Hi,
Another big step today, Sunday. Joey with his electric wheel chair and I went outside today. It was wonderful to see him enjoy the air and the scenery. It brought me to tears. Every little step forward is so rewarding. He is such a patient and kind spirited person. I know that he will be alright. He keeps me going with his sweet attitude and his positive outlook. He doesn't look back. He said to parents of his best soldier friend, Josh -------, yesterday that that he was glad it happened to him and not any of his fellow soldliers as he feels he could deal with it better.
What a great thing to say to parents who still has a son in Iraq.
Watch Hardball this week. Maybe you'll hear Joey's voice and see his spirit.
Love,
Gail and Joey

Although wounded, Staff Sgt. Shannon Kay, of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, fires on an enemy position after being attacked with a car bomb in Mosul.

Golden Dragons

Wounded Marine sacrifices finger to save ring12/12/04 09:54 AM, ESTWhen Marine Lance Cpl. David Battle learned he'd either have to sacrifice his ring finger or the wedding band he wore, he told doctors at a field hospital in Iraq to cut off the finger.

FULL STORY from CNN.com

Iraq War News
Insurgents kill five Iraqi police officers: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Insurgents pressed their attack on U.S. troops and Iraq's security forces Saturday, killing five Iraqi police officers and wounding 14 American soldiers in a relentless effort to derail next month's elections. A U.S. Marine also was killed in the province containing the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Australian man detained in Iraq: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - An Australian man of Lebanese origin has been detained in northern Iraq by Kurdish militiamen and Australian officials are investigating whether the detainee has links to terrorists, Kurdish and Australian officials said Sunday."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



U.S. soldier killed by Iraq roadside bomb: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A U.S. soldier died of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb hit his patrol in Baghdad, the U.S. military said Sunday. Three other American soldiers were slightly wounded in the same attack but returned to duty."

In Modesto Bee: Iraq



U.S. soldiers detain more than 50 Iraqis: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police detained more than 50 Iraqis in several raids targeting insurgents in the Baqouba area, north of Baghdad, the military said Sunday."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Iraqi candidates take democracy seminar: "KUWAIT CITY (AP) - About 100 candidates for Iraq's first popular election in decades traveled to Kuwait on Saturday for a seminar about the democratic process."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



U.S. expedites armored Humvees for troops: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. military commanders in Iraq, where bombings pose the deadliest threat to their soldiers, have welcomed news the Pentagon wants to speed up production of upgraded armored Humvees, a military spokesmen said Saturday."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Marine killed in Iraq's Anbar province: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - One U.S. Marine was killed in action Saturday in Iraq's volatile western Anbar province, the military said."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Attacks blamed for Iraq's fuel shortages: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraq's oil minister on Saturday blamed insurgents for the country's worsening fuel shortages, saying saboteurs have targeted the oil industry to increase pressure ahead of the Jan. 30 elections."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Australian tells of bounties in Iraq: "7:45 PM Saturday, Dec 11, 2004"

In Fresno Bee: Iraq



Eleven dead in Philippines blast: "A powerful explosion rocked a public market packed with Christmas shoppers in the southern Philippines, killing at least 11 people and injuring nearly 30 others, police said."

In Ananova: War In Iraq



American soldiers in Taliban stronghold run first Afghan marathon in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Suicide bomber targets U.S. convoy; Raids result in detentions in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Seven hurt in Gaza mortar attack: "The Israeli army fired three tank shells at the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, wounding seven schoolchildren, Palestinian officials said."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Gunmen fire mortars and grenades in Baghdad: "Gunmen fired mortars and rocket-propelled grenades at Iraqi security forces in downtown Baghdad Sunday while a suicide car bomber attacked a U.S. military convoy in the volatile Anbar province, the military said. No American or Iraqi casualties were reported."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq