New Computer Lab Donated to Soldiers in Honor of Sgt
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Vol. 2, Issue 39 October 2, 2005 Ramadan is from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2 this year - know what to expect pg. 2 Trailblazers sweep the roads of Iraq for IEDs - making it safer for you pg. 7 Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda Photo by Pfc. Spencer Case New computer lab donated to Soldiers in honor of Sgt. Maupin pg.pg. 66 Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth Soldiers salute while the national anthem plays at the dedication ceremony for the Sgt. Matt Maupin Computer Lab at Logistical Support Area Anaconda. The family of Maupin, the only U.S. Soldier still held captive in Iraq, donated 90 computers to improve Soldier's access to communications back home. PAGE 2 ANACONDA TIMES OCTOBER 2, 2005 What to expect Ramadan: for the holiday By Pfc. Spencer Case sary of the night the Quran was revealed Staff Writer to Mohammed on the Muslim Calendar. It falls on one of the last odd-numbered As the holiest month on the Muslim days of Ramadan, though the date calendar approaches, servicemembers changes year-to-year. Muslims spend this should know what to expect from night asking for forgiveness of sins and observers of the Islamic faith, said Capt. reciting the Quran. Shermoan Daiyaan who conducts The last three days of Ramadan are Islamic services at Logistical Support known as Eid-ul-qadr, or the festival of Area Anaconda. fast breaking. This is a time for sharing Ramadan is based on a lunar calen- and respect for other religions. It can be Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda dar, so the dates are different every year compared with Christmas for Christians on the Gregorian calendar. This year the and Yom Kippur for Jews. Pfc. David Fisher (left), a laundry, shower, and textile specialists with the 254th Quarter- master Company, welcomes customers to the shower facility. celebration begins on Oct. 4 and lasts It is recommended that servicemembers until Nov. 2. During this period of time, in Iraq take the following precautions Muslims will spend less time on the during this culturally sensitive time: Showering isn’t easy in Rawah concerns of everyday life and try to -- Remain on guard for attacks. Even cultivate a god-fearing attitude of “Allah the Quran says that Ramadan is not a By Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda The camp is so remote that there is little consciousness” by reading the Quran, ceasefire. In the last two weeks of Staff Writer communication available for Soldiers. It doing charitable works, and practicing Ramadan 2003, attacks on multinational has a commercial internet center and a Sawm, or fasting, during daylight hours. forces fell by 30 percent, but attacks on Soldiers appreciate few amenities more satellite phone that Soldiers get to use “The goal of Ramadan is, ultimately, Iraqi security forces and civilians rose by than a shower at the end of a day of hard for 20 minutes weekly. The lack of to become a better Muslim than you were 50 percent. work. amenities presents a challenge for the year before,” Daiyaan said. “To do -- Expect less activity in the day and Near Rawah, a strategic military Haralson’s small unit. that, [you practice] self-denial, self- more in the nighttime. Do not necessarily outpost from which coalition forces “Most of my guys have never been control, more worship and give more be alarmed by large gatherings at houses intercept insurgents coming into Iraq deployed before,” Haralson said, who is charity during this time.” after sunset or increased traffic to from Syria, the responsibility of providing now on her second deployment to Iraq Daily observation of Ramadan mosques, especially in places like Karbala Soldiers with warm showers throughout during this operation and who served begins with small, pre-dawn meals and Najaf. This is normal during the day falls on Pennsylvania’s 254th during Desert Storm. She said that out of known as Suhoor. The Quran specifies Ramadan. Quartermaster Company. approximately 20 Soldiers, only three Muslims may eat “until you can plainly -- Know that some insurgents will see “We work seven days a week and our are older than 23 years. The average age distinguish a light thread from a black Ramadan as a recruiting opportunity. showers are a 24-hour operation,” said is 20. thread by the light of day, then keep the -- Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, Staff Sgt. Tonya Haralson, the non- Although young, the Reservists are fast until night.” In daylight hours, offensive gestures and profane language commissioned officer in charge of the coping with their conditions. Pfc. David Muslims will abstain from food, water, in front of Muslims during this period of shower, laundry, and clothing repair Fisher, a 19-year-old laundry, shower, smoking, sexual activity and injections time. These behaviors are strictly forbid- team that the 254th mobilized to support and textile specialist and the unit’s of nutritional value. den on Ramadan and are likely to offend operations in Rawah. youngest Soldier, said he knows the Exceptions are made for women who local nationals. Since arriving in Rawah in July, the mission is crucial and that he keeps are nursing, pregnant or going through -- Notify your chain of command if you Reservists have built and run the showers upbeat because he joined to serve. menstruation, pre-pubescent children, are a Muslim servicemember planning to in the remote compound as well as a “I miss my family but this is a tradi- mentally handicapped, elderly, or ill observe Ramadan. Unit leaders may be laundry facility that handles approxi- tion in my family so I wanted to serve,” individuals and for people who are able to help place you in less physically mately 1,900 pounds of laundry per day. Fisher said, explaining why he joined traveling or doing strenuous work. This demanding positions to minimize risk of The shower uses approximately 2,000 even though he knew he would be fasting is one of five pillars, or duties, fatigue and dehydration. gallons of water daily. mobilized. “My grandpa served in that every able Muslim must do in his or -- It is appropriate for non-Muslims to “When we came out here we had Korea, my cousin in Bosnia . I just felt her life. greet Muslims with “Ramadan absolutely nothing,” Haralson said, like I needed to prove myself doing After sunset, it is customary to invite Mubarak,” which means “may your noting that when she arrived on site there something military-wise.” family and friends to large, fast-breaking Ramadan be blessed,” or simply “happy were not even tents in which to sleep let While at Rawah, Fisher has taken it meals known as Iftar. These meals Ramadan.” These greetings will not alone in which to take showers. “We built upon himself to build up the unit’s usually begin with dates and sweet offend most locals. this compound all by ourselves,” she compound as much as possible. He built drinks that provide quick energy. -- Expect absenteeism of local national said, referring to the unit’s makeshift benches and wooden floors for the It is from these meals that Muslims employees. Those that arrive may be village of tents and wooden floors. showers and some shelving units for the get most of their sustenance during distracted, dehydrated, fatigued or Haralson said that because the Reserv- laundry facility. Ramadan. irritable during workdays. ists had to build everything from scratch, “It’s just about making our area The most significant night of -- Know that most local national they have taken pride in their mission. better,” Haralson said. Ramadan is Lailatul Qadr, the anniver- women will be veiled and covered. and Stripes central office, with a circulation of 5,000 Deputy Public Affairs Officer papers. 207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Commander Maj. Curtis Carney The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave. in building 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. Anaconda 207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC Times, HHC 1st COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey S. Mullett Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the site at www.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm Editor 1st COSCOM for the LSA Anaconda community. The Contact Sgt. Marshall Thompson via e-mail at Sgt. Marshall Thompson contents of the Anaconda Times are unofficial and are [email protected] or Sgt. 1st Class not to be considered the official views of, or endorsed Staff Writers Jeffrey S. Mullett at [email protected] Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda by, the U.S. Government, including the Department of Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st COSCOM Commanding General Sgt. Mitch Armbruster Anaconda Times is a command information newspa- Brig. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine Sgt. Jason Mikeworth per in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Sgt. Ty D. Stafford Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press Center Pfc. Spencer Case Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars Lt. Col. Virginia Zoller OCTOBER 2, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 3 Download the Anaconda Times at www.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster Soldiers from the 557th Maintenance Co. test the rescue hooks that will help open jammed humvee doors. Life-saving hooks developed By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster preparation for the rescue hooks. in a matter of 30 minutes. Staff Writer After the morning’s test run, the “We designed these hooks, 13th Corps Support Battalion which allow it to be maintenance The explosive devastation of commander will be the final free, built in the field and it’s an improvised explosive device approval for these hooks to easy to use. It’s designed for a caved in the doors of a humvee become a continuous passenger rapid extrication,” Rose said.