Victory Times Vol. II, Issue 59 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story August 4, 2008 Dining facility, See Pages 4-5 New general officer, Page 3 Beware of bites, Page 6 Photo by Pfc. Eric J. Glassey, 13th Public Affairs Detachment Civilian contractors are in charge of preparing and serving meals to servicemembers at both the Coalition Cafe and the Sports Oasis Dining Facility. They are responsible for four meals a day; break- fast, lunch, dinner and midnight chow for those working late night shifts or out late on missions. Tongan coronation, Page 8 Commentary Chaplain’s Corner Like an instrument, life also needs tuning sees us and know that in His eyes we By Chaplain David K. Trogdon The first is our relationship with God. Do we have a strong faith in are beautiful, forgiven and perfect? Task Force Troy chaplain God? Is God the most important Finally, are we in tune with others? person in our lives? If not, then our Is our marriage strong, our family life One of my goals during my de- hearts and lives are out of tune. Our healthy? Do we have good friends ployment here in Iraq is to learn to relationship with God is founda- who are always there for us and tell us play the guitar. Recently, I picked up tional for all our other relationships the truth even when it hurts? Are we a a guitar and immediately noticed that in life. If we are not in tune with true friend or “battle buddy” to others? it was horribly out of tune. Since I am God, it will be impossible to be for Are we “playing well” with others? new at this, I tried to tune it but ended us to truly enjoy life as we should. Every area of our lives must be up only breaking a string and giving Second, are we in tune with our- in tune in order for us to be joyful, up. That guitar needed a more skill- selves? Do we like what we see in the peaceful and useful. What if we are ful musician. An out of tune guitar mirror? Are our lives free from guilt? out of tune? If we are only a little out sounds bad, is totally useless and is in- Are we holding onto past hurts or of tune, we may be able to get back capable of producing beautiful music. failures? Are we fearful of the future? in tune on our own. If our lives are Just like a guitar, our lives Do we feel more blessed or more way out of tune, then we definitely must be in tune for us to be truly stressed? Do our priorities reflect need God’s help and maybe some happy, useful and productive. what is really important in life? Do help from someone who knows There are three main areas in life we foolishly believe that life is all a little something about life, per- which we must keep in tune. about us? Do we see ourselves as God haps maybe even your chaplain. Hope springs on Victory From left: Chaplain Mark Frederick, Multi-National Corps – Iraq opera- tions chaplain; Chaplain Lane Stock- eland, chaplain, MNC-I; Sgt. Maj. Monica Dixon, MNC-I chaplain ser- geant major; Chaplain Pat Hash, of- ficer in charge, MNC-I; Chaplain War- ren Watties, MNC-I joint operations center chaplain; Brig. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, chief of staff, MNC-I; Chaplain Joseph Hannon, Catholic chaplain, MNC-I, cut the dedication ribbon for the Hope Chapel during a special ser- vice at Camp Victory July 29. The chapel will provide a location for religious services, Bible study and choir practice. Hope Chapel took about four months to complete and can seat approximately 400 personnel. Photo by Pfc. Eric J. Glassey, 13th Public Affairs Detachment The Victory Times is an authorized publication for members of the Department Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III MNC-I Commanding General: The Victory Times welcomes columns, of Defense. Contents of this electronic Col. Billy J. Buckner MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: commentaries, articles and letters from our publication are not necessarily the official Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: readers. Send submissions or comments to views of or endorsed by the U.S. Govern- MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante [email protected]. The edito- ment or the Department of Defense. The Spc. Samuel J. Phillips Editor: rial staff reserves the right to edit for security, editorial content of this publication is the Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, Pfc. Eric Staff: accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space. responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Page 2 Victory Times August 4, 2008 news Top medical officer in Iraq garners first star Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Crisp MNC-I PAO It wasn’t until his high school years in Honolulu that Joseph Caravalho Jr. realized he wanted to be a physician. Fast forward more than thirty years and that same man is the top medical officer in Iraq; one with a new star on his chest, as Brig. Gen. Joseph Cara- valho Jr. was promoted July 28 to his current rank here, with his family wit- nessing via video teleconference. “He’s a one of a kind Soldier, and a Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, congratulates Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., Multi-National Force – Iraq and MNC— I surgeon, during a one of a kind physician,” said Lt. Gen promotion ceremony held in Caravalho’s honor July 28. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, Multi- National Corps – Iraq, who promoted “I’m so grateful for my wife allow- repay by continuing his service. Caravalho during the ceremony. “We ing me to stay in as long as I have, and “As far as the folks that have al- are very grateful to have Joe on the thank you for your unconditional love; lowed me to see all the possibilities in team, and this is a promotion well de- because Lord knows I’ve placed a lot life, or have encouraged, supported, served.” of conditions on you over the years.” coached, taught and mentored me – I Caravalho, the Multi-National Force Caravalho, who is an Army Rang- can never repay them individually,” – Iraq and MNC-I surgeon, grew up in er and Special Forces Soldier, attri- Caravalho said. “But the way the Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, and said he butes the beginnings of his success Army works, the way I repay them, was most happy with how proud his to a man named Brother Farrell, who is to [mentor] the next generation.” family is of his promotion. at St. Louis High School in Hawaii Caravalho is a graduate of Gon- “They (parents Agnes and Joseph told Caravalho he could be anything zaga University, holds a doctoral Sr.) sacrificed an awful lot to prepare he wanted to be. degree from the Uniformed Service us for school and a life of service, so “That’s the first time anyone said University of Health Sciences and I’m happy to make my mom and dad anything like that to me,” Caravalho is a graduate of the Army War Col- proud,” Caravalho said. said. lege. On hand to watch his promotion That’s how his path to the medical His most recent assignments include from Fort Bragg, from which Carav- field began. And while a member of consecutive assignments at Fort Bragg alho is deployed as part of the XVIII the ROTC program at Gonzaga Uni- starting June 2003 until present: dep- Airborne Corps, were several family versity, he realized where his career uty commander for clinical services, members and Soldiers, including his would take him. Womack Army Medical Center, chief, wife Lorraine, son Joe and daughter “I realized that I hoped to be a professional services, 44th Medical Amanda. physician, but I knew I wanted to be Command, commander, 28th Com- Caravalho thanked his family for a career officer,” he said. bat Support Hospital, surgeon, United their dedication to him in his journey He was helped along his path by States Army Special Operations Com- through the Army, in particular his mentors, officers, soldiers and NCOs mand; corps surgeon, XVIII Airborne wife. – those of which he said he could only Corps until his present duty position. August 4, 2008 Victory Times Page 3 Dining Facilities Dining facility staff works to keep servicemembers fed command food Story and photos service advisor, by Pfc. Eric J. MNC-I . “It is one Glassey of the original din- 13th Public Affairs ing facilities built Detachment in Iraq, and there are very few that An army runs can compare to on its stomach. If the Sports Oasis.” you have been to The Sports the Sport’s Oasis Oasis, centrally lo- dining facility, cated in the middle then you know the of Camp Victory, U.S. military is is as equally close getting the fuel to to as many build- run very well. ings as possible, The Sports Shurland said. Oasis can and In addition to does feed more the 19 service- than 10,000 ser- members who vicemembers and faithfully serve in civilians every day. the Sports Oasis, Feeding this there are 239 non- many personal re- military personal quires 9 to 11 trucks that are subcon- every 3 to 5 days, tracted from KBR. said Staff Sgt. Keith “These civilians Morrison, contract- are from India and ing office represen- Africa, and they tative, Multi-Na- are highly edu- tional Corps - Iraq.