Beast Battery Families and Friends,



As you might have heard by now Secretary Rumsfield announced yesterday that several units in Iraq will have their tour of duty extended due to ongoing combat operations. This announcement extended Beast Battery, 1-62 ADA two months pass the scheduled one year redeployment mark; extending us to MAR05.



At 2000h last night, I gathered the battery and personally told my brave young warriors our new redeployment date. As expected, a few heads hung low. I told them, “Our nation is calling upon us to fight beyond our scheduled redeployment date. The Army is not for the weak and faint hearted. If 28FEB05 is the road to home, let’s attack it head-on with renewed vigor and not fail the American people to whom we swore to support and defend.” Afterwards I told them, “ Beast, you have ten seconds to scream, whine, and complain at the top of your lungs.” They let off a loud and thunderous war cry that echoed across the entire camp. To my amazement few yelled, “Too Easy.” When the ten seconds were over, these selfless warrior picked up their rifles, put on their warfaces back on, and went back to the business of defending everything we cherish as Americans. I told them to call home and let their loved ones know. I’m certain tears were shed as their spouses, parents, and children heard the news over the phone. Nevertheless, I’m comforted by the fact that just like us Soldiers, our Army families are just as resilient. Army wives are a special breed. They are one of a kind.



Team, the true measure of a man (or an Army family) is not during times of comfort and convenience but rather during times of challenge and difficulty. Your service to our nation has exceeded all measures of dedication and selfless service. America is grateful for the sacrifices its troop and their families make while our nation is at war. You’re an embodiment of everything that is good and noble as Americans. Thank you for your patriotism and love for our country. God bless all of you and God bless America.



Continuing to hold freedom’s frontline – Iraq,



CPT Matt Marbella

Commander

Beast Battery, 1-62 ADA



FIGHT LIKE HELL!

Iraq War Today

The helmets and rifles of two fallen soldiers stand alone during a memorial ceremony at a US military base in the restive city of Ramadi. A US soldier and four Iraqi civilians were killed in a spate of attacks that capped off the month of November, one of the deadliest months since the US-led invasion(AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)

Yahoo! News - Top Stories World Photos - AFP

U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry soldiers pursue insurgents during a gun battle in Mosul, Iraq Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004. The fighting started when insurgents, using rockets and small arms, ambushed the U.S. patrol while they were visiting a gas station to discuss the upcoming Iraqi elections with local residents. One U.S. soldier was shot in the leg. (AP Photo/Jim MacMillan)
Yahoo! News - World Photos - AP

Two US soldiers during a night patrol in Iraq The Pentagon said it will raise US force levels in Iraq from 138,000 to about 150,000 by late December or early January, ahead of the country's first elections since Saddam Hussein ouster.(AFP/File/Jewel Samad)
Yahoo! News - Mideast Photos - AFP

Blasts hit central Baghdad, killing one: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Several mortar rounds exploded in central Baghdad on Thursday, including two in the Green Zone, the enclave that houses Iraq's interim administration and several foreign embassies. At least one person was killed."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Writer describes dangerous Iraq highway: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The driver barreled down the road from Baghdad International Airport, his eyes darting from side to side for signs of trouble. A few hundred yards ahead, a convoy of U.S. contractors stopped on an overpass. Armed men jumped from the vehicles - weapons at the ready."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



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Troop levels in Iraq to rise: "The United States is expanding its military force in Iraq to the highest level of the war - even higher than during the initial invasion in March 2003 - in order to bolster security in advance of next month's national elections."

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IRAQI POLICE SERVICE GRADUATES 66 FROM SPECIALTY TRAINING in CENTCOM: News Release



U-S Embassy orders diplomats not to use Baghdad's airport road in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror