This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/9-29hearing.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
Click to Send us your news
What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) I received a call from my son, 3/66 AR, out of Fort Hood, 4th I.D. attached to the 1/22nd. Lots of raids each night. He had 3 stitches in his head when a hatch fell on him. But is ok. He won't be coming home for the leave and it is difficult for him to see his comrades go. I will be especially conscious of supporting him while others come and go. He did not have a need for anything and did not want any more smoked oysters! He said he was hungry one day and that is all he had to eat and nothing to eat with them and they made him nauseous. (too rich I guess). Ha!
2) My son is in Tikrit, an Apache pilot out of Ft. Hood and I just want you to know how much I appreciate the update you do everyday. It has helped get me through these past months. I don't get to talk to him often, but we are able to "talk" via the internet. He always sounds upbeat and glad to be over there "taking care of business", as he puts it. We are so proud of him and all the troops. ...
3) Hope everyone had a great weekend! I heard from my son, 1/68 AR, C Co., Friday morning. He is doing great. They have moved to their new "home". He said the living conditions are better but there are more attacks in this area - just what every mother wants to hear! He said the weather is getting considerably cooler which makes things much more bearable. We mainly talked about the possibility of mid-tour leave and the status of the computer I sent him. The 10 minutes goes so fast and I always think of so many things to ask him after we hang up. I've got a list started for next call!
4) Thought that I would get a note off your way to tell you that my son arrived home from Iraq yesterday for 15 days leave. He is with C/4-42 FA out of Ft. Hood. He was on the top of the list from his unit to come home to meet his daughter who is 5 months old. She is afraid of everyone (strangers) and cries when they talk to her but I could not believe how she took to her Dad! She curled right up on his chest. His wife didn't know he was coming and she kept saying "Pinch me this can't be real."
5) I got a call from my son 3 BCT 1/12 at 10:30 Sat night Texas time, said he was in Kuwait and flying home would be in Dallas 8 PM MONDAY NIGHT..... He was also on ship with tanks etc. for two months before getting to enter at Kuwait. I just want to let you know that your loved ones can call and be home within 48 hrs. Bless OUR Troops. My B-day is Oct. 7, this is the best present ever.
6) My husband is with 4th ID 1-22 A Co. He gets to call at least every other day. He was one of the guys that helped find the big weapons cache. He called home today and said that he won't be able to come home for leave since his name is so far down the list, but at least when he comes home we won't have to say good-bye 2 weeks later. He re-enlisted last week and was very upbeat. I am so proud of him! God Bless all our soldiers!!
7) Finallly received a phone call from my son at 4:41am on 9/28 NY time (HHC 1/12INF 4THID). Haven't talked to him since 8/20, he sounded absolutely fantastic. Spirts high, laughing, & cracking jokes. Says they're all doing really good and he doesn't need anything. Doesn't think however he'll get the R&R time, but says that's okay with him. His 22nd birthday is coming up the end of Oct, I'm going to send him some party stuff so they can celebrate with him. Have made up homemade Halloween baggies to send out to his company, enough for 50 guys. Also got an email this am from my husband(10TH MTN DIV) who is in Afghanistan, he just returned from a Lee Greenwood concert. Says he took a couple photos w/him and my hushand has carried a miniture American Flag in his wallet for the whole 20 yrs he's served in the army and he got Lee Greenwood to sign it for him. God Bless and keep my two favorite men safe, as well as everyone else. Continue to pray for all our wonderful soldiers.
8) I was playing a game on my computer this evening and my grandson who is with HQ Co 2 BDE 4 ID in Iraq signed on AOL Instant Messenger. I nearly fell out of my chair. We IM'ed for a long while. He was very happy to catch me also and had me call his two cousins (guys who are 19 and 20 yrs old that he grew up with) to tell them to sign on Yahoo Messenger, as in Iraq they have trouble getting the AOL one so I am going to have to change mine also, since he told me to. When I asked what he wanted or needed he finally told me a pillow, blanket, nail clippers and foot spray and DVD movies. He told me it was 100 degrees where he was. I feel so lucky that he caught me tonight as I leave on vacation tomorrow morning....
9) Our son that is with 3-66/B, is home on leave now, arrived Saturday the 27th. He and his wife had a baby girl on Sept 15. My daughter in-law said that she heard our son rocking and singing lullabies to his baby girl this morning. We will enjoy each day we have with him, it's a beautiful gift.
10) With the holidays approaching we often wonder what to do for our loved ones serving in Iraq. I spent the weekend bagging Halloween candy for the troops that are with my son (1/17th FA). I got the bags at Wal-Mart for 67 cents for a package of 40. I am sending extra bags and candy in case there are more troops than I know of.... I noticed Wal-Mart has some really cheap Halloween decorations, the guys may enjoy hanging a few of these around. Anything we can do to ease the tension and make life easier for them is well worth it - they have done so much for us. I am so proud of our troops. The year is (almost) half over and we are counting down. God be with all the troops and keep them safe.
11) Its me "tears on my pillow and pride in my heart", well the pride in my heart called again today to say that he is passing on the mid-tour leave. Said just like you expected, he wants the married guys to get home first! He would rather have the 30 days at the end of his tour, enough time to share with his girlfriend and his mom.....
The "tears on my pillow" started my drive for pillows for the unit B Btry 6-27FA, Fort Sill in Balad. So far the hospital that I work at has agreed to let me hold the drive there. If we exceed our number of pillows we will start for another unit that is represented by members of our small community. In just a couple of days we have gotten 25 pillows! We will be collecting pillowcases and washing them so they smell great of downy. I'll keep yo posted on how we do. I threatened my son with sending him a body pillow and a pillow case with my picture on it, he said he would rather have one with his girlfriend on it! I don't understand why?! Anyway it was great to hear his sense of humor and the laughter in his voice......He also said with 6 more months better send new socks and underwear, not white! He also gave me the names of a couple of soldiers that have not received much since they got there, said he has been sharing his stuff. Warned me that I now have 2 more adopted sons. So off to Walmart I go to get stuff for all of them. Always wanted more kids!.....If anyone is feeling down, just start a drive of some sort for the troops and your energy level is really upbeat. Just got to figure out how to get them all shipped over there, might have to have another fund raiser!
12) I got a phone call from our son in the 4th ID 1-12th Ft. Carson CO. I must say being awakened at 4 AM is now a joy. He sounded so good. Heat has calmed a bit. He asked for more candy. Says the children really love it as much as the soldiers do. He also said he is learning to speak Arabic more and more as his deployment goes by. Talked about the possible leave for mid-duty. Said he is something like 46 in line, if he chooses to come home, it most likely would be near December. I told him I support whatever decision he makes. He also let me know that with some of the things going on there, not to worry if mail is not getting to the house as quick and often. They have not been getting theirs from home as fast as before either. I am so proud of all the work these fine men and women are doing. God bless them all, keep them safe in your arms...till they return back to ours.
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