Stories From The Front Line

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As you celebrate the 4th of July Holiday please do so with the understanding of what it really means. It’s a special occasion and appropriate time to say “THANK YOU” to all the great supporters that continue to take time out of their busy schedules to send notes, letters, or packages. The greetings and warmth expressed by all is overwhelming and greatly appreciated.             

This is especially true with the hottest months upon us. The conditions are rough and brutal. Our men and women are doing tremendous work and staying focussed. Much of that motivation comes from families, friends, and strangers voicing support. People from all walks of life taking time to spread a word of encouragement, laugher, greeting, or just to say “you’re doing a great job and we are proud of you”.

The effort by people and organizations to collect, pack, and send care packages is unbelievable.  As you celebrate this holiday do so with the understanding that we are supporting the efforts of the Iraqi people to achieve their freedom so that some day they might celebrate this same occasion. Your support provides us that additional fuel needed to continue that fight and stay focussed. We stand proud knowing you have our backs and understand what we are trying to achieve. We look forward to being back on our soil but only after the mission is complete.  

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. You are all in our hearts”. 
Jack C

As a receipient of an Operation Gratitude care package, I want to thank you for your thoughtfulness and support. Knowing that we are supported by those at home, who don't even know us, means so much.

As I watch my soldiers' eyes light-up with each package, note, or letter that they get, I can't help but wonder if the sender really knows the effect that they have. In a desolate place, far from home, family, and friends, any thing that represents home can bring sunshine to an otherwise cloudy day.

The support that is represented by each item that comes from the states, may be the one thing that keeps a soldier motivated for his next mission outside the wire. That extra motivation, may be the edge that helps him survive the next fire fight or spot that IED that awaits him along the roadside.

I feel that support at home is just as important and maybe sometimes more important than what we do. As history has shown many times, if the American public does not stand behind our leaders, it gives an edges to our enemies and sometimes defeats all servicemembers efforts (ie: Vietnam).

I could go on and on with examples of what support such as yours means. As a father of three and grandfather of two, I would not choose to be anywhere else. On 9/11 our freedom was threatened, our sense of security shaken, but as our warriors before us have shown and the terrorist did not understand, there is no where to hide, no where to run, to escape the wrath of a sleeping giant when awakened. Although some do not agree, I believe that if we were not here, we would have already seen further attacks in the United States.

The cost of freedom is high, but the freedom we enjoy as Americans, is priceless.

Again, thanks for your efforts, prayers, and support. Know that the are truly appreciated and greatly needed.

It is an honor to serve,
SFC R.W.
Iraq

We Will Never Forget This Day
Election day in Iraq.

By Joseph Morrison Skelly
(originally published on www.nationalreviewonline.com )

Baghdad, Iraq — A few weeks ago the election season opened with a bang in Baquba, a city of 280,000 people located on the eastern edge of the Sunni Triangle. On the evening of January 16th several mortars suddenly slammed into our Army compound, known as the CMOC, or Civil-Military Operations Center. After seeing the blue flashes of exploding shells outside the window of the small, cement, Iraqi-style bungalow we were working in, and being covered by a thin film of dust that filtered down from the ceiling, my fellow soldiers and I said, "Phew, those were CLOSE!" We immediately knew the terrorists in town were sending a message, firing a shot across the bow of the impending elections.

The shells might as well have been duds. We were not intimidated, nor were citizens across this city cowed by similar attacks aimed at them. The election schedule moved inexorably forward. People registered to vote; parties issued their lists of candidates; their workers plastered colorful posters on walls and buildings in the markets; and politicians appeared on television and radio. We were not expecting perfection — even the American electoral system occasionally has flaws — but "free and fair" elections, which is the international standard. Such an outcome would mark the first step on the long road to political and moral recovery in the region.

On Sunday, January 30 I awoke early, at 2:30 A.M. In 90 minutes I would head out on a series of missions to support the elections with soldiers from my own unit, the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, and the 1/6 Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the First Infantry Division, all based at the CMOC and nearby Forward Operating Base Gabe. We knew we would be out all day and well into the evening. As we prepared for the tasks ahead, Major Ben Conboy, the commanding officer of the CMOC, and I could hear the sound of gunfire and a series of explosions detonating across the city — stray mortars, IEDs, and RPGs. When we walked outside, bright red tracer rounds streaked across the night sky several hundred yards to the south. Ominous signs. The terrorists were active. They were trying to broadcast an early warning to the people of Baquba: "Stay away from the polls today." Once again, they would not succeed.

Our convoy of Humvees pulled out of the CMOC at 4:00 A.M. (they are up-armored, by the way, and secured by bristling machine guns, thanks to the diligent efforts of American workers who are putting in numerous overtime hours to provide us with the best military equipment in the world). We joined up with four heavily armored Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. We first provided outer-cordon security for the delivery of ballots to several polling sites. (What struck me was that they were all schools, like in the United States). We proceeded to other locations. The Iraqi security forces guarding the election sites caught our attention. We noticed a subtle change in their posture: They were more engaged, confident, and tactically proficient. They sensed what was at stake.

At approximately 6:30 A.M. reports came in of an attack on the police station at Mufrek Circle, a regular target of the terrorists located three miles west of the CMOC. It had tactical significance for them on this day. With several polling sites in the immediate vicinity, they hoped to frighten off voters. We had a different point to communicate. Our convoy headed straight for Mufrek. The menacing sound of the approaching Bradleys at the front proved to be an effective weapon in itself: by the time we rolled up on the Circle, the insurgents had fled. They knew they were no match for American firepower. The message of Iraqi and Coalition Forces — it would be safe to vote — started to gain traction, like the tracks of the Bradleys gripping the streets of Baquba.

The polls officially opened at 7:00 A.M. The first few sites we observed were relatively quiet at this early hour. Still, there were signs of hope. Workers for the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) proudly displayed their official badges and armbands. At a polling station in Old Baquba, several people were already lined up outside, while the workers inside made their final preparations. Half of these Iraqis were women. As we drove through the streets, many people peered tentatively from their doorways. In a neighborhood called Al-Huwaydir, near the Diyala River, a man dressed in his finest suit of clothes proudly walked past us to vote. His quiet dignity was moving.

Over the next few hours the terrorists continued to test the mettle of the Iraqi security forces and American troops, with scattered IEDs and small arms fire. They went for broke in an area called Buhriz, launching a concentrated attack on an American convoy and a nearby school. They failed miserably when several artillery rounds crashed onto their position and a Quick Reaction Force raced to the area and reasserted control. By 11:30 A.M. the insurgents across the city had been crushed.

Meanwhile, radio and television stations working out of the Diyala media center were encouraging people to go out and cast their ballots. In neighborhood after neighborhood residents started to vote with their feet, walking to the polls since vehicular traffic had been banned. For the next several hours we witnessed a steady increase in activity. Streets started to fill with people. The weather warmed up, it was like an early spring day in the United States. Children played soccer and other games. At 3:00 P.M. we revisited the election site in Old Baquba. A constant stream of people arrived at the school. They were searched by the Iraqi police and then went inside to vote. They emerged triumphant, people of all ages, young and old, men and women, some in traditional garb, others in secular dress. Many who walked by smiled at us. Several proudly held up their ink-stained index fingers, a new badge of honor, a finger in the eye of the terrorists, a symbol of Iraqi freedom.

After dark we set out for Al-Huwaydir to provide outside-perimeter security as the polling site closed. We traveled along one dark road with a canal to our right, surrounded by a palm grove. We turned left up a narrow street towards the village. Two of the four Bradleys in our convoy remained at the intersection, guarding the approach to Al-Huwaydir. We drove up to some concrete Jersey barriers several hundred yards away and pushed them to the side so another convoy with IECI workers that was due to arrive within minutes could get right to the polling station and load the ballot boxes. A mortar impacted a few hundred yards away. The two Bradleys with us squeezed off rounds into the darkness. We completed the task, and proceeded to drive back down to the canal.

Within minutes we heard the sudden explosion of an IED coming from the direction of the intersection. Urgent voices crackled on the radio. Terrorists lurking in the palm groves had just fired off several RPGs at the approaching IECI convoy. We sped up. One hundred yards from the canal road we veered slightly to the left to make room for the convoy as it turned up the narrow street towards us. The two Bradleys standing guard opened up, sending rounds of their .25mm main guns into the palm groves, snapping off branches, and breaking the back of the terrorists' last stand. We watched through the intersection as tracers ripped across the road. Once the firing halted, our vehicles rolled down and to the right, and took up positions along the canal. Troops fired illumination rounds over the palm trees, and night turned to day. There was no sign of the terrorists. They had been pushed further back into the putrid swamps from which they had crawled. How their cowardness contrasted with the decent people of Al-Huwaydir, who had cast their votes in large numbers. Up the road the IECI workers collected several thousand ballots, which are now being counted.

As reports come in, the voting rate is being pegged at somewhere between 60 percent and 70 percent. Whatever the exact figure turns out to be, it is 100 percent more people than were ever able to vote in a legitimate democratic election during Saddam Hussein's regime. One Iraqi friend described to me how Baathist officials would force people to polling sites in Saddam's sham elections. No more. On election day, freedom was on the ballot in Iraq. The people voted unanimously for it. Operation Iraqi Freedom is one step closer to reality. America and its allies are safer today. This election is in our national security interests. A democratic Iraqi will not support terrorist organizations nor pose a threat to its neighbors. The road ahead will still be long and difficult, there is no doubt about that, but we have passed a critical milestone.

In Baghdad, Prime Minister Allawi said, "The terrorists were defeated in Iraq." This is true. The Iraqis who voted in droves have dealt them a serious blow. In Baquba, the people know they are the ultimate winners. The word in the markets today, according to a friend, is "Down with the mujahadeen." Another colleague from Baquba put it best: "Thanks to Coalition Forces, we will never forget this day."

— Joseph Morrison Skelly, a college professor in New York City, is serving in Iraq with the 411th Civil Affairs Army Reserve Battalion in support of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division.

From: BG M.J.
" A soldier serving in
the 1st CAV in Baghdad"
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2005 4:25 PM
Subject: Victory for Freedom

Dear Friends,

It isn't over yet, but today there was a resounding victory for freedom
and democracy here in Baghdad. Having been here for a while now, many
of us have grown weary of the hand-wringers, worriers, pessimists, whiners,
and host of others who have been telling us for so long that all is lost
in Iraq. Today we witnessed just how courageous the Iraqi people can be
and how much they love their new-found freedom.

After listening to the pundits tell us how terrible the Iraqi Security
Forces are, today I watched the Iraqi Security Forces stand tall. They
protected 1,188 polling sites in Baghdad. Although there were a number
of suicide bombers who attacked today, not a single one penetrated the
perimeter of a polling site. There were several Iraqi policemen, and
several Iraqi soldiers who lost their lives today. But they did not
lose their honor or their courage; none of the 30,000 plus Iraqi
Security Forces on duty in Baghdad ran away from danger today.

At the site of our first suicide bombing of the day, voters did not lose
their courage either. They quickly lined back up at the same site,
spitting on the body of the suicide bomber as they passed by in line to
vote. A woman came out of line and took the shoe of the bomber and put
it on his face- a great insult to an Arab. The same was true at any polling site
that had violence. Voters immediately lined up again to cast their
vote. How many Americans value their privilege to vote enough to show that
kind of courage?

We have listened to many experts talk about how the Sunnis would not
participate in the election. Polling sites in Abu Guyreb were moved to
Gasaliya because the Iraqi Election Commission was concerned about
security in Abu Guyrb. We watched thousands walk down the highway-
Sunni Moslems- on the 7 mile round trip to the polling sites so they could
vote. All under the threat that terrorists had been making that they
would kill anyone who voted. How many Americans would do that?

All over Baghdad the story was the same and I could tell a dozen stories
of great courage and determination. Despite the enemy's campaign of
terror, despite danger, threats, intimidation, and the sporadic
incidents of violence and terror today, Iraqis turned out in determined,
large numbers to vote. The excitement was moving. Even though the terrorists
have said they will kill anyone with a "marked finger" (when you voted
your finger was dipped in ink to keep people from voting a second time), voters paraded down the street holding their fingers up in joy and overwhelming pride.

When I told one Iraqi I was sorry that people had died or been wounded
today, he just said "freedom has a price, and this is the price that we
must pay". And every Iraqi I talked to said thank you to the United
States for this opportunity, for this freedom, and how grateful they
were for our help. I am sure it will only be hours until you start hearing all the
"experts", most of which have never been to Iraq, start trying to
convince us that today was flawed, failed, or somehow less than a wonderful day
and a blow for freedom. They are the same people who say we are failing
here, that you couldn't do an election on the 30th of January, and on and on.
It is true we haven't "won" here yet. It is not predetermined that we
will win, and it will take continued sacrifice and determination on our part.
Those who hate freedom and democracy will still fight, many to the
death, to try to stop this march to freedom and prosperity by the Iraqis with our help. They are terrified of the thought of a free and democratic Iraq that
leads this whole region to a democratic future.

But despite this, I encourage you from here in Baghdad, for at least one
day, to ignore the pundits and experts, to enjoy a day where a blow for
freedom was struck. Know that somewhere in the world, because of the of
your friends, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and countrymen, good won over evil, freedom over terror, and democracy over despotism.

Last June 30, Iraq was given their sovereignty. Today, they earned
their freedom. And we should all be joyful for that.

All the Best,

Mike

Troops Make Lasting Impression with Rustamiyah Residents

reprinted with permission from www.blackanthem.com

CAMP RUSTAMIYAH, BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb 3, 2005
You only have to look as far as the smiles on the children’s faces to know that the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, have made a difference in the Rustamiyah community.

“We have made a big impact on the kids,” said New Orleans, native Staff Sgt. Eldred Stewart, a squad leader with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team.

“They will run to us now and tell us they love us all the time,” he said. “Personally that makes me feel good. I love kids and I like to see the joy on their faces when you help them out.”

“When we first started patrolling, the parents didn’t want the kids to get too close because they really didn’t know what we were about. We gradually earned their trust and the people are very friendly now. Some people will come out and offer us tea and bread. That is a great gesture of them welcoming us to their community,” he said.

Like many areas of Baghdad, some districts are worse than others.

“When we first took over this zone, we noticed it was a very impoverished area,” said Livingston, Calif., native Capt. David Haynes, Alpha Battery’s commander. “Some of the largest problems were a lack of essential services, the difficulties traversing the zone of responsibility because of the condition of the roads and the economic prosperity of the citizens of the zone. There is no sewage system to speak of so we focused on water.

“The water delivery system was sub-standard so we contracted for water to be distributed. The trucks run everyday delivering 200,000 liters of water per day to the residents. A long-term project is to work [sewer] pipes into the zones but that is a long way off and will be picked up by our replacements,” Haynes said.

While making great strides toward improving their living environment by repairing or replacing essential services, the Soldiers of Alpha Battery have also worked hard to make everyday survival for the citizens in their zone just a bit easier.

“Over the year we have distributed frozen chickens to the people in the community, supplies to the local schools and recently we handed out some sweaters and the people really like to get the stuff from us,” said Bethlehem, Penn. native Spc. Jonathan Harowicz, a driver in Alpha Battery.

“It makes me glad that we are helping them out. When we first went out there, their planting fields were barren. I have seen the fields gradually improve; the irrigation canal is now clean and has water flowing through it because of the pumps we have provided. We had the seed distribution a while back and they have really come a long way since then.

The school we renovated is really coming along nicely, too. We’ve painted the building and built bathrooms and I have seen a lot more kids coming to school. Things have drastically improved” said Harowicz.

Unlike some locations of the 1st BCTs area of operations, the Rustamiyah region has a ready industry to bolster the economy.

“We have about 4,000 acres of farm land in our area,” Haynes said. “We have mapped out several hundred of the farms which mostly consist of small 10 to 20 acre lots. Being that it is primarily farm land out there, we decided to focus on the agricultural piece so, prior to the harvest last year; the battalion delivered 375 tons of seed and fertilizer out to the farms in this area.”

“We also helped the community found the United Farmers of Iraq Co-operative,” Haynes said. “The Co-op will give them better prices on their seed and help them distribute their crops after harvest. The division has purchased some farm equipment to be delivered once this facility is completed Feb. 15th.”

“The price of the Co-op was $150,000, which included construction of the building, furniture and computers for the offices. We built it, but it will be run by the farmers in this area and was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. This way, we are helping the people legitimize their own government by working with them as well, Haynes said.

After getting the farmers well on their way to prosperity, Alpha Battery was able to switch its focus to other aspects of the community.

“Currently there is no secondary school, but we have a contract in for one,” Haynes said. “It will be six classrooms added onto one of the other schools. In an effort to look after the health of the people, we conducted a MEDCAP which has seen about 200 people. The majority of the cases have been minor coughs and aches, but for chronic problems, we refer them to where they need to go to get the help they need. The people have been very receptive to this.”

Of the many changes Haynes has seen in his zone over the past year, one in particular stands out in his memory.

“Each family in Iraq gets a monthly stipend of rations,” said Haynes. “One of the farmers we went to give a humanitarian assistance bag to, said he no longer needed it. Since we had given him the seed as well as the irrigation, his crops had done so well that he had not needed to get his rations for that month. He also did not want to take the humanitarian aid bag if someone else needed it more. That has been one of our biggest success stories.”

With all the obvious improvements the Soldiers have been able to affect in their area of operations, the company has experienced an equally noticeable and positive side effect.

“The folks in our zone are genuinely trying to better themselves and their country and they are glad we are here,” Haynes said.” Because of all this, we have had absolutely no enemy contact in our zone. The people have formed a sort of neighborhood watch and whenever there was anything going on that looked suspicious they would tell us. While we were out patrolling one day, a man not even from our zone, let us know that some insurgents were trying to destroy the bridge. The people in our community don’t let strangers into their area. That keeps the insurgency activity out.”

Though a far cry from the usual mission of a field artillery battery would do, these troops feel their time has been well spent and they will have a lasting impact.

“By doing good things for the children and the families, the children will grow up respecting freedom and not wanting the violence in their country,” Haynes said. “At times, I think I didn’t join the Army to be handing out soccer balls to kids, but on the grand scheme of things, if that is what you need to do to defeat your enemy, then that is what you do.”

By Staff Sgt. Merrion LaSonde
122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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