Phantom News Vol. I, Issue 43 Telling the TF Phantom story October 15, 2007 Celebrating a month of culture Soldiers expand horizons, share Hispanic traditions Story, photos by Army Spc. Kimberly Millett 89th MP Bde. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, the Human Relations Office and the 89th Military Police Brigade sponsored an evening of cultural awareness, demonstrations and ethnic cuisine Oct. 5 in Al Faw Pal- ace. The month, celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, coincides with the anni- versary of independence for five Latin American countries – Costa Rica, Gua- temala, Honduras, El Salvador and Ni- caragua. “During National Hispanic Heri- Soldiers take a break from their meals to try their salsa dancing in the Al Faw tage Month, we recognize Hispanic Palace ballroom during an evening of cultral awareness Oct. 5. Americans for helping to shape our na- to America and are part of the unique Martes, 1st Cavalry Division Band vo- tional character and make our commu- fabric of our country.” calist and San Juan, Puerto Rico, native, nities stronger,” said guest speaker Col. During his presentation, Isaac high- accompanied three pairs of dancers as Miguel Isaac, deputy program director lighted heroes throughout U.S. military they demonstrated meringue, bachata, of the Logistics Civilian Augmenta- history like Hispanic servicemember salsa and tejano dancing. tion Program and native of San Juan, Loretta Janeta Velasquez, a Cuban- Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Fer- Puerto Rico. “The warmth and vitality born woman who masqueraded as a nando Santiago, Navy Expeditionary of the Hispanic culture are great gifts male Confederate Soldier during the Combat Readiness Center personnel Civil War to fight for her country, to specialist, said he found the event in- current heroes like Army Sgt. 1st Class spiring. Gary Villalobos, a Hispanic Soldier “I liked how they explained the his- who earned the Silver Star June 7, 2005, tory of the dances,” said the Los An- for gallantry in combat while outnum- geles native. “I know the dances but a bered by insurgents in Tal Afar, Iraq. lot of people are not familiar with their Army Sgt. Donald Rizzo, a Chico, background.” Calif., native and military policeman Attendees were welcome to try an for Headquarters and Headquarters array of Hispanic food, including faji- Company, 89th MP Brigade, enjoyed tas, enchiladas and quesadillas. the presentation, especially learning “As we speak, thousands of men and about the Hispanic Medal of Honor re- women of Hispanic heritage are plac- cipients. ing their boots on the ground in more “It showed how much Hispanics than 120 countries around the world contribute not just to the Armed Ser- in the war on terrorism,” Isaac said. vices, but to the entire country,” he “They are bringing freedom to people Army Sgt. 1st Class Johanna Wilson, said. in other countries, making major sac- 504th Military Intelligence Brigade In addition to the presentation, those rifices, and risking their lives to bring communications security custodian, in attendance were treated to a musical justice to terrorists and lay a founda- and Army Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Reyes, 3rd Infantry Division EO advisor, dem- performance featuring Hispanic dance tion for a sustainable peace. They join onstrate salsa dancing. and musical styles. Army Sgt. Jesus the proud ranks of past heroes.” 2 October 15, 2007 Commentary Heard on the streets of Victory. If you could change your name, what would it be? “Robert. I “I would not “Isabella. It would have change my shows class preferred to be name because and chic and named after my it’s who I am.” if you call me father.” Bella, it means beautiful.” Army Col. Navy Senior Martin Wilson Army Staff CPO Glenda Plans and Sgt. Jose Avila Atwood Policy MNF-I CG MNF-I SCJS MNC-I Commo ESD NCOIC “My mother “Scott. I want “I like my put Anita my middle first name, and Arlene name to be my I wouldn’t together. Arlene first name.” change it.” was her friend in school. So I wouldn’t change it.” Air Force Navy Chief PO Marine Col. Master Sgt. Arnita Waters Robert Buran Michael McNeil MNF-I SCJS Deputy C-3 MNF-I SCJS Supply NCOIC MNC-I NCOIC Chaplain’s Corner Affections of the Heart quite incongruent to think of someone as having a faith- ful heart, but at the same time having a cheating mind, Army Chaplain Kimon Nicolaides because the heart encompasses the core essence of who we MNC-I Victory Chapel really are in our true identities. Therefore, the mind is but one part of the heart. Jonathan Edwards, an eighteenth century American In defining the biblical meaning of the word heart, we theologian, once said, “True religion resides in the affec- would include the emotions, the mind, the will and the tions of the heart.” conscience. The heart is capable of thinking, knowing, feel- What does that mean? Let us try to understand what he ing, acting and turning, which indicates an act of the will. meant by defining the terms ‘affections’ and ‘heart.’ These The heart is the seat of the emotions, but it is also the two words have completely different meanings from what seat of the mind, as well as the seat of the will, because it culture teaches us. Here, affections are not referring to is the control center for our whole life. It contains our core emotions, nor is the heart merely the seat of the emotions. foundational system of beliefs, commitments and values. In fact, the word ‘heart,’ as it is used in the Bible, means It controls our mind, our will, and our emotions. How our something entirely different from what our contemporary heart is structured and aligned determines not so much society associates with that term. For example, it would be See AFFECTIONS, page 3 Phantom News is an authorized publication for members of MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno Phantom News welcomes columns, com- the Department of Defense. Contents of this publication are MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. James Hutton mentaries, articles and letters from our not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Eric E. Parris readers. Send submissions or comments Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial con- MNC-I Command Info Chief: Sgt. 1st Class VeShannah J. Lovelace to [email protected]. tent of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Editor: Cpl. Darhonda Rodela The editorial staff reserves the right to edit Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Staff: Sgt. Abel Trevino, Sgt. D.A. Dickinson, Sgt. Laura M. Bigenho, for security, accuracy, propriety, policy, Spc. Beatrice Florescu, Spc. Stephanie Homan clarity and space. October 15, 2007 3 Bringing Ramadan fellowship to TF 62 troops Medical Bde. hosts breaking-of-the-fast celebration Story, photo by Army Spc. Stephanie Homan MNC-I PAO Task Force 62 Medical Brigade and the Iraqi-American Task Force Bilingual Bicultural Advisors-Subject Matter Ex- perts held a breaking of the fast celebration and feast in cele- bration of Ramadan for TF 62 Soldiers and the Iraqi Ground Forces Command Surgeon’s office on Oct. 4 at Camp Vic- tory. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk; this includes eating, drinking and sexual inter- course. Fasting is an important part of the convention of Rama- dan, said Karim Al Waeli, TF 62 cultural advisor. He ex- plained how it is a cleansing time of year when he feels in his best physical shape. “It is a vacation for the stomach that helps build stamina because you must continue to work all day without normal nourishment,” he said. “I feel healthier during Ramadan, and it helps support other people around the world in starv- ing countries.” TF 62 commander, Army Col. Patrick Sargent, is all around pleased with the interaction of his unit and IQATF. He said they play an important role to the brigade in many ways and he is grateful for their support. “IQATF is very instrumental to TF 62’s secondary mis- sion, which is helping facilitate and improve Iraqi health Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bryan, Task Force 62 civil military op- erations, listens as Maher Al Shahan and Nahla Yousif, Iraqi care at the provincial level,” he said. “They provide us in- American Task Force Bilingual Bicultural Advisors Subject formation about the needs of local physicians and what the Matter Experts, explain customs of Ramadan and tradition- locals need.” al food that is prepared during the holiday at a social gath- The Iraqi Americans working with TF 62 displayed cus- ering for Ramadan at Camp Victory Oct. 4. The mankla is a tomary Ramadan practice to the Soldiers of the medical bri- traditional Iraqi grill on which meat is prepared. gade, said Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bryan, TF 62 Med. Bde. civil outside and interact with the Iraqi people, so members of military operations. the Iraqi American Task Force wanted to bring the traditions The festivities included traditional food, fellowship and of Ramadan to our Soldiers here,” he said. “They wanted to games for the holiday. put on a traditional Iraqi feast to show their support for the “A lot of the Soldiers never have an opportunity to go Soldiers.” AFFECTIONS, from page 2 of worship and he claims exclusive thing in life? What is the most impor- rights on that prerogative. The heart tant thing to you? What really gives our emotions as it does our motives. is actually always on the look out for you meaning and purpose in life? To understand the alignment of our something to worship if it is not fully You will find out where your heart heart, we could test our disposition satisfied with whatever it has already really is once you determine what it under certain conditions.