Hourglass 11-10-06 .Indd

Kwajalein resident Chief Warrant Offi Officer cer Mike Tracy, Tracy left, left and Sgt. Sgt Jon Bourassa, Bourassa were in Bakar village in Iraq’s Sunni Triangle to protect polling places during their deployment to that country. Friday, Nov. 10, 2006 ((PhotoPhoto ccourtesyourtesy ooff MMikeike TTracy)racy) The Kwajalein Hourglass www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html COMMENTARY Remember our veterans’ legacy of freedom Veteran’s Day weekend is a tra- national holiday 12 years later. On ditional American holiday and is a June 1, 1954, the name was changed time when we pause to honor and to Veterans Day to honor all U. S. remember those who have given their veterans. In 1968, new legislation lives for the freedom we all enjoy changed the national commemora- today. We remember those patriots tion of Veterans Day to the fourth who, with valor and courage, fought Monday in October. It soon became so courageously in the defense of our apparent, however, that November 11 nation. From the American Revolu- was a date of historic signifi cance to tion to Operation Iraqi Freedom and many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Operation Enduring Freedom, Ameri- 1919. Veteran’s Day started with the Congress returned the observance to can heroes, more than 2,900 since signing of the Treaty of Versailles. its traditional date. 9/11 have given their all. We must The actual fi ghting between the Allies This Veterans Day weekend, re- never forget the price so many veter- and Germany, however, had ended member our fallen comrades, spend ans have paid to leave us this legacy seven months earlier with the armi- time talking to family and friends in of freedom. Along with commemo- stice, which went into effect on the the states, enjoy the weekend and rating our fallen comrades, we also eleventh hour of the eleventh day of have an enjoyable, accident free celebrate in the American way. the eleventh month in 1918. Armi- holiday. Tell a veteran ‘thank you’ for I researched the start of Veterans stice Day, as November 11 became the service provided to their country Day, and I found that it was the offi cial known, offi cially became a holiday and for protecting our way of life, but ending of World War I on June 28, in the United States in 1926, and a above all, “be safe.” LLettersetters ttoo tthehe eeditorditor Thanks to all who prepared snacks I would like to thank the numerous individuals who helped Reader disagrees with column prepare snacks for the visiting Ebeye teams and evening Dan Adler is a wonderful journalist. I enjoy reading meals for the Elementary School’s Guest Students during his articles very much and appreciate the detail and the CYS basketball season. If you would like to support an content in them. Far more often than not, I fi nd myself Ebeye team during the soccer and baseball seasons by pro- in complete agreement with his opinion and position on viding snacks on their game days, please contact me 52371 many issues. or [email protected] to volunteer. Your assis- However, I beg to differ with one of the last three tance is needed and greatly appreciated!! sentences in his most recent article regarding scam- ming of servicemen. He said,” There are some crimes, Candace Everts Nancy Grant Deb Johnson Susan and Jerry Davis that under any circumstances, are unforgivable.” This is Deanna Cain Masina and Mark McCollum not true! Janice Riordan Amy Lacost Cheryl Delong Annie and John Tompkins There is only one crime that is unforgivable…the Lynn and John Beckler Kalani and Jeff Wase crime of not accepting the free gift of salvation offered Angela Dampier Kathleen Kautz Casey Schuh Christine Larkin by Jesus Christ who died on the cross for all our sins. I Jane Christy Liz Ritchey understand it is extraordinarily diffi cult to comprehend Jane and Bruce Premo Tarah Yurovchak Lance and Renee Ray Nicole and Andrew Beall a God who, at the last moment of one’s life, would Diane and Monica Peters Oktan Tagiolelagi Jennifer Cossey Michelle Cheatham completely and irrevocably wipe one’s slate clean and Angie Sinnott Greg and Ona Moore welcome that person into heaven for all eternity. But AJ Gilbert Melissa Heilman Teresa Fuchs Allison and Mark Kickhofel this is exactly what he did for the thief on the cross and Karen Lemker Kathi Dover my own father who was graciously given about a week to face his own mortality. Like Adler, I also believe in — Cassie Rubly, George Seitz Elementary School See DISAGREES, Page 16 TThehe KwajaleinKwajalein HHourglassourglass The Kwajalein Hourglass is named for the or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department Printed circulation: 2,000 insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, of Defense, Department of the Army or USAKA. E-mail: [email protected] which liberated the island from the forces of Im- It is published Wednesdays and Saturdays in ac- Commanding Offi cer......Col. Stevenson Reed perial Japan on Feb. 4, 1944. cordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and using a Public Affairs Offi cer......................Sandy Miller network printer by Kwajalein Range Services edito- The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized pub- Editor......................................Nell Drumheller lication for military personnel, federal employees, rial staff. contractor workers and their families assigned P.O. Box 23, APO AP 96555 Graphics Designer..........................Dan Adler to U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll. Contents of the Phone: Defense Switching Network 254-3539; Reporter............................................J.J. Klein Hourglass are not necessarily offi cial views of, Local phone: 53539 Distribution..................................C.J. Kemem The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Friday, Nov. 10, 2006 Band of brothers Iraq veterans share their experiences By J.J. Klein and control at the forward Reporter edge of the battle area for Northern Iraq,” said Mixon. On Veterans Day Americans are called upon to com- At Kirkuk, Mixon main- memorate the sacrifi ce and dedication of servicemembers, tained existing data/voice both dead and living, who have served in the military. services and extended these The Hourglass pays tribute to three Kwajalein residents services in support of Army who served in Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror and Air Force personnel. “We and share their thoughts about their deployment with the also maintained the satellite Kwajalein community. links that kept us ‘talking’ to the rest of the world,” Mixon Scott Phillips said. “I live life to its fullest, as if tomorrow may not come,” Although her contact with Scott Phillips said refl ecting on his 11 months deployed in the Iraqi people was limited, Baghdad, Iraq with the 3rd Ordnance Battalion, Explosive Mixon believes that all mili- Ordnance Disposal. tary personnel, regardless of Darcy Mixon A little more than a year af- their job, had an impact on ter 9/11, Phillips’ unit headed helping the people of Iraq. to Iraq. Today Phillips is re- “Schools opened for children to attend, inoculations tired from the Army and is have been made available to countless Iraqi citizens, clean Unexploded Ordnance lead drinking water runs through newly constructed pipes, for Mission Operations; in infrastructure has been rebuilt; good things were and Dec. 2003, he was Master Sgt. are happening still today,” Mixon continued. Phillips, Battalion Operations Some of Mixon’s downtime in Iraq was spent volun- non-commissioned offi cer. teering with Operation Crayon, a program that packages The 3rd Battalion planned, donated notebooks, crayons, markers and other school coordinated and supervised supplies in goodie bags to distribute to Iraqi children. the operations of seven EOD “My time in Iraq will always have an impact on my life companies in Baghdad and because it was my fi rst deployment to the Middle East Scott Phillips southern Iraq. and one of the most unique learning experiences,” Mixon “The battalion’s mission was to task each EOD company said. “You see the news and read the papers, but to ac- with neutralizing and destroying enemy caches of arms tually be a part of what was happening over there and and ammunition in support of the war effort,” Phillips to support the positive changes being made to better the said. “We managed, gathered intelligence and ran Impro- Iraqis quality of life was incredible.” vised Explosive Devices incidents within Baghdad.” It’s Mixon’s hope this Veterans Day that “We all take a Every time Phillips interacted with Iraqi nationals, they moment to refl ect upon the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen would express their thanks for the military’s presence who have volunteered to defend our freedom and make in Iraq. sacrifi ces so that we can continue to live our way of life. I “Daily we would see them rebuilding their community. am grateful to have served and continuing serving with so All were a little concerned with what the future would many fi ne men and women, and I will forever feel proud bring,” Phillips said, “however they all knew it would be to be an American.” better than under Saddam.” Phillips would like to remind the Kwajalein community Mike Tracy to “not forget that evil is all around us; be supportive of As busy as he was in Iraq, Mike Tracy still managed our troops and elected offi cials on the tough decisions to shoot off e-mails to his friends in Kwajalein and keep that they face daily.” them current with his adventures. Tracy, a RTS mainte- nance management lead with KRS, returned to Kwajalein Darcy Mixon in January after a year-long deployment to Iraq with the The chances of Darcy Mixon going back to Iraq or some- Hawaii Army National Guard, HHC 29 Support Battalion, where in the Middle East are, as she would say, “decent.” 29 Brigade Combat Team.

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