Phantom News Vol. I, Issue 10 Telling the TF Phantom story February 25, 2007 From slavery to freedom, heroes are honored Story, photos by Spc. Laura M. Bigenho 28th Public Affairs Detachment Members of Multi-National Corps-Iraq celebrated Afri- can-American/Black History Month with an observance in the Al Faw Palace Rotunda Feb. 13. The theme for the celebration was “From Slavery to Free- dom, the Story of Africans in the Americas.” It included spe- cial readings by MNC-I Soldiers, music from the 1st Cavalry Division Band, a performance by the Liberty Gospel Choir and a poetry reading. Guests gathered afterward for a ca- tered dinner. Chaplain (Col.) Michael Tarvin, MNC-I command chap- lain, was guest speaker for the evening. He spoke about his exposure to racism and his upbringing in a predominantly Caucasian neighborhood. He also shared stories of African- Americans who inspired him throughout his life. Tarvin said he saw firsthand the evils of racism during his military service in the 1970s. Until then, he did not have Chaplain (Col.) Michael Tarvin, Multi-National Corps-Iraq chaplain, speaks to the crowd at the African-American/ a clue how serious the problem was. Black History Month observance Feb. 13 at Al Faw Palace. “I clearly remember shocking experiences for me,” he said. what it would be. As America matured into what it should He witnessed racism as a new platoon leader sitting in be — a leader of liberty and justice for all,” said Chief War- his company commander’s office. He remembered seeing a rant Officer Vinita Hughes, MNC-I inspector general. young black Soldier being chased down a hallway by two Tarvin said there were many African-Americans who in- white Soldiers with knives. He continued witnessing racism spired him in their own lives’ journeys from slavery to free- after he joined the ministry as a pastor. dom. Kip Keino, an Olympic gold medalist from Kenya, was “Clearly, the story of the Africans stands out as the stron- a prime example of the qualities Tarvin admired most. After gest testament of a unique group of people — tried and test- Keino’s Olympic success, he and his wife opened an elemen- ed — who through it all persevered, and by their example tary school on their farm for abandoned children. have shown a nation in the earliest years of our republic “Keino could have had the world and lived a life of lux- ury,” Tarvin said. “Instead he chose the path of true selfless service.” Tarvin said Keino made the world a better place by teach- ing values to hundreds of young people while demonstrat- ing what it means to be free — placing others ahead of one- self. “We commemorate the lives of those slaves and those Af- ricans who laid the foundation for a country that would pro- duce men and women in which all of our ancestors would be extremely proud,” Hughes said. “Praise the Lord for the thousands of (African-Ameri- cans) who would not give up — but were willing to pay the price,” Tarvin said. “Today, as the journey and struggle to A Soldier attending reads a program detailing African- freedom continues, I call on all of us to be courageous like American history at the ceremony Kip Keino, placing God and others first.” Page 2 Commentary February 25, 2007 The lighter side of a muddy, muddy life Sgt. Jacob Boyer Christmas, about a of goop up the very top of the soil. I 28th Public Affairs Detachment month after the bulk began to think maybe the appropriate- of the III Corps folks ly-named rainy season was behind us. This was going to be a commentary got here. I heard the Maybe I’d get through a week or two about something important, but it mud was a bit of a without having to hose off my boots came back. problem. I remember before entering Al Faw Palace. Heck, I was going to write about some is- thinking mud seemed just the other night, I remember saying Boyer sue that was burning its way through like a strange problem to a friend that it seemed it was all the ranks here at scenic Camp Victory, given past experience. over — and for that, I must apologize but it decided a month away was too Then it rained about a quarter inch to every denizen of Camp Victory. long. the third or fourth day I was here. You see, I jinxed us. Not an hour What is it? As we all know, it doesn’t take much after making that fateful statement, I There is truly only one annoyance to make this wonderful clay turn to heard that unfriendly sound moving that can keep me from ranting about sludgy goop. It also doesn’t take much southwest from the far end of Free- one uniform violation or another: for that goop to become the best mor- dom Village. I actually found myself Camp Victory’s mud epidemic. tar a bricklayer ever saw. wishing it was the more familiar The last time I wintered in this part For a week or two there, it seemed sound of mortars or gunshots, but that of the world, I spent that period south like we’d never dig ourselves from was not to be. of here, in Wonderful Kuwait, waiting the mud’s sticky grip. Every time it My statement had angered the mud to make that fateful March 2003 trip seemed like things were just about to gods, and they were about to wreak from the border to Baghdad. I don’t dry out, we’d get another half-hour vengeance. As we all know, we spent recall it raining much in those months. drizzle, which would lead to two or last weekend splish-splashing our way My big weather-related memory has three days of combat boots almost lost around post, mopping floors every more to do with the dust storms that to the mud’s icy grip and scraping the hour or so, and generally flying into Spring. mire’s remains off the trailer floor. fits of Mud Rage. We may have had one rainstorm But suddenly, things started getting I never thought the Global War on that left an impression. pretty good. We’d get 1/16th of an Terror would include a far smaller Lo- This year is obviously a smidge inch every now and then, but it was cal War on Mud, but I’m declaring one different. I arrived two days after never enough to do more than sort right here and now. Chaplain’s Corner eating at our house.” “I’ll say,” agreed the customer. Abba, “That’s our house,” Johnny ex- “She’s been praying for a Cadillac.” plained. “But this is Grandma’s house, Three guys wash up on the shore Father and she knows how to cook!” of an uncharted island. They had Chaplain James Lucas A famous author was autographing survived a hurricane which blew their 38th DISCOM garrison chaplain copies of his new novel in a depart- fishing boat way off course and then ment store. One gentleman pleased sank it. The men began to explore When little Johnny received his him by bringing up not only his new the island, but found no sign of life. plate he started eating right away. book for signature, but reprint edi- However, as they walked along, they “Johnny! Wait until we say our tions of his two previous ones as well. spotted something in the dirt, which prayer,” his mother scolded. “My wife likes your stuff,” the man turned out to be a strange-looking “I don’t have to,” replied the tyke, said, “So, I thought I’d give her these bottle. his mouth full of mashed potatoes. autographed copies for a birthday One of men said, “I wonder how “Of course, you do,” his mother in- present.” this got here,” and began rubbing sisted. “We always say a prayer before “A surprise, eh?” said the author. See FATHER, page 4 Phantom News is an authorized electronic publication for MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno Phantom News welcomes columns, commentaries, articles members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. James Hutton and letters from our readers. Send submissions electronic publication are not necessarily the official views of MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Eric E. Parris or comments to [email protected]. The or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of MNC-I Command Info Chief: Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hayes editorial staff reserves the right to edit for security, accuracy, Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the respon- Editor: Sgt. Jacob Boyer propriety, policy, clarity and space. sibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Staff: Spc. Laura M. Bigenho, Spc. D. A. Dickinson, Spc. Beatrice Florescu-Villa Verde, Cpl. Jess Kent, Spc. Abel Trevino February 25, 2007 Page 3 Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, speaks with central Texas-based reporters via satellite Feb. 13. During the 30-minute question and answer session, Odierno spoke about the accomplishments of coalition and Iraqi forces and the implementation of the new Baghdad Security Plan. Odierno outlines Iraq accomplishments, reflects on way ahead with home media Story, photo by Sgt. Curt Cashour ing injured alongside of us. They are Odierno said. MNC-I Public Affairs being killed alongside of us. They are In Baghdad, 15 outposts out of an standing and fighting, and they are eventual 32 have already been set up, The next few months represent a dedicated to their country being suc- he said.