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Monday, November 27, 2006


Persian Gulf (Nov. 24, 2006) - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter looks out over the Persian Gulf at the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during a ship transfer. SECNAV is in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation to visit Sailors and Marines and thank them for their service during the holiday season. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund

'First Team' Soldiers Celebrate Thanksgiving in Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 23, 2006
SR# 112306-##


By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAQUBAH, Iraq (Nov. 23, 2006) – While Thanksgiving is usually a traditional, family-filled day, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, did not have the opportunity to join their families this year. Instead, the “Grey Wolf” Soldiers are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.

Though Thanksgiving was a difficult day for many, the Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Warhorse celebrated the day the best way they knew how – an event-filled day focused on boosting morale and allowing them to reflect on all they are thankful for.

The morning started early for some Grey Wolf Soldiers as they gathered during the dark, cold Iraq morning, ready to run, have fun and build cohesion at the "Turkey Trot 5k Run." Soldiers from 3rd BCT were joined by members of the Air Force as well as some military police K-9s for the morning festivities.

"The 'Turkey Trot 5k Run' … was a motivational, inspirational bonding experience to help inspire our fellow Soldiers to stay in shape and to keep doing [physical training]," said Sgt. Jason Balgos, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT and a native of Mt. Pelier, Vt.

The run was a positive team-building event allowing everyone to spend time together while completing a common goal, he added.

"This is our new family,” Balgos said. “[The run] really does bring everybody together."

Thanksgiving Day continued as the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion hosted a prayer breakfast for the Soldiers.

"We wanted to get everyone together from all the units to have a prayer breakfast and share the holiday spirit with each other," said Pfc. Javonna Pittman, 3rd BSTB Chaplains' assistant and a native of Colmesneil.

"We want the Soldiers to remember, while in Iraq, that they do have a family -- their Army family," she added. "We want them to know that we do care about them and we are here to help if they ever need anything."

The prayer brought Soldiers together to sing, worship and to spend quality time together, said Pittman.

During the event, Col. David Sutherland and Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Felt, the Grey Wolf commander and command sergeant major, were present to speak to the Soldiers and help them to remember the fallen Soldiers who have recently passed away in support of OIF 06-08.

As a special treat for the service members in attendance, music was provided by a group of Soldier-filled choir who gathered to sing for everyone.

"We were really blessed to have the Full Gospel Choir Team come and sing for us," said Pittman. "They were really great."

The Soldiers of Grey Wolf were also treated to a Thanksgiving dinner spearheaded by the brigade leadership. Everyone from majors to first sergeants served the Soldiers their Thanksgiving meal consisting of traditional holiday food such as ham, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and more.

"All the officers were serving our meals!" said Spc. Darold Decoe, HHC, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, and a native of Vancouver, Wa. "That was cool."

"There was a nice atmosphere inside the dining facility," he continued. "Music was playing and the food was great. It was all very nice."

Decoe also said he was surprised at the food that was served and how it reminded him of home.

"It was excellent food and the turkey was perfect," he said

Though he was away from his family, who Decoe said he missed dearly, he was happy to spend time with his brothers-in-arms for the holiday.

"I have gotten pretty close with the guys out here," said Decoe. "Being with these guys for Thanksgiving was very nice. They are a lot like family to me."

Soldiers at FOB Warhorse were also given the opportunity to take part in the Professional Golf Association Celebrity Tour, an event sponsored by the United Service Organizations.

For Spc. Randy Flores, a native of San Antonio assigned to Company D, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, the PGA tour was the most special part of his Thanksgiving, allowing him the opportunity to take time away from re-fitting vehicles and patrolling the Baqubah area.

"It was nice to get the time away," Flores said as he spoke about meeting the seven PGA golfers who spent their Thanksgiving away from their families to visit deployed Soldiers.

"This makes it alright though – seeing that there's other people willing to take time away from their families to come see us," he added.

The day of festivities ended with the first leg of a basketball tournament at Sallie Gym. Soldiers from different units teamed up for morale-boosting fun on the court.

"A lot of us have gotten together for a basketball tournament to celebrate Thanksgiving," said Staff Sgt. Marvitis Dupree, HHC, 3rd BSTB and a native of Detroit.

"Playing takes your mind off the environment that you are in," he added. "It's also to celebrate and have fun with those around you. We're exercising and staying in shape while playing a sport on the day where people love to eat a lot of food."

Dupree said basketball on Thanksgiving was also a way to meet other Soldiers going through the same feelings troops might be feeling while away from their family.

"It also builds cohesion with the Soldiers that you don’t know," he said. "They're in the same position that you are in. They are away from their family too, so this is a way for all of us to get together and celebrate by playing sports."

After his game had completed, Dupree reflected on the day's events and said he enjoyed the time spent with his fellow Soldiers, especially ending the day with a hard game of basketball.

"I think there needs to be more functions like these," he said. "It keeps the morale of the Soldiers up and it gives them something to look forward to."


Corey Pavin, a golfer with the Professional Golf Association, autographs a picture for Spc. Randy Flores, Company D, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during the PGA Celebrity tour at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


During a visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23, Donnie Hammond, a golfer with the Professional Golf Association Celebrity Tour, talks with Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Hammond and six other PGA players ate Thanksgiving dinner with the Soldiers followed by a meet and greet session. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)



While at the Thanksgiving Dinner, Sgt. Brian Dockery, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, receives sparkling cider from 1st Sgt. Harold Hall, Company B, 3rd BSTB first sergeant, at the dining facility on Forward Operating Base Warhorse Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a Basketball tournament at Sallie Gym on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, in Bagubah, Iraq, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Sgt. Terrell Atkins, Company E, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, prepares to guard an oncoming attack on his basket during a basketball tournament held at Sallie Gym on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Members of the Full Gospel Choir Team sing for the Soldiers of the 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during a prayer breakfast for Thanksgiving Day on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Soldiers of the 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, participate in the "Turkey Trot 5k Run" in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. The run was one of many events for the Grey Wolf Soldiers on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Does Body Armor Work? Ask SSG Graham.

Shown is a protective plate worn by Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a native of Columbia, S.C., during a mission north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Monday (Nov. 20, 2006). Graham was shot in the chest and the bullet barely caught the protective plate, saving his life. Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig


Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a native of Columbia, S.C., reacts to being shot in the chest Monday. The bullet impacted just left of his name tape while he was on patrol north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq. Photo by Capt. Ted Stokes


Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (center), a native of Columbia, S.C., displays the protective plate that saved his life. Graham was shot in the chest while on patrol north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Monday. Photo by Capt. Ted Stokes


Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, a native of Columbia, S.C., was shot in the chest while on patrol north of Muqdadiyah, Iraq Monday. Shown is a close-up of where the bullet impacted his protective armor, which saved his life. Photo by Capt. Ted Stokes


Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (center), a native of Columbia, S.C., and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Thompson, 6-9th Cav. command sergeant major, a native of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, serve Thanksgiving Dinner to Soldiers during Forward Operating Base Normandy's Thanksgiving celebration Thursday. Graham was shot in the chest by a sniper Monday (Nov. 20, 2006). The bullet barely caught his body armor, hitting the top of the protective plate. Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig


Staff Sgt. Reginald Graham, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (center), a native of Columbia, S.C., serves Thanksgiving Dinner to a Soldier during Forward Operating Base Normandy's Thanksgiving celebration Thursday. Graham was shot in the chest by a sniper Monday (Nov. 20, 2006). The bullet barely caught his body armor, hitting the top of the protective plate. Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig

RIVERINE OPS — U.S. Navy Lt. Eric G. Torres is the creator and instructor of the new combat coxswain course being taught on Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq. Torres is teaching a group of 13 Iraqi army soldiers how to conduct counter insurgency operations on the Euphrates River. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lynn Murillo

In Today's News - Monday, November 27, 2006


Quote of the Day
"VALOR, n. A soldierly compound of vanity, duty and the gambler's hope."
-- Ambrose Bierce

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
U.S. Air Force jet crashes in Iraq
Iraqi Leaders Join in Call to End Sectarian Violence
Saddam Hussein's Genocide Trial Resumes
UK to cut Iraq troops by "thousands" by end-2007
Curfew lifted but tension high in Baghdad - Video
Lawmakers' faith in Iraq's leaders wanes

Operation Enduring Freedom
Suicide blast kills two NATO soldiers in Afghanistan

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Letters that sparked U.S. Somalia alert fake-Islamists

Mid-East Ceasefire / Hamas Rising / Israel at War
Rockets from Gaza hit Israeli town -residents
Israel ready for swap - Video
Gaza truce first step on road to peace
What next after Gaza ceasefire?
Olmert to Palestinians: Independent State Possible

Religion of Peace??
Pope, Turkish Prime Minister to Meet
Pope off to Turkey, a delicate balancing act
Thousands in Turkey denounce papal visit
Pope faces dual tests in Turkey

Worldwide Wackos
Chavez Guarantees Re-Election
Leftist Chavez Ally Wins Ecuadorian Presidential Election
Iran military plane crashes, 37 killed: state TV
Iraqi president to hold talks in Iran

Homegrown Moonbats
Activist's fiery death prompts questions
Woman faces fines for wreath peace sign

Politics / Government
Bush to Press NATO Allies on Defense Spending
Officer dies after Bush motorcade crash
Iraq shadows Bush as he seeks help on Afghanistan
Panel to urge U.S. talks with Syria, Iran: report

In the Courts
Supreme Court to mull pay-discrimination

U.N. News
From PCs to ships: UN meeting tackles toxic waste
Charges advised in oil-for-food probe

Science / Nature
Humpback whales have 'human' brain cells -study

News from My Neck of the Woods
Mass. to Sue Big Dig Companies After Collapse

Oddities
Artists tracks stuffed polar bears
Man on trial for putting baby in freezer

Other News of Note
Report: Spy Had Russian Oil Secrets
Three sent for UK radiological tests after spy death

Fox News
British Scientists May Be Close to 'Male Pill'
Anger After Groom Dies in NYPD Shooting
Stocks to Watch: Donaldson, Family Dollar
Falcons' Vick Makes Obscene Gesture to Fans After Game

Reuters: Top News
Cosmetic surgery helps make sixties new middle age
Bangladesh poll date set, protesters near palace
Web sales down on Black Friday
Shift to finer, larger TVs favors LCD over plasma
World's Baha'i connect with past in Israel
China's Muslims look to Middle East as ties grow
Cosmetic surgery helps make 60s new middle age?
Ohio firm recalls turkey and ham
Penguins feast at Thanksgiving box office
Google shares edge lower
Wal-Mart shares slip
Affiliated Computer shares rise
Vertex Pharmaceuticals shares fall
Nickel hits new record, others metals subdued
Bond buyers and the dollar
Bears maul the dollar
Wal-Mart to enter India in Bharti retail venture
Ford plans to secure $18 billion in financing
Traffic down, spending up in holiday retail debut
Bayer sees higher 2006 earnings after strong Q3
ACS says CEO, CFO resign after options probe
U.S. auto sales slowing say forecasts: report

AP World News
Retailers hope pace of sales continues
'AMC' introducing transgender character
Michigan St. hires Dantonio as new coach
Young, Leinart make their marks
Addai helps Colts soar over Eagles 45-21
Thanksgiving trekkers find few headaches
Disfigured teen gets new face, new life
Titans' furious rally beats Giants 24-21
Pilates can aid some with Parkinson's
Researchers seek routes to happier life

Military.com
Iraqi Leaders Want Violence to End
Hand-Built Armored Vehicles Save Lives

CENTCOM: News Releases
FOUR CIVILIANS INJURED IN RAMADI

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES SECURE OIL PIPELINE FIRE SITE

AL QAEDA ATTACKS AL ANBAR TRIBE

COALITION FORCES DETAIN THREE DURING OPERATION

FOUR TERRORISTS KILLED DURING RAID NEAR BAQUBAH

DETAINEE DIES AT CAMP BUCCA

COALITION FORCES DISCOVER 11 DEAD BODIES WEST OF HAQLANIYAH

JOINT OPERATION DETAINS 10, SEIZES CACHE NEAR EUPHRATES

FOUR CIVILIANS INJURED IN RAMADI

COALITION CONDUCTS STRIKE ON INSURGENTS

TEN TERRORISTS KILLED, BOMB-MAKING FACILITY DESTROYED

12 TERRORISTS KILLED NORTH OF BAGHDAD

IA CONDUCTS CENSUS, SECURITY OPERATIONS IN RAMADI

TWO FORMER DETAINEES RELEASED

ONE MOSQUE BURNED IN HURRIYA

INSURGENT SVBIED KILLS TWO CHILDREN, TWO OTHERS

ARTILLERY STRIKE ON EXPLOSIVE-LADEN BUILDING

USJFCOM
Exercise preps 82nd Airborne Division staff for Afghanistan deployment
Milestone reached in development of Cross Domain Collaborative Information Environment - podcast
Liveblogging: Unified Endeavor 07-1
Omni Fusion ties Army into UR 2015 - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Forces Kill 26 Insurgents in Iraq - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
U.S. Units Steadily Secure, Rebuild Afghanistan - Story
Military Missions Change as Afghan Army Evolves - Story
U.S. Soldiers Work to Fortify Afghan Army - Story
Soldiers in Baghdad Partake in Holiday Feast - Story
U.S. Troops Share Thanksgiving With Iraqis - Story

IN IRAQ
Preparation Provides Key to Turkey Day in Iraq
Army’s BOLT Helps Secure Iraqis Future
New Iraq-Zakros Primary School to Open in Kirkuk

IN AFGHANISTAN
Gainey Visits Deployed Troops for Thanksgiving
Top Afghan Enlisted Soldier Helps NCO Corps
Training Center Prepares Future Afghan Soldiers

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Marines Killed; Casualties Identified - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1095 - Pope Urban II preaches the first Crusade.
1815 - Krakow (Poland) is declared a free republic.
1817 - U.S. soldiers attack a Florida native village, beginning the Seminole War
1885 - The earliest photograph of a meteor shower is made.
1889 - The first permit is issued to drive a car through Central Park (Curtis Brady).
1895 - Alfred Nobel establishes the Nobel Prize.
1898 - The Side-wheeler Portland sinks off Cape Cod, killing 190.
1901 - The Army War College is established in Washington, DC.
1910 - NY's Penn Station opens as the world's largest railway terminal.
1912 - The Albanian National Flag is adopted; A Spanish protectorate is established in Morocco.
1926 - The restoration of Williamsburg, Virginia, begins.
1941 - The U.S.S.R. begins a counter-offensive, causing Germany to retreat.
1942 - At Toulon, the French navy scuttles ships and submarines to prevent the Nazis from seizing them.
1945 - General George C. Marshall is named special U.S. envoy to China.
1951 -In White Sands, NM, the first rocket intercepts an airplane.
1957 - The U.S. Army withdraws from Little Rock AR, after Central HS integration.
1958 - The U.S.S.R. abrogates Allied war-time agreements on the control of Germany.
1970 - Pope Paul VI is wounded in the chest during a visit to the Philippines, by a dagger-wielding Bolivian painter disguised as a priest.
1971 - The Soviets' Mars-2 becomes the first spacecraft to crash land on Mars.
1973 - The U.S. Senate votes 92-3 to confirm Gerald R. Ford as VP.
1980 - The Soyuz T-3 is launched, carrying 3 cosmonauts to the Salyut-6 space station.
1985 - The Republic of Ireland gains a consultative role in Northern Ireland.
1989 - The U.S.' 63rd manned space mission, STS-33 (Discovery 9), returns from space.
1990 - Britain's conservatives choose John Major to succeed Margaret Thatcher.

Birthdays
1701
- Anders Celsius, Swedish scientist / inventor (centigrade temperature scale)
1746 - Robert Livingston, deliverer of oath of office to George Washington
1857 - Sir Charles Scott Sherrington, 1932 Nobel Laureate in Medicine and Physiology; discoverer of Sherrington's Law; coiner of the terms "neuron" and "synapse"
1874 - Chaim Weizmann, Israeli statesman (first President); Charles A. Beard, American historian (American Continentalism)
1917 - "Buffalo" Bob Smith, TV host (Howdy Doody)
1921 - Alexander Dubcek, head of Czech Communist Party (1968-69)
1932 - Benigno Aquino, Jr., Philippine opposition leader, assassinated
1942 - Jimi Hendrix, rock guitarist
1957 - Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, JFK's daughter

Passings
8 BC - Horace, Latin poet / satirist
1934 - Baby Face Nelson, shot by FBI agents
1975 - Ross McWhirter, Guinness Book of Records keeper, murdered
1978 - San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and City Superintendent Harvey Milk, shot by Dan White
1984 - Percy Norris, deputy high commissioner of India, shot

Reported Missing in Action
1968
Gurnsey, Earl F., US Army (CA); UH1F shot down (w/Stuifbergen), released by Sihanouk January, 1969 - deceased, May 1982

Stuifbergen, Gene Paul, US Army (MI); UH1F shot down (w/Gurnsey), KIA, body not recovered

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