www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the MND- Story” Monday, Oct. 8, 2007

Baghdad in Brief Doura Residents Evacuated, Returned

By Maj. Steven Lamb MND-B Public Affairs

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers temporarily moved some residents from their south- ern Baghdad homes for safety reasons, while an explosive ordnance disposal team demolished the two abandoned buildings in East Rashid District Oct. 6. “Buildings rigged to explode pose a (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team) danger to residents and security forces,” Lt. Col. Kurt Pinkerton, commander of 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 1st said Maj. Scott Pendell, a spokesperson Cavalry Division, makes his way through the crowd during a celebration for the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, in Abu Ghraib, Sept. 29, of the recent graduation of 1500 Iraqi policemen. who are conducting clearing operations in East Rashid. “To leave these buildings standing would endanger the residents of Celebration Marks Graduation of East Rashid in the future.” Soldiers from Company H, 3rd 1,500 Iraqi Police from Academy Squadron, 2nd SCR, found the two build- ings rigged to explode during clearing By Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy ing, training, and stationing process. operations in the area. After the demoli- 58th IBCT The local leaders invited the 1st tion of the two abandoned buildings, res- Cavalry Division troops to the event to idents were allowed back into the area. NASSER WA SALAM, - The show their appreciation for their efforts The 2nd and 3rd Squadrons of the village of Nasser Wa Salam celebrated in accomplishing these tasks. 2nd SCR have maintained a continuous the graduation of almost 1,500 Iraqi “This is an historic date for the presence in the Doura neighborhood Police candidates, who were recruited people of Abu Ghraib (and) Nassir Wa since Sept. 16 in efforts to establish secu- from the local area, Sept. 29. Salam,” said Col Paul E. Funk II, com- rity and remove the insurgent threat. The gathering, which all of the mander of the 1st Brigade Combat Since operations began in the area, troops new officers attended, included several Team, 1st Cav. Div. “These almost have uncovered 15 caches consisting of hundred local residents, roughly 50 of 1,500 new graduates of the IP course is rocket-propelled grenade launchers, the local sheiks and tribal leaders, and historic in that it is the Iraqi people small arms ammunition and improvised Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 5th standing up to protect themselves.” explosive bomb-making materials. Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat The event included songs and “We have detained more than 20 Team, 1st Cavalry Division. speeches by many prominent leaders. suspected terrorists in connection with The celebration marked the end of One of the more well known speakers the caches and attacks on Coalition a three month effort to get volunteers was Dr. Abd Alghafoor Alsamare, head Forces,” said Pendell. “Getting these from the local tribes in the Abu Ghraib guys off the streets makes everyone area -which stepped forward to fight Al safer.” Qaeda- through the Iraqi Police recruit- See Academy Page 3 Page 2 News Oct. 8, 2007 Peaceful Demonstration Ends After Meeting

By 2nd Lt. Adam Buchanan work together with those communities to borhood out. There are safe neighborhood 1-64 Armor Regiment help improve the security situation there for initiatives in other parts of the city where all the residents.” temporary barriers and the use of controlled BAGHDAD — Iraqi citizens held a The Iraqi Army was on site to provide access have significantly brought down the peaceful demonstration against barrier security and to insure the demonstration levels of violence including Ameriya, emplacement operations in the western remained peaceful. , Adhamiyah, and Doura, while Baghdad neighborhood of Washash Oct. 6. A group of sheiks led by Abod Kadim providing access in and out for the residents Several hundred people gathered in Hamod and Jasim Jaber Dager Alassadi who live there. front of Coalition Outpost Washash for a came forward to represent the interests of the peaceful demonstration against temporary people. Iraqi Army troops escorted these barrier emplacement in the village of leaders forward to the front gate of the out- Washash, in western Baghdad. Coalition post, where 1st Lt. Andrew Coody, executive Forces began to emplace temporary concrete officer with Company D, 1st Battalion, 64th barriers around the neighborhood as part of a Armor Regiment and Iraqi Army representa- plan to enhance local security. When the tives met with them to discuss their griev- contractors began operations Oct. 5, some ances. residents protested. The sheiks said the people of Washash Men, women and children of Washash view the barriers as an embargo being marched to the outpost carrying a large Iraqi imposed on their neighborhood. They flag and banners reading: “No, no to the bar- specifically expressed concern that the barri- riers; No America,” “If you want peace stop ers would hurt local businesses. any violence in our city,” and “Stop building Coalition Forces reassured the sheiks the barriers in Washash.” that the barriers are a necessary step in secur- “The local Iraqi Army battalion and ing the area, which in turn will help improve brigade commanders, as well as residents local business. The sheiks then returned to the from the area had requested that temporary crowd. The demonstration ended peacefully. barriers be emplaced as part of a safe neigh- “The safe neighborhood plan by no borhood program there,” said Multi-National means is an effort to keep citizens from mov- Division – Baghdad spokesperson, Lt. Col. ing in and out of their neighborhoods,” Scott R. Bleichwehl. “The Iraqi and Bleichwehl said. “Rather, it’s designed to Coalition commanders there will continue to keep people who don’t belong in the neigh- Phrase Iraq of the Day 3-Day muzaahara Weather Today Tomorrow Wednesday Defined: Report High: 96 High: 97 High: 99 demonstration Low: 69 Low: 71 Low: 72

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr. Courtney E. Marulli Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl Contact the Daily Charge at VOIP 242-4093, DSN 318-847-2855 or e- Command Information Supervisor: Master Sgt. Dave Larsen mail [email protected]. Senior Editor: Sgt.Nicole Kojetin The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Editor: Sgt. Jerome Bishop the Daily Charge are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Staff Writers: Sgt. Mark B. Matthews, Spc. Angel D. Martinez, Spc. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 1st Cavalry Division. Elvyn Nieves and Pfc. April Campbell All editorial content of the Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by1st Contributing Writers: Staff Sgt. Jon 2nd Lt. Adam Buchanan and Spc. Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office. Page 3 Valor Oct. 8, 2007 Iraqi, U.S. Troops Celebrate Police Academy Graduation Milestone Academy is a community working eliminate all extremists who their security goals for the together for peace and pros- want to take away (the local area. From Page 1 perity.” said Lt. Col. Kurt resident’s) riches and “Our goal here is to bring Pinkerton, commander of 2nd futures,” he said. stability and security to the of the Sunni Endowment. Battalion, 5th Cavalry The event concluded region so there will be oppor- For many, the event was Regiment. with the posting of duty tunities, in my area, for all a way to look toward the “I look forward to work- assignments for those who people to stand up and help future of the area. ing with the community and recently graduated, which is secure their own neighbor- “This town represents the new Iraqi police to further something that will help hoods and their own commu- what stands for, which stabilize and secure Iraq, and Coalition Forces achieve nities,” said Funk. ‘Toe the Line’

Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding gener- al of the Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 1st Cavalry Division, departs a security coordination center in the southern Baghdad neighborhood of Saydiyah flanked by members of the local security volunteers Oct. 6. The security vol- unteers have donned identifying patches similar to the division patch worn by mem- bers of the 1st Cavalry Division.

(U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Scott R. Bleichwehl, MND-B PAO) Page 4 News Oct. 8, 2007 Soldier Stays to Fight After Injury

By Spc. Courtney E. Marulli 2-2 Inf. Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq — It takes a strong- willed person to stay in the game after being sidelined once, but one noncommissioned officer with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is fighting to stay in the game after being injured for the second time. Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Seymour, a how- itzer section chief for Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, received his second Purple Heart Oct. 5 for injuries he received as an escort for a supply mission July 15. “I’m speechless, for one,” he said. “Two, I’m happy to be alive. I’m definitely glad to be alive.” Seymour, a native of Augusta, Ga., received his first Purple Heart Feb. 16 for injuries he received on Dec. 30, 2006, when his vehicle was hit by two roadside bombs during a combat mission. “I want to thank my battery for their (Photo by Spc. Courtney E. Marulli, 2-2 Inf. Div. Public Affairs) support in all that I’ve done mentally and Augusta, Ga., native Staff Sgt. Gregory A. Seymour (right), a howitzer sec- physically to get back on my feet.” tion chief for Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry During the first incident, Seymour suf- Brigade Combat Team, receives his second Purple Heart from his battalion fered serious injuries but focused on heal- commander, Lt. Col. Wayne C. Grieme, during a ceremony at Forward ing. He said he’s not one to sit out of a fight. Operating Base Rustamiyah in eastern Baghdad, Oct. 5. After making a full recovery, he volun- teered to go back outside the wire to stay Seymour focused on his own injuries. He ple,” he added. with his Soldiers and carry out his unit’s was eventually evacuated to Landstuhl, The one person Seymour said he wants mission. Germany and given the option to return to to thank is his wife for her full support in his Seymour, who is on his second deploy- the United States. He said that wasn’t going decision to stay the course with his Soldiers. ment, had been back on patrols for about to happen. “She understands my dedication to my three weeks when he volunteered to be the “I started the war with my Soldiers and Soldiers and my unit,” Seymoure said. truck commander for the lead vehicle. I’m going to finish it,” Seymour said. “And being the leader that I am, she knows Seymour vehicle was hit in December, Despite his injuries, Seymour said he how I am and supports everything I do in resulting in his first Purple Heart. But, wants to continue leading missions into the military.” despite any nervousness, he led a supply combat, but is not permitted due to his Seymour said he is proud to have element to a Coalition Outpost. injuries. received such a prestigious award as the The compound was close when his His love of the artillery and military life Purple Heart, not once, but twice, but that’s vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive is part of the reason he has become the not what really matters. device. Seymour said he was conscious, but leader he is today, he said, and keeps his “To me, it doesn’t matter how many two others were knocked unconscious by focus on his team. awards I earn, but what I instill in my the blast. Once inside the secure environ- “I want to show the Soldiers that I Soldiers and leave on the battlefield,” he ment of the outpost, Seymour said he never gave up,” he said. said. “I can teach anyone to do my job, but moved both Soldiers, getting them treated “I’m still fighting. I want to be near my the real challenge is taking a Soldier and for their injuries. Soldiers and as a noncommissioned officer, turning them into a leader. What the Army After his Soldiers were taken care of, I have to set the example and be the exam- needs is more leaders.”