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Tuesday, January 11, 2005

A Poem by a Hero's Wife


To Trust or Worry

So many miles away you are,
I long to hear your voice.
My love, no matter where you are
I always have a choice.

To trust that God will see us through
And all will be okay,
Or worry myself sick for you
In dread of each new day.

If I don’t focus on my fear,
But concentrate on hope,
I may make it through the year
With ability to cope.

I think I’ll choose the Father’s way
Because He understands.
And since He hears me when I pray,
I’ll leave you in His hands.

Written by Cheryl
1-10-05

Iraq insurgents kill 18 in string of attacks

TIKRIT, Iraq - At least 18 people were killed in a series of fresh attacks on Tuesday aimed at undermining plans for an election on Jan. 30. They included a suicide bombing that killed seven policemen in Saddam Hussein’s home town while gunmen shot dead eight people in a minibus south of Baghdad.

FULL STORY - from MSNBC

A Farewell to Heroes

Story can be found at the Washington Post online

On Thursday, in Baghdad, six Louisiana National Guardsmen from the 2nd Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade, the "Black Sheep," were killed in an explosion as they searched for weapons stockpiles. It was the biggest loss suffered by a National Guard unit in a single incident since war began in Iraq.


The fallen heroes:


Bradley Bergeron, 25
Spec. Warren Murphy, 29,
Sgt. Christopher Babin, 27
Spec. Armand Frickey, 20
Spec. Huey Fassbender, 24
Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Comeaux, 34

Their loss is keenly felt by Soldiers' Angels. Many of the "Black Sheep" are our adoptees. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the friends and families of these brave heroes. Their courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten.




A Hero Heals - Update 1/11/05

Monday, January 10, 2005, 5:23 pm PST

Hi,
Today Joey walked twice the length of the therapy room. His leg fit fine and didn't hurt so he was able to do twice the walking as last Friday. He had trouble with the hand in occupational therapy. He couldn't get it to fit and it had to be adjusted. Once this was done, he was able to place all the round pegs in the holes and then completely turn all of 50 of them over. He works so hard and is determined to succeed.

I did hear from Peggy Baker today about the nurse and chaplain in Germany. Carolyn wasn't the nurse with the ice cubes but she was the one whom Joey touched as well as the other nurse. The chaplain's name is Warren. I am waiting to get more info of their emails and phone numbers. I want to talk with them in person.

Jayme had her first day at Bethesda and enjoyed it and I started at 8 a.m. helping Joey get ready for therapy. I left at 3:30 p.m. when Jayme arrived. Oh! Joey will be moving from hospital to either the Mologne House or the Fisher House on Wed. depending on what is available. Another great step forward. I don't know how much longer the gov. will allow me to stay; I don't want to leave until after the hand surgery but I will have to wait and see. The flag below is a quilt made by someone at Ft. Bragg. I hung it in Joey's room as I thought it was so beautiful. He was given 4 lap quilts during his stay in room 5761. These quilters who make these quilts for the soldiers are to be commended. There are some beautiful quilts made with love and support from people who don't want recognition. God Bless you and keep praying for us.

Love,
Gail, Joey and Jayme



Inside Fallujah - from the DoD website


A young Iraqi girl smiles after receiving a coloring book and crayons at the humanitarian assistance site in the Jolan district of the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2005. The 1st Marine Division is currently engaged in security and stabilization operations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James J. Vooris



U.S. Marines and Iraqi civilians hand out humanitarian items at the humanitarian assistance site in the Jolan district of the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 4, 2005. The 1st Marine Division is currently engaged in security and stabilization operations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James J. Vooris



Iraqi civilians wait outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, on foot and in vehicles to pass through one of multiple entry control points that gives them access back into the city, Jan. 8, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Klein

Iraqi civilians wait outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, on foot and in vehicles to pass through one of multiple entry control points that give them access back into the city, Jan. 8, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Klein

An Iraqi woman carries packages from one of the multiple humanitarian aid checkpoints inside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2005. The checkpoint, maintained by U.S. and Iraqi Armed Forces, provides civilians with food, blankets and water and toys for the children. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James J. Vooris


An Iraqi civilian gathers packages from one of the multiple humanitarian aid checkpoints inside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2005. The checkpoint, maintained by U.S. and Iraqi Armed Forces, provides civilians with food, blankets and water and toys for the children. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Klein

An Iraqi Armed Forces soldier directs Iraqi civilians at one of the multiple humanitarian aid checkpoints inside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2005. The checkpoint, maintained by U.S. and Iraqi Armed Forces, provides civilians with food, blankets and water and toys for the children. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Klein

Two Iraqi civilians sit behind their fruit stand at the small market on Michigan Street, set up by local civilians, inside the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2005. The market allows for the community to purchase fresh food and enjoy each other's fellowship. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Klein


http://www.defendamerica.mil

VILLAGE VISIT — U.S. Army Sgt. Melinda Dozier, a civil affairs specialist from the Sharana Provincial Reconstruction Team, hands out candy to Afghan children during a village assessment in Borlak, Afghanistan, Jan. 6, 2005. The soldiers traveled three-hours across the snow-covered plains of central Paktika Province to reach the village. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Rhen Story from the Department of Defense



In Today's News - Tuesday, January 11, 2005

JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
3 dead, 21 missing after Calif. mudslide
Rain lashed water-logged California again early Tuesday, hampering efforts to find survivors buried under a mud slide in a coastal community and prompting hundreds to flee a mountain town before a rain-engorged lake spills over a dam.


Israel's Sharon to call Abbas
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his Cabinet on Tuesday that he hopes to meet newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the "near future" — the latest sign that the two sides are trying to work toward peace after years of stalemate.


13 Iraqis killed in two bombing attacks
A roadside bomb that missed a passing U.S. military convoy killed seven Iraqis in a minibus on Tuesday, police and hospital sources said, while a suicide car bomb at police headquarters in Tikrit killed six.


Cease fire offer extended in Indonesia
Indonesia's military chief extended a new a cease-fire offer Tuesday to rebels in the tsunami-stricken Aceh province, and residents in Sri Lanka were told not to rebuild near the coast. A man drifting at sea for two weeks said he survived on coconuts and bottled water he found on a raft.

Fallujah residents angry over destruction
When Ahmed Hussein Nasser returned to Fallujah weeks after a devastating U.S.-led campaign to retake the city from insurgents, he could barely recognize the city where he had spent all 66 years of his life.

Supreme court considers ex-spies lawsuit
It seemed like a fair deal from the CIA: Spy for us and get lifetime financial support in the United States. But years after working as spies during the Cold War, a former Eastern-bloc diplomat and his wife, who now live in Seattle, say the U.S. government is trying to freeze them out.

CBS fires 4 after Bush guard story review
CBS issued a damning independent review Monday of mistakes related to last fall's "60 Minutes Wednesday" report on President Bush's National Guard service and fired three news executives and a producer for their "myopic zeal" in rushing it on the air.



Weather
Weather information provided by HamWeather

Iraq, Baghdad


Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Israel's Sharon to call Abbas
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his Cabinet on Tuesday that he hopes to meet newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the "near future" - the latest sign that the two sides are trying to work toward peace after years of stalemate.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

13 Iraqis killed in two bombing attacks
A roadside bomb that missed a passing U.S. military convoy killed seven Iraqis in a minibus on Tuesday, police and hospital sources said, while a suicide car bomb at police headquarters in Tikrit killed six.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq


Ananova: War In Iraq
Guantanamo Britons set to be freed
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is set to confirm in a Commons statement that the four remaining Britons detained at Guantanamo Bay are to be released, Whitehall sources said.
Ananova: War In Iraq

13 Iraqis killed in two bombing attacks
A roadside bomb that missed a passing U.S. military convoy killed seven Iraqis in a minibus on today, police and hospital sources said, while a suicide car bomb at police headquarters in Tikrit killed six.
Kansas.com: Iraq

Tsunami aid show tickets snapped up
A Live Aid-style concert to raise money for the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster has sold out within three days.
Ananova: War In Iraq


Command Post: Irak
Bomb Attacks Kill 13 Iraqis
A roadside bomb that missed a passing U.S. military convoy killed seven Iraqis and wounded one south of Baghdad Tuesday, police and hospital sources said, while a homicide car bomb (search) at police headquarters in Tikrit killed six.


The victims in the roadside bomb explosion were traveling in a minibus in Yussifiyah, 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Baghdad, when the blast occurred, said the director of the town’s hospital, Dawoud al-Taie.

Little other information was known about the Tikrit blast. U.S. military spokesman Maj. Neal O’Brien said six were killed, while police sources said 12 were wounded. Read more…Command Post: Irak


From Fox News:

Bomb Attacks Kill 13 Iraqis- Blast Kills Two U.S. Soldiers- Fallujans Angered by Damage

Tsunami Aid Workers Unsafe- How to Help- Refugee Camp Problems Grow- Experts Work to ID Victims- Tsunami Measured by Satellite

Sharon Says He'll Call Abbas- Palestinian Thugs Launch Attack- Abbas Invited to Washington

Dem Admits to N. Korea Talks

Ukraine Election Appeal Likely- Parliament Calls for Iraq Pullout

Probe Shows Nuke Sub Struck Natural Feature

Moussaoui Takes Appeal to Supreme Court

Witness: Graner Hit Detainee

Oil-for-Food Audits Out- Compensation Program Eyed


From the Department of Defense:
ON THE GROUND
Training Iraq Army Tough, But Worthwhile
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 10, 2005 — The U.S. Army general in charge of training Iraqi forces said here today that the job is tough, but it is a mission that must be accomplished before coalition forces can leave Iraq. And, Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, added, progress is being made.
Story

Soldiers Assess Needs of Afghan Village
BORLAK, Afghanistan, Jan. 10, 2005 — On Jan 6, U.S. soldiers from the Sharana Provincial Reconstruction Team traveled to the village of Borlak in central Paktika Province and met with village elders to discuss the needs of village residents.
Story

Arab Culture Classes Prepare Marines
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Jan. 10, 2005 — Marines preparing to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom are taking classes to learn more about the Arab culture in the area where they will be assigned.
Story

Kuwait Vital to Coalition Logistics Chain
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Jan. 10, 2005 — "Amateurs study strategy. Professionals study logistics." It's an old saw, but that doesn't mean it's not still appropriate — and the U.S. military has taken it to heart. More than 20,000 American servicemembers and civilians are serving in Kuwait to support the combat effort "up north," as they say here.
Story

Marines Prepare Iraqi Guard for Elections
KARBALA, Iraq, Jan. 10, 2004 — The Iraqi National Guard is going to be one of the main sources of security for voters and election officials in the upcoming Iraqi elections and U.S. Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is tasked with preparing the Iraqi National Guard for that mission and many others.
Story

IN IRAQ
Soldiers Oversee Treatment Plant Restoration

Supply Unit Ensures Services Ready to Fight

Troops Opt to Stay As Iraqi Elections Near

Paratroopers Dig In on Baghdad's Haifa Street

'Blue Knights' Haul Troops, Cargo in Iraq

IN AFGHANISTAN
Combat Weather Team Forecasts Mission Success

IN KYRGYZSTAN
Contract Controllers Link Between Airport, Base

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Iraqi Thwarts IED Emplacement

Vehicle Destroyed, 2 U.S. Troops Die

Airstrike Hits Wrong Target

Key Talha Leaders Captured

Iraq Daily Update

Iraq Reconstruction

Maps

Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IRAQ ELECTIONS
Powell: Elections Send Message

Forces Seek to Facilitate Sunni Vote

Terrorists Afraid of Vote in Iraq

Bush Optimistic About Elections

IN AFGHANISTAN
Missing Aircraft Search Continues

Afghan Army Shows Great Progress

Soldiers Seize More Weapons

Weapons Find Protects Innocents

Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years

Afghanistan Daily Update

Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Waging and Winning the War on Terror

Terrorism Timeline

Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Screening Focus: Psychological Toll

National Guard, Reserve Update

TRANSFORMATION
Army Deploys CROWS to Iraq


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