Volume 1, Issue 65 April 5, 2010 TF Marne celebrates Chaldo-Assyrian New Year By Spc. Michael Adams “I think every linguist cultures coming together. TF Marne PAO and cultural advisor serv- Command Sergeant Major Task Force Marne Cel- ing in Iraq, it is their job to Jesse Andrews, TF Marne ebrated the Chaldo-Assyrian bring the ideas of the cul- command sergeant major, New Year with a cultural-fair ture to the fellow Soldiers attended the event. held at Contingency Operat- they work with,” said Angel “Speicher inside the fence ing Base Speicher, March Hermiz, the commanding is like a little corner of Amer- 31. general’s personal linguist. ica,” Maj. Gen. Cucolo said. The Chaldo-Assyrian cul- “We have to explain to them “The wonderful thing about ture was founded in the Nin- that Iraq is mainly an Arabic American society is that we ewa Plain, an area within country but there are many value diversity. We value di- Ninewa province, in mod- Christians here that speak verse cultures, diverse opin- ern-day Iraq. That culture Aramaic, the language Jesus ions, to us that is strength. is a direct descendant from spoke.” We learned the hard way-- such civilizations as the Bab- Hermiz added that per- with much pain and suffer- ylonians and the Mesopota- secution has displaced many ing--inclusion and accep- mians. Christians in Iraq, leaving tance of other cultures, other Samah Youssef, the divi- many without homes and opinions, other ideas does in sion cultural advisor and lin- looking for help from inter- fact … make us stronger. It’s Photo by Spc. Michael Adams, TF Marne PAO Angel Hermiz, the linguist for the guists working for TF Marne national organizations. been a long road over the TF Marne commanding general, organized the event as both During the event, Maj. past 200 plus years.” speaks at a culture-fest held at a celebration of Iraqi heri- Gen. Tony Cucolo, com- Major General Cucolo COB Speicher, March 31. The tage and as a way to educate mander of TF Marne, spoke spoke about the importance event commemorated the Chal- do-Assyrian New Year, which is Soldiers on the culture of the about the honored culture every April 1. country they were in. and the importance of all See YEAR, Page 3 Soldiers keep in touch with ‘battle buddies’ By Spc. Cassandra Monroe 135th Mobile Public Affairs Det. and Soldiers must not forget about Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry their ‘battle buddies’ serving with them Division. “Sending gifts and technol- Most children’s rooms will have from home. ogy helps a lot too.” one thing in common: whether it’s With Soldiers and their younger sib- Specialist Terry Dixon finds many Batman themed pajama’s strewn lings or children separated by a deploy- ways to stay connected with her across their bed or Disney Princess ment, it is important for them to find 11-year-old, saxophone-playing, kara- posters hanging above their desks, ways to stay connected and let each te-practicing son, Emmanuel Battle. each child finds an idol of their own to other know that they care. “To get through this deployment, display across their room. “They can talk, write and read to you need to have that familiarity, that As the month of April begins, so them,” said Capt. Arek Ochalek, the does the Month of the Military Child, battalion chaplain with the Division See FAMILY, Page 3 The North Star Page 2 • April 5, 2010 LNOs take care of Soldiers during travels Submitted by He wished me good night, and set day trip to Baghdad for my boss. I Anonymous Marne Traveler me off for a good-night’s sleep. contacted Maj. Malcolm Wise and Sgt. Then, just prior to my flight out, I 1st Class Charles Hall to ask for assis- I recently had the pleasure – that’s was again in dire need of help. The tance in coordinating our visit. right – the pleasure of needing the as- flight information for my outbound Major Wise and Sgt. 1st Class Hall sistance of our liaison officer in Kuwait flight was incorrect. I called the day bent over backwards to ensure that all and Bagdad. Though they helped in LNO, Staff Sgt. Fredrick Reese in a coordination was complete - transpor- different ways, the LNO’s representing panic. Staff Sergeant Reese imme- tation, lodging, and a liaison to meet 3rd Infantry Division continue to rep- diately identified the problem and us at the airport. resent the Dog Faced Soldier proudly. created the appropriate documents, He answered all of my questions While traveling through Ali A- and hand-walked them through to quickly, letting me know that we were Saleem, Kuwait outbound to the U.S. ensure that they were processed. Staff important. Both made coordination for Rest and Relaxation leave, I called Sergeant Reese got me on the right for the trip remarkably easier, and that upon the night LNO for assistance … flight back home, taking the appropri- made my boss happy. at 3 a.m. ate action very quickly. These LNOs, and others, work crazy I was exhausted from being laid- Sergeant Fallaw and Staff Sgt. Reese hours and deal with insurmountable over in Joint Base Balad for four days, saved the day, and I am certain it was obstacles with grace and professional- and stiff from napping on the cold not the first time. They made me feel ism. They address our crises as an in- floor of the terminal. Sergeant Daniel welcome, and they made me feel like tegral part of their daily duties, and do Fallaw greeted me with a smile and a my priorities were their priorities. it with a smile. The TF Marne LNOs warm hand-shake. With his bound- These noncommissioned officers truly deserve recognition for caring for ing, positive disposition, he expertly were courteous and knowledgeable; the Dog Faced Soldier every single day, answered all of my questions and put I couldn’t imagine two better Dog and making sure that we are always my mind at ease. Sergeant Fallaw Faced Soldiers to represent Task Force taken care of. The next time you see a corrected my documents and set me Marne. TF Marne LNO, make sure you shake up with billeting. I recently had to coordinate a three- his or her hand, and say, “Thanks!” FOB Cobra dedicates dining facility to fallen Soldier By Pfc. Adrian Muehe 3SBCT, 2nd Inf Div PAO Combat Team, 2nd Infantry B, 296th Brigade Support Division. “For many of the Battalion, 3rd SBCT, 2nd The Dining facility at Soldiers here, nothing was ID, including Spc. Crystal Forward Operating Base more important than the Newman, a mechanic from Cobra, Iraq, re-opened its arrival of contracted cooks Sacramento, Calif., who was doors after a month of re- and a renovated dining Pfc. McLyman’s best friend construction at a dedication facility.” in the Army. ceremony, April 3. As the long awaited day “Honestly, I didn’t expect The facility was renamed for a better dining facility this to happen,” Spc. New- the Private First Class Erin arrived, it was also met with man said. “On my FOB, L. McLyman Dining facility sorrow with the dedication (FOB Warhorse,) there Photo by Pfc. Adrian Muehe, in honor of Pfc. McLyman to Pfc. McLyman. are gyms dedicated. Our 3SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. PAO who was killed during a “I didn’t get a chance to helicopter pad is dedicated Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Da- mortar attack at FOB Cobra, know Pfc. McLyman, but vidson, commander of 1/14th to someone, and I’m re- Cavalry Regt., 3SBCT, 2nd ID, March 13. I knew about her,” Lt. Col. ally glad they did this. I’m and Lt. Col. H. Haydn Hungerford The renovated dining Davidson said. “She was honored to be here, and if III, commander of 296th BSB, 3rd facility is part of an expan- a tenacious, fun-loving she were here, she would be SBCT, 2nd ID, remove the cover sion of FOB Cobra to make Soldier. She simply was for the plaque dedicating the honored as well.” dining facility at FOB Cobra, to living conditions here better what we want, and what After the dedication Pfc. Erin McLyman. Private First for Soldiers. we expect, from all of our ceremony, the dining facil- Class McLyman was killed dur- “To say that we inherited Soldiers. The decision to ity served its first meal, ing an attack on FOB Cobra a neglected outpost would dedicate this dining facil- and as the Soldiers of FOB “We are sad with the be an understatement,” said ity to Pfc. McLyman was an Cobra celebrated the open- passing of Pfc. McLyman, Lt. Col. Joseph Davidson, easy one.” ing of the newly renovated and we are honored that we commander of 1st Squad- Present for the dedica- building, they took time get the chance to dedicate ron, 14th Cavalry Regi- tion were her friends and to remember their fallen this to her,” Lt. Col David- ment, 3rd Stryker Brigade comrades from Company comrade. son said. The North Star Page 3 • April 5, 2010 Continued from Year, Page 1 of the cultural advisors and linguists, tory of the culture, the event featured a appreciated the event and the history it who he called multi-cultural advisors documentary and a slide show. taught him, but he appreciated the live- and multi-linguists due to the fact they Both featured different aspect of the entertainment the most. know many cultures and many lan- culture and what it contributed to mod- “I thought the dancers were excel- guages.