Warhorse Soldiers Come Home by Sgt
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Vol. 67 No. 30 July 31, 2009 Word of the month: Acceptance Photo by Marco Minero Carson welcomes 4th Inf. Div. Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command. With the uncasing of the colors, Carson, left, uncases the division’s colors July 22 with assistance from 4th Inf. the 4th Inf. Div. officially calls Fort Carson home after being stationed at Fort Hood, Div. Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, center, and Gen. Charles Campbell, Texas. See full story on pages 20-21. Warhorse Soldiers come home by Sgt. Philip Klein brigade’s torch party entered the Fort Carson Special James McKee, was the noncommissioned officer in 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office Events Center to a welcome from their Family, charge of the flight, expressed relief and joy for the friends and supporters. safe return of her loved one. The first of approximately 3,700 Soldiers from During their deployment, the Soldiers supported “I am ready for him to be home with his the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Multi-National Division — Family and proud of the work they have all done arrived home July 25 after a 12-month deployment to South, disrupting terrorist networks, protecting the for us,” said Betsy. southern Iraq. population and rebuilding the infrastructure. See Warhorse on page 4 Fourteen Warhorse Soldiers comprising the Betsy McKee, whose husband, Sgt. 1st Class II Military Community Happenings NN SS II DD EE Page 6 Page 11 Page 29 2 MOUNTAINEER — July 31, 2009 MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins Don’t retreat from retreat Garrison Commander: Commentary by Patty Abt-George Fridays, Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Every day of the Col. Robert F. McLaughlin Family member year, on every military installation across this world, Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: retreat sounds and whether you hear it or not, Old Glory Dee McNutt It’s interesting how rituals and routines can center us. I is being lowered by proud Soldiers. Chief, Print and Web Communications: usually don’t give my daily routines much thought, but I get e-mails all the time suggesting I wear red on Fridays Douglas M. Rule Friday at 4 p.m. I had an epiphany, so to speak. to support our troops. I see yellow ribbons plastered on cars Editor: Julie M. Lucas Retreat was sounding and I happened to be on my bike, and “HOOAH” bumper stickers proudly declaring “We are Staff Writers: Rick Emert just one street over from the post flag pole. I had a prime ARMY STRONG.” I say, let’s start our own movement: a Devin Fisher view of the Stars and Stripes being carefully lowered to call to quiet every day when we hear retreat. Even if we Happenings: Nel Lampe mark the end of the day. Cheyenne Mountain was in the don’t hear it, we know when it will happen so we can all Sports Writer: Walt Johnson background, tinged with just a hint of pink, suggesting the stop, wherever we are and whatever we are doing, to say Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall sunset that was to come. It really was a breathtaking sight. “thank you,” “bless you,” “protect you” and “comfort you.” Intern: Laura Jane Kenny I stopped, got off my bike and put my hand over my heart. I am determined to pay more attention as the afternoon In those two or three minutes, as I watched our mighty This commercial enterprise newspaper is sun begins to drop and remind myself, whether I hear an authorized publication for members of the Stars and Stripes silently and majestically glide down the retreat or not, to pay my respects to a flag I know is being Department of Defense. Contents of the pole, I pushed aside my “to do” lists that were rattling proudly lowered to mark the end of a day. What an uplifting Mountaineer are not necessarily the official around in my head and I made myself focus on our sight to see an entire post simultaneously stop for two view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. Printed circulation Soldiers, our Army and our nation. minutes each day and offer their own thoughts and prayers is 12,000 copies. I whispered a prayer for the Soldiers who had died for for this great nation. A thought for the day. The editorial content of the Mountaineer their country and for their Families, that their grief would is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: not be too much to bear. I offered up a moment for all 526-4144. The e-mail address is our leaders, that they know courage, patience and fortitude. Editor’s Note: [email protected]. I felt thankful that I live in a place where this ritual is Ray Dunn, installation operations center, provided The Mountaineer is posted on the Internet at http://csmng.com. performed with such loving care and military precision. the answer to appropriate honors to be rendered The Mountaineer is an unofficial I suddenly realized there are many Americans who have during retreat. According to Army Regulation 600-25, publication authorized by AR 360-1. The never listened to retreat sound and never watched our “In general, to render honors: If indoors, stand at Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs nation’s flag lowered for the day, and that’s when I had my Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in attention, unless reporting to a superior. If outdoors, no way connected with the Department of the epiphany: participating in retreat is an amazing privilege. execute the hand salute when in uniform, or place the Army, under exclusive written contract with When the bugle call was over, I got back on my bike right hand over the heart when in civilian clothes.” Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. and moved on, feeling a bit more purposefully about The appearance of advertising in this Soldiers in formation will be at parade rest when retreat publication, including inserts or supplements, my day, a bit more grateful for the freedoms I enjoy and sounds, and, when “To the Colors” is played, will come does not constitute endorsement by the a bit more energized by the positive thoughts that two to attention and salute until “order arms” is given. Department of the Army or Colorado Springs minutes of quiet had helped me hear. Sadly, no one else When not in formation, Soldiers will come to attention, Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services advertised. The printer reserves the moving on that street that day made time to stop. facing the flag (or music if the flag is not visible), right to reject advertisements. I am sure on other places on post, Soldiers and saluting as “To the Colors” is played. Civilians should Everything advertised in this publication civilians stopped to pay their respects, but the hustle and follow suit. Instead of saluting, the right hand should shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, bustle didn’t abate on the street I was on. Granted, many be held over the heart. If men are wearing headgear, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital were in cars with radios on and windows rolled up, so they including sports helmets, it will be removed with the status, physical handicap, political affiliation couldn’t hear retreat sound. But, the Army runs like right hand which is then placed over the heart. or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, clockwork, so it happens Monday-Thursday at 5 p.m. and user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. For display advertising call 634-5905. All correspondence or queries regarding advertising and subscriptions should be directed PPOOSSTT TTAALLKK to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. How does it make you feel when you The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public see someone ignoring retreat? Affairs Office, building 1430, room 123, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. “When Soldiers ignore “I think the person Releases from outside sources are so retreat it makes me is ignorant of how indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Mountaineer is close of business the week feel upset that Soldiers to properly pay their before the next issue is published. The are complacent respects.” Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit towards policy submissions for newspaper style, clarity and typographical errors. and our country.” Pfc. Lauren Policies and statements reflected in the Varenhorse news and editorial columns represent views Pfc. Thomas J. HHC, 3rd STB, 3rd BCT, of the individual writers and under no 4th Inf. Div. circumstances are to be considered those of Reece III the Department of the Army. 7th Sqdn., 10th Reproduction of editorial material is Cav. Reg., 1st BCT, authorized. Please credit accordingly. 4th Inf. Div. “I think that the colors “I would hope they need to be respected. would pay attention Classified advertising For someone to to retreat; It’s a 329-5236 ignore the sound military tradition “retreat” is somewhat to pay respect to Display advertising 634-5905 disrespectful and lazy.” the flag.” Mountaineer editor Staff Sgt. Michael Jimmie Fox 526-4144 Robinson Retired captain, USAF Post information MEDDAC 526-5811 Post weather hotline 526-0096 July 31, 2009 — MOUNTAINEER 3 Geren lauds Soldiers, Families, NCOs Story and photo by C.