www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ Telling the MND-Baghdad Story Wednesday, May 30, 2007

(Photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2-1 Cav. Public Affairs) Soldiers of the 33rd Light Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the Georgian Army salute their colors as their plays during a ceremony on Forward Operating Base Union I to honor their independence day May 26. Infantry Battalion of Georgian Troops Commenorate their Independence Day By Spc. Alexis Harrison Army, stationed in Baghdad's "International the 1st Cavalry Division. 2-1 Cav. Public Affairs Zone" held a ceremony and feast to honor During his speech, the battalion com- their country's independence that their fel- mander, Maj. Nikoloz Ikoshvili, remarked FORWARD OPERATING BASE low countrymen had fought for in the past. of the honor and integrity of being a UNION I, Iraq - The Republic of Hundreds of soldiers lined up amongst Georgian fighting for his country's freedom has been around for as many as 2,600 humvees and even a tank that the previous and how important it was for him and his years. Although its history is rich with tra- unit had refurbished. During the national soldiers to be in Iraq helping the Iraqi peo- dition, Georgia hasn't always been able to anthem, Tavisupleba (Liberty), the ple. call itself a free country until May 26, 1918 Georgian flag was unfurled as several dis- Dozens of certificates and plaques when it broke apart from the Trans- tinguished guests were on hand, including were handed out to guests and soldiers Caucasus Commissariat. Col. Bryan Roberts, commander of the 2nd of the battalion for recognition of To celebrate their 89 years of independ- Brigade Combat Team, and Maj. Gen. ence, soldiers from the 33rd Light Infantry Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding general of Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the Georgian the Multi-National Division - Baghdad and See Liberation Page 2 Page 2 News May 30, 2007 Iraqi, Coalition Forces Respond to Rashid Suicide Car Bomb By Maj. Kirk Luedeke tion troops arrived at a Shia mosque perpetrated by terrorists," said Col. Ricky 4-1 Inf. Public Affairs in Amel that was reportedly attacked D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry by an individual driving a white Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry BAGHDAD- Iraqi Army and coalition Honda. Division. forces responded to a suicide vehicle-borne Iraqi emergency services evacuated "We will work closely with our Iraqi improvised explosive device that detonated the wounded to local hospitals and put out Security Force partners to bring those in the western Rashid section of the Iraqi several fires on site. responsible to justice in accordance with capital at approximately 2:45 p.m., May 29. "We are saddened by the loss of inno- Iraqi laws," he added. Iraqi Security Forces and coali- cent lives and condemn this barbaric act The incident is under investigation. Georgian Soldiers Celebrate 89th Year of Independence a great service," Fil said. "Your Liberation fellow soldiers and families back From Page 1 home should be proud of what achievements or support of you are doing here in Iraq." ongoing operations done by The battalion of infantry- the battalion. men had recently replaced the After the ceremony, Bat' Umi Battalion after the all guests were invited into the tank battalion stayed on the palace to dine on traditional base and worked in the heavi- (Photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2-1 Cav. Public Affairs) and local fare. ly-guarded International Zone Col. Bryan Roberts, commander of the 1st Cavalry Several toasts were made for more than six months. Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, cuts a ceremonial by the battalion commander, The battalion's main role cake with Maj. Nikoloz Ikoshvili, commander of the 33rd the battalion's sergeant major, is to guard several entry Light Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the Georgian Sgt. Maj. Manuchar Davituri, points to the International Army, as distinguished guests look on following a cere- Fil and Roberts. Zone, as well as man its mony marking Georgia's independence May 26. “You are doing your country embassy. Arabic Phrase Iraq of the Day 3-DDay taariikh Weather Today Tomorrow Friday Defined: Report High: 108 High: 110 High: 110 history Low: 80 Low: 78 Low: 78

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr. Nathan Hoskins and Spc. Alexis Harrison Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl Contact the Daily Charge at VOIP 242-4093, DSN 318-847-2855 or e- Command Information Supervisor: Master Sgt. Dave Larsen mail [email protected]. NCOIC, Print Production: Sgt. Michael Garrett The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Editor: Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma the Daily Charge are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Staff Writers: Sgt. Nicole Kojetin, Spc. L.B. Edgar, Spc. Shea Butler, Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 1st Cavalry Division. Pfc. Ben Gable and Pfc. William Hatton All editorial content of the Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by1st Contributing Writers: Maj. Kirk Luedeke, Capt. David Levasseur, Spc. Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office. Page 3 Memorialize May 30, 2007 21 Guns Recall 61 Lives Dagger Brigade Remembers Their Fallen at Service By Capt. David Levasseur 2-1 Inf. Public Affairs Officer

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Twenty-one shots rang clearly through the warm interior of the chapel. The shots were immediately followed by the long, somber notes of 'Taps,' which marked a solemn end to the ceremony memorializing the 61 Soldiers and one inter- preter from the 14 task force formations associated with the 2nd "Dagger" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division who have died dur- ing Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. "Today, we pause along with all Americans for a (Photos by Sgt. Lance Wail, 2-1 Inf. Public Affairs) moment to honor our fallen, Col. J. B. Burton and Command Sgt. Maj. John Fortune, the commander and senior non- whose personal investment in commissioned officer for the 2nd "Dagger" BCT, 1st Infantry Division from Schweinfurt, their nation's freedom allow Germany, take a moment to reflect after laying a wreath at the base of the new Dagger our citizens to realize the Memorial Wall presented at a Memorial Day service at Camp Liberty, Iraq May 28. ideals that define what it means to be an American," said block lettering with the names tion. our families, our future, and Colonel J.B. Burton, com- of the 61 Soldiers and one The Dagger Brigade what we - as Americans - mander of the Dagger Brigade. interpreter who were killed in Combat Team deployed one believe in." "These fallen Warriors repre- action while assigned or battalion task force in August After a roll call of the fall- sent us all. They represent the attached to the Dagger brigade 2006 and followed with the en members of the brigade, very few of our great nation since September 2006. remainder of the brigade in Burton and his senior noncom- who have stood up and stepped The wall, which now September last year. The head- missioned officer, Command forward to defend our Nation stands guard to the entrance quarters of the nearly 5,000- Sgt. Maj. John Fortune, laid a against all enemies, at any to the brigade headquarters Soldier BCT is currently wreath at the base of the wall cost," he continued. building here, is a duplicate responsible for northwestern and stood stiffly at attention as Burton stood beside a of the one being constructed Baghdad. an honor guard fired the 21-gun gleaming white, three piece in Schweinfurt, Germany the The Dagger Brigade was salute into the morning sky. wall inscribed in stark black Dagger Brigade's home sta- deployed in the Salah ah Din The commander's final region of Iraq, 60 miles north message still hung in the air, STOP of Baghdad in 2004 in sup- "…Let us give thanks. Thanks STOP port of Operation Iraqi that our nation produces patri- THIINK FE Freedom II. ots such as these. SA During his remarks Burton "Let us pray for their fam- OOBBESSEERRVVE reminded his listeners, "…Let ilies and friends, and let us ask E, B us remember that our mission only that the souls of these AR here is vital. It is for keeps and Soldiers be welcomed as W PPLLAANN we - our nation's warriors col- heroes and posted in over E A lectively hold the line - out watch of us all, as we continue B PROCEED front, and far away to protect our mission here." Page 4 Sacrifice May 30, 2007

Fallen Heroes for a Cause Apache Soldiers Find a Moment to Remember By Spc. Nathan Hoskins dating back to the year 1866, but first Soldiers to not only remember those who 1st ACB Public Affairs officially observed May 30, 1868. have served before them, but to never The Guns Battalion then reflected forget those Soldiers who are currently CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Soldiers from on the sacrifices that their pilots made missing in Iraq. the 1st Air Cavalry "Warrior" Brigade, January 28, 2007, said Orlando, Fla., "We remember our Soldiers whose 1st Cavalry Division, honored the sacri- native Lt. Col. Timothy DeVito, the bat- whereabouts are unknown. We will never fices of heroes, both past and present, talion commander. quit searching, and we will never leave during a Memorial Day ceremony May "Especially today, in this battalion, them behind," he said. 28. we remember the heroes closest to us - DeVito said he wants his Soldiers to The troopers from the 4th "Guns" Mister Chow and Captain Resh. We take more from Memorial Day than just Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, (also) remember their families and a ceremony; he wants them to learn from gathered together at their headquarters to friends who knew them and loved them those whose sacrifices paved the way to commemorate the service members who best," he said. the freedoms they enjoy today. bravely served before them, said Capt. Mark Resh and Chief Warrant "(Memorial Day) is also for the cur- Ballston Spa, N.Y., native 1st Sgt. J.D. Officer 3 Cornell Chao, both AH-64D rent generation of Soldiers to reflect Sellers, the acting command sergeant Apache attack helicopter pilots, perished upon. (To reflect on) not only what past major for 4-227th. in battle January 28, 2007, while protect- generations have done, but what our fall- "It's a time to remember and cele- ing their wingman in An Najaf. en heroes have sacrificed for. Then, to brate the sacrifices our heroes have made "We just use this as an opportunity commit ourselves to serving in their before us, what they dedicated their lives to reflect on their sacrifice and honor memory - using their example to make us to and what they chose to represent for their memory by continuing to serve as better Soldiers," he said. the nation. They made the ultimate sacri- they served and live the Warrior Ethos The ceremony ended with a moment fice for us," he said. like they lived it and demonstrated it for of silence for their comrades who have The Soldiers also took time to learn us," DeVito said. fallen in battle and those service mem- the history of Memorial Day, its origin The Guns commander reminded his bers who fell in battle before them.

(Photo by Sgt. Raymond Kokel, 1-1 Cav. Public Affairs) Silent Remembrance Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team" pray during a Memorial Day prayer luncheon, commemorating the lives of those military service members who have died in service to their country, May 28 at Camp Taji, Iraq.