to get some exercise and he is getting hot meals at the military lunch room brought in by Brown and Root. He stays very busy and looks forward to being back home. He always asks about us and his brothers.
7) Heard from my son who is a medic with 4th inf. 1/22. They had a memorial service for the three fallen soldiers today. He said it was very respectful. He was one of the medics who tried to work on the soldiers, but to no avail. He is having a hard time with all that is going on, but he says he has a job to do, to help the people and they won't come home till its done. God Bless our soldiers, they are doing a great job.
8) I heard from my fiance today at 7:30 am. He is with 2/8 infantry, in 3-16 FA. He said they brought one phone down to Baqubah airfield for the soldiers to use. He got 5 minutes. He said that they gave them a whole new shipment of ammo for their howitzer (Paladin). It looks like they are staying there for a while longer.... He said they have had a lot of fire missions and been firing the gun a bunch. He also said it was cooling down there, in low 100's. Said they are bored to death and they need things to do like reading material! They love kool-aid, viena sausages, boboli bread pizza, pizza sauce, crackers and cheese in a can!
9) I got a letter today from my son in Charlie Co 1-22 in Tikrit, he is supposed to be in the states by october 15th, his hitch is up. He has been real busy with raids. He said he had watched a movie as some of the guys had tv's and dvd's, so things are getting better. He said believe it or not he is going to miss it all after he is back. He also was glad the temps have dropped, he said the heat just kicks their butts. He told me not to worry. HA!HA! God Bless all our Soldiers.
10) My husband was on R & R, he is with B 3/29 FA out of Fort. Carson. He was able to relax for 4 days, although he was missing work a little. We were able to chat every day for the 4 days that he was on R & R. The day before he had to return to his unit, I received a special delivery. He had ordered me flowers online. I received 2 dozen of mulitcolored roses. That was the last thing that I had expected him to do while he was on R & R. He was able to chat with me using yahoo instant messenger.. Also was able to hear his voice using the voice feature. So if y'all are able to chat while your loved one is on R & R, maybe you could do that as well :)
He sounded great,r eally upbeat, although ready to come home. He is doing well. He requested Gatorade,Dvds,cds. I also asked him if he was in an area near children so maybe I could send some things for the children. He said not any more.
He doesn't talk much about what is going on in Iraq, which I am sure there will be plenty of time for that when he returns...... GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR TROOPS!!!!
11) As a former 4th ID member (Divarty CESO 1980-1982 and ADCEO 1982-1984) I want you to know you and your fellow soldiers are not forgotten. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
12) I got 4 phone calls from my son B Co 1/67 AR this weekend. He was on a well earned R&R in Tikrit at the palace. It was GREAT to hear his voice!! Last time we spoke was the first of Aug. He sounded very happy and relaxed, had just watched Terminator 3 at the theatre, but tired. It was around 2400 hrs (his time) when he called on Sunday. He called Monday again, had been bike riding,and had slept in that day. He said he is with a great group of guys over there,and they're all looking out for one another, so I don't have to worry (yeah,right). He asked for a coffee pot and more ritz crackers for him, and candy for the kids in the villages he goes into - both are on the way. He'll be haeding back to Scunion in the AM so I won't hear from him again for a while, but at least I heard his voice today.....
13) I heard from my husband last night around 10pm PST. He is in B Co 14th Engineer Battalion attached to the 4th ID from Ft Lewis. He sounded great and we got to talk for almost 30 min! He told me again that since his National Guard unit would be staying in Iraq for the full year, not coming home in November like we have been told, he was very upset since we are having a baby in December. He said they are trying to keep their spirits high and that they have come this far, they will handle whatever comes their way. I am so proud of him. Is it April yet??
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