January 6, 2006
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Vol. 64, No. 1 Publishedished inin thethe interinterest of the 7th Infantry Division and Fort Carson community Jan. 6, 2006 Visit the Fort Carson Web site at www.carson.army.mill Cav troopers become American citizens 2005 — a look back by Col. Randy Pullen Color Guard from Fort Riley, Kan.; and Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Army News Service a number or ROTC detachments, Class Donald Sparks including marching units from Texas 3rd ACR Public Affairs WASHINGTON — As is usual at A&M, the Citadel and Virginia Military this time of year, most news organiza- Institute. Baghdad, Iraq — As a young boy tions take a look back at what made January came to an end with the growing up in the Dominican Republic, news in the year just ended. successful election in Iraq in which Amaury Lantigua always wanted to The Army News Service is no dif- voters elected a national assembly to serve in the military. He was particu- ferent. So what made news for the Army write the new Iraqi constitution and larly impressed by the discipline the in 2005? You could almost sum it up in council members to represent each of men in uniform exemplified every time three words: war, hurricanes and elec- the 18 provinces in Iraq. he saw them. tions. Almost. Despite threats from the insurgents At age 20 Lantigua left his native January and some attacks on polling places, country and arrived in the United States The Army started 2005 just as it millions of Iraqis cast their votes, a where he settled in New York City. In ends 2005 — as an Army at war. tribute to their courage and desire to January 2003 he pursued his childhood Soldiers were fighting for freedom move toward freedom as well as a trib- dream — by wearing the uniform of the in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout ute to the vigilance and determination United States. the year. of U.S. and coalition Soldiers and Iraqi Now a tanker and sergeant, It wasn’t just Iraqi insurgents and security forces to provide a secure Lantigua fulfilled another dream as he Taliban remnants that Army men and voting environment. gained his U.S. citizenship during the women battled. The after-effects of the February Multi National Corps-Iraq Sgt. Reisom Markose, Howitzer ravages of nature also kept the Army In February, the Army released new Naturalization Ceremony held Dec. 20 Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored busy in 2005. Strategic Planning Guidance for 2005 at the Al-Faw Palace on Camp Victory Cavalry Regiment, raises his right As the year began, United States that includes three new focus areas: in Baghdad. hand to recite the Oath of Citizen- Army Soldiers joined their fellow homeland defense, irregular challenges Lantigua was one of 13 troopers ship during the Multi National American servicemen and women to and stability operations. assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Corps-Iraq Naturalization Ceremony help the people of South East Asia fol- The Army Strategic Planning Regiment representing nine countries to held Dec. 20 at Camp Victory in lowing the devastating tsunami that Guidance had been approved by raise their right hand and recite the oath, Baghdad. struck that region the final week of Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey becoming Americans. Sixty-six service 2004, killing more than a quarter of a Jan. 15. The 2005 ASPG can be found members participated in the ceremony. defending it,” Vines said. “Before they million people. online at www.army.mil/references/. Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, MNCI were American citizens they were willing Among the Army units deployed to Also in February, the Army Safety commander, spoke to newest group of to risk everything to defend the nation.” assist were mortuary affairs teams, Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., was recast naturalized American citizens. Vines said the most coveted title in the medical and logistics units, forward as the U.S. Army Combat Readiness “It’s ironic that the men and women world today is not president or general, engineering support teams, civil affairs Center, by order of the Secretary of the who are about to become American cit- but that of American citizen. teams, transportation and signal units. Army. Harvey directed the change to izens are dedicated to a nation spending With the nation at war, honoring the advance the principles, understanding, a significant portion of (its resources) See Citizens on Page 7 men and women of the armed forces and practice of Combat Risk was a major feature of the 55th Management. Presidential Inauguration. More than 110 years after the 1894 INSIDE THE MOUNTAINEER Two days before he was inaugurated court-martial of Chaplain Capt. Henry INSIDE THE MOUNTAINEER for a second term, President George W. Vinton Plummer, the Army redressed a Bush honored the military at a wrong and issued an honorable dis- Opinion/Editorial Sports “Saluting Those Who Serve” event charge for Plummer, the first black Somber New Year’s. 2 Post intramural volleyball champs . 31 Post talk. 2 Army vs. Air Force women’s bball . 33 held in the MCI Center in Washington, chaplain in the regular Army. In July, the Fountain-Fort Carson HS ball . 35 D.C., Jan. 18. Army presented an honorable discharge News Fourteen thousand guests attended to Plummer’s family and dedicated a 2005 reflected. 3-4 MUST SEE the event, including 7,000 military new memorial marker to him. service members, wounded Soldiers Spc. Jeremy Church of the 724th Military New Year, 3rd ACR troopers’ school work . 5 new design. from Walter Reed Army Medical Transportation Company became the Military briefs. 6 Let us Center, families of fallen Soldiers and first Army Reserve Soldier in the know Post holds first MTT BNCOC . 7 Medal of Honor recipients. Global War on Terrorism to receive a 571st welcomed home . 9 what you think of the The U.S. Army Field Band led the Silver Star. Mountaineer’s Community new look. first division of the Inaugural Parade He was presented the Army’s Piercing? Is it for you? . 11 Call Jan. 20, directly following the presiden- third-highest medal for valor during a Local AFAP conference results . 12 526-4144. tial escort. Other Army units in the Feb. 27 homecoming ceremony at Fort Community briefs. 13 W2s? When will they arrive? . 15 parade included elements from the 3rd McCoy, Wis. Car seat safety . 16 U.S. Infantry Regiment, the “Old March Holiday volunteer social . 17 Guard,” cadets from the U.S. Military The new Soldiers Online Cell phone security tips . 24 Academy, the Army Reserve’s 5115th (www.army.mil/soldiers) made its debut Feature Garrison Support Unit from Fort March 8. Gil High, editor-in-chief for Mountaineer Year in Review. 22-23 Meade, Md., the U.S. Army Band, Soldiers Magazine, said the on-line “Pershing’s Own,” which led the pres- version would augment the popular Happenings Classified advertising (719) 329-5236 Money Museum. 27-28 Mountaineer editor (719) 526-4144 idential escort; a 1st Cavalry Division print version of the magazine. Get Out . 29-30 Post information (719) 526-5811 detachment from Fort Hood, Texas; Post weather hotline (719) 526-0096 the Commanding General’s Mounted See 2005 on Page 3 MOUNTAINEER 2 Jan. 6, 2006 Opinion/Editorial Commentary: Solemn New Year’s will never be forgotten Commentary by Brig. Gen. Mari K. Eder He was nearly whispering as he thanked them by the looks of some of them, but they probably Army News Service for answering the call to duty but everyone could had other plans that had to be changed. And then, hear him fine. There wasn’t another sound inside. they probably had a moment of guilt and their WASHINGTON — I could have spent New It was cold on the flight line and there was a feelings changed — after all, those they were there Year’s Eve sipping champagne over a fine meal dense fog that shrouded the lights and softened to honor had no choice about their return home. with old friends. Or I could have huddled with a the lines of distant aircraft and hangars. Again And they would never see another New Year’s few thousand new friends in New York’s Times I marched out with escorts and stood Eve. I then challenged them all to remember Square, awaiting the drop of a crystal ball. with the Air Force and Army this night. Instead, I experienced a singular, poignant honor guards. Next New Year’s Eve, I told honor. Afterward I made them, wherever you are — I rang in the new year in the company of fallen sure I had time to say with friends or family, heroes. Along with Soldiers from the “Old Guard,” thank you to the take a moment to I went to Dover Air Force Base, Del., to welcome United Services remember those who six casualties of war home for the last time. Organization cannot be with us This time it was much harder than the other representative, to celebrate and times I’ve been to Dover. I went to Dover four an Air Force raise your glass times last year and raised my hand in the slow wife who to them. And three-second salute as 65 fallen had passed before took the time in years to me — Soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and to make a come — tell civilians. Sixty-five flags. New Year’s the story of This time it was New Year’s Eve and there were dinner for where you were six transfer cases on the flight in from Kuwait. the partici- on this New It is an honor to witness this ceremony and it pants — Year’s Eve and is never easy.