Established in 1917 to honor those who serve

Vol. 1, No. 10 MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – “steadfast and loyal” may 28, 2006

Metallica no match for Gone but not forgotten Memorial Day MND-B’s heavy metal Remembering fallen tribute to American experts heroes Soldiers

Page 3 Page 14 Page 12 TAPS

24 notes of memories, still job of bugler

Staff Sgt. Henry Reyna, trumpet player with the 4th Infantry Division Band, blows "Taps" at a memorial service outside the Engineer Chapel on Camp Liberty May 9 for two engineer Soldiers from Company B, 5th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade, 4th Inf. Div. who were killed May 4. By Sgt. 1st Class Mary Mott trumpet to his lips and solemnly blares “Taps,” the 363rd MPAD poignant 24-note final tribute to departed service This Week CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – members – perhaps the most well-known bugle call lone Soldier stands, silently and unobtru- ever scribed. Band Calendar ...... 17 MWR Calendars ... 17 sively off to the side at a memorial serv- For more than a century, “Taps” has given clo- Cartoon Corner .... 22 Religious Services .. 20 ice. It is nearing the end … volleys are sure to grieving family and friends attending mili- Faces & Places ...... 24 Sports Round Up ... 23 Afired. The Soldier steps forward, raises a see taps, pg. 16 Page 2 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 IRONHORSE 6 SENDS: emorial Day brings ry. This is particularly important as we are engaged in the ness. back many memo- Global War on Terror in Iraq, where we have suffered When I attend memorial services to remember these ries to me. As a painful losses and have seen the true horrors of war and brave men and women and what their service meant to young child, I can what war brings to a nation. our nation, I am humbled by their sacrifices. Mremember going to my very first Memorial Day is an important event and a time to We also have to remember that our Iraqi brothers, who Memorial Day celebration cere- stop and talk to each other and remember and say thanks are also fighting alongside us, are suffering tremendous mony at an American Legion post to those great men and women who have worn the uni- losses as well. They are losing loved ones as a result of in Marietta, Oklahoma, with my form and have defended the liberties of the their commitment – as they strive toward the goal of a grandfather, who had fought and of America. It is a day that brings home to us the realiza- free and independent Iraq and help liberate their country served in . Of course, Maj. Gen. J.D. tion that the cost of freedom is high. We must remember from 30 years of oppression. my dad fought and served in Thurman, our fallen heroes on this day and also remember their Maj. Gen. Mubdar Hatim Hazya Al-Duleimi, the 6th World War II – along with his commanding families and other loved ones. Iraqi Division commander who was murdered in March, brothers. That event all those general, There is not a day that goes by that I do not think and had become a very close friend of mine. He was a lead- years ago at the American Legion Multi-National reflect on the Soldiers that we have lost – and also the from-the-front commander who was totally committed to was a true remembrance for me Division – Baghdad Soldiers who have been seriously wounded here. I think the concept of “One Iraq,” and that was the first thing he of all of those who had died – of them often because of our responsibility to them and would reiterate to me whenever we met. I will be remem- and sacrificed in many other ways – in those wars. as a reminder to me about the importance of each indi- bering him fondly and proudly this Memorial Day, along What this “day of remembrance” brings to me this vidual. with all of the heroes of both our countries – and I ask year is an overwhelming sense of feeling for the sacri- Thinking of our fallen and wounded heroes also that you do the same. fices that all of our Soldiers have given throughout histo- serves to remind me of the human dimension to our busi- Ironhorse 6. Steadfast and Loyal

An interview with Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Command Sergeant Major, on Memorial Day

irst, on this daily lives here a little easier while theirs eration of military members is accom- to make mistakes. But be darn sure you Memorial are fraught with worry and concern for us. plishing – just as their predecessors who learn from the ones you make and pass Day, we I am very proud to be a veteran. I am have gone before them accomplished at that knowledge on to others so they don’t think of proud of what we, the military, have Meuse-Argonne, on the beaches of even have to make it the first time. Four fellow mem- accomplished during my two tours here in Normandy, in the jungles of Vietnam – Lastly, I want you to ENJOY being a bers of the military Iraq and I would not hesitate to return if countless sacrifices in countless places. Soldier, a sailor, an airman or a Marine. services who have needed. Despite the obvious sacrifices My philosophy on being a Soldier is a ENJOY wearing the uniform and serving paid the ultimate being made by our great men and women simple one. First, take care of your fellow your country. You are one of a minority price for freedom in uniform, many of us are driven to serve soldiers, your buddies, your comrades-in- of individuals who is courageous enough – their lives. We Command Sgt. Maj. in Iraq because we are proud of our arms. If you are a leader, give them the to stand up and give 100 percent for what must never forget Ronald Riling, nation, we are proud to serve alongside very best leadership you can and never you believe in – your country and your our fallen com- Multi-National such great warriors and we have a sense doubt them or yourself. Second, treat fellow man. rades who have Division – Baghdad of duty. every person with respect, regardless of Believe in what you are doing for your served our military Command Sergeant The U.S. Service members we have rank, national origin, skin color or any country by helping defeat terrorism in this and our great Major now live up to the tradition of the fine other variable. The third point I would world. Do your own personal best every Nation with such men and women who have served in other make to you is that, as members of the day to accomplish the mission the best dignity and honor – and part of that means conflicts throughout the last century-and- United States military, you must recognize way you can and keep learning and grow- that we can not ever forget their families a-half and beyond. Our Service members that discipline is the key to a good organi- ing – and don’t waste those “mistakes.” and we must help their families the best are fighting the Global War on Terrorism zation; coupled with teamwork, you and You will establish friendships here; cher- way we can, now and always. To our and are doing a superb job. It is a tougher your comrades are an unbeatable force. ish them. You will experience the bonds own families and family support groups and a more complex fight than the U.S. Fourth, I urge you to set the standard of of a comradeship that will last your entire back home – we need to remember to has even been involved in before in its excellence as a United States service lifetime. thank them for their very real sacrifices – history. But, always remember that our member and lead by example, on and off On this Memorial Day, please take a those they make on behalf of all of our Soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen are duty. Those outside the military judge the moment of silence and say a prayer for Soldiers here in Iraq. We are grateful all volunteers in the finest tradition of military as a whole by how you, as an our fallen comrades. Salute the flag, or every day for what you do for us, for America’s history. We are a force made up individual, behave. Never forget that; you put your hand over your heart when you sending both care packages and love of brave men and women who chose to may be the Soldier, Marine, sailor or air- hear the National Anthem being played – every day. The family support groups serve their country, who have chosen to man used as the standard by which all it is always being played for them. Be especially are very special people to us, risk their lives in order to help improve others are judged. Make that standard proud of what they have done. They did for all they do back home to make our the lives of others. That is what this gen- high. My fifth point is – don’t be afraid it for you and for their country.

Public Affairs Supervisor: The Ivy Leaf is produced by the inserts or supplements, does not consti- 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment tute endorsement by the Department of the Master Sgt. Eric Lobsinger Contributing Units Army, the 4th Infantry Division, or The Ivy 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Leaf of the products and services adver- 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Div. tised. All editorial content of The Ivy Leaf 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Editor is prepared, edited, provided and Sgt. 1st Class Mary Mott 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Div. – 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. approved by the Multi-National Division – Multi-National Division Baghdad Baghdad Public Affairs Office. Layout and Design 4th BCT, 101st Airborne Div. Public Affairs Office Sgt. Kristin Kemplin Combat Aviation Bde., 4th Inf. Div. Do you have a story to share? Fires Bde., 4th Inf. Div. The Ivy Leaf welcomes columns, commen- 16th Engineer Bde. taries, articles, letters and photos from Commanding General: Photo Editors Spc. Rodney Foliente Sustainment Bde., 4th Inf. Div. readers. Submissions should be sent to the Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman The Ivy Leaf is an authorized publication Editor at [email protected]. and for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of include author’s name, rank, unit and con- Division Command Sergeant Major: Staff Writers The Ivy Leaf are not necessarily official tact information. The Ivy Leaf reserves the Staff Sgt. Christian Farrell views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. right to edit submissions selected for the Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel Staff Sgt. Adam Navarro Government, Department of the Army, or paper. For further information on dead- the 4th Infantry Division. The Ivy Leaf has lines, questions, comments or a request to Public Affairs Officer: Spc. Karl Johnson Spc. C. Terrell Turner a circulation of 10,000. The appearance of be on our distribution list, email the Editor Lt. Col. Jonathan Withington Spc. Jake Judge advertising in this publication, including or call VoIP 242-4464 or DSN (318) 847-1913. may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 3 Iraqi army captures terrorist cell leader in Baghdad Story by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Brock AQIZ cell leader and two other suspects, tracking this guy and gathering joint intel- three pipes for rockets, an 82mm mortar 506th Inf. Regt. PAO, 101st Abn. Div. along with 17 full AK-47 magazines, 20 ligence for the last four months, but the tripod, a 60mm mortar tripod, an 82mm BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 1st rolls of TNT, three pistols, two belts of Iraqi soldiers took the lead and detained base plate, a large rocket, several nine-volt Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army 7.62mm ammunition and eight boxes of this guy and got information on another batteries rigged to switches and a bag of Division, along with 4th Battalion, 320th pistol ammunition. weapons cache.”’ paraphernalia. Field Artillery, 506th Infantry Regiment’s The suspects were then taken into cus- Acting on a tip from the cell leader, the “The Iraqi army did a great job,” Military Transition Team, dealt the anti- tody and questioned. Soldiers then mounted up again, this time Brandon said. “This was the best Iraqi Iraqi forces a blow when they detained an “The apprehension of the cell leader with the help of the MiTT team, and moved army ran mission that I have seen.” al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader and seven other was entirely the work of the Iraqi army,” out to the second location, where they The capture of the suspects and the anti-Iraqi forces in two different raids in said Capt. Joshua Brandon, 4-320th FA detained the other five suspects and recov- weapons cache found help make the area the Adhamiyah area May 4. MiTT. ered eight timer switches, one Motorola- safer for the civilians in the Adhamiyah The first raid led to the capture of the “We (U.S. and Iraqi forces) have been rigged detonator, an 82mm mortar tube, area.

Sgt. Brian Kilough, senior welder with Company B, 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, cuts a piece of metal to make a bracket for a broken bumper on an M1114 humvee May 4. Soldiers prove heavy metal is more than a hobby Story and photo by making a clearing barrel, to fabricating a vehicle.” Even though the Soldiers are behind Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt specialized tool, to pulling a broken-down Since the three-man shop arrived in the scenes of the 1st BCT mission, they 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. tracked vehicle into Camp Taji from out- Taji, the Soldiers have conducted a vast feel they are making a real contribution in CAMP TAJI, Iraq – side the camp, the Soldiers stay busy all array of metal welding missions in addi- the war on terror. hen most think of heavy the time. tion to conducting 20 recovery missions. “We are helping Soldiers do what they metal, their first thoughts “We can build anything made of They even constructed the protective have to do to get the job done,” Davis are of long-haired guys metal,” said Chief Warrant Officer Mark glass surrounding some of the 1st BCT added. “If we do our job right, they have playing in bands such as Davis, allied trades technician with the gunners, who somewhat resemble what less to worry about and it’s a help to the WMetallica, Iron Maiden or AC/DC, but on company. Pope John Paul II looked like when he guys who go outside the fence.” Camp Taji, the first thoughts many have “Any kind of fabrication that’s needed rode in his protected vehicle. “If something breaks and I fix it, I feel are the Soldiers of the Service and in support of the mission, we do it here. “The best part of my job is I get to play proud that I’m helping others out,” said Recovery Company. We make the big round bumpers for the with fire and be creative,” said Sgt. Brian Spc. Keith Jennings, a metal worker with The Service and Recovery Co., or Co. front of the humvee, so when they Kilough, a Corpus Christi, , native, Co. B, who is in Iraq for the second time. B, 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade (Soldiers of units who patrol outside the and also the senior welder. “The best part of my job is we are Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, spe- camp) have to push something out of the “Creativity is the key and welding is an always busy, and when you are busy, time cializes in anything made of metal. From way, they can do it without damaging the art.” goes by faster. I love this job.”

Iraqi citizen leads Cavalry scouts to weapon cache, scouts detain 2 suspected terrorists FOB LOYALTY, Iraq – pects into custody in the city of 506th Inf. Regt. 47s, two shotguns, 2,250 linked suspected of being part of an Thanks to the help of an Iraqi cit- Al-Duraiya May 3. The citizen led the platoon to rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, improvised-explosive device cell izen, Soldiers from Troop B, 1st The citizen came forward to the location of the weapons 5,420 loose rounds of 7.62mm responsible for attacks on Iraqi Squadron, 61st Calvary speak to battalion representatives. caches. ammunition and 35 shotgun police in Salman Pak. Regiment, 506th Infantry While there, he told them about The caches consisted of two shells. (Courtesy of Sgt. Tanasha Regiment, seized a weapons possible terrorist activities in our 122mm artillery rounds, two In addition to the cache, the Stachelczyk, 506th Inf. Regt. PAO, cache and took two terrorist sus- sector, said Capt. William Arnold, 125mm artillery rounds, five AK- Soldiers detained two terrorists 101st Abn. Div.) Page 4 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commander, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, greets Maj. Gen. Qais Hamza Aboud Al-Momouri, Babil Chief of Police, before a meeting May 22. The MND-B commander and key members of his staff met with leaders from Babil and provinces to discuss the future of Iraqi security. MND-B, key Iraqi leaders of Babil, Karbala meet to discuss future of Iraqi security Story and photo by Spc. Karl Johnson MND-B. “We must work together to Aqeel Mahmud Karim Al Khaz’ali, ing, their main goal is to support the gov- 363 MPAD achieve the same common goal of a secure Karbala governor. He was especially ernment of Iraq and Multi-National Force BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraq.” appreciative of the recent work done by – Iraq’s initiative to transfer security to the he Multi-National Division – Though the two governors are from dif- Coalition Forces in the assisting of local provincial government once the police in Baghdad commander along with ferent areas, they both expressed the same farmers with date palm spraying. the province are qualified and the security key members of his staff met optimism stemming from the recent The country’s second largest export had situation is improved. with governors and local leaders progress made by the Iraqi government in become infested with dubas bugs, which Both governors at the meetings prom- Tfrom Babil and Karbala provinces today choosing a Prime Minister and his cabinet. threatened to destroy the much- needed ised to work closely with coalition leaders for the second time in as many months to “We are looking forward to working crop. Thurman also focused much of the in order to improve the security situation. discuss the security situation in their areas. with the Council of Representatives and meeting on the provinces’ progress “We must work together to bring “This is a historic time in Iraq,” said the new government to continue the towards assuming overall security control. peace,” said Salim Salih Medi, governor of Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commander, progress toward security in Iraq,” said Dr. According to Army leaders at the meet- Babil.

Judge Advocate General of Army visits Soldiers at Camp Liberty Story and photo by Sgt. Ann vided and received,” said Black. Drier, 363rd MPAD During his visit, Black offici- BAGHDAD – Maj. Gen. ated the reenlistments of two Scott Black, the Judge Advocate Soldiers from the Staff Judge General of the Army, Judge Advocates office, Sgt. James Advocate Corps, visited Multi- Matthews and Sgt. Martin Diaz National Division – Baghdad DeLeon, both of Division Troop Soldiers here April 24 to evalu- Company, Special Troops ate the effectiveness of his Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. troops. “I considered it a special He said his visit allowed him honor to be re-enlisted by Maj. an opportunity to visit with Gen. Black. I admire and Soldiers in theater, which is vital respect him, and I feel confident when considering a large per- about our future under his lead- centage of the corps’ Soldiers are ership,” said Matthews. presently here. “From here,” he said, “I “JAG is a low-density corps, intend, God willing, to continue with approximately 3,000 active- to gain experience as a court duty Soldiers – 600 of those reporter and JAG leader. Soldiers are in Iraq. If I want to Maj. Gen. Scott Black, Judge Advocate General of the Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Eventually, I want to train and see my forces, I’ve got to come addresses Judge Advocate Soldiers at the Iron Horse Conference Center April 24. lead new JAG recruits and aspir- to Iraq,” he said. ices being provided in theater as with commanders to see how they are getting,” said Black. ing court-reporter Soldiers. The visit, he continued, also well as unit motivation and they evaluate the services being “It appears, after my visit After retirement, I want to earn a provides him an opportunity to morale. provided and find out if they are here, that everyone is pleased law degree and serve as a judge assess the delivery of legal serv- “Part of that is to conference happy with the level of service and happy with the services pro- and civil leader.” may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 5

The “golden hour” has long been the standard for evaluating a casualty’s chances of survival on the battlefield. And combat lifesavers are cutting down on time to focus on the minutes that count ... The Platinum 10 minutes Story and Photo by Spc. Curt Squires tion, Soldiers are taught many techniques MNC-I PAO that used to be performed only by medics. BAGHDAD, Iraq – The “platinum 10 minutes” is based he three-vehicle convoy has upon the “golden hour” in emergency been rolling for five hours medicine – the crucial first sixty minutes straight. The Soldiers are tired after an accident or the onset of acute ill- and are fighting to stay awake. ness. Chances of survival are greatest if TThe night is dark with the moon hidden the victim can be in the operating room behind cloud cover. within the golden hour, said Swann, but in The headlights are off as the Soldiers addition to that, “in the large population move tactically through a known insur- of casualties, the first 10 minutes are key. gent-ridden neighborhood in Baghdad. Those initial interventions are probably The streets are quiet, with a curfew in full just as important as the surgery later on. effect. That is what is going to save the life ini- Unknown to the Soldiers in the con- tially.” voy, danger is lurking ahead. Just before How much time is truly available to dark, a terrorist placed an explosively save a life depends largely on the individ- formed projectile in the trash alongside ual and varies widely. the road. “Is it an hour? Is it 90 minutes? Is it As the first vehicle approaches the kill two hours? What is the actual time you zone, a deafening explosion rips through have to get someone to surgery? The the air. The EFP penetrates the armor and answer depends on the type and severity enters the cab. The right leg of the front of the injuries,” Swann said. passenger has been amputated from the The platinum ten minutes is based on a knee down due to force of the blast. simple fact — without oxygen, the cells A fellow Soldier in the vehicle is a cer- and tissues in the body begin to die. tified combat lifesaver and instinctively At the initial scene of the injury or ill- reaches for the combat lifesaver bag locat- ness, if the casualty is not breathing he ed above his head. He maneuvers his way has roughly 10-12 minutes before perma- around the gunner and through the cab to nent tissue damage to the brain sets in, the injured Soldier with a tactical tourni- said Swann. However, Swann added, a quet ready to use. person can “bleed out,” in as little as two With the black band wrapped around minutes, making knowledge of how to the traumatically injured leg, the Soldier apply immediate bleeding control another twists the plastic rod several times until essential element of CLS training. the bleeding stops; the tourniquet is then Considering the current mission in secured into place. Iraq, CLS Soldiers are the military’s key Due to the quick reaction on the part of to success at savings lives, said Davis, his fellow CLS Soldier, the wounded because on many occasions they will be Soldier is still the only first alive 10 min- responders. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Brigade, practice medical evac- utes following “With all of the tools and tech- Chest uation of a “casualty” during a mass casualty exercise March 25 in cooperation with the trauma. niques, we are asking more of today’s decompression the 30th Medical Brigade and Task Force Iron Horse, 4th Infantry Division. He has sur- combat lifesavers than ever before in is another life- blood, said Davis. “Instead of giving the vital assets to the U.S. military. vived the saving skill traditional Lactated Ringer’s solution, you “I’m proud of the men and women “platinum ten history.” learned in the give the casualty this instead.” (who are combat lifesavers). Not only do minutes” and Staff Sgt. Christopher Davis, CLS course, “They give more fluid for the body to they have to do their primary job, but will live to tell medic coordinator, said Davis. work,” he continued. once the threat has been neutralized, they his story. Task Force Iron Horse, 4th Infantry Division When the The Hemcon bandage in the CLS bag have to care for their buddies,” Davis Once the chest cavity is can also be used to cauterize a wound. said. injured Soldier punctured, air The bandage is designed to cling to a “As a medic,” he continued, “I don’t arrives at a combat support hospital, his can gather inside the chest, putting pres- blood vessel and stop the bleeding, know (personally) most of the people I chances of survival are around 96 percent, sure on the lungs and not allowing them “which is great for the cardiovascular sys- am treating. But it is really tough to ask said Col. Steven Swann, commander, 30th to inflate. tem,” said Davis. someone to not only defend themselves, Medical Brigade. Located inside the CLS bag is a .14 “With all of the tools and techniques, but to care for their buddies, someone Combat lifesavers are individual gauge needle. When properly trained, a we are asking more of today’s combat life they know as well. That is a lot of Soldiers who attend a five-day course CLS Soldier can insert the needle into the savers than ever before in history,” Davis responsibility.” covering advanced first-aid and life-sav- casualty’s chest, decompressing and said. For combat lifesavers and medics ing techniques, said Staff Sgt. Christopher relieving the pressure and allowing the “That is definitely translating into more alike, the first ten minutes are vital—get Davis, medic coordinator, Task Force Iron lung to properly inflate. lives being saved.” air to the victim, get blood flow to the Horse, 4th Infantry Division. Volume expanders, such as Hexastarch, The Army Medical Department recent- brain, heart, lungs and other vital organs During the 40-hour block of instruc- are given when a casualty has lost a lot of ly identified the CLS Soldier as one of the to keep your buddy alive, said Swann.

Iraqi army, MND-B northwest Baghdad. An Explosive Ordnance National Division – Baghdad AK-47 rifles, a rack system, a set Soldiers capture 5 The cache included 155 12mm Disposal team destroyed the Soldiers observed three terrorists of night vision goggles, six munitions. suspected terrorists mortar rounds, 97 60mm mortar with two bongo trucks emplacing 155mm rounds, a car battery, det- rounds, 96 sticks of PE-4 explo- (Courtesy of MND – B PAO) a roadside bomb on a highway onation cord, a pressure plate BAGHDAD – Soldiers from sives, 40 blasting caps, 20 rocket- southwest of Baghdad. mechanism and a long-range the 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army propelled grenades, seven RPG MND-B Soldiers cap- Attack helicopters destroyed transmitter base. Division and Multi-National launchers, two 120mm mortar ture terrorist, disrupt both bongo trucks, killing one Coalition Forces continued Division – Baghdad’s 2nd systems, two 82mm mortar sys- improvised-explosive terrorist, another fled to a nearby earching for the third terrorist. tems, two 60mm mortar systems, home. Coalition Forces cordoned Battalion, 22nd Infantry device emplacements The wounded terrorist received Regiment, located a large nine cell phones, three long-range off the area and detained the man. medical treatment prior to being weapons cache and detained five control transmitters and a charg- BAGHDAD – At approxi- After searching the impact detained for questioning. suspected terrorists May 12 in ing base for the transmitters. mately 7:30 a.m. May 16 Multi- area, Soldiers discovered two (Courtesy of MND – B PAO) Page 6 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 Medical operation helps Mushada residents Story and photo by the void to provide help to the Spc. C. Terrell Turner Sunnis who haven’t received the 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. help they need.” CAMP TAJI, Iraq – While this clinic does provide The residents of Mushada medical assistance to the resi- were given a second chance to dents of Mushada, Tarmiya and receive free medical care May 2 Taji, said Joliat, it does not pro- at the Mushada medical clinic vide certain high-level medical from Iraqi army and Multi- services for people, such as sur- National Division – Baghdad gery and birthing assistance. medical personnel. These needs require local resi- The medical operation contin- dents to travel to Baghdad for ues the effort to support the help, which may be a dangerous reconstruction of the Iraqi infra- trip for some. structure and system of gover- “The area is very dangerous nance, with the Iraqi army and with all the terrorists,” said Dr. Coalition Forces working togeth- Abrahem Jallel, a doctor from er to provide support for local the Mushada clinic. “We could nationals in the Mushada area. use more equipment for people. As part of the civil affairs Right now, we help 30,000 peo- component of the mission, back- ple in the area. This is a big area packs and soccer balls were to cover. Today, we can help passed out, along with Baghdad maybe 200 people.” Maj. Michael Ellis, a physician with 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th newspapers, Two Infantry Division, sees patients during a medical operation at the Mushada medical clinic May 2. Iraqi which pro- MND–B doctors and medics were also on hand to assist in treating locals who showed up for the free treat- ment. vide local “We try to help them under- doctors, an information MND–B Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi A local man visited the clinic IA Div. “The people think it’s about cur- stand there are more ways female Army Division. “There is coop- complaining of a headache he good to get help from the Iraqi rent events to help the people than just physician’s eration with the people and no had for more than a month. He army and , with the affecting the be providing security.” assistant, an problems except that there’s not said he heard about the opportu- Americans here as well.” residents. Iraqi doctor enough medicine sometimes.” nity for assistance from Iraqi The missions will continue as Maj. Herb Joliat “We do and four Future plans for the clinic army soldiers and a city council MND–B Soldiers work to help civil affairs officer, consist of rebuilding it into a member and received help for Iraqi forces conduct civil affairs these proj- Headuarters and Headquarters Iraqi medics ects all Detachment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, took part in larger full-service hospital, said his affliction. Another man was missions. over,” said 4th Infantry Division the opera- Joliat. diagnosed with diabetes, “For now, civil affairs opera- Maj. Herb tion and “A major hospital on a main received some medicine and was tions are a combined effort,” said Joliat, civil helped road can provide the care they referred to another doctor for Joliat. affairs officer, Headquarters and organize and work with the need here,” he said. “It will pro- help. “We show them how to do it Headquarters Detachment, 1st crowds while Jallel worked with- vide the people in all directions Despite the problems, the properly. Also, we try to help Brigade Combat Team, 4th in the clinic, helping the visiting with care and allow an ambu- Iraqi forces felt good about the through the medical phase and Infantry Division, “but the peo- medical personnel provide treat- lance to go straight through to event. provide resources through recon- ple in this area hadn’t seen any ment for the locals. or Baghdad.” “It’s good practice doing this, struction products. We try to help support from the Ministry of “This was a very good exer- Supplies and the availability and we hope we can be success- them understand that there are Health. We are here to help with cise,” said Sgt. Maj. Zohair of medicine and resources can ful,” said Pvt. Firas Abnoin, more ways to help the people medical supplies and try to fill Noori, a medic with 1st still be a problem at times. infantryman, 1st Mech. Bde., 9th than just by providing security.”

Criminal Investigation Command – how to become a CID Agent Story by Sgt. 1st Class Mary Mott according to Ms. Marianne Godin, chief strong communication skills and be able 363rd MPAD of CID’s Accreditation Division. to successfully interact with persons from Qualifications to The CID put out an “all points bul- Once qualified as an agent, Soldiers a variety of backgrounds, ethnic, racial, letin” in January looking for qualified spend their first year as an apprentice religious and minority groups. become an agent Soldiers who want to become “highly before becoming fully accredited. The CID has approximately 120 offices – Must be a U.S. citizen, at least The CID also offers advancement worldwide, of which 19 are reserve and 6 trained special agents.” 21-years-old, and rank of E-5 or During both peacetime and war, CID opportunities for enlisted Soldiers who are National Guard units. The agency has below. agents are charged with investigating seri- aspire to become warrant officers. a brand new state-of-the-art fully accredit- – Have at least two years of ous crimes in which the Army has an To qualify, Soldiers must meet the fol- ed forensics laboratory and has the addi- service but not more than 10. interest. They also provide protective lowing criteria: be a U.S. citizen, at least tional mission of providing “Secret – General technical score of 110 services and work with a variety of other 21-years-old, of the rank of E-5 or below Service-like” protection to key leaders in or higher. agencies “to solve crime and combat ter- with at least two years of service and not the Department of Defense. – Possess no court martial con- rorism.” more than 10. Soldiers must also possess Openings for becoming an agent exist victions. An active duty Soldier does not have to a general technical score of 110 or higher, not only on the active duty side of the – 60 semester hours of college have a military police or a civilian law have no court martial convictions, possess house, but in the majority of CID reserve credit. enforcement back ground to qualify to 60 semester hours of college credit, have and National Guard units. – Physical profile of 111221 or become a CID agent. a physical profile of 111221 or higher It takes approximately 18 months from higher with normal color vision. The CID offers a six-month internship with normal color vision, have five years “the time someone walks through my – Have five years of obligated program for active duty Soldiers that wish of obligated service remaining upon com- door” until an individual is certified as an service remaining upon comple- to become agents but lack law-enforce- pletion of the Apprentice Special Agent agent, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert tion of the Apprentice Special ment experience. Course and be able to obtain and maintain Billingsley, Detachment Sergeant, 481st Agent Course. Major military installations back in the a Top Secret clearance. Military Police Detachment (CID), 10th – Able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. states, including Forts Bragg, Benning, Although the career field has no com- Military Police Battalion, Camp Liberty. Hood and Lewis offer CID intern oppor- missioned officers, a commissioned offi- A 5-year commitment to the Army fol- tunities. cer can become a CID agent. The officer lowing school is necessary to become an –CID Special Agent, (31-1A is the war- These internships “develop the must resign his commission and become a agent, recently upped from a 3-year com- rant officer designator), can contact Sgt. recruit’s potential to complete the rigorous warrant officer. mitment. 1st Class Robert Billingsley at DSN (318) 15-week Apprentice Special Agent Course Although not measured on paper, suc- Soldiers interested in obtaining 822-2149; or visit the CID website at: at the U.S. Army Military Police School,” cessful CID agents must also possess Military Occupational Specialty 31D, MP www.cid.army.mil. may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 7 Bear Company Soldiers strike, hit, destroy weapons caches during Operation Lightning Blitz Story and photo by improvements in the way that they oper- Spc. Rodney Foliente ate,” stated 1st Lt. Dahbry Streets, chemi- 4th Inf. Div. PAO cal officer, 1-22 Inf. “They have done an BAGHDAD — excellent job representing themselves and Iraqi army and Multi-National Division their unit. The Iraqi people should be proud – Baghdad Soldiers discovered, and con- of these men.” trol-detonated, three roadside bombs and Co. B Soldiers found a large cache May two weapons caches in Arab Jabour, south- 7. The cache contained 46 anti-personnel east of Baghdad, during Operation mines, two 155mm rounds, 15 rocket-pro- Lightning Blitz that spanned May 5-7. pelled grenade rounds, six mortar rounds, Soldiers from Reconnaissance Platoon, eight grenades, four RPGs, eight AK-47 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army assault rifles with 37 magazines, approxi- Division, and Company B, 1st Battalion, mately 3,000 7.62mm rounds, 100 .45mm 22nd Infantry Regiment, conducted the rounds, additional RPG and mortar parts joint operation to promote stability and and fuses, seven artillery boosters, 11.5 thwart terrorist activity in the area. pounds of explosives and various bomb- “The purpose of the operation was to making materials. gain intelligence concerning anti-Iraqi “The cache we identified and destroyed forces activity in the Tigris River Valley was probably the most active one we have and clear the area of (terrorist) personnel found thus far,” said Weber. and resources,” said Capt. Matthew Weber, Co. B Soldiers also discovered a small- commander, Co. B., 1-22 Inf. er cache May 6, which included one He said the mission met with success by propane tank, various bomb-making mate- denying terrorists the use of the discovered rials, 30 7.62mm rounds and 10 9mm weapons caches and roadside bombs. rounds. Iraqi soldiers and their advisors, Weber expressed pride in the Soldiers Military Transition Team 3, attached to 1- and said, “They continue to impress me 22 Inf. Regt., discovered three roadside more every day, and at this point in the bombs May 7 along the patrol’s route. deployment, they are extremely proficient “The Iraqi army has made significant in every task that is required of them.”

ABOVE: Members of 447th Air Force Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team, attached to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, stack anti-personnel mines on top of mor- tar tubes and munitions while preparing to conduct a controlled detonation of a weapons cache May 7 in Arab Jabour, southeast of Baghdad. LEFT: Soldiers from Reconnaissance Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi army Division, finish searching a storage building May 6 in Arab Jabour, southeast of Baghdad. Two weapons caches were found during ‘Operation Lightning Blitz”. BELOW: The 447th Air Force Explosives Ordnance Disposal team, attached to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, conducts a control detonation of a roadside bomb May 7 in Arab Jabour, southeast of Baghdad.

Combat team commander meets with mayor, discusses Mahmudiyah’s future Story by Spc. Kelly Kent McDowell and information operations to benefit the In the past seven months, the brigade’s ty with the help of MND-B and the local 2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div. local citizens and Iraqi Security Forces. Soldiers helped complete such projects as Iraqi government. BAGHDAD — In an effort to continue Many projects were discussed, such as the QaaQaa and SheeSheeBar water treat- Current projects in Mahmudiyah communication and cooperation between power, sewage, water flow and improve- ment facilities, multiple schools, road include refurbishing an emergency room, local governments, Iraqi police, Iraqi army ments to the surrounding community, rang- repairs and the rebuilding of the five electrical networks slated for repair and Multi-National Division – Baghdad ing from refurbishing schools to recruiting Mahmudiyah Iraqi police station. and the reconstruction of the local sewer leaders visited the mayor of Mahmudiyah more police. “It takes time,” Ebel said. “Day by day, system. May 3 to discuss the future of the city. “Seven months ago when (2nd BCT) the improvements are being seen through- “I am very happy for the visitation Col. Todd Ebel, commander, 2nd first arrived, no contractor would come to out Mahmudiyah. I feel it is my duty to today,” the mayor said. Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Mahmudiyah. When I arrived, there were help in whatever it is the city needs to keep “I am willing to help and cooperate with Division, accompanied by his projects, only 20 projects throughout south stable and prosperous.” (2nd BCT) when it comes to the security of information and civil affairs officers, Baghdad,” Ebel said. “Today, we have The future of Mahmudiyah is bright for Mahmudiyah. We are sending a clear mes- joined the mayor and the Iraqi police chief more than 220 projects being planned or the local nationals as they see more sage to the people that the Iraqi govern- of Mahmudiyah to brainstorm new projects worked on right now.” improvements to their area become a reali- ment is active.” Page 8 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 Brigade combat team facilitates Iraqi Chamber of Commerce, Civil Affairs works to stimulate economy Staff Sgt. Brent Williams 4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. BAGHDAD – The 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosted a seminar for Baghdad’s Rasheed District Chamber of Commerce on budget development and planning, and contract negotiations with international businesses at Forward Operating Base Prosperity in Baghdad’s International Zone May 3. The seminar is the third since the chamber’s inception and hosted 25 mem- bers of the Iraqi entrepreneurial organiza- tion. It covered classes on Finance for Managers and Principles for International Contract Negotiations. “Their vision is to improve the eco- nomic conditions of Al Rasheed by devel- oping current businesses and identifying potential businesses which will succeed in Rasheed and Baghdad,” said Maj. Carlos Molina, liaison officer, Company A, 425th CA Bn. The meeting for members of Iraq’s business communities is a relatively new idea in efforts to improve economic stabil- ity and focus on goals that are key to the future of Baghdad, said the 41-year old from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Molina is the officer responsible for coordinating and planning civil military operations for the 4th BCT. The purpose of the chamber of com- Photo by Spc. Rodney Foliente, 4th Inf. Div. PAO merce is to encourage Iraqi business men ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq — Local religious, political and military leaders, united against terrorism and instability in their dis- and women to find and develop local trict, attend the Civic Unity Conference held in the Huteen Establishment of Iskandariyah April 8. businesses in Baghdad’s Al Rasheed District, he explained. Looking to create and invest in facto- Molina. he explained. affairs officer, 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. ries, construction companies, gas stations He became involved with the Rasheed “Since then, we have offered the assis- “One of the things that we are trying to and local markets in the Rasheed District, Chamber of Commerce upon deploying tance of integrating the council members do in our area of this country is to stimu- members of the council have created with his unit in April 2005 and discovered and networking them with other organiza- late the economy,” Acosta said. “Having plans for future business ventures and a group of businessmen only interested in tions, not only here in Baghdad but also the chamber of commerce for Al Rasheed financial man- gaining mili- international organizations, such as the and Al Karradah is definitely a plus in the agement plans tary contracts International Chamber of Commerce and way ahead for this country.” in an effort to for local proj- the Center for International Private The organization for business leaders stabilize the “We need communication between ects. Enterprise.” will allow the country to invest in its Iraqi economy, the locals and the leaders. Without “Up front, I Members of the Iraqi Chamber of future and allow for discourse between he said. communication, everything will fail told them from Commerce are also making efforts to net- different communities within Iraq looking The devel- and the insurgency will definitely the beginning work with other business organizations, to build the economy, he said. opment of grow.” not to expect such as the Baghdad Chamber of “The most important part is to have an business in projects from Commerce and the Iraqi American exchange of ideas among the members Iraq is slow Maj. Jose Acosta, me,” Molina Chamber of Commerce, said Molina. and among the companies and key leaders due to the cur- civil affairs officer, said. When not performing military duties, of the area,” said the native of San rent security 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. “All I can Molina works as an international business German, Puerto Rico. situation, do for them is manager, a career that stoked his interests “The main thing we need here is for which is deter- provide assis- in the Rasheed Chamber of Commerce. Iraq to prosper. We need communication ring banks from making small loans to tance for developing their capacity as Branch-designated Field Artillery, he between the locals and the leaders. local businesses. Once the United States members of the chamber of commerce to became a U.S. Army Civil Affairs officer Without communication, everything will Agency for International Development’s develop strategic business plans for prior to deploying in support of Operation fail and the insurgency will definitely micro loan program begins in Baghdad, improving their own businesses or devel- Iraqi Freedom. grow.” Iraq’s entrepreneurs will be able to build oping new businesses for Rasheed and “I hope to see that the chamber actual- After Molina and the Soldiers of the upon their business opportunities, said Baghdad.” ly becomes a functional organization and Co. A, 425th CA Bn. redeploy to the Molina. Molina, a member of the U.S. Army that it achieves the goals and objectives it United States, the 4th BCT will continue “It’s just the matter of obtaining the Reserves with more than 19 years of serv- spelled out in their business plans and to to focus on the Rasheed District Chamber funding necessary to implement the ice, began working with the local busi- see the members succeed in their own of Commerce and assist the business lead- ideas,” he explained. nessmen to draw up a charter for the businesses, or the new businesses that ers of south and central Baghdad to New protective measures in Rasheed, chamber, helping to outline its visions and they may develop, as a result of the eco- achieve their objective, said Acosta. such as the Dora Security Council, which goals to build a successful enterprise to, nomic development for the country. The successful efforts of the business provides security for local Iraqi vendors stimulate the economy. The Iraqi chambers of commerce in communities in Baghdad, he said, will and marketplaces with the help of the “They were officially recognized last Baghdad will remain a focus for the 4th help future investors to achieve their own Iraqi Security Forces, will help to counter year by the Ministry of Planning as an Brigade Combat Team and 4th Infantry goals and visions – and lead to a prosper- terrorist activities in Baghdad, said official non-governmental organization,” Division, said Maj. Jose Acosta, civil ous economy for Iraq. may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 9 Greater date yields for ‘Fertile Crescent’ Coalition Forces, civilian contractors conduct date palm spraying in Najaf, Babil, Karbala provinces

Story by Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel copters and fixed wing aircraft, 363 MPAD said Smith. FOB DUKE, Iraq – “We were given a call by he Governor of Najaf, MNC-I to set this operation up along with Multi- almost overnight,” said Mike National Division – Douglas, director and chief exec- Baghdad Soldiers, an utive officer for SkyLink Arabia Tair and logistic support contrac- Air and Logistic Support Inc. tor and members of international “It’s a critical mission in media outlets, attended an infor- response to MOA, who had pre- mal press conference May 12 to viously been unable to put the commemorate the efforts of the operation together” due to the Ministry of Agriculture and its fact that Iraq’s small crop-dust- role on the Iraqi economy. ing helicopter fleet was The event followed a helicop- destroyed during previous con- ter ride for attendees to observe flicts. first hand the aerial spraying of “Because of the life-cycle of date palm trees in Najaf the dubas bug, we have a limited Province. timeframe to carry this out,” said The Iraqi Ministry of Douglas. Agriculture, in conjunction with The date palm spraying pro- Photo by Master Sgt. Ronald Wegner, 4th Inf. Div. Civil Affairs Coalition Forces, is spraying date gram is being conducted from A crop-spaying helicopter sprays date palms in the Najaf Province May 12. Dates are the largest cash palm groves in the “Fertile May 1- June 15. crop in Iraq and are an important part of the Iraqi economy. Thousands of date palm trees will be Crescent,” which encompasses “The dubas bug is in the sev- sprayed through the middle of June in an attempt to rejuvenate date production. the Najaf, Babil and Karbala enth stage of larvae right now, The DAGs will do a combina- pleased with the spraying pro- Besides the dates themselves, provinces, to eliminate the dubas and this is the best time to eradi- tion of ground spraying and fer- gram and its potential to help the many products are made from bug, which threatens the health cate it,” noted Capt. Rodric tilizing along with aerial spray- citizens of Najaf and elsewhere the fruit, leaves and wood of the of the date crop. Pauletto, aviation operations offi- ing to help reach the maximum in Iraq. date palm, pointed out Asaad. “Dates are the second largest cer, 4th Inf. Div. potential of growing dates, said “In Iraq, most farmers have to Dried sugar, vinegar and export from Iraq besides oil,” According to tests that have Smith. have date palms for food,” said syrups are made from the fruit, said Maj. Jeff Smith, civil affairs, been done following past eradi- “What people don’t under- Asaad. The dates are eaten in and beds, bridges, and houses are 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th cation efforts, the spraying is 70 stand is the importance of agri- meals throughout the day. made from the wood of the date Infantry Division. “It’s a $500 to 80 percent effective in killing culture in (this) society. (The “The economic impact this palm tree, he explained. million-a-year cash crop if it’s the dubas bug, said Douglas. date crop) is one of the larger will have is very important,” said “Iraq is in a state of redevel- managed right. It (date produc- “The Ministry of Agriculture cash crops in Iraq,” said Smith. Asaad. opment and reconstruction, and tion) employs a lot of people and has taken the lead in coordinat- “This is an agrarian society, “The income will be better with that you need employment brings a lot back to the econo- ing with MNC-I and MND-B to and what employs people in this and it will give people jobs. This for the people,” said Smith. my.” make this happen,” said Smith. area is farming. will impact the stability and “This is just another method Multi-National Corps – Iraq, “The director generals of agri- “We’re facilitators to help security of the country,” said to help the security of Iraq. The in coordination with the MOA, culture from the three provinces their program to make sure it is Asaad. more you concentrate on the contracted Sky Link Arabia Air (Najaf, Babil and Karbala) have accomplished,” said Smith. “When a person has a good individual civilian and help their and Logistic Support Inc., to been instrumental in making this Asaad Sultaan Abu Gelal, income and their family is okay, situation, it becomes another conduct the spraying using heli- happen as well,” added Smith. governor, Najaf, said he is they are happier,” said Asaad. piece of the pie.” Date palm crops sprayed in Babil, Karbala provinces Story by Maj. Anna Friederich cautions they should take prior to the spraying, they will see at least a 50 per- tion to drop the insecticide prior to the 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. operations. There was some concern that cent increase in production during the har- flight and while they’re in the air, ” said FOB KALSU, Iraq — information did not reach all the farmers. vest season, (July through October). Nebuyev. The spraying seems to be going erial spraying of the date palms, Ali Kadim Ybeez, a representative “This increase will help the farmers, smoothly and support from Coalition which began the last week in from the Iraqi government Ministry of not only by increasing their production Forces has really helped. April in the Babil province, is Agriculture and advisor during spraying and income, but by bringing their families The Hillah mayor, Imad Lefta, who drawing to a close; now the operations, back home,” was on the ground floor of the project, Afocus is shifting to the Karbala province. said it is said Kadim. came to the airfield at FOB Charlie to Four MI-2 helicopters from Skylink, going smooth- The check on operations. He said the spraying Arabia, a Russian contractor based in ly, the flights “The decrease in date production decrease in efforts could not have been realized with- Baghdad, cut a path across the sky as they on schedule was a blow to our economy, it was the production has out the help of the Provincial descended into FOB Charlie in Hillah to and the farm- one crop the farmers depended on.” forced many Reconstruction Teams and the Provincial refuel. ers appear to Imad Lefta family mem- Reconstruction and Development Once refueled, they refilled insecticide be prepared. Mayor of Hillah bers, especial- Committee who initiated the project and containers and lifted off again to spread “Extensive ly the young assisted in the planning. the solution on the date palm groves information adults, to seek “The decrease in date production was a across the province. was put out employment blow to our economy, it was the one crop In the last several years, the Date palm prior to spraying – on the television, radio outside their regions. the farmers depended on,” he said. An groves in Iraq, once producing 30 percent and in the newspapers. We received many Sergiy Nebuyev, Slylink Arabia project increase in date production will mean of the worlds date supply, have been calls from farmers thanking us for the manager, ensured the pilots were briefed more jobs in the area. severely reduced by drought, security spraying saying they look forward to on the areas to be sprayed each morning “Hopefully by creating more jobs ter- issues and insect infestation. abundant crops in the future,” said Kadim. and given the weather forecast. He also rorist acts will be reduced in our area,” he To control the progressive loss of the At approximately one liter per acre, an supervised the ground crew running the said. crop and regenerate the industry, the estimated 5,000 square kilometers of date refilling operation, transportation and As the temperature rose, conditions for Ministry of Agriculture and Coalition palm groves were sprayed each day aver- delivery of the barrels of insecticide to the spraying decreased and the last flights of Forces teamed up to combat the problem aging five to six trips for the aircraft. site. the morning wound down. The pilots with aerial spraying operations. Approximately 25,000 square Kilometers “The operation is pretty simple; the welcomed the reprieve, but as evening Farmers were notified of the spraying of the crop has already been treated. MOA representatives work with the pilots approached they were ready to do it all an instructed on how to prepare and pre- Kadim also said he hopes that by and show them on a map the exact loca- over again. Page 10 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006

Photo courtesy of 4th Attack Recon. Bn., 4th Avn. Regt., Combat Avn. Bde., 4th Inf. Div. Polish pay visit to aviation troops FOB KALSU, Iraq – Sgt. Eric Kahle, Company C, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, exchanges unit patches with a Polish pilot shortly before the aircraft took off here May 5 after landing to refuel. Two Polish helicopters, an Mi-8 HIP and an Mi-24 HIND, landed to refuel and gave Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers the opportunity to learn about the helicopters, which are the Polish counterparts to the American Ah-64D Apache and Uh-60 Blackhawk. Soldiers of 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion’s Apache crews landed at FOB Kalsu and were able to learn about the Mi- 24 HIND attack helicopter. The battalion’s maintainers from Company D, along with crew chiefs from Company C, also seized the moment to explore the different airframes and even take a closer look at the uniquely different helicopters. Both units took photos and exchanged patches before the Polish forces took off, sign- ing off with Team Condor and FOB Kalsu.

Sadr City youngsters gain brighter future through school investment Story and photo by Norris Jones scopes of work, contract bill of quantities, Gulf Region Central District reviewing daily progress reports, approv- US Army Corps of Engineers ing progress payments, attending city BAGHDAD, Iraq—Sadr City children council meetings and performing the final are learning in a whole new environment project closeouts. as renovations were recently completed at Way says his favorite projects were several schools in that area. definitely the schools. “This country’s One of those projects was the Mustafa youth are the future. I see hope in their School which serves 930 high school stu- eyes. They deserve so much more than the dents in the morning, 430 elementary stu- dilapidated structures ignored by Saddam. dents (grades 1-6) in the afternoon. That In identifying priorities, we looked at the $290,000 project included 300 new interi- most urgent needs such as safety and sani- or lights, 55 ceiling fans, 11 window air tation and then used the remaining funds conditioners, 300 square meters of new to make those structures a bright, cheerful concrete playground surface, remodeling place where Iraqi youngsters could learn. of the restrooms, roof repair, raising the I believe these renovated schools are mak- perimeter security wall one meter, repair- ing a difference.” ing all broken glass and installing a steel Boys play outside the newly-renovated Mustafa School in Sadr City. The $290,000 The 35-year-old earned his mechanical mesh to protect all exterior windows, project was completed in April. The school serves over 1,300 students and is one engineering degree from Portland State painting all interior and exterior walls, of 13 public school renovations in East Baghdad completed over the last year. University. Way says he’s glad he volun- and supplying a new 80kva generator. Oversight for the projects is provided by project engineers with Gulf Region Central teered for duty in Iraq. “I met some beau- “It’s one of 13 public school renova- District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. tiful Iraqi people. I know first hand the tions in East Baghdad we oversaw in the Way is proud of the quality control youth centers, three trash-transfer stations, courage they show every day reporting to last year,” says Jeremy Way, project engi- Iraqi contractors provided at his projects water compact units, over 30 kilometers work helping this nation move forward neer with Gulf Region Central District, as well as the efforts of the Iraqi engineers of road paving, renovation of Al and become a better place to live. What U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. on his staff who oversaw that work. He Mustansiriyah University, and rehabilita- we did affected real people. I’m grateful (Throughout Baghdad Province, over $10 says during his 10-month tour he kept tion of Al Baladi Children’s Hospital in to have been part of it.” He completed his million is being invested to upgrade track of $40 million worth of projects Sadr City. tour in April and has returned to his Baghdad’s educational facilities.) including five new fire stations, three Way was responsible for writing Klamath Falls, Oregon, home. may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 11 Soldiers build Iraqi army supply, support capacity Story and photo by when we pack up and leave.” Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Malec Both Keels and Merrill said Fires Bde. PAO, 4th Inf. Div. the experience provided them a CAMP TAJI, Iraq – chance to foster new and strong n a quiet corner of Camp friendships with those they are Taji stand five large, refur- helping out. bished warehouses designed “They feel like a family to us to become the hub of repair here,” said Merrill. Iparts for the 9th Iraqi Army Most of these guys, he added, Division. can speak limited English to the The empty warehouses will Soldiers, who in turn try to speak soon be filled with a wide vari- a little Arabic for them as well. ety of goods, from simple tools Keels said his Iraqi counter- and gauges to a myriad of other parts have invited the Soldiers materials designed to keep a for tea and have developed a standing Army up and running; friendship. the buildings will be placed “Today they fed us lunch,” he under the operational control of said. “It was the first time I ate the Iraqi army. Iraqi food, and it was great – it A small team of Soldiers from doesn’t get any better than this.” the 589th Brigade Support Aeo Salah, who commutes to Battalion, Fires Brigade, 4th Camp Taji every day from Infantry Division, are working Baghdad, has worked with the diligently to train their Iraqi U.S. military for 2.5 years now, counterparts on the mechanics of Warrant Officer Clifford Merrill, supply system technician, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, fires said the project of setting up the operating a fully functional Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, highlights numerous shelving units soon to be filled with supplies to warehouses gave him hope. Supply and Support Area. support members of the 9th Iraqi army Division on Camp Taji. “I feel much better about the At first glance, the mission said Merrill, a Londonderry, Vt., a way, this is kind of the same whatsoever so we are going by future of Iraq,” he added. seems very simple – provide full native, who joined the Army in situation because we had to build visibility,” said Keels. “Things are much different now assistance with the initial set-up September 1990, and is currently up a warehouse there,” said He learned how to count in since 2003 … things are definite- of the first SSA, then have the on his second tour in Iraq. Keels, who joined the Army back Arabic, which makes his job eas- ly getting better all the time.” Iraqi army personnel take over “And once that one is going, home in Deqeen, Ark., in 1988. ier,” said Keels who grinned as “I would like to help my and fix up the rest of them, fol- they’ll have the process down, “Now we’re helping out the he posed for a photo with his country,” said Husscin, another lowing the philosophy of “teach and we’ll get all of them handed Iraqis rebuild theirs, so it’s the new Iraqi friends. worker, “and I would like to help a man to fish, feed him for a life- over.” same job.” “We’re learning more Arabic my army because when my army time,” said Warrant Officer Also on his second tour in As with any mission worth (and) we’re learning the counting is strong, my country is strong.” Clifford Merrill, supply systems Iraq is Sgt. Charles Keels, supply doing, there are always a few system so we can better under- “I would not have missed this technician, 589th BSB. specialist, 589th BSB and a challenges, noted Keels. stand how they store stuff around for the world now,” said Merrill. “Once we know they have a member of the seven-man team “Back in the states, we are here,” said Merrill. “They want “I have my family back home. I firm grasp on the first ware- that calls itself “the Magnificent working with parts that have to follow a system they have in love my family, but this is an house, we’ll move to the second Seven.” stock numbers, but here, these place now, so they can under- experience that I will probably one and we’ll be with them,” “I went to Desert Storm, so in parts have no stock numbers stand it, take it, and run with it never go through again.”

‘Operation Lofty Summit’ drives out terrorists, secures Mushada Story and photo by want to help us,” he said. Spc. C. Terrell Turner “Sheiks often offer to help us 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. when they can and people are CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The 4th often coming around wishing to Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade join us. Right now we are work- Combat Team continued working ing on making another battal- with Iraqi Security Forces to cut- ion.” off the terrorists’ activities in the Outside the village, Coalition Mushada area with Operation Forces search vehicles as they Lofty Summit May 7. leave the village. In an effort to reduce terrorist “We’ve been out here for activity, Iraqi army soldiers and about ten days,” said Pvt. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 66th Mitchell Hillman, infantryman, Armor Regiment conduct sepa- Co. C, 1st Bn., 66th Armor Regt. rate traffic control points and “This has been an interesting vehicle searches at checkpoints experience with some of the outside the villages. things you see doing this – like a The mission, explained Capt. Kia with a backseat full of chick- Jake Wamsley, commander, ens or some of the most broke Company C, 1st Bn., 66th Armor down looking vehicles you’ve Regt., is “to secure the area of Pvt. Mitchell Hillman, infantryman, Company C, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade ever seen that are still running.” operation in Mushada, in order Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, instructs a local national to exit his vehicle before a vehicle Stopping every vehicle may to transfer security to civilian search May 7 during Operation Lofty Summit, a mission striving to eliminate terrorist activities in seem to be an inconvenience to leadership and security forces, to Mushada. some, but Hillman said most create an environment for a self- ary here,” said Wamsley. “In from Bayji through Mushada, to training as the regular army, but people understand why the regulating community that is order to deny them sanctuary, it points south of the region. our job is only to protect the Soldiers are doing what they do non-supportive of anti-Iraqi was decided to stick a patrol “We conduct patrols every 24 pipeline.” and appreciate it. incursions.” base right in the center of town hours with four companies, pro- Ebraham says his soldiers “We try to make the people To help support the mission, a and start searching traffic.” tecting the pipeline, conducting receive mortar fire and attacks laugh and be agreeable while patrol base was established in Coalition Forces stage out of patrols and checkpoints,” said often, but they receive good they get searched. Most people Mushada to conduct operations a base along with the 11th Maj. Aarf Ebraham, executive feedback from the locals in the are pretty friendly. We see the in the area. Special Infrastructure Battalion, officer, 11th SIB. region. same people day to day, and we “It was determined that anti- a specialized Iraqi army unit that “We work for the Ministry of “We get a lot of help from recognize them and they recog- Iraqi forces had found a sanctu- protects the oil pipeline running Defense and have the same army people, who are our friends and nize us.” Page 12 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 A Day to Celebrate the Ame Editorial by Sgt 1st Class Mary Mott been privileged for over 20 years and father, a brother for a brother, or even a one of the 506th Regimental Combat occurs bet Editor, The Ivy Leaf through several deployments to meet best friend for a best friend. It is inde- Team that goes out daily on dangerous phenomen CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – men and women from every branch of scribable to anyone who has not experi- missions. He called his humvee “Paris ored to ex hat do Soldiers in Iraq do on the service, numerous foreign military enced it, and it is the reason that people Hilton,” because she was, “bad all by tend to un Memorial Day? Our fami- services, every military occupational spe- choose stay in the Army even after they herself.” He was young enough to be my that on Me lies and friends back home in cialty, of every rank, race, color, creed, have suffered incredible inconvenience, son and he was funny and silly … and I back to Fo Wthe states probably take this religion and background. Yet, each seen terrible things and experienced great would trust him with my life any day, that young day to remember us especially fondly Soldier I interview affects me as deeply loss. It is the glue that holds all of the because he was also smart and profes- Command and pray for our safe return. We here in as the very first interview I did, at Fort military services together and it is the sional and 100 percent dedicated to the think of th Iraq will think of our Army brothers and Bliss, Texas with a young tanker. I don’t one part of the puzzle that no one has mission. I hope I told his story well. Loyalty an sisters who have died and we will grieve, know what became of that young Soldier, ever truly been able to define. When you are in public affairs, you that he wil because every Soldier lost is a part of us but I know that I admired him tremen- Among Biblical scholars, much is find yourself thinking about all of the Major som gone forever. dously because he had what was, to me, made of the Greek word “agape,” Soldiers you meet and interview and they are bo We know that for the family and a thankless and tedious MOS that because apparently that word is virtually hoping – praying actually – that nothing without re friends of our fellow Soldiers who have involved great danger and few rewards, impossible to translate into English. It bad ever happens to any of them. The their lives fallen, Memorial Day will be especially and he faced it with determination and a means “love,” but not a kind of love that one news release you never want to So, wh difficult. For still others among our fel- sense of humor. I hope I told his story is common or typically thought of; I write, or even read, is one that has the on Memor low Soldiers, their family and friends well. think it is the kind of love that Soldiers name of any Soldier who died or is we cry. A will make one of the countless trips to Soldiers share a special kind of love feel for one another. wounded. In a war zone, we are never far up our rifl hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, to for one another. It is not a carnal love, Recently, at Forward Operating Base from tragedy, never far from writing that battle-rattl wait and pray and hope for recovery. nor is it the love of a wife for a husband, Loyalty, I talked to a young private from release. sion – like As a public affairs Soldier, I have a parent for a child, a daughter for a New York. He was a “Currahee” Soldier, The almost passionate bonding that I hope w

TARM Briga dren

CAMP Nation for tak may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 13 merican Soldier rs between Soldiers is one of those omena in life that I have been hon- to experience, although I don’t pre- to understand it. I do understand on Memorial Day, my thoughts go to two decades ago and young tanker – and I hope he is a mand Sergeant Major now. And I of the young private at FOB lty and his “sexy humvee” and hope he will be a Command Sergeant r some day. And most of all, I hope are both safe and well because, out really knowing them, I cherish lives. o, what do public affairs Soldiers do Memorial Day? We remember, and ry. And then we pray. Then we pick ur rifle and our camera, put on our e-rattle, and go out on the next mis- Photo by Spc. Karl Johnson, 363rd MPAD – like all our fellow Soldiers. BAGHDAD – Spc. Brandon Griffis, Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, , hope we tell your story well. scans through the scope of his M-14 rifle to look for enemy activity March 7 during Operation Glory Light.

Photo by Spc. Jason Thompson, 4th Inf. Div. PAO TARMIYAH, Iraq – A Soldier from 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, poses with some Tarmiyah chil- dren outside of a medical clinic April 23.

Photo by Pfc. David Hodge, 4th Inf. Div. PAO. Photo by Pfc. David Hodge, 4th Inf. Div. PAO CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Maj. Gen. J. D. Thurman, commanding general of Multi- BAGHDAD – Pfc. Adam Fuller, gunner for the commanding general’s personal security detach- National Division - Baghdad, checks his communicator headset in preparation ment, 4th Infantry Division, scans the surroundings from the turret of a M1114 uparmored HMMWV or takeoff inside a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter May 11. during a convoy mission March 1. Page 14 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 Gone but not forgotten

The following list of Soldiers Hood, Texas. Spc. Sergio A. Mercedes Saez, 23, Infantry Division, , Vacho was assigned to the Army has been compiled using the of New York, N.Y., died in Texas. Reserve’s 489th Civil Affairs Department of Defense website’s Spc. Robert J. Settle, 25, of Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 5. Battalion, Knoxville, Tenn. During officially released names of Owensboro, Ky., died in Taji, Iraq, Mercedes Saez was assigned to Five Soldiers died in An Najaf, Operation Iraqi Freedom, their Multi-National Division – on April 19. Settle was assigned the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Iraq, on Jan. 5. The soldiers were units were under the operational Baghdad Soldiers who have to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th control of the 2nd Brigade died supporting Operation Iraqi Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Freedom since the Transfer of Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Fort Campbell, Ky. Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Authority through May 19, 2006. Hood, Texas. Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Killed The staff of the Ivy Leaf offers its Pvt. Joshua F. Powers, 21, of were: Capt. Shane R. Mahaffee, 36, of very sincere apologies if any Three Soldiers died of injuries Skiatook, Okla., died in Baghdad, Maj. William F. Hecker, III, 37, of St. Alexandria, Va., died on May 15, name has been inadvertently sustained in Taji, Iraq, on April 23. Iraq, on Feb. 24. Powers was Louis, Mo. in Landstuhl Regional Medical omitted from this list or if there is All three soldiers were assigned assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Capt. Christopher P. Petty, 33, of Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of any error in spelling of names, to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Vienna, Va. injuries sustained on May 5 in Al hometowns, ages, or other infor- Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Brigade Combat Team, 101st Sgt. 1st Class Stephen J. White, Hillah, Iraq. Mahaffee was mation concerning these, our Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, 39, of Talladega, Ala. assigned to the Army Reserve’s honored deceased brother and Hood, Texas. Killed were: Ky. Sgt. Johnny J. Peralez, Jr., 25, of 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, sister warriors. Sgt. Robert W. Ehney, 26, of Pfc. Angelo A. Zawaydeh, 19, of Kingsville, Texas. Knoxville, Tenn. His unit was Lexington, Ky. San Bruno, Calif., died in Pvt. Robbie M. Mariano, 21, of under the operational control of RAIDER Cpl. Jason B. Daniel, 21, of Fort Baghdad, Iraq, on March 15. Stockton, Calif. the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Worth, Texas Zawaydeh was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. 1st Brigade Combat Team Cpl. Shawn T. Lasswell Jr., 21, of 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 2nd Marine Staff Sgt. Jay T. Collado, 4th Infantry Division Reno, Nev. Brigade, 101st Airborne Division 31, of Columbia, S.C., died Feb. 20 3rd Heavy Brigade Sgt. Radhames Camilomatos, 24, (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. near Baghdad, Iraq. He was of Carolina, Puerto Rico, died in Pfc. Christopher M. Eckhardt, 19, assigned to Marine Light/Attack Combat Team Taji, Iraq, on Jan. 7. Camilomatos of Phoenix, Ariz., died in Taji, Iraq, Spc. Andrew K. Waits, 23, of Helicopter Squadron-267, Marine 4th Infantry Division was assigned to the 1st Battalion, on May 3. Eckhardt was assigned Waterford, Mich., died April 13, in Aircraft Group-39, 3rd Marine attached to 101st Airborne 66th Armored Regiment, 1st to the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned Aircraft Wing, I Marine Division (Air Assault) Brigade Combat Team, 4th Artillery, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Expeditionary Force, Camp Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Pendleton, Calif. During Spc. Dustin L. Kendall, 21, of Texas. Comabt Team, 101st Airborne Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was Conway, Mo., died in Baqubah, Spc. Ronald W. Gebur, 23, of Divison (Air Assault), Fort attached to the U.S. Army’s 4th Iraq, on Jan. 15. Kendall was Capt. Simon T. Cox, Jr., 30, of Delavan, Ill., died of injuries sus- Campbell, Ky. Infantry Division (Military Training assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Texas, died in Taji, Iraq, on Feb. 2. tained in Baghdad, Iraq, on May Team with 2/4BCT). Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Cox was assigned to the Army’s 13. Gebur was assigned to the 1st Pvt. Travis C. Zimmerman, 19, of Brigade Combat Team, 4th 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, New Berlinville, Pa., died in Two Soldiers died of injuries sus- Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Baghdad, Iraq, on April 22. tained in Misiab, Iraq, on April 12. Colo. Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Fort Hood, Texas. Zimmerman was assigned to the The soldiers were assigned to the Hood, Texas. 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Spc. Walter B. Howard, II, 35, of STRIKE Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Rochester, Mich., died in Balad, Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Iraq, on Feb. 2, of injuries sus- Spc. William S. Hayes III, 23, of St. 2nd Brigade Combat Team Team, 101st Airborne Division Tammany, La., died in Baghdad, (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Hood, Texas. Killed were: tained earlier that day in Ashraf, Iraq, on Feb. 5. Hayes was 101st Airborne Division Spc. Scott M. Bandhold, 37, of Iraq. Howard was assigned to the assigned to the 1st Battalion, Pfc. Adam R. Shepherd, 21, of Staff Sgt. Metodio A. Bandonill, North Merrick, N.Y. Army’s 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Somerville, Ohio, died in 29, of Honolulu, Hawaii, died in Pfc. Roland E. Calderonascenio, Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Brigade Combat Team, 4th Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 17. Baghdad, Iraq, on April 24. 21, of Miami, Fla. Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Shepherd was assigned to the Bandonill was assigned to the 1st Carson, Colo. Texas. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Squadron, 75th Cavalry Four Soldiers died of injuries sus- Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat tained in Baghad, Iraq, on April 22. Three Soldiers died near Balad, Pfc. Tina M. Priest, 20, of Austin, Combat Team, 101st Airborne Team, 101st Airborne Division All four soldiers were assigned to Iraq, on Feb. 22. All three sol- Texas, died in Taji, Iraq, on March Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. the 1st Squadron, 67th Armored diers were assigned to the 1st 1. Priest was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Sgt. Matthew D. Hunter, 31, of Sgt. Steve M. Sakoda, 29, of Hilo, Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Combat Team, 4th Infantry Valley Grove, W.Va., died in Hawaii, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Hood, Texas. Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Divison, Fort Hood, Texas. Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 23. Hunter April 29. Sakoda was assigned to Killed were: Colo. Killed were: was assigned to the 1st Battalion, the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Sgt. Kyle A. Colnot, 23, of Arcadia, Staff Sgt. Curtis T. Howard II, 32, Pfc. Amy A. Duerksen, 19, of 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Calif. of Ann Arbor, Mich. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., Brigade Combat Team, 101st Team, 101st Airborne Division Spc. Eric D. King, 29, of Sgt. Gordon F. Misner II, 23, of died in Baghdad, Iraq, on March Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. Vancouver, Wash. Sparks, Nev. 11. Duerksen was assigned to the Ky. Pfc. Jacob H. Allcott, 21, of Spc. Thomas J. Wilwerth, 21, of 4th Combat Support Battalion, 1st Staff Sgt. Santiago M. Halsel, 32, Caldwell, Idaho Mastic, N.Y. Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Staff Sgt. Jerry M. Durbin Jr., 26, of Bowling Green, Ky., died of Pvt. Michael E. Bouthot, 19, of Fall Fort Hood, Texas. of Spring, Texas, died in Baghdad, injuries sustained in Baghdad, River, Mass. Sgt. Dimitri Muscat, 21, of Aurora, Iraq, on Jan. 25. Durbin was Iraq, on May 16. Halsel was Colo., died in Balad, Iraq, on Feb. Pfc. Sean D. Tharp, 21, of assigned to the 2nd Battalion, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Sgt. Bobby Mendez, 38, of 24. Muscat was assigned to the Orlando, Fla., died in Baghdad, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brooklyn, N.Y., died in Baghdad, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Iraq, on March 28. Tharp was Brigade Combat Team, 101st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Iraq, on April 27. Mendez was Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat assigned to the 1st Battalion, Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Airborne Division (Air Assault), assigned to the 2nd Special Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Ky. Fort Campbell, Ky. Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Carson, Colo. Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Combat Team, 4th Infantry Texas. Three Soldiers died in Baghdad, WARHORSE Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 1. The soldiers were Iraq, on May 15. Both soldiers 2nd Brigade Combat Team Three Soldiers died of injuries assigned to the Army’s 1st Cpl. Robbie G. Light, 21, of were assigned to the 1st sustained in Taji, Iraq, on April 11. Battalion, 502nd Infantry 4th Infantry Division Kingsport, Tenn., died of injuries Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, All three soldiers were assigned Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Team, 101st Airborne Division, Iraq, on Dec. 27. Both soldiers May 1. Light was assigned to the Fort Carson, Colo. Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Fort Campbell, Ky. Killed were: were assigned to the 2nd 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Killed were: Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort 1st Lt. Garrison C. Avery, 23, of Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Staff Sgt. Marion Flint Jr., 29, of Hood, Texas. Killed were: Lincoln, Neb. 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Baltimore, Md. Sgt. Joseph A. Blanco, 25, of Spc. Marlon A. Bustamante, 25, of Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Hood, Texas. Pfc. Grant A. Dampier, 25, of Bloomington, Calif. Corona, N.Y. Texas. Killed were: Merrill, Wis. Spc. James F. Costello III, 27, of Pfc. Caesar S. Viglienzone, 21, of Spc. Lance S. Sage, 26, of Three Soldiers died in Baghdad, St. Louis, Mo. Santa Rosa, Calif. Hempstead , N.Y. Iraq, on May 5. Killed were: CURRAHEE Pvt. Joshua M. Morberg, 20, of 1st. Sgt. Carlos N. Saenz, 46, of Pfc. George R. Roehl Jr., 21, of 4th Brigade Combat Team Manchester, N.H. Spc. Anthony C. Owens, 21, of Sparks, Nev. Las Vegas, Nev. Conway, S.C., died in Baghdad, Spc. Teodoro Torres, 29, of Las 101st Airborne Division Capt. Ian P. Weikel, 31, of Iraq, on Feb. 1. Owens was Spc. Aaron M. Forbes, 24, of Oak Vegas, Nev. Pfc. Brian J. Schoff, 22, of , died in Balad, Iraq, on assigned to the Army’s 1st Island, N.C., died in Baghdad, Sgt. Nathan J. Vacho, 29, of Manchester, Tenn., died in April 18. Weikel was assigned to Battalion, 502nd Infantry Iraq, on Dec. 28. Forbes was Janesville, Wis. Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 28. Schoff the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat assigned to the 1st Battalion, Saenz and Torres were assigned was assigned to the 2nd Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd to the Army Reserve’s 490th Civil Battalion, 506th Infantry Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Fort Campbell, Ky. Brigade Combat Team, 4th Affairs Battalion, Abilene, Texas. Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 15

Team, 101st Airborne Division, Army’s 704th Support Battalion, Staff Sgt. Dwayne P. R. Lewis, 26, Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Salter, 44, of Cypress, Texas. Fort Campbell, Ky. 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th of New York City, died in Iraq, on May 4. Both were Chief Warrant Officer Isaias E. Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 27. Lewis assigned to the 5th Engineer Santos, 28, of Ancon, Panama. Sgt. David L. Herrera, 26, of Texas. was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, Oceanside, Calif., died in Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Their Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 28. Staff Sgt. Christopher J. 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th battalion was attached to the 16th Iraq, on Jan. 16. Both pilots were Herrera was assigned to the 2nd Schornak, 28, of Hoover, Ala., Mountain Division, Fort Drum, Engineer Brigade. assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Battalion, 506th Infantry died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 26. N.Y. Killed were: Aviation Regiment (Attack), Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Schornak was assigned to the 1st Staff Sgt. Gavin B. Reinke, 32, of Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Team, 101st Airborne Division, Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Spc. Armer N. Burkart, 26, of Pueblo, Colo. Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Fort Campbell, Ky. 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Rockville, Md., died of injuries Spc. Bryan L. Quinton, 24, of Texas. Infantry Division, Fort Hood, sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sand Springs, Okla. Killed were: Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Texas. May 11. Burkart was assigned to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rex C. Iraq, on May 14. Both soldiers the 1st Battalion, 71st Cavalry Kenyon, 34, of El Segundo, Calif. were assigned to the 1st Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, THUNDERBOLT Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ruel Battalion, 312th Regiment, 30th Iraq, on April 28. The soldiers Fort Drum, N.Y. 17th Field Artillery Mamaril, 34, of Wahiawa, Hawaii. Enhanced Separate Brigade, were assigned to the 10th Clinton, N.C. During Operation Cavalry, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Sgt. Jessie Davila, 29, of Two Soldiers died in Baghdad Iraqi Freedom they were attached Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Killed Iraq, on May 11. Both soldiers Greensburg, Kan., died in Iraq, on April 1. Both soldiers to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, were: were assigned to the 3rd Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 20. Davila were assigned to the Army’s 4th 101st Airborne Division (Air Staff Sgt. Bryant A. Herlem, 37, of Battalion, 6th Field Artillery was assigned to the Army Battalion, 4th Aviation Brigade, Assault), under the 4th Infantry Copperas Cove, Texas Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Division. Killed were: Sgt. Jose Gomez, 23, of Corona, Fort Drum, N.Y. Killed were: 137th Infantry, Lawrence, Kan. Texas. Killed were: Chief Warrant Officer 4, John W. N.Y. Pfc. Eric D. Clark, 22, of Pleasant His battalion was attached to the Capt. Timothy J. Moshier, 25, of Engeman, 45, of East North Port, Prairie, Wis. 17th Field Artillery Brigade during Albany, N.Y. N.Y. Spc. Brandon L. Teeters, 21, of Pfc. Stephen P. Snowberger III, 18, Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael L. Master Sgt. Robert H. West, 37, of Lafayette, La., died on May 12, in of Lopez, Pa. Hartwick, of Orrick, Mo. Elyria, Ohio Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries 49th Military sustained on April 20 in Baghdad, Four Soldiers died on May 18 in Operation Scales COBRA Iraq. Teeters was assigned to the Baghdad, Iraq. Police Brigade 8th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Killed were: of Justice 4th Brigade Combat Team Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat 1st. Lt. Robert A. Seidel III, 23, of Staff Sgt. Bryan A. Lewis, 32, of Spc. Antoine McKinzie, 25, of 4th Infantry Division Team, Fort Hood, Texas. Gettysburg, Pa. Bunkie, La., died north of Indianapolis, Ind., died in Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Sgt. Lonnie C. Allen Jr., 26, of Rustamiyah, Iraq, on March 13. Baghdad, Iraq, on March 21. Iraq, on Jan. 23. Both soldiers Bellevue, Neb. Lewis was assigned to the 519th McKinzie was assigned to the 4th were assigned to the 1st WARRIOR Pfc. Nicholas R. Cournoyer, 25, of Military Police Battalion, 49th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Gilmanton, N.H. Military Police Brigade, Fort Polk Regiment, 1st Armored Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Lt. Col. Daniel E. Holland, 43, of La. Baumholder, Germany. Infantry Division, Fort Hood, 10th Mountain Division San Antonio, Texas. Texas. Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Holland was assigned to the EAGLE Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Killed were: Iraq, on Feb. 26. Both soldiers 352nd Civil Affairs Command, Iraq, on April 1. Both were Combat Aviation Brigade Staff Sgt. Lance M. Chase, 32, of were assigned to the 1st Fort Bragg, N.C. assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Oklahoma City, Okla. Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 1st Seidel, Allen and Cournoyer were Two Soldiers, died in Baghdad, Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Pfc. Peter D. Wagler, 18, of Brigade Combat Team, 10th assigned to the 2nd Battalion, Iraq, on Dec. 26. Both soldiers Team, 1st Armored Division, Partridge, Kan. Mountain Division of Fort Drum, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat were assigned to the 1st Baumholder, Germany. N.Y. Killed were: Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Killed were: Sgt. Charles E. Matheny, IV, 23 of Spc. Clay P. Farr, 21, of 16th Engineer Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Staff Sgt. Darrell P. Clay, 34, of Stanwood, Wash., died in Bakersfield, Calif. Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Fayetteville, N.C. Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 18. Spc. Joshua U. Humble, 21, of Brigade Killed were: Sgt. Israel Devora Garcia, 23, of Matheny was assigned to the Appleton, Maine. 4th Infantry Division Chief Warrant Officer Richard M. Clint, Texas. NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND

he Joint Prisoner of War/ . thorough peer review process. identification tags or cards, are Missing In Action One service member remains Additionally, if mtDNA is part of returned to families and loved Accounting Command listed as missing from the Gulf the process, the search for fami- ones. located on the island of War and one service member is ly reference samples for mtDNA Completed cases are forward- TOahu in Hawaii, was activated on officially listed as missing from comparison can add a signifi- ed to the appropriate service Oct. 1, 2003. JPAC’s mission is Operation Iraqi Freedom. cant amount of time to the iden- mortuary affairs office, who then to achieve the fullest possible To accomplish its mission, tification process. notifies the family personally of accounting of all Americans JPAC is organized to support JPAC works closely with the the identification.The U.S. missing as a result of our five main areas: analysis, U.S. Air Force Life Sciences Government, the Department of nation’s previous conflicts. Our negotiations, investiga- Equipment Laboratory at Defense and the Joint POW/MIA highest priority is the return of tions, recovery and Brooks City-Base, Accounting Command remain any living Americans that remain identification. Texas, to help ana- committed to scientific excel- prisoners of war. While JPAC’s lyze items recov- lence and the fullest possible Our mission is daunting, with Central ered in the field. accounting of all Americans still approximately 78,000 Americans Identification Every effort is missing or unaccounted for in missing from World War II (of Laboratory made to recover defense of this great country. those, an estimated 35,000 are identifies two all personal JPAC will continue to fulfill our deemed recoverable, with the Americans a effects from the nation’s promise to the POW/MIA others lost at sea or entombed in week on aver- excavation sites families and those Americans sunken vessels), 8,100 missing age, the recovery since these aid in still waiting to come home. from the . and identification the identification “For two generations, you Of those Americans unac- process may take process, and are have demanded a full accounting counted for from all conflicts, years to complete. In invaluable mementos for of Americans whose fate is 1,805 are from the Vietnam War. addition to the factors previously surviving family members. Once undetermined, and my adminis- Another 841 Americans have mentioned, each separate line of the identification process is tration will not rest until that been accounted for in Southeast evidence must be examined at complete, these items, which accounting is complete.” Asia since the end of the war, the CIL (bones, teeth, and mate- include such things as watches ~ George W. Bush with 601 of those from Vietnam. rial evidence) and correlated with inscribed names, pilot’s There are also120 missing serv- with all historical evidence. All wings, medals, wallets, personal – Information taken from web- ice members missing from the reports must also undergo a letters, photographs, jewelry and site: http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/ Page 16 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006

Dear Friend I had a hard time deciding how to address this to you. American citizen isn’t enough and Soldier has no feeling. I was debating between hero and friend. Although hero may seem more important, it is always the friend that we want the most; friends that we go to first; friends that we seek out in troubling time, friends who know us the best. Friends are the ones that are always there for you. They protect you and help. If you were all alone you would look for a friend before you even thought of a hero. If you are a friend of my country, you are a friend of mine and I thank you for your service to the country. It provides me with safety and security. You will never be forgotten in the hearts of your friends around the world. As Spring dawns and Easter approaches I pray for you, that you may stay safe and find joy this season. Spring is the time for new life. Look for the little wonders around you to remind you of the good things in life. Wishing you the best now and for- ever until you are able to return Photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. home. Until then, you will remain FOB FALCON – Chap. (Lt. Col.) Tommy Preston (far left), 4th Infantry Division Chaplain and Chap. (Capt.) Will Horton, chaplain, 4th Brigade Combat Team take a knee in remembrance of two noncommissioned officers fallen in the line of duty. Multi-National in my prayers. Division—Baghdad Soldiers pay final homage to two fallen comrades, cavalry scouts Staff Sgt. Bryant Herlem and Sgt. Jose Your friend, Gomez, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 8th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment at the Steel Falcon Chapel on Forward Amy Howell, 7th Grade, Operating Base Falcon May 4. Incarnation School, Dayton, Ohio taps, not to know the name of the deceased absolutely correct, so I pray ‘let me play players. Continued from pg. 1 Soldier or anything about him or her. good for this Soldier.’” “What I usually try to convey and Also, I don’t want to hear what the chap- Taps comes at a crucial moment, said share with them is that what they do with tary funerals and memorial services. lain or anyone else says.” Kersh, who hails from Higginson, Ark., “Taps” is probably the single most impor- Formerly played by a bugler, the haunting Williams stands quietly outside until he and “you almost want to hold your breath tant thing during the ceremony,” said refrain is now the job of trumpet players. is called upon to render “Taps,” which he – but you can’t. It is kind of an icon of Montgomery. It ties all the loose ends In Iraq, the 4th Infantry Division does with a heartfelt and haunting perfec- closure. When they hear ‘Taps,’ they together. It is the moment when you real- Band’s six trumpeters alternate playing tion, then departs immediately. know it’s done.” ize you have a fallen comrade. “Taps” at memorial services throughout On the other side of the coin is Spc. Staff Sgt. Henry Reyna like Ledoux, “They are real professionals,” said the Multi-National Division – Baghdad Dennis Kerr, 22, who said he “saves all of 15-year Army veteran bugler, from San Montgomery, of the buglers. The band’s area of operations. the memorial programs and wants to find Antonio, has played “Taps” for everyone buglers never take playing Taps as just Led by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Ledoux, out as much as possible about the Soldier from buck privates to 4-star generals, and another duty that gets easier with time. 4th Inf. Div. Band noncommissioned-offi- who died” before he plays for the service from the retired and famous to the “They take it real serious,” he said. cer-in-charge of the horn section, the “because it means something to me.” unknown. “The more you do it, the more difficult it trumpeters each have their own perspec- “It is more meaningful and more real “Mentally, it is hard when listening to becomes because every time you are out tive on the experience of playing “Taps.” (in Iraq) because you are in the same the ceremony and hearing their buddies there you know it means one more Soldier Their viewpoints are as different as the place as they are,” said Kerr, a native of talk. You say, ‘Tim Ledoux could be has died.” musicians themselves are from one anoth- Sparks, Nev., and former resident of Idaho playing taps for me next week.’ The reali- The buglers, being Soldiers them- er. All agree on two significant points, Falls, Idaho. ty really hits you. selves, face all of the same dangers as said Ledoux: “that it is an honor, and that Playing memorials in Iraq is admittedly “But the bottom line is we are Soldiers their fellow Soldiers, and that includes it never gets any easier.” “outside the comfort zone” of many of the and professionals – those two words go going out on convoys in order to play Ledoux, a 17-year band veteran, is an trumpet players, said Ledoux. “The hand-in-hand, so we have to perform well Taps, he added. Sometimes while travel- intensely spiritual man who prepares him- (deceased) Soldiers are our age or and keep ourselves up.” ing to memorials, they have come under self for memorials “knowing that no younger,” he pointed out, whereas back 1st Sgt. Chris Lopez, the sixth bugler, fire. On top of that, they have the emo- Soldier is less important than any other home at Fort Hood, Texas, the trumpet and a native of Copperas Cove, Texas, tional burden. and also knowing that it could have been players were most often called to play at plays only when no one else is available “They are pretty amazing men,” said me on any given day.” Ledoux “says a services for older, retired servicemembers. due to his responsibilities as first sergeant Montgomery. prayer for the deceased, one for the family “It is almost kind of nice when you of the 52-member band and as the lead Lopez also makes sure he is there to … and then I ask God to give me the hear about all of the things the deceased trumpet player for the Latin Band. talk to the buglers when they get back notes so I don’t miss any.” accomplished in his life,” said Ledoux, Lopez, a 19-year Army band veteran, from a memorial to check on their emo- Sgt. Chris Williams, 24, first played who calls both Toledo, Ohio, and New concurs that it is very difficult to play tional state. It is “real important for us to “Taps” at the funeral of his older brother, Smyrna Beach, Fla., home. Taps, but the memorials are first priority support memorial services,” said Lopez, Cory, a former Marine. It was in 1999 – “Here it is different – when you hear over everything else that they do “(but) I worry about them every time they the same year Chris graduated from that the Soldier left a spouse and two little Lopez and Chief Warrant Officer 3 go out that gate. They put on some miles” Oakridge High School back home in kids and parents behind, and you see Otha Hester, band commander, “make with memorial services. Orlando, Fla. grown men and women crying as hard as sure that a chaplain is on hand” when the “It is taxing emotionally. If you are “I knew if anybody was going to play they do.” trumpet player returns from a memorial close to where everything is going on, it Taps at (my brother’s) funeral, it was For Spc. William Grady Kersh, 26, service. really affects you.” going to be me,” said Williams. “there is a little ritual I go through. I “The chaplain comes to check on us, For now, the job of the buglers in the For him, every memorial service brings make sure I am set and in a good spot and and I look forward to the visit. I feel bet- band in a war zone goes on with tragic back the memory of a loss that will never make sure I remember ‘Taps’ because you ter when he comes around,” said Kersh. regularity. In the words of Ledoux, “we be overcome, he said. At the memorial get anxious – Chaplain David Montgomery, 4th Inf. always pray for a slow week … and for services he is assigned to in Iraq, he “asks You get butterflies. I want to play Div., is used to being there for the trumpet God to guide us.” may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 17 GUIDANCE Steadfast and ... broiled Excessive exposure to sunlight can lead to skin, eye damage, cancer f all the non-man-made exposures can sunburn the outer layer of will be diagnosed in OIF soldiers this year threats you will likely face the eyes—the cornea. An example is and many more will occur over the next during your Operation Iraqi when sunlight reflected off water or sand few decades with the slower-growing can- Freedom tour, the Iraqi sum- causes photokeratitis, or “snow blind- cers. merO sun is probably the most dangerous. ness.” Preventing Sun Related Injuries. It causes the insanely high temperatures Two long-term effects of excessive The good news is that these problems here, that can lead to heat- sunlight on the eyes are can be prevented, and prevention is much stroke and sudden death. cataracts and macular better than needing treatment. However, it causes another degeneration. Both of Your first line of defense is avoidance. threat that kills much more these conditions contribute Seek shade. Standing in the shade instead slowly – sunburn. to poor vision and may lead of in the sunlight on a hot, bright day not Overexposure to sun- to blindness. Another com- only lowers your risk of sunburn, but low- light is an occupational risk mon condition linked to ers thermal load to reduce your risk of for us Soldiers who may excessive sunlight is the heat injury. have little control over how development of a wing- Following the “Shadow Rule” is anoth- much time we have to work shaped flap of tissue over er avoidance tactic. UV exposure is or exercise in the sunshine. the cornea that is referred greatest when the sun is most directly Despite that, it was not too By Maj. Mitch to as a pterygium. Like overhead, from around 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 long ago that military per- Meyers, Preventive cataracts, these too can p.m.. The shadow rule is: “long shadow- sonnel with sunburns medicine officer, contribute to vision loss if enjoy the sun, short shadow, seek shade.” requiring medical care were not surgically removed. Ideally, the length of your shadow is given an Article 15 for 4th Inf. Div. Effects of Too Much greater than your height. “damaging government property.” As Sun on the Skin. Your second line of defense is clothing. harsh or ridiculous as that may seem to Too much UV Tightly woven younger or newer service members, such exposure leads to cloth like our Lip balms and sunscreens should have a disciplinary measures were enforced to sunburns, blisters, “Ladies and gentlemen of the Army Combat sun protective factor of at least 15. This discourage troops from “burning their premature aging class of ‘97. Wear sunscreen. If I Uniforms is best. means it reduces UV penetration to one- skin” to get a tropical tan; and, enforcing and wrinkling of Clothing should fifteenth of its usual amount by either these practices could well have prevented the skin. Even could offer you only one tip for be loose fitting scattering or absorbing the light before it them from suffering long term health more important is the future, sunscreen would be and cover as much reaches our skin. Proper use requires put- problems several years later. that it can lead to it. The long-term benefits of skin as possible. ting an ounce of sun block – about a shot Effects of too much sun on the various forms of sunscreen have been proved by Wide-brimmed glass full – to areas of exposed skin, and eyes. skin cancer. scientists, whereas the rest of hats provide the then reapplying more every two hours. Whether or not the eyes are the win- The risk for best protection for Your last major line of defense against dows to the soul is subject to philosophi- skin cancer dou- my advice has no basis more our head and solar injury is good nutrition. A daily cal debate, but they are definitely win- bles with five or reliable than my own meander- neck. multi-vitamin and mineral supplement dows for ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to more sunburns, ing experience ... But trust me Polycarbonate contributes to optimal skin health, helps intense light for even short periods of and skin cancers on the suncreen.” wrap-around prevent sun damage, and promotes faster time can cause temporary blindness. This will affect about glasses or dust healing. Staying hydrated is also impor- Excerpt from column by Mary Schmich is what we might experience if we stare one out of five or goggles with 100 tant. It allows the skin to sweat and cool Chicago Tribune, June 1, 1997 directly at the sun, or accidentally look at six Americans in percent UV pro- down, and may also lessen the likelihood an arc welder in use at the motor pool their lifetime. tection provide of sustaining sun damage and heat while not wearing a visor. Brief, but even More than half the best protection injuries. more intense exposures such as to mili- of the cases of the most severe form, for our eyes, not only from the sun, but For more information on sun protec- tary-grade laser devices can cause perma- malignant melanoma, occur in 20-to-40- dust and shrapnel as well. tion and sun protection products, visit: nent blindness. Longer, but less intense year-olds. Several cases of skin cancer Your next line of defense is sun block. http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil

Upcoming Band Events: June Division MWR Calendar

June 3 SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT Latin Band “ Fierro Caliente”: Camp Slayer MWR @ 9 p.m. 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 on 4 Salsa Night Volleyball Tourney @ 8:30 p.m. 5 on 5 Basketball June 4 Closest to the Pin Texas Hold’em @ 7 p.m. Karaoke Night 5 on 5 BB Team Reggae @ 8 p.m. Tourney Jazz Combo: Camp Slayer 10 a.m. to noon @ 8 p.m. Eight-ball Tourney @ 8 p.m. Captain’s Mtg. (TBA) @ 8 p.m. @ 6 p.m. MWR @ 8 p.m. 4 Jazz/Old 5 6 7 8 Soccer 9 10 School Cards V Corps Rock Band Captain’s June 14 Night @ 8 p.m. Mtg. @ 6 p.m. Woodwind Quintet: Closest to the Pin Texas Hold’em Volleyball Tourney Karaoke Night Spades and R&B Night Soccer Tourney Ironhorse Oasis DFAC @ @ 10 a.m. to @ 8 p.m. @ 7 p.m. @ 8 p.m. Dominoes @ 8 p.m. (TBA) noon @ 8 p.m. TBA 11Jazz/Old 12 13 14 June 17 School Cards Night @ 8 p.m. Texas Hold’em and 9 Ball/ Rock Band “Average Joe’s”: Closest to the Pin Chess Tourney Ping Pong Karaoke Night Division MWR @ 8 p.m. @ 10 a.m. to @ 8 p.m. Tourney @ 8 p.m. @ 8 p.m. noon Page 18 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 GUIDANCE Recruiting incentive pays Soldiers $1,000 referral bonus Help the Army coin from the Sergeant Major of the Army individual for enlistment into the Army, 223-3735 extension 6-0473) dedicated to find qualified for any referral of a potential applicant Army Reserve or Guard. this program. For technical support, recruits who want which then results in an enlistment in the The HQ USAREC program manager, please email the SMART manager at to answer the Call Army or the Army Reserve or Guard. At to determine their eligibility, will authenti- [email protected] or call to Duty and you the end of each fiscal year, the individual cate all information provided by the refer- 1-800-223-3735 extension 6-1292. can earn $1,000! with the best record of referrals and ring Soldier. Once contact is made with Soldiers must provide all information The Army now resulting enlistments will be invited, the referral, the referring Soldier will on the website including name, address, gives a thousand- along with their unit support officers, to receive a letter by mail of the referral’s social security number and contact phone dollar cash bonus the Annual Chief of Staff of the Army status. If the referral becomes unquali- number of the referral using this process. to Soldiers for Sgt. Maj. Arlene Recruiter of Excellence award ceremony fied, does not enlist and ship to initial The referring Soldiers are required to referring qualified, in Washington, D.C. They will be person- entry training, or fails to complete IET the establish a user account prior to making a non-prior service Horne, Retention ally recognized for their achievement. referring Soldier will also receive a letter referral. Referring Soldiers are also applicants who Sergeant Major, The Recruiting by mail on the referral’s status. Due to required to submit their personal informa- complete basic 4th Inf. Div. (M) Command developed this referral system privacy requirements, the exact reasons tion on the website including their social training and for all Soldiers and civilians on all Army for disqualification or failure to complete security number, to facilitate payment via advanced individual training. Referrals installations and in all Reserve units, to training will not be disclosed. Any ques- the Defense Finance and Accounting may be to any component of the Army, have the ability to provide referrals inter- tions regarding the referral of bonus pro- Service. Please note that the bonus is paid including Active, Reserve or National ested in the opportunities of the Army, gram candidates for active duty or reserve only after the referral completes and grad- Guard, and do not have to be in the same Army Reserve and Guard. The referral should be directed to 1-800-223-3735 uates from IET. component as the referring Soldier. must be made by the Soldier at extension 6-0473. For referrals to the Effective February 17, the Referral Immediate family members do not qualify https://www.usarec.army.mil/smart/ prior Army National Guard referring Soldiers Bonus Pilot Program expanded to include as a referral and applicants must not have to the new recruit’s first meeting with a should call 1-800-GoGuard (1-800-464- Soldiers performing duty in the already conducted an appointment with a recruiter. 8273) or go to Hometown Recruiter Assistance program, recruiter. Upon receiving the referral at HQ http://www.1800goguard.com/esar. Special Recruiter Assistance program, and As an integral team effort in helping USAREC, the referral information will be HQ USAREC has developed a tracking Active Duty for Special Work program. meet the army’s recruiting mission, the submitted for contact and pre-qualification system for all referrals provided by The Soldier referring may not be serving Sergeant Major of the Army organized screening. Once contact and pre-qualifi- Soldiers and civilians on all Army instal- in a recruiting or retention assignment. Operation Sergeant Major of the Army cation screening is completed, the referral lations and in all Reserve and Guard units. Recruiting Team. The SMART program information will be sent to the nearest The referring Soldier or civilian must For more information about this encourages Soldiers to provide referrals recruiting station. The recruiting station either submit the referral through a pilot incentive program, visit who interested in the Army and Army will contact the referral and set up an process via the SMART link at https://www.usarec.army.mil/smart/ Reserve. appointment to discuss the enlistment https://www.usarec.army.mil/smart/ or or call 1-800-223-3735, ext. 6-0473. This program provides a certificate and opportunities and continue processing the through the USAREC 1-800 line (1-800- Warrior Bde. celebrates dedication to the Army Story by Spc. Karl Johnson team made it possible,” said or not they want to remain in the 363 MPAD Hansarik. Army,” said Snow. CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – The brigade commander and “Our retention NCOs are the st Brigade Combat Team, command sergeant major present- best I’ve ever seen – all very com- 10th Mountain Division, ed Company E, 10th Brigade mitted to do their best to serve our celebrated the success of Support Battalion with the soldiers.” its yearly retention cam- “Retention Excellence” guidon The hard work and dedication 1paign and the dedication of its streamer for achieving the highest was displayed during the ceremo- Soldiers in a ceremony May 7 on reenlistment combined percentage. ny, in which three Soldiers raised Camp Liberty. The unit achieved 165 percent for their right hands and swore to The brigade met its goal to the second quarter of fiscal 2006. defend the Constitution of the reenlist at least 600 Soldiers for “I’m absolutely thrilled that so United States by staying in the fiscal 2006, with each unit playing many of our Soldiers have elected Army. a key part to accomplish the goal to stay with the BCT,” said Col. “The fact that we were able to in less than seven months Jeffery Snow, commander, 1st achieve our retention mission a “The motivation and drive of BCT. “This is a tribute to the lead- full five months before the end of this brigade’s Soldiers is evident ership within the squads, platoons, the fiscal year indicates that our in the number of them reenlisting companies and battalions of this Soldiers believe in our mission, to stay with the Army team,” said BCT.” and they realize they are part of a Sgt. 1st Class Mary Hansarik, sen- The two brigade leaders also special team working hard to do ior career counselor for 1st BCT, recognized the efforts of the reten- its part in support of the global 10th Mtn. Div. tion office during the ceremony by war on terror,” said Snow. According to the 1st BCT presenting each career counselor Of the nearly 1,000 brigade retention office, over $10,000,000 and battalion retention noncom- Soldiers who reenlisted during the in bonuses has been awarded to missioned officer with a brigade most recent fiscal year, more than “Warrior Brigade” Soldiers since coin. 50 percent decided to stay with 1st Photo by Spc. Jason Jordan, 1st BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. the start of the deployment in “Their job is to work with BCT and continue to serve with Lt. Col. Marty Wagner, commander, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, August. Soldiers to ensure they fully their teams. awards the Soldiers of Company E, 1st BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., the “Command involvement, con- understand the options available to “It was a tough mission, but we “Retention Excellence” guidon streamer May 7 for their suc- cerned leadership, motivated them and that they make an surpassed it,” said Hansarik. cess in reenlisting Soldiers. The brigade reenlisted nearly Soldiers and a dedicated retention informed decision about whether “Warriors – stay Army!” 1,000 Soldiers during fiscal year 2006. may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 19 GUIDANCE Culture Experts Monumental divide: Exploring the Sunni-Shiite rift s the Iraqi people assassinated in 661 A.D. by supporters of Mu`awiyah, who are all descendents of `Ali, and believe they were await the final forma- the Sunni contender for the caliphate. Supporters of divinely appointed from birth. Twelvers believe that the tion of their first per- `Ali’s claim were known as `Ali’s supporters—Shi`at twelfth and last of these imams disappeared in the ninth manent government `Ali, the Shiites. century and is expected to return one day to lead the Asince the fall of the Saddam Mu`awiyah founded a dynasty known as the Muslims. Sunnis believe in the selection of a caliph by Hussein regime, Iraq remains Umayyad caliphate. He made the succession hereditary general consensus, rather than by hereditary right. more polarized than at any other by declaring that his son would automatically assume the Although there are considerable differences between time since the formation of the caliphate upon his death. Mu`awiyah’s successors Sunni and Shiite Islam, the two sects have much in com- country in the early 20th centu- believed that the supporters of `Ali posed a threat to their mon. All Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the literal ry; Sunni Iraqis are fighting rule and undertook to assassinate any descendant of `Ali word of God, which He revealed to Muhammad through Shiite Iraqis. This opens the door By Jake Lester, who may have had a legitimate claim to the caliphate the angel Gabriel. Sunnis and Shiites accept the same to assumptions that the Shiites Senior Cultural and so further widened the rift between Sunnis and single version of the Qur’an and they both follow the tra- and Sunnis are natural enemies Shiites. dition of the Prophet Muhammad. and raises the question: What are and Political The Umayyad dynasty was overthrown by the Shiite All Muslims are held to the same standards of piety, the differences between Sunnis Advisor Abbasids in the year 750 A.D. The Abbasids moved the morality and social justice. and Shiites? capital of the Islamic empire to Baghdad and welcomed All Muslims are expected to live in accordance with History: The differences between the two Muslim non-Arabs to their court. This helped to integrate the the five pillars of Islam: the recital of the creed: “I testify sects are rooted in a disagreement among early Muslims Arab and Persian cultures, but alienated many of their that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is His regarding the issue of who should have been the succes- Arab supporters. Messenger,” the five daily prayers, the giving of alms to sor to the Prophet Muhammad, the original spiritual The Abbasid dynasty ended when the Mongols, led by the poor, fasting in Ramadan and performing the Hajj, if leader of the Muslims who died in 632 A.D. The majority Hulagu Khan, sacked Baghdad in 1258. Since then, vari- able to do so. of the Muslim community elected Abu-Bakr to be ous Islamic dynasties have ruled the Middle East, among Geographic and ethnic distribution: The U.S. State Muhammad’s successor and hence their ruler. The them the Mameluks (Eastern European and Central Asian Department estimates the number of Muslims at 1.48 bil- English title of this successor is “Caliph” (derived from Sunnis), the Fatimids (North African Shiites), the lion, only 18 perecent of whom are Arabs. Some 85 to 90 the Arabic Khalifah meaning successor). Not all of the Ayyubids (Kurdish Sunnis), and the Ottomans (Turkish percent of the world’s Muslims are Sunni and 10 to 15 members of the community concurred with this choice, Sunnis). The rulers of each of these dynasties declared percent are Shiites. however, and a large number supported the unsuccessful their brand of Islam to be the official state religion. This Are Sunnis and Shiites mutual enemies? Generally claim of `Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, the cousin of Muhammad means that all Muslims were officially Shiites at one time speaking, no. In some countries hostilities do exist and his next of kin. The issue was compounded when and Sunnis at another. between Sunnis and Shiites, but that is not the general Abu-Bakr was succeeded by two other Caliphs; `Umar Religious beliefs: Though there are several sub-sects rule. In Iraq, where Sunni-Shiite relations have been tra- and `Uthman. In 656 A.D., after the assassination of of Shiite Islam, the most common is known as the ditionally strained (more so recently), intermarriage and `Uthman by supporters of `Ali, `Ali was named Caliph. “Twelver” Shiite sect. Twelvers accept a line of twelve friendship between Sunnis and Shiites is not unheard of The issue might have ended there had `Ali not been infallible religious teachers and rulers, called Imams, and is, in fact, fairly common.

G1 Word: The facts behind environmental and morale leave s the 4th Infantry Division hits sonnel available for redeployment, and the plane tickets. , Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, the halfway point in our deploy- relieve-in-place/transfer-of-authority Two: the Army pays for one round-trip Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, ment, Soldiers who have yet to process, we would stop allocating slots for ticket. This means if you’re traveling on Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, go on Environmental and Moral this unit in mid- to late June. your leave, you will have to go in and out Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, and ALeave are starting to plan their time with Taking this into account, realize that of the same airport and same military Yemen. These countries are off limits to loved ones back home. However, there every unit has a different arrival date. gateway. For example – you wanted to all Soldiers for EML. seem to be a lot of rumors Therefore EML will never visit with friends or family in Florida, but “Do I have to wear civilian and myths about how actually stop, as the next your main residence is in Killeen, Texas. clothes on the flight home?” EML works. Let’s go group of units arrives and The DA 31 should have your family’s If you are going back to the U.S., you through some common their cycle begins. address in Killeen so that you get a ticket may wear your duty uniform all the way questions and assumptions To confirm when your to go home. Arranging and paying for back. If you are going outside the and get everyone on the unit’s EML program will transportation to and from Florida is your Continental U.S., you must wear civilian same page. stop, see your Battalion S1 responsibility. You also will have to clothes on all commercial flights. “When is the section. ensure whatever travel methods you use, “When does my leave actually Division going to stop “Do I have to pay you get back to the Killeen airport in time start?” sending folks on for the follow-on flight to make your flight back to Dallas-Fort You will be signed out on leave as of EML?” after I get to the mili- Worth (the military gateway for the west 0001hrs the day after you get to the mili- This question can’t be tary gateway?” coast). tary gateway, i.e. if you reach Atlanta, answered easily. The Capt. Becky Sui No, the Joint Federal Three: If you want to go anywhere out- Ga., on Sep. 1 at 9:00 p.m., then you will quickest answer is to say Travel Regulation author- side of the U.S. for your EML, you must be signed out on leave as of 12:01 a.m. on that, as a division, we will G1, 4th Inf. Div. izes a soldier to go to one check the Foreign Clearance Guide web- Sep. 2. stop allocating EML slots return trip to where-ever site provided by the Federal Government: In closing, here are some good-to- by mid-September. That is, the last group he or she wants, as long as the destination https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm. know information: of Soldiers to leave theater on EML will country is not restricted. This includes This website will provide you with all the Strip your interceptor body armor be mid-September. everything from going back to home sta- travel requirements for whatever country when you are flying to Ali Al Saleem, However, this does not apply to every tion, going to Atlanta for a family reunion you want to go to including information including ammo pouches, camel backs, unit. EML slots are based upon each or to Italy or Australia. on passports, visas, country clearance, or dorsal axillary protection systems and brigade or separate battalion’s “boots-on- There are several things to keep in even registration requirements with the medical bandage pouches. the ground” date. mind. One: make sure your DA 31 American Embassy. Leave your pocket knives, such as a For example, let’s say that a unit (Leave Request Form) contains the correct One note of caution: There are several Leatherman ® and Gerbers ® at home. If arrived into theater on Sep. 1. This unit leave final destination address. That countries that are restricted by Central you have checked baggage, you can put it would have started sending folks on EML address is what the ticketing office in Command that will not be noted in that in there. The same goes for lighters or in November. To allow for maximum per- Kuwait will be using to prepare your website. These countries include: matches. Page 20 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 GUIDANCE

Religious services, AA meetings, and mandatory R&R briefings Chaplain’s Corner

VICTORY CHAPEL SER- DIVISION CHAPEL A spiritual restaurant review VICES, BLDG 31 Sunday Sunday 9 a.m. Contemp. Protestant Worship I will not move my army waffle and the fresh fruit I stood 7 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Roman Catholic Mass without onions” said Gen. up, grabbed two Dr. Peppers Traditional Protestant Worship 1 p.m. Episcopal Worship Service Ulysses S. Grant in a tele- and headed out the door. The 10:30 a.m. Roman Catholic Mass 3 p.m. Gospel Worship graph to the War price was right at Café noon Gospel Protestant Service 8 p.m. Collective Protestant Worship “Department in 1864. Grant DeFleury. What would normally 2 p.m. Mormon Worship Monday believed onions prevented dis- have cost me $10-15 at a Chaplain (Capt.) David 4 p.m. Episcopal/Lutheran 6 p.m. EML Chaplain's Briefing ease and he eventually got three Cracker Barrel or New York Peters, 62nd Eng. Bn. Worship 7 p.m. Bible Study trainloads of onions. Soon his bistro was free. In fact, I might 6 p.m. Contemporary Protestant Tuesday healthy but smelly army even be able to say that I was another satisfying lunch on the Service 7 p.m. Bible Study Monday Wednesday advanced toward victory. paid to eat there. government’s dime. As I fin- 10 a.m. SGM’s Meeting 6 p.m. EML Chaplain's Brief Another Civil War food staple As lunch rolled around I ished this restaurant review I 1:30 p.m. Protestant Gospel 7 p.m. Bible Study favorite was hardtack, a combi- found myself in the back of a looked around the room and Prayer Meeting 8 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous nation of flour, salt, and water truck in Taji with an Meal- began to realize that food is a 3 p.m. R&R -- Reunion and Thursday that had the consistency of Ready-to-Eat staring at me, dar- big part of our daily routine Suicide Intervention Briefs 6:30 p.m. Bible Study (Women) paper mache’. Each Soldier was ing me to eat it. I slowly here in Iraq. 7 p.m. Gospel Protestant Bible 7:30 p.m. Gospel Choir Rehearsal given a pound of hardtack a removed my pocket knife and Food is more than a source Study Friday day, which had to be soaked in lopped the top of the package of fuel for our cells. Food is Tuesday 12 p.m. Islamic Prayer water or coffee in order to be off. After opening it I realized deeply connected to our spiritu- 7 p.m. Gospel Choir Rehearsal 6 p.m. EML Chaplain's Briefing Wednesday 7 p.m. Bible Study able to bite into. I thought of that I had mistakenly grabbed a al lives. For Muslims, eating 9:30 a.m. R&R -- Reunion and Saturday the miserable men in blue and vegetarian meal from the box. Halel foods and avoiding Suicide Intervention Briefs 7 p.m. Bible Study (Men) grey coats huddled around a Soon I had the veggie burger Haram foods is an essential dis- 7 p.m. Korean Bible Study 8 p.m. Contemporary Protestant campfire gnawing on hardtack simmering in the heater pack- cipline. In the Hebrew Bible the 8:30 p.m. Protestant Music Praise Band Rehearsal as I walked into Café DeFleury age while a nauseating steam first sin is eating forbidden Rehearsal at Camp Liberty for breakfast. poured out of the heater into the fruit. Esau the greedy hunter Thursday CAMP VICTORY CHAPEL, After washing my hands and truck. Everyone inside began squanders his inheritance for a BLDG 2 6 p.m. Roman Catholic Music obeying the shooting me bowl of bean soup because he is Rehearsal Sunday signs that for- annoyed ravenously hungry after being 6:45 p.m. Men’s ‘Purity’ Bible 9 a.m. Orthodox Liturgy Study Monday bade me from “Food is deeply con- glances so I in the field. The way God’s Friday 4 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass performing any nected to our spiritual moved outside people were to remember their 1 p.m. Jumu’ah (Islamic Prayer) 7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous other personal lives.” to enjoy the rescue from slavery in Egypt 5 p.m. Prayer Gathering Service Tuesday hygiene, I meal in the was through a meal, the 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship 4 p.m. Roman Catholic Mas exchanged a shade of a Passover Feast. In the wilder- Music Rehearsal Wednesday friendly greeting with the nearby Connex. By this time the ness God feeds them with 8:30 p.m. Protestant Music 4 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass Soldiers posted at the door. I truck was ready to make its way Manna, the food of angels. As 7 p.m. Men’s Gospel Fellowship Rehearsal approached the smiling, bow- to the “real” dining facility so I they face the hardships of the Saturday Thursday tied serving staff and asked for disposed of my goods and desert they complain and whine 9 a.m. Seventh-Day Adventist 4 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass Music Practice 7 p.m. Spanish Bible Study an assortment of breakfast climbed in. for the onions and garlic of 11 a.m. Seventh Day Adventist Friday meats, quiche and waffles with The Dining Facility in Taji is Egypt (maybe they believed the 3 p.m. R&R -- Reunion and 4 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass apple topping. After pointing a magnificent structure. I won- same thing as Gen. Grant!). Suicide Intervention Briefs 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Service several times at the apple top- dered aloud why no one called Daniel and his three friends 4 p.m. Gospel Choir Rehearsal 8 p.m. Women’s Gospel Bible Study ping and tapping the glass the it the Taji Mahal. Initial reports face off with King 7 p.m. Roman Catholic Music Saturday smiling server finally dropped indicated it boasted several Nebuchadnezzar over food. Rehearsal 5 p.m. Orthodox Vespers the ladle full of cherry topping serving lines complete with For Christians, Jesus is 11 a.m. Seventh Day Adventist 8 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass and reached for the apple – vegetarian, short order, and a tempted by Satan to turn stones ENGINEER CHAPEL whew! I then made a beeline “dessert bar to die for.” As I into bread after he had not eaten Sunday CAMP STRIKER CHAPEL for the orange juice and fruit entered I was immediately con- for 40 days. The early church in 8 a.m. Roman Catholic Mass Sunday stand where I heaped pineapple fused by the dessert bar that Acts met daily to break bread 9 a.m. Catholic Mass 10 a.m. Traditional Protestant and watermelon on the few greeted me at the door. The together—just as Jesus broke 11:30 a.m. Lutheran Worship 10 a.m. Contemporary Protestant 10:30 a.m. Protestant (Pad 6, Tent remaining centimeters of my clear plastic cups of mixed pud- the bread at the Last Supper. 1 p.m. Latter Day Saints plate’s white space. After a ding (chocolate and yellow) Napoleon said that an army 7 p.m. Traditional Protestant 410) Tuesday 11:15 a.m. Traditional Protestant quick trip to the coffee tap, I behind the glass were as big as moves on its belly. We are hun- 7 p.m. Bible Study 4:30 p.m. Protestant was ready to begin my morning lava lamps. The cakes were gry people. Our hunger for food Wednesday 6 p.m. LDS feast. exquisite. My immediate is nothing compared to our spir- 7 p.m. LDS Bible Study 7 p.m. Praise Service (Gospel) By the time I sat down the encounter with the desert bar itual hunger for meaning. This Thursday 7:30 p.m. Praise and Testimony (Pad bacon was cold but the waffle seemed to indicate that this gnawing hunger often drives us 7 p.m. Bible Study 6, Tent 410) with apple topping still should be my first stop, but to look for meaning in all the Monday Friday steamed. I ate the bacon any- soon my fellow travelers had wrong places, in shallow rela- 9 p.m. Prayer & Praise 9 a.m. Catholic Mass Wednesday way, out of a sense of duty. I cornered me and directed me to tionships, power, or greed. This Saturday also made quick work of the main line on the way to the “junk” food only makes us sick 10 a.m. Reunion & Suicide Brief 9 a.m. Catholic Mass 6 p.m. LDS Bible Study waffle and glanced around to salad bar. The main line had to our stomachs. We lose our WARRIOR CHAPEL 7 p.m. Prayer/Bible Study get a sense of the café’s asparagus which was not over- memory of what good food Sunday 7:30 p.m. Prayer/Bible Study (Pad 6, “ambiance.” A group of cooked and mushy. The main tastes like and we wonder why 9:15 a.m. Roman Catholic Mass Tent 410) Soldiers, airmen, and a few line also had bread stuffing every meal tastes the same. 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Thursday civilians were lingering at their (called dressing in the south) When we get to this point we Protestant 5 p.m. Purpose Driven Life breakfasts, gazing idly at a which caught my eye as well as must return to simple, nutritious 12:30 p.m. Gospel Protestant 7 p.m. Praise Choir Practice Kung Fu movie. I noticed that an assortment of meats and food that gives us spiritual 5 p.m. Latter Day Saints Friday 7 p.m. Non Denominational 9 a.m. Catholic Mass the breakfast crowd tends to poultry. strength. This food is all around Christian 11:15 a.m. Catholic Mass (TOC have more grey hair than the After lunch I did make us. You can find it in good Wednesday Conference room) lunch mob that descends on another trip to the dessert bar to books, positive relationships, 7 p.m. Gospel Prayer Saturday DeFleury. As I thought about sample the ice cream. The honest work, and even at the Thursday 6:45 p.m. Catholic Mass (Pad 6, this I scribbled out my idea to cookies in the “cookies and chapel. The next time you take 7 p.m. General Protestant Tent 410) write an article about being a cream” were the size of whole that long walk to the DFAC to Friday Daily 6:30 a.m. TOC Prayer Service Mystery Shopper at the Post Oreos. They were so big it do your own restaurant review 6:30 p.m. Wicca Circle Meeting (TOC Conference room) Exchange. should have called it just “cook- it might be a good time to think After finishing the delectable ies.” Mission accomplished: about spiritual food. may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 21 GUIDANCE Steadfast & Legal Identity Theft: how to protect yourself, what to do if you are a victim There have been 3. Contact the credit card companies and begin a growing number a fraud investigation. Find out what payments you Capt. Terra Melson of identity theft are responsible for, if any. cases occurring 4. Contact the credit bureaus and have your Legal assistance within the 4th credit report flagged with a fraud alert. attorney, 4th Inf. Dif. Infantry Division. 5. Document the time and money you spend on Unfortunately, the resolving the identity theft. You may be able to identity theft is occurring while Soldiers are receive restitution from the thief for any financial deployed, often leaving them feeling helpless and loss, including lost wages and related legal unable to fix the damage that has been done. This expenses. article offers insight into what constitutes identity 6. Make a complaint to the Federal Trade theft, preventive steps you can take to protect Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/. yourself from becoming a victim and what you can 7. If you are deployed and want to tackle the do about it if you become a victim of identity situation immediately, designate a trusted individ- theft. ual, preferably a family member, with a Power of What is Identity Theft? Attorney so that they may assist the police and Identity theft is the fraudulent use of one’s per- courts in handling your identity theft case. sonal identifying information, such as a social Preventive steps you can take right now, to security number, driver’s license number, mother’s avoid becoming a victim of identity theft: A CID agent is available to speak to your unit to maiden name, date of birth or any account number. 1. Shred papers with confidential information, clarify the role of law enforcement in cases of This information is usually obtained by stealing including pre-screened credit card offers, receipts, reported sexual assault and specifically with refer- wallets, bank statements or bills from mailboxes, cancelled checks, bank statements, tax reports, ence to the recent changes in the Army’s sexual diverting mail to a new address by changing the expired charge cards, medical bills, and insurance Assault Prevention and Response policy, AR-600- address with the post office, digging through per- documents. 20, Appendix 1, Feb. 2006 (restricted verses unre- sonal trash, stealing personal information from a 2. Carry as few credit cards as possible and stricted reporting). Contact Agent Melanie Hacker bank, office, or school records, intercepting infor- separate your checkbook from your wallet or or Sgt. 1st Class Robert Billingsley, Detachment mation through the internet or fax machine or pre- purse. Sergeant, 481st MP Det (CID), 10th MP BN (CID) text calling. 3. Do not carry around bank account or PIN (ABN), Camp Liberty, Iraq; DSN: 318-847-2149. Pretext calling is the act of a person calling numbers, and do not carry around your social A qualified polygraph examiner is available to your bank, employer or personal household pre- security number. assist your unit in resolving issues. For more tending to be someone else and asking for you to 4. Check banking and credit card statements information, contact the 481st MP Det (Criminal “confirm” personal information they claim to immediately after receiving them. Investigation Division). already have before them. The thieves may be 5. Review your Leave and Earnings Statement someone you know, or a complete stranger. Often at least twice a month. the thief will use your personal information to 6. Do not provide businesses confidential infor- obtain new credit cards, add to charges on existing mation over the phone, internet or mail, unless you credit card accounts, write checks, open bank initiated the contact with the business. accounts, and obtain loans, apartments, exclusive 7. Order a free copy of your annual credit club memberships and mortgages. They can even report from the “big three” credit bureaus, $ Pay Attention $ file for government benefits, such as unemploy- TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, at www.annu- ment insurance and tax refunds. It is common for alcreditreport.com. Review the accuracy of the 230th Finance Battalion the identity thief to open accounts in your name accounts, amounts, credit inquiries, and personal “Always There and Ready” and change the billing address so that you never information such as your previous addresses. receive the statements. Often the thief will make Contact the credit bureaus if the there are any dis- Finance Office Hours and Locations. minimum payments to avoid calling attention to crepancies. Do this at least once a year. Liberty Finance Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon. the account or accounts, but eventually stop mak- 8. Become a member of a credit report monitor- Stryker Finance Office: Mon.—Wed., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon. ing payments. That is usually the time you find ing service. Abu Ghraib Finance Office: Bi-Monthly Thur.—Fri., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. out about the fraudulent account. Unfortunately, 9. Register yourself on the National Do Not Victory Finance Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to noon. this may be months or even years after the account Call Registry or make complaints of violations at Seitz Finance Office: Bi-Monthly Friday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. was first opened. One in ten such cases stay con- www.donotcall.gov. The Do Not Call Registry Justice Finance Office: Bi-Monthly Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and cealed for two or more years. prohibits credit agencies from putting your person- Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are a victim, follow the following al information on public mailing lists for telemar- Rustamiyah Finance Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to noon. steps: keters and companies to solicit business from you. Taqaddum Finance Office: Mon.—Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat.—Sun. 1. Contact the police to file a report with law 10. Educate yourself on identity theft by visit- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. enforcement. Many businesses will ask for a copy ing the following agencies’ websites: Falcon Finance Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 p.m. to noon. of the police report as part of the investigation into - Better Business Bureau (for consumers) at Diwaniyah Finance Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. fraudulent activity. www.bbbonline.org/idtehft/protect.asp. Scania Finance Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to noon. 2. Contact your bank immediately if your wal- - Federal Trade Commission at www.con- Kalsu Finance Office: Mon.—Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. let or purse was stolen. Cancel checking and sav- sumer.gov/idtheft. Prosperity Finance Office: Mon.—Thur. & Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., ings accounts and automated teller machine cards - Visit www.identitythefthero.com for ways to Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and get new ones. Stop payments on outstanding combat identity theft and to find out if you are a CPA-US Embassy Finance Office: Mon.—Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., checks and inform the recipients. candidate for identity theft. Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Joint Finance Office: Mon.—Thur. & Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Victory Contracting Office: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to noon. Need legal assistance? IIGF Disbursing Section: Mon., Wed., Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (by appointment) The Camp Liberty Legal Assistance Office is open CERP Disbursing Section: Mon.—Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to noon. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.—Sat. (by appointment) Page 22 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 ENTERTAINMENT

eep in dark,” and they can literally smell trouble. mind as So pay attention if they tell you “something you read just ain’t right here!” this that Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 23). The the below descrip- K Scales of Justice; ruled by the planet Venus, tions are about your this cardinal air sign is an intellectual leader. sun-sign only. You They are comfortable with who they are and have other planets who they don’t want to be – the Libra Soldier that affect you as an is spontaneous, so don’t mess with them. individual and no They have a hidden way, like the bull, to fight two individuals with both words and weapons. have the same Libras seem to stumble into the right place astrological make- By Nancy Anderson at the right time and find new opportunities up. The sun tends to Astrologer to make a difference no matter where they are be the most obvious Waukomis, Okla., the … that is where “Lady Luck” originated. part of your person- Spirit of America They have great personal charm and magni- ality-your conscious tude and usually attract friends from all self. walks of life, creeds, colors, religions and Lastly this column is not meant to be taken backgrounds. as a serious reflection on who you are, or what kind of a Soldier you are; it is a light- Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18). hearted look at astrological sun signs for This is a fixed air sign traditionally ruled by amusement purposes only. the planet Saturn but more recently thought This issue we will feature the “Air signs.” to be ruled by the planet Uranus. It is the Gemini (May 21 – Jun. 21). sign of an intellectual protector. They are The twins. A mutable air sign ruled by the known for their consulting ability. When planet Mercury, Gemini is an intellectual ser- things get a little hairy around the campfire, vant. We know them as the sign of the “twin an Aquarian will listen like no one else and stars” in the Heavens. they have a deep, rich way of understanding. Gemini Soldiers are smart, fast and clever As Soldiers, they are one of the most likely to and think on their feet. They can fight in any want clear orders, which they obey. kind of weather and are usually unaffected by They face squarely up to responsibilities climactic changes that take others a long time and can bring a group together with their to adjust to. Gemini Soldiers are great lead- magnetic qualities. They don’t usually seek ers but can also follow orders to the letter. leadership but have a way of being in control They can “see in the dark and think in the when others need them to be.

Cartoon Corner may 28, 2006 The Ivy Leaf page 23 SPORTS Sports Roundup with Staff Sgt. Christian Farrell 363rd MPAD If I were commissioner ... pend enough time around and very powerful team owners ground, it’s a legal tackle in the more decisions concerning pinch awarding losing teams in the reg- Soldiers and you’re in football, baseball, basketball, N.F.L., in this case meaning the hitters. It also would keep pitch- ular season one point in the bound to hear them say, and hockey – they’re the ones National Farrell League. ers from intentionally throwing standings for an overtime loss is “Why are we doing this? who run the leagues we love. Other changes I’d make: at an opposing player, because if out. If you lose you get an L and SIf it were up to me, I sure as And if some of these guys keep domed stadiums and artificial pitchers know they have to bat, 0 points in the standings. heck would be doing things dif- it up, they’re going to ruin the turf are out. Football is better in pay-back in the way of a fastball Fighting … STAYS. Hockey ferently.” The reality though, is games we love. the rain and snow and maybe between the shoulder blades players police themselves as that in the Army it’s not up to This is why for this column I best of all in the mud. I have no maybe forthcoming. Bring back long as fighting stays in the you – not until your collar gets contemplate what I would do, “If problem celebrating touchdowns. day games in the World Series. game. Take it out and players weighted down with some I were Commissioner.” Jump into the crowd, dance, and Baseball is better during the day. will use their sticks more to slash chevrons and rockers, or brass Tagliabue, Stern, Selig, and juggle if you want to. But cele- Basketball. Speed up the and spear, and that, in my book, (but why do that though?), are Bettman, I hope you haven’t brate a first down, or a tackle playoffs – there are too many is cowardly. If you’ve got a beef you able to do things “your cancelled your Ivy Leaf sub- behind the line of scrimmage by days off. Network television in hockey with another player, way.” scriptions. doing any of those antics, then dictates too much of the sched- drop the gloves and start throw- Otherwise, a Soldier’s job is Football. I’ll begin with my I’ll throw the flag on you for stu- ule. ing. Spend the five minutes in to follow orders and leave the favorite sport. In case anyone pidity. Make the play and then Also, reduce the number of the penalty box, and then you’re decisions to the leadership. has forgotten, it’s a violent sport. get back in the huddle. IT’S time-outs teams get, especially at “g-to-g”, good to go. Sports fans, unfortunately, are in Football fans like it that way. YOUR JOB! the end of a game. The last few Also, if you want goalies to the same predicament when it So, let’s keep it that way. Stupidity penalties in my minutes of a hoops game can stay in their nets, I’d make it comes to how much say we have No more wimpy “roughing league are punishable by putting take longer than the chow-hall legal to check them. They’re no in how our favorite games are the passer” rules. Quarterbacks the offender in the front-leaning line at Camp Buehring because different than the aforementioned played. We should have a LOT get paid a lot of money to stand rest position for about 25 push- teams call timeout after timeout quarterbacks. of say since we’re the ones pay- in the pocket and take a hit. And ups. after timeout. In college basket- These are just some of the ing for the overpriced tickets, but … stop trying to tell defensive Baseball. Eliminate the des- ball – NO MORE teams in the changes I’d make on my first sadly our voices in matters that players how they’re supposed to ignated hitter. Pitchers must bat. N.C.A.A. tournament. SIXTY- day on the job as league com- count are minimal. tackle. As long as you don’t trip It adds more strategy to the game FIVE – 65! – teams are plenty. missioner, if I were doing it MY The league commissioners the ball carrier to get him on the because managers have to make Hockey. The policy of WAY.

“I‘ve“I‘ve gotgot next.”next.”

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Ballog, 62nd Eng. Bde. PAO Camp Liberty, Iraq – Daniel Thomas (left), material construction and accounting spe- cialist from Columbus, Ohio, protects the ball and prepares to take a shot over defense- man, Earl Ware (right), personal security detachment Soldier from Fairfield, Ohio, April 27. Both Soldiers are from 16th Engineer Brigade Soldiers.

Josh Slaughter (right), administrative specialist, keeps his eye on the ball, while Richard Mason (left), mess sergeant, both of 16th Engineer Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, looks to pass during a pick-up basketball game at the brigade’s ‘Goathouse’ court April 27. Slaughter, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and Mason, who resides in Delaware, Ohio, along with other basketball players from the engineer brigade and 5th Engineer Battalion, get together each week to play basketball. Page 24 The Ivy Leaf may 28, 2006 FACES AND PLACES

Photo by Spc. Creighton Holub, Combat Aviation Brigade PAO, 4th Inf. Div. CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Spc. Ben Eustance, an infantryman assigned to the scout platoon of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division leads his team in exiting a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during training at the Camp Taji, Iraq, airfield April 29.

Photo by Spc. Rodney Foliente, 4th Inf. Div. PAO ABOVE: BAGHDAD – An Iraqi soldier from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, prepare to leave contact information to a resident of Hawr Rajab south of Baghdad May 3. LEFT: FOB KALSU, Iraq – Sgt. Chervaldric Williams teaches Pfc. Robin Bodin, both from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, how to pull 360 degree security if hit with small arms Photo by Pfc. Edgar Reyes, 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. fire during a convoy May 6.