Shukran Water Treatment Facility open for business Page 3 ...Shukran Water Treatment Facility open...

LIFELINERWESTWEST“If you want it done, call the 101!”

562st Soldier puts

his carpentry skills

to the test.

Page 4

Turkey DayNov. 24, 2005

Shukran Water

Treatment Facility

open for business

Page 3

Volume 2, No. 5 Deployment Edition Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, IRAQ December 1, 2005

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Capt. Lorene Rodan plays a game with local girls on a humanitarian mission to the Kurdish village of Soyra Nov. 20.

Photo by Sgt. Ashly N. Rice

By Sgt. Ashly N. RiceStaff ReporterHABUR GATE, Iraq -- Helping othersis second nature to Capt. LoreneRodan. A former social worker, Rodanjoined the Army four years ago andserves as the company commander of627th Movement Control Team, 27thMovement Control Battalion out ofGermany.

Now deployed to Habur Gate, Iraq,one of Rodan’s efforts is in helping sur-rounding villages near the Turkish andSyrian borders.

Before taking another trip to a near-by village, Rodan traveled to a down-town area to pick up some supplies forthe Kurdish village of Soyra Nov. 20.

“People in the village asked forbuckets and toys for various ages,including baby dolls and puzzles,” saidRodan. “I picked up some paint andplaster for the schoolhouse walls.

“Some of the older girls wanted tocolor their hair, so I got hair dye, too,”said Rodan.

Boxes of donated school supplies,clothes, and shoes are packed away tohand out to the families. Candy andice-cream accompanied the donationsas added treats.

Continued on Page 2

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A howitzer round lands past a fire support team

Stryker vehicle during a live-fire artillery certification.

A fire support team from Company A, 52ndInfantry Regiment, traveled outside the wire Nov. 19to act as forward observers during a live-fire artillerycertification here.

“We’re the eyes of the artillery,” said Capt. PatrickE. Shepherd, fire support officer, of Tampa, Fla.

The team supported the Battery C, 4th Battalion,11th Field Artillery Regiment exercise, which theunit must perform every three months. The sameteam supported the Battery A, 4-11th FA exerciseNov. 5.

Traveling via Stryker, the team rode out to clearthe impact area. Using hand signals and someArabic he picked up in a 12-week course at theunit’s home station of Fort Wainwright, Alaska,Shepherd informed a local Iraqi he would have to

move his flock of sheep out of the zone.The actual fire support team consists of Staff Sgt.

Andrew Thomas, fire support NCO, of Waterloo,Iowa, and fire support specialists Spc. GregWerthmann, of Quad Cities, Ill., and Spc. RobertToretta, of Hopewell, Va.

After clearing the impact area, Shepherd used acompass and map to shoot an azimuth and plot thetarget points. On this exercise, the artillery batterydirected its rounds to a “safety box” within theimpact area, which is a smaller aiming area, accord-ing to Shepherd.

“Our end … is to find the target and calculate dis-tance and direction,” said Shepherd.

Once Battery C set up its M198 Howitzers, theteam began calling in “missions” over the radio. Themissions were situations in which artillery might be

Continued on Page 2

Photo by Sgt. Rachel A. Brune

By Sgt. Rachel A. BruneEditor

December 1, 2005LIFELINER WEST

LIFELINER WESTSTAFF

Brigade CommanderCol. James D. Scudieri

Brigade Command Sergeant Major

Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney D. Felder

Public Affairs OfficerSgt. 1st Class Lori Simmons

Lifeliner West EditorSgt. Rachel A. Brune

Art & GraphicsSgt. Patricia Tso

Contributing WritersJames F. JenningsCapt. A. Michelle MooreMaj. A. Steven TurnerSgt. 1st Class Bruce Williams

Staff ReportersSgt. 1st Class Jason ArnesonCapt. Daniel ChaseSgt. Ashly N. RiceRachel Van Horn

The Lifeliner West, Deployment Issue: Vol. 2, No. 5, ispublished bimonthly by the 101st Sustainment

Brigade Public Affairs Office to disseminate com-mand information throughout all subordinate ele-

ments of the brigade and units residing on Q-WestBase Complex, and to raise and promote the moraleof the troops. • Contents of this publication are notnecessarily the official views of or endorsed by, theUnited States government or the Department of theArmy. • The editorial content of this publication is

the responsibility of the 101st Sustainment BrigadePublic Affairs Office. • Articles and photos of inter-est to the brigade and its elements are invited andmay be submitted to Sgt. Rachel A. Brune, Editor. •To contact the PAO, please call VOIP: 243-5104,

or e-mail: [email protected] Lifeliner West can be viewed online in the

“Military Publications” section of:http://www.dvidshub.net

needed, such as a suspicious vehiclein an intersection or a platoon in adefilade, or narrow gorge.

Shortly after the fire support teamcalled in the mission, rounded plumesof dust appeared in the impact zone,accompanied by smaller mushroomplumes from shrapnel and ricochets.Moments later, the sound wavescaught up with the impact.

From the observation point, theteam could hear a whistling soundthat approached quickly. The actualsound of the impact thunderedthrough the steel floor of the Strykervehicle, causing more of a vibrationthan the impact itself.

Sometimes a round landed too far inone direction. Toretta observed with apair of binoculars and used a compassto calculate the azimuth to the impact,

MMiissssiioonn ttoo SSooyyrraaContinued from Page 1

Rodan hands a pair of shoes to a young Kurdish boy.

The village of Soyra has 18 families, which was threemore families than were there on Rodan’s last visit.Houses are constantly under construction in this smallvillage and are warmed by a generator that is connect-ed throughout the houses.

Electricity for the village is one of Rodan’s top prior-ities, as well as ordering parts and continuing to pro-vide maintenance on the generator.

Soyra is two miles off the closest paved road, wherevehicles must park in order not to get stuck in the mudduring the rainy and cold seasons. This makes it diffi-cult for emergency vehicles or anyone to travel to Soyraduring those times.

“They have had a school for 13 years, but no one hasever attended it because they have not had a teacher,”said Rodan. “It would be hard for a teacher to try andget to the school during a rainy day when the road isdeep in mud.”

Rodan added, another mission is to get gravel for theroad so the residents of Soyra can travel more easily,and then try to find a teacher for the village. Rodanreceived word from the local department of education,that if the school could get ready, they would assist infinding a teacher.

Right now, workers are clearing the school buildingof debris and painting and plastering the walls. Desksand chairs are under construction and should arrive inthe weeks ahead to place inside the school, accordingto Rodan.

Rodan acknowledges there are other villages thatneed just as much help, but says her philosophy is to“get one village self-sustained and work on from there.”

Other items on the agenda in the future for the Soyravillage include obtaining the right documents neededfor families to receive kerosene to warm their homesand for medical teams to come out and give classes onhygiene and prevention of infections.

FFiirree ssuuppppoorrtt tteeaamm

Continued from Page 1


Capt. Patrick Shepherd watches as some local sheep clear the impact area.

Iraqi Police Proficiency Training graduates 22

“I swear to God that I will be faithful for my peopleand protect my country.”

These words marked the solemn oath of 22 studentswho graduated from Iraqi Police Proficiency Training ina ceremony here Nov. 24.

The first class of the 11-day course taught here wasa joint cooperative effort between Task Force Thunderand the Iraqi Police Liaison Office.

Class leader and Honor Graduate Lieutenant Ali gavethe opening remarks. He thanked all the police officersand Iraqi Army commanders for attending and specifi-cally mentioned his trainers for their dedication andmentorship.

“I am honored to be assisting in training which helpsin the transition of control of many duties from theIraqi Army to the police,” said Sgt. 1st Class JosephEvans, IPPT trainer and member of 4th Battalion, 11thField Artillery Regiment.

The course is designed to teach current police offi-cers basic skills in more than 15 subject areas includ-ing ethics, Iraqi law, building and personnel searches,firearms safety, traffic control point operations andphysical fitness.

Iraqi Police commanders of all three districts in theTigris River Valley, an area of Northern Iraq thatencompasses over 11,000 square kilometers, attendedthe ceremony.

Lt. Col. Scott G. Wuestner, IPPT Center and TaskForce Thunder commander, addressed the new gradu-ates, congratulating them on their accomplishments.He stressed the importance of the Iraqi Police and theirintegral role in the fight against terrorists.

“You are the frontline in the daily battle to secure thefuture of Iraq,” said Brig. Gen. Aziz, district command-er of Iraqi Police in the Tigris River Valley.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation ofcertificates to all 22 graduates, with additional recogni-tion to Ali and Top Marksman Lieutenant Aysa.

By Sgt. 1st Class Jason ArnesonStaff Reporter

informing the team of where the“splash” landed in relation to wherethe team thought it would land.

“We adjust fire onto the targets,”said Toretta. “If they’re off, we’ll call incorrections.”

The battery must adjust fire forsuch variables as temperature, windspeed and propellant temperature.

“There’s a lot of math on the gunside,” said Shepherd.

After the mission, the forwardobserver radioed back to the batterythe accuracy of the shot and estima-tion of “casualties.”

At one point, the radioman called ina mission on a “platoon of sheep indefilade.” After a successful mission byBattery C, he radioed back an estimateof “zero three lamb chops.”

As night fell, the team prepared tocall in illumination rounds, alsoknown as flares. The illuminationrounds burned brightly enough to pro-vide light over the entire impact area.

“It turns night into day,” saidShepherd.

The battery practiced firing illumi-nation rounds followed by high-explo-

sive rounds. The grand finale was a“range and lateral,” in which the bat-tery fired three simultaneous shotswhich hovered next to each other as allthe howitzers fired together.

“When we come out here, we’retraining for the lethal side [of our mis-sion],” said Thomas. The forward sup-port team usually participates in the“nonlethal side of the job,” whichincludes support for civil affairs mis-sions outside Q-West.

The unit’s regular mission is to helpthe Iraqi community in any way possi-ble, according to Werthmann.

The team also conducts cordon andknock as well as entering and clearingprocedures, said Toretta.

Pfc. Christopher Sims, Stryker driv-er, of Lapeer, Mich., came into theArmy with Cpl. Ross Wade, vehiclecommander, from Sarcoxie, Mo. Wadeis in charge of keeping the companycommander’s vehicle running.

“These are the best guys I’ve everworked with,” said Thomas, who hasserved in the Army for 14 years. “Ipretty much tell them what to do andturn them loose.”


December 1, 2005 LIFELINER WEST

Soldiers from subordinate units ofthe 101st Sustainment Brigade com-memorated the lives of two fallenSoldiers of the 40th TransportationCompany in a memorial ceremonyNov. 14 at the MWR Theater here.

Cpl. Donald E. Fisher and Pfc.Antonio Mendez were killed in a vehic-ular accident Nov. 11 while conductingoperations in the vicinity of Kirkuk.

Fisher, originally from Tacoma,Wash., joined the 40th Trans. Co. Jan.31, 2003. Mendez, from Ricon, PuertoRico, joined the unit Nov. 5, 2004.Both Soldiers served as heavy wheeledvehicle operators.

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By Sgt. Rachel A. Brune

LLooccaall lleeaaddeerrss vvooww ttoo ffiigghhtt tteerrrroorrIn spite of threats from anti-Iraqi forces, local leaders in

the Tigris River Valley came together to sign a “ContractAgainst Terror” Nov. 20 here.

“We have come here to announce that we reject terrorismand will not have terrorists intimidate us,” said Taha AliTaha, an Al Aitha city council member and brother of SheikHussein.

Attendee Sheik Zedan presented a letter from purportedanti-Iraqi forces, who threatened retribution to the citizensof Al Aitha for their continued cooperation with both IraqiSecurity Forces and Coalition Forces.

“I am happy to come here to support the citizens of AlAitha and its pledge to renounce terrorism,” said AbdullaMohammed Khalaf, Tutakat city council president.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Arneson

“[Fisher] would give you his last dol-lar if he thought it would make a dif-ference,” said Sgt. Daniel Guthrie,mechanic, from Sallisaw, Okla. In hisremarks, he said of both Soldiers:“They will not be forgotten by anyone.”

Sgt. Richard Box, heavy wheeledvehicle operator from Haywood, Calif.,remembered Mendez as a motivatedSoldier who asked many questionsabout making the military a career.

“He wanted to become a leader ofthe finest Soldiers in the world,” saidBox of Mendez’s “can-do” attitude.

“Fisher was my first true friend inthe 40th Transportation Company,”said Box. “Goodbye to the best friendanyone could ever ask for.”

Capt. Colleen Krepstekies, companycommander, gave a simple, eloquentcommander’s tribute to her troops.

“I know that we will remember themwith love,” said Krepstekies. She spokefurther of the importance of everySoldier and the differences that nolonger matter.

“God bless our friends who havedied,” said Krepstekies. “May they restin peace.”

After a message and benedictionfrom Maj. Kenneth Gesch, 71st CorpsSupport Battalion chaplain, 1st Sgt.Steven B. Winters conducted a finalroll call. When he called off Fisher andMendez, only silence met his request.

An honor guard from the 317thMaintenance Company fired volleys,followed by the playing of “Taps.”Afterwards, a long line of Soldiers filedby the memorial to render salutes andpay their final respects.

Charlie Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th FieldArtillery Regiment and Rakan Daille, local con-tractor, dedicated the Shukran WaterTreatment Project in a ceremony Nov. 17.

Water serving the area outside of the Q-Westsoutheast gate was unsatisfactory until Oct.12, when the first fresh water pumped out ofthe Shukran Water Treatment Project.

Work on the water treatment facility beganbefore Charlie Battery, 4th Battalion, 11 FieldArtillery Regiment arrived at Q-West.

2nd Lt. Jeremy Conner, platoon leader, andSgt. 1st Class Robert Tanner, platoon ser-geant, oversaw the project for the unit.

1st Lt. Phillip Kerber, battalion civil affairsofficer and executive officer, handled the qual-ity control of the project.

“The Shukran Water Treatment Facilitypumps water from the Tigris across the desertto Al Hadr, the biggest town and the other foursmaller towns,” said Capt. James Mitchell,Charlie Battery commander. “The project costapproximately 83,000 dollars to complete.”

Improvements to the water treatment facili-ty include two new pumps that push water tothe smaller villages and two larger pumps thatpush water to Al Hadr.

Six repaired filters and new concrete watertanks are also additions to the water facility.

“We have 43 personnel to assist in runningthe water treatment facility, with seven per-sonnel who look over it constantly,” said SabarTali Muhammad, water treatment facility man-

ager.“[Everyone] worked well on the project, and

I would like to give thanks to the Army, Mr. Ali,Sabar and to all of the people who helped out,”said Rakan Daille, contractor. “Before, dirtywater was pushed out, but now clean water ispushed out to five villages.”

This project is only the beginning of the helpCharlie Battery, has in store for the local area.The unit has future improvements in theworks to help restore surrounding towns.

“It is a wonderful experience to help rebuildour country,” said Daille.

Water facility opens

40th TC says farewell to troops


Soldiers of the 317th Maintenance

Company present arms during “Taps.”

LSA DIAMONDBACK, Iraq — Somestood and bowed their head. Otherstenderly touched a photo and laidtokens and gifts. But all bid farewell tohim by presenting arms slowly in a fit-ting tribute.

In a filled-to-capacity theater Nov.19, Soldiers of the 142nd CorpsSupport Battalion honored Sgt. IvanAlarcon, 473rd Quartermaster Com-pany, who was killed Nov. 17 in avehicular accident in the vicinity of TalAfar.

“We are gathered here to remember,to console and to pray,” said Lt. Col.Ronald L. Green, battalion command-er. “As we gather here to rememberSgt. Alarcon, we are also here to con-sole those who shared his life andthose who cherished his friendship.”

“We may not understand what hashappened,” said Capt. John Smith,battalion chaplain. “But God assuresus that he’s able to pull us throughthese difficult times.”

Because Alarcon’s death camequickly — just under four weeks afterthe unit’s arrival in Mosul — Smithsaid some may not comprehend theincident.

“This is not the end of his legacy,”said Smith. “He will continue to live onin many of your memories.”

One of Capt. Leo Young’s memorieswas Alarcon’s leadership.

“He led from the front — always atthe ready,” said Young, Alarcon’s com-pany commander. “There are some[Soldiers] you might have to tell to get

ready to get their focus. But I did neversee him out of that focus —he wasalways at the ready.”

Staff Sgt. Hector Mejia agreed.“He was a leader who never asked

his Soldiers to do something that hewas never willing to do himself,” addedMejia, Alarcon’s platoon sergeant. “Hewas a selfless Soldier who always vol-unteered for anything and everything.”

According to Pfc. Billy King, Alarconwas also a teacher.

“He taught me a lot about brother-hood, but more importantly how togrow into the kind of person that Iwant to be,” said King. “He taught mehow to be ‘fearless,’ and that doing theright thing has its own rewards.”

“Until the day when the world is freeof tyranny, our freedom will be pre-served only if Americans like IvanAlarcon continue to answer the calland prove ourselves worthy to be free,”said Green. “We will retell his storiesagain and again so that neither thenation nor the world will ever forget.”

By Capt. Daniel ChaseStaff Reporter

Two Soldiers give their respect to Sgt.

Ivan V. Alarcon Nov. 19.

Taha Ali Taha, Al Aitha city council member, signs the con-

tract against terror Nov. 20 as local Sheik Zedan looks on.

Charlie Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artilery

Regiment and Sabar Tali Muhammad, facility

manager, walk down to the main water pump

located on the bank of the Tigris River.


large group of security forces,what the Army knows as mili-tary police, “add combat fla-vor,” said Rosales.

“We learn to adapt andovercome,” said Jones. “Ialways tell my airmen to lookout for each other.”

In one of the gun truck tur-rets, Airman Catherine Karlmanned an M240B machinegun. Karl, from Sierra Vista,Ariz., originally joined as avehicle operator. She receivedtraining with the detachment,learning skills such as drivingin a patrol and manning anentry control point.

“[Training] made a lot ofthings a lot easier for us outhere,” said Senior AirmanJesus Soto, an M240B gunnerfrom Las Vegas, Nev.

The detachment trained forthe mission at Fort Sill, Okla.,then received additional train-ing at Udairi Range in Kuwait,according to Rosales.

This is the detachment’s

third rotation. Unlike mostArmy units, the 1058th wascreated specifically to deployto theater, said Rosales.

The detachment consists oftwo operations flights and onesupport flight. A flight is a pla-toon in Army terminology.

As an Air Force detachmentunder an Army brigade, thetroops faced additional chal-lenges.

“When I first got here, Ithought it was like learningadvanced calculus inChinese,” said Rosales.

The mission brings its owndangers. Every crew has beenhit by improved explosivedevices, or IEDs, or smallarms fire “at least once,”according to Soto.

“We’re out there giving it allwe’ve got every day,” saidJones.

“These guys are profession-als and can run like the mostseasoned infantry troops,”said Rosales.


FOB SPEICHER, Iraq — As alogistics and support unit, the101st Sustainment Brigadeusually contains a wide mix ofcompanies and missions.

Since arriving in Iraq tosupport coalition forces, thebrigade now contains a mix ofbranches of service as well.

The 1058th Gun TruckDetachment, Air Force, servesunder the 561st CorpsSupport Battalion to providegun truck escorts for logisticsmissions here.

The detachment itself is amotley assortment of airmenfrom various units, including25 different bases, accordingto Capt. Christopher Rosales,detachment commander, fromOakhurst, Calif.

“We’re from all over theplace,” said Tech. Sgt. AllenJones, a mission commanderfrom Miami, Fla.

The crews start preparingtheir vehicles and weaponsseveral hours before leavingfor the combat logistics patrolyard to receive their briefingsand make sure the mission’spaperwork is in order.

“We take care of our vehi-cles, because our vehicles areour lifeline,” said Jones.

“It is a high operationaltempo,” said Rosales. “Theyrun every day.”

Rosales’ troops come from arange of Air Force specialtycodes, what the Army knowsas military occupational spe-cialties.

Many airmen came from thefield of transportation, includ-ing vehicle operators and vehi-cle maintenance workers. A

Airman Catherine Karl, 1058th Gun Truck Detachment gunner,

sets her M240B in the turret while preparing for a mission Nov. 10.


Air power escorts Army logistics over the roads

FOB SPEICHER, Iraq – The 557th MaintenanceCompany had no warning of, or training for, whatturned out to be the unit’s riskiest mission duringits tour of duty in Iraq, according to Capt.Christopher Haluzak, company commander, ofHartford, Wis.

“Within 24 hours [of notice], we put together twoteams and began training,” said 1st Lt. WilliamRamey, 557th executive officer, of Warren, Ohio. “Intwo weeks, we began doing missions.”

The mission the officers spoke of was not theunit’s ordinary duties of providing back-up directsupport maintenance.

Instead the active-duty company, from Fort Irwin,Calif., was tasked to perform an additional combatvehicle-recovery mission. The mission entailedretrieving battle- or accident-damaged vehicles fromthe roads of Iraq.

The unit performed this mission without losingany Soldiers or equipment, according to ChiefWarrant Officer (2) David Hooker, 557th recoveryoperations OIC, of Columbus, Ohio.

“Now is the time for the new guys to take what westarted and put their spin on it,” said Hooker.

The “new guys” are the Soldiers of the 584thMaintenance Company, an active-duty unit fromFort Campbell, Ky., which recently arrived atSpeicher to take over the mission.

“We had our baptism by fire the other day,” said

FOB SPEICHER, Iraq — In a small shop around the cornerfrom Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 561stCorps Support Battalion, Sgt. Danny Hussey carefullypounds a nail – out of a piece of wood.

“Nothing goes to waste,” said Hussey. “Everything getsused up.”

Hussey’s current project was to build a safety step for theentrance of the battalion S-4, or supply, shop.

Using a table saw, Hussey cut a piece of plywood into aperfect square. With a tape measure, he got the dimensionsof each side.

From a small selection on a bench along one wall, Husseydrew a long 2”X6” beam of wood. He marked off the dimen-sions and with his eyes protected by safety glasses, sawed itinto the correct length.

With a nail gun, Hussey affixed the lengths of 2”X6” to theplywood square, forming a step. With a few adjustments, thenew project was ready for delivery.

“I enjoy working with wood,” said Hussey. “Whatever mycommand tells me to do, I’ll most likely enjoy it.”

The materials for Hussey’s project come from the lumberyard on the forward operating base. Sometimes, the heat ormoisture warps a piece of wood. Hussey will claim some ofthese pieces, which he cuts down for use.

“I like it here because I’ve got a shop,” said Hussey. “I’vegot real tools.”

Many of Hussey’s fellow Soldiers use his shop and tools tocomplete their own projects. If Soldiers come to Hussey, hewill show them how to use the tools safely to get their workdone.

“I’ll show them how to do [a project] the correct way,” saidHussey.

561st Soldier sets up shopPhoto by Sgt. Rachel A. Brune

Spc. Thomas Rankin, a 584th wrecker driver/opera-tor from Hampton, Va.

On his first mission, Rankin and his fellowSoldiers faced the challenge of recovering a heavyequipment transporter, or HET.

“It was my first time recovering that [type of] vehi-cle,” said Rankin.

“We had to figure out how to hook up with theframe [of the HET] bent,” said 2nd Lt. Sam Karr,584th recovery team OIC, of Manhattan, Kan.

The 584th knew about the recovery mission

before deploying and were able to complete sometraining for it. However, the most helpful advicecame from the 557th, according to Karr.

“They’ve been doing the mission for a year, andthey know the ins and outs of it,” said Karr.

The most important piece of advice Hooker had forthe Soldiers was, never to get comfortable and neverlet their guards down. Flexibility is important, as themethods of operating on the roads are subject tochange.

“I’m not an expert,” said Hooker. “What I know, Ilearned from my Soldiers.”

The 557th taught the newcomers how to spotimprovised explosive devices, or IEDs, and otherskills for safe completion of combat logistics mis-sions, said Spc. Lucinda Warner, 584th recoveryteam driver, of Three Rivers, Mich.

Warner, who serves with Team Merlin, served as atruck driver before switching her trade and trainingas a mechanic. Rankin and Warner are only two ofseveral Soldiers on the teams who have skills bothas drivers and mechanics.

“I have faith in the team that I’m with,” saidWarner.

As the 584th readied for its new mission and sur-roundings, the 557th waited to catch a plane home.

“These guys stepped up and did [the mission] allyear long,” said Ramey. “It was a great experience forme, and I’m really proud of them.”

Recovery team members of the 584th and 557th

Maintenance Companies pose with a wrecker Nov. 10.

557th recovery team passes mission, lessons learned



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Leishmaniasis (leash’ maNIGH’ a sis) is an infection ofhumans and animals causedby a protozoa, or microscopicparasite. There are three dif-ferent forms of the disease,but only the cutaneous, orskin, form is found in Iraq.

Most cases of leishmaniasisin Soldiers have been from thenorthern regions of Iraq, nearMosul. Humans get the dis-ease after being bitten by aninfected sand fly. Sand fliesare very small, and we usual-ly don’t see them.

The season for sand flies isMarch through October.During this time it is veryimportant to protect yourselfagainst sand fly bites by per-sonal protective measures.

Personal protective meas-ures include treating youruniform with permethrin andwearing DEET on exposedareas of the skin. You may bewondering “Why are you writ-ing about Leishmaniasis nowthat the season is over?”

Leishmaniasis takes weeks tomonths to develop in someonewho has been infected. Thatmeans the season for develop-ing the ulcers of leishmaniasisis now.

Cutaneous leishmaniasisstarts as a small papule, orbump on the skin, thatenlarges and becomes anulcer, or open sore. Lesionscan be single or multiple. Ifuntreated, they can enlargeand leave disfiguring scars.

The cutaneous form ofleishmaniasis does not spreadto the organs or mucous mem-branes. Until recently, theonly treatment for leishmania-sis was several months ofintravenous medications givenat Walter Reed.

Now there is a new treat-ment that is quick, simple and

Health Talk: LeishmaWHAT?Capt. Michelle Moore, M.D.Brigade Surgeon

Two weeks ago, a Soldierattached to the 101stSustainment Brigade died in asurvivable vehicle accident. Whywas it survivable? Because aseatbelt would have held him inplace during a rollover.

On Nov. 17, a sergeant diedwhen his HMMWV rolled over.As it rolled, the door came open,he was ejected and his body hitthe ground with enough force tokill him. There is little doubt hewould have survived if he hadsimply buckled up.

Army regulations are veryspecific. Multi-National Corps-Iraq policy letters leave no wiggleroom.

Every convoy briefing sheet inIraq includes an entry on therequirement to wear seatbelts atall times.

The U.S. Army CombatReadiness Center, formerly theSafety Center, compiles statis-tics on accidents around theArmy.

The Soldier who died on Nov.17 was the 38th person killedduring a HMMWV rollover thisfiscal year, and there have been70 humvee rollovers so far.

Let’s put this statistic in con-text. In the seven weeks betweenthe start of fiscal year 2005 onOct. 1, and the fatality on Nov.17, there were 10 rollovers eachweek and an average of fivedeaths per week.

SAFETY 1ST!By James F. JenningsSafety Officer, 101st SB

You can safely say that the right mentalattitude is essential in everything you do inlife.

With this in mind, I would like to sharesome definitions from a successful business-man named Jim Norman:

Boredom-self-pity in disguiseChange/growth-the process by which my

inside begins to match my outsideCompulsion-an overwhelming desire to

destroy myself in the name of pleasureDenial-the ability to suppress the truth

long enough to get what I wantEnvy-emotion produced by a belief that

another’s good fortune somehow distractsfrom my own superiority.

Fear-the need to run from things I messedup yesterday, that I know will ruin my lifetomorrow, which I refuse to deal with today

Love-when listening to you is more fun

Chaplain’s CornerBy Maj. A. Steven TurnerBrigade Chaplain

Was every one of them surviv-able? Probably not. But a highpercentage of those killed wouldbe alive today if they had simplybuckled a seatbelt.

So why aren’t you strappingin? Because you’re in Iraq, andit’s a war zone?

Ironically, there is very stronglogic for using safety belts herein the area of responsibility.

For those of you who mustanalyze and accept before com-plying with regulations, here area few reasons:

1). We operate HMMWVS athigher rates of speed in Iraq,and their higher centers of grav-ity make them prone to roll over.Quite often this occurs when thedriver makes a rapid turn withthe wheel or hits a curb or otherobject. Add the poorly main-tained or unimproved roads, andyou’ve got a recipe for a rollover.

2). Local drivers are unpre-dictable. Although we have morethan our share of crazy driverson U.S. roads, this country’sroads make our highways looklike a high school driver’s educa-tion class.

3). We need you. Really. Everyloss, whether due to combat ornon-hostile actions, depletes theArmy’s ability to achieve missionsuccess.

It doesn’t matter what angleyou use to examine seatbelt use.There’s no drawback. Be safe,buckle up and get home in onepiece.

than thinking about mePowerless-a human being without faith in

GodProblems-God’s method of revealing him-

self to anyone who is interestedSelf-pity-the door of depression, the fuel of

fear, the anvil of anger and the root ofresentment

Willingness-when I expose myself to thetruth and refrain from shuffling the facts

Return to the definition for self-pity. Self-pity is simply a symptom of “attitudosis.”

Attitudosis is a condition brought on byyour neglect of others and their needs, andby your extreme focus on and excessiveattention to the most minuscule aches,pains and inconveniences of your life.

The Apostle Paul said, we are to have thesame mindset that Christ had. He was God,but gladly made Himself a servant.

The best cure for attitudosis is service. Tryit! You’ll enjoy life so much more!

can be given in theater. Thistreatment uses local heat onthe ulcer which kills the proto-zoa and allows the ulcer toheal.

It is important to rememberthat the earlier you get treat-ed, the smaller your scar willbe. If you develop an ulcerthat is not healing, go to yourtroop medical clinic for evalu-ation. They have a simple testthey will perform.

If you do have leishmania-sis, you will be treated andreturned to duty. If you let thedisease progress to a largelesion you will have to betreated at Walter Reed withthe IV medication for severalmonths. This medicationmakes you feel very sick. Soremember the sooner you getchecked out, the better!

Small lesions, first sign Enlarged lesion, untreated

November was National American IndianHeritage Month. This year’s theme was“Honoring Heritage…Strengthening OurNation’s Spirit.”

It took more than 80 years forthe nation to establish a NationalAmerican Indian Heritage Month.The journey began when the BoyScouts set aside a day for the “FirstAmericans” in the early 1900s.

On Sept. 28, 1915, the Congressof the American Indian Association declaredthe second Saturday of each May as anAmerican Indian Day.

Several states declared American Indiandays until 1976, when Congress passed ajoint resolution authorizing the president toproclaim the week of Oct. 10 to 16 as

“Native-American Awareness Week.” Days and weeks of different months were

set aside to honor the first Americans untilthey were given a month in 1990.

President George H.W. Bush proclaimed1992 as the “Year of the AmericanIndian,” based on legislation byCongress. November was designat-ed as Native American IndianHeritage Month by Public Law102-188, March 1992.

I would like to personally thankthe dining facility personnel for

preparing a delicious and beautiful cake,and helping me with a Native AmericanIndian Heritage Month cake-cutting ceremo-ny on Nov. 1.

I want everyone to know that no matterwhat race, gender, or ethnicity you are,equal opportunity is for everyone.

AA WWoorrdd FFrroomm YYoouurr EEqquuaall OOppppoorrttuunniittyy AAddvviissoorrBy Sgt. 1st Class Bruce WilliamsBrigade EO Advisor

HHaappppyy TThhaannkkssggiivviinngg ffrroomm yyoouurr PPAAOO!!


Once again, Q-West Base Complexmarched to the beat of its own drum-mers, as well as singers, keyboardistsand guitar players, during the Morale,Welfare and Recreation Talent ShowNov. 18 here.

Spc. Corey Franks, Bravo Company,1-10th Aviation Regiment, who wonsecond place in the October TalentShow, came in first for his a capellarendition of Brian McKnight’s “OneLast Cry.”

Second place went to Pvt. (2)Michael Tilley, 505th EngineerCompany carpenter/mason. The Mt.Airy, N.C., Soldier played a drum solo.

“I just made this up an hour and ahalf ago,” said Tilley before beginning.

Deciding the winner was so difficult,Jerry Yonko, MWR supervisor andmaster of ceremonies, had the twoSoldiers give an encore so the audi-ence could vote again.

Last month’s talent show winner,vocalist Sgt. Octavia Nickle, 818thMaintenance Company stock controlsergeant, from Stafford, Va., con-tributed a version of the Dixie Chicks’“Fly.” The 818th, an Army Reserve unitfrom Fort Meade, Md., served a 12-month tour in support of OperationIraqi Freedom II.

Nickle’s fame was spreading, evenas she prepared to redeploy to theUnited States. In the second row, anaudience member said: “I’ve heard shecan belt!”

Singer/songwriter Spc. DarrellAllen, Company E, 1-10th AviationRegiment water treatment specialist,contributed an original composition.

“I wrote the song for everyone –every Soldier and what they stand for,”said Allen, from Garden City, Mich. Heexplained the song was for the spous-es and families back home, and what

they go through while their loved onesare deployed.

“Terrorism will fall, freedom willring,” sang Allen on the chorus. “ThenI will be back home to you/I’ll easeyour pain.”

Spc. Clarence Reeves, a 3-13th FieldArtillery Regiment administration spe-cialist from Clarksville, Tenn., accom-panied Allen on the drums, then tookthe microphone to sing John MichaelMontgomery’s “I Swear.”

After the final applause, much of thecrowd dispersed. A few audience mem-bers remained as several of the per-formers took the stage for an informaljam session.

Talented troops will have twoupcoming opportunities to show theirskills. MWR is sponsoring a“Christmas Parade.” Units are invitedto decorate any non-tactical vehicle,including Polaris and Gator vehicles,for the parade.

The Q-West Drama Club is seekingactors and crew for its new produc-tion, “No Ghost of a Chance.”

For more information on these pro-grams, contact Jerry Yonko or Susan“Su-Z” Cothern at MWR.

After the show, the performers gather

onstage for an informal jam session.


Q-West troops strut their stuff on stage

For a Florida native, work-ing out consists of peoplemoving to the rhythm of thebeat as the reflections in themirror turns to fog.

1st Lt. Marie Cicerelle, ahuman resources postal offi-cer with the Headquartersand Headquarters Company,101st Sustainment Brigade,spends her days making surethat mail flows continuouslyto areas in northwestern Iraq.

At night, Cicerelle takes abreak from all the lettersand packages and spendsher evenings as an aerobicsand abdominal strenuousinstructor for the camp at Q-West Base Complex, Iraq.

“I volunteered to take overthe class since Dawn,Morale, Welfare andRecreation (MWR)coordinator, tooktime off to enjoy her rest andrecuperation leave,” saidCicerelle.

She did not know shewould be volunteering to leada group of soldiers to stay inshape during her deployment.

Working out keeps hermotivated, said Cicerelle.

Cicerelle found out aboutthe classes being offered atthe MWR gym at Q-West whenher unit arrived in theaterthree months ago. She began

Rocking the Beatteaching aerobics four times aweek and an abdominalstrenuous class twice a weekat the start of November,which is a good workout, shesaid.

“I get Sundays off,” saidCicerelle followed by a shortgiggle.

The aerobics class isdesigned to focus on cardio-vascular exercise, with a littlebit of abdominal exercise to

end the class session, whilethe abdominal strenuousclass works out abs andlegs for an entire hour.

There are times whenshe is tired, but her moodchanges once she startsworking out and leaves theclass pumped up,explained Cicerelle.

“I’m not a runner,”said Cicerelle.

“When runningwith 36 people it

can become very competitive,but when doing aerobics with36 people it is about enjoyingeach other’s company.”

Cicerelle encourages allSoldiers to come out and tryout the program.

“For those that do come tothe classes, keep going anddon’t quit,” said Cicerelle. “Tothose who do not come out,try it and if you don’t like it,then give us a reason toimprove it.”

SSuussttaaiinnmmeenntt BBrriiggaaddee PPOO tteeaacchheess MMWWRR aaeerroobbiiccssBy Sgt. Patricia TsoStaff Artist

The only turkeys on the roadfor the annual Morale, Welfareand Recreation Turkey Trot, werethe runners if you ask Pfc. TrishaHarkleroad of the 2nd Battalion,101st Aviation Regiment.

Harkleroad was among the 60or so troops that the 2-101stbrought to participate in theannual running of the 5K race forphysical training four days beforeThanksgiving. She was, like sev-eral of her peers, a reluctant par-ticipant.

“That was the most disgustingthing I have ever done,” said theyoung soldier after she gallopedto the finish line.

While the race was heavy withArmy, it was an aviator, Maj. TedLeblow of the 2-101st who wonwith a brisk 17:26 time for 3.2miles.

Not so far behind him was thewinner in the female division witha time of 21:02, Capt. SarahMandes of the Red Horse AirForce engineering group on base.

The race had a total of 88 par-ticipants, made up mostly by theoutgoing 2-101st.

The next 5K scheduled will bethe Santa Run, slated for Dec 26.Registration for the race takesplace at the MWR.

By Rachael Van HornKBR LNO

Turkey Day Trot!Photo by Rachael Van Horn

Got News? Get in touch with the Lifeliner West! Contact: [email protected] for your 15 minutes of fame.


December 2005

MWR

1Dominoes 2000Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Self-Defense 1900Triathlon by Appointment

Open Court Volleyball

2Texas Hold ‘Em 2000Aerobics 1930Open Court Basketball

340th TC Farewell 2000Aerobics 2000Self-Defense 1900Flea Market 0800-1600Open Court Volleyball

4CChhrriissttmmaass PPaarraaddee FFllooaatt

CCoonntteesstt

MMOOVVIIEE MMAARRAATTHHOONNVolleyball Tournament

5Aerobics 1930Train Club 1900

6Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Self-Defense 1900Ping Pong Tourney 2000Acting Class 2000

7301 Dart Tourney 2000Chess Lessons 1900Salsa Lessons 1900Guitar Lessons 1900Aerobics 1930Open Court Basketball

8Spades Tournament 2000Self-Defense 1900Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Open Court Volleyball

9Club in I 2000Drama Club 1900Texas Hold ‘Em 2000Aerobics 1930Open Court Basketball

10Noche Caliente 2000Self-Defense 1900Flea Market 0800-1600Aerobics 2000Open Court Volleyball

11Bullseye Billiards Bullseye Billiards 20002000MMOOVVIIEE MMAARRAATTHHOONNVolleyball Tournament

12Checker Tourney 2000Train Club 1900Aerobics 1930

Basketball Basketball

TTournamentournament

138 Ball Tournament 2000Self-Defense 1900Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Acting Class 2000

14Chess Lessons 2000Salsa Lessons 1900Guitar Lessons 1900Doubles Ping Pong 2000Aerobics 1930

15Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Self-Defense 19009 Ball Tourney 2000

NNoo GGhhoosstt-- ooff aa CChhaannccee 22000000

16Texas Hold ‘Em 2000Aerobics 1930


17Self-Defense 1900Aerobics 2000Flea Market 0800-1600


18Dominoes Tourney 1900MMOOVVIIEE MMAARRAATTHHOONNVolleyball Tournament

19CChheessss TToouurrnneeyy 22000000

Aerobics 1930

20SSppaaddeess TToouurrnneeyy 22000000Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Self-Defense 1900Bench Press Competition 2000Acting Class 2000

21CCrriicckkeett TToouurrnneeyy 22000000Chess Lessons 2000Salsa Lessons 1900Guitar Lessons 1900Aerobics 1930Open Court Basketball

22

Photo, Poetry, Art ContestSelf-Defense 1900Open Court Volleyball

Talent Show Rehearsal

Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030

23

Talent Show 2000Texas Hold ‘Em 2000Aerobics 1930Battle of the Biceps 2000Open Court Basketball

24Noche Caliente 2000Self-Defense 1900Flea Market 0800-1600Aerobics 2000Open Court Volleyball

25XX--MMaass BBiinnggoo 22000000

MMOOVVIIEE MMAARRAATTHHOONNVolleyball Tournament

**All open court

games: 1900-2300**

26

SSaannttaa DDaasshh 5K 0700Aerobics 1930Tattoo Contest Deadline

27

VVeeggaass NNiigghhtt 2000Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Self-Defense 1900Acting Class 2000

28Aerobics 1930Chess Lessons 2000Salsa Lessons 1900Guitar Lessons 1900Squat Competition 2000Open Court Basketball

29Abs & Glutes 1800 & 2030Self-Defense 1900Open Court Volleyball

AAward Ceremony ward Ceremony 20002000

30Texas Hold ‘Em 2000Drama Club 1900Country Music Night 2000Aerobics 1930Open Court Basketball

31Flea Market 0800-1600Aerobics 2000Self-Defense 1900Open Court Volleyball

NNeeww YYeeaarr’’ss EEvveeDDaannccee 22000000

SSuunnddaayy MMoonnddaayy TTuueessddaayy WWeeddnneessddaayy TThhuurrssddaayy FFrriiddaayy SSaattuurrddaayy

Prayer Services Day Hour Location

Noon Prayers(Communion on

Wednesday)

M Sat Noon Oasis

Prayer Warriors M Sat 0530 MWR

Islamic Contact your unit chaplain.

Worship Service Day Hour Chapel

Catholic Mass Sat 1800 OasisSun 0700 Oasis

Contemporary Protestant Sun 0900 OasisInspirational Gospel Sun 0930 MWRProtestant Sun 1100 OasisEvangelical Episcopal Sun 1300 OasisContemporary Protestant Sun 1800 OasisLatter Day Saints Sun 1930 Oasis

Q-West WorshipPrayer, Service, Study

COB Q-West Unit Ministry TeamsUnit Chaplain Assistant

101st SBDE CH Turner SSG Jackson

101st BTB CH Mosteller PFC Patton

4-11th FA CH Dabek SGT Shaw

2-101 AVN CH Dillard SPC Garrett

Catholic CH Vasquez SGT Ugarte

1-10 AVN CH Ball PV2 Alvarado

71st CSB CH Gesch PFC Baotright

3-13 FAMLRS CH Hart SPC Gore

577th ERHS CH Moermond

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CONTACT

COB Q-West (101st SBDE TOC): 318-243-5777

Upcoming events, improvements on the FOBand clarification of services offered were themain topics during the Mayor Cell meeting heldNov. 16.

Changes are in store for the dining facilityparking lots. The ramps and parking lot willsoon be graveled. Do not block the stairs, whichnow have large rocks placed in a horseshoeform to help stop this problem.

Tactical vehicles should park in the lower lotsas the upper parking lots are reserved primari-ly for non tactical vehicles and gators. Tacticalvehicles may park on the upper lots as well, butfarther back instead of near the stairs.

Other improvements around Q-West BaseComplex consist of road construction, so beprepared to hear of future road closures.Buildings such as the A/DACG have an over-hang currently in the design phase, and the air-field has grounding points, striping, improve-ments to the runway and other repairs in theworks.

With new units arriving the Department ofPublic Works has been receiving a large amountof work orders; however workers are not guar-anteed for the work orders that are turned in.The work orders that go through DPW shouldbe for minor repairs and not large building ren-ovations. Mr. Lukeman, DPW contractor, hasthe final say on DPW projects.

The dining facility has a revamped memoran-dum on take-out plates coming out soon forunits who have special meal requests.

The dining facility manager stressed therequests for sack-lunches for 30 to 45 people

should be picked up before the chow hallopens and not during serving times, and thatmermite meals can also be provided.

Individuals picking up meals from the DFACmust have a way to carry the meals. The DFACwill not supply boxes or bags for meal pick up.

Topics also on the meeting agenda:The DFAC is looking for artists to help dec-

orate the walls of the DFAC. The FOB housing section asks individuals

to please turn in keys to buildings or con-tainerized housing units when redeploying.

There are 10 more buses on the way toassist in transporting soldiers.

A/DACG does not always have a way totransport individuals to their required destina-tion; therefore units should try to self-supportwith transporting arriving individuals.

You can make a videotape to send home ofyourself reading a book to your child at theMWR Wednesday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6p.m.

When using the MWR Theater for unit oper-ations and meetings please let the MWR knowwhat supplies are needed and please arriveearly for setup.

Make sure your soldiers are destroying mailaddresses, and anything with social securitynumbers on them. Pay close attention to oper-ational security.

Fraud, Waste and Abuse is becoming aproblem at the dump site. If you have equip-ment that needs repairs and are close to rede-ploying, turn it into allied trades for fixing. Donot dump it at the trash site.

Bicycle racks are coming soon to the DFAC,too.

QQ--WWeesstt ccoouunncciill ddiissccuusssseess DDFFAACC cchhaannggeessBy Sgt. Ashly N. RiceStaff Reporter

Happy Holidays from Q-West Base Complex, Iraq!

Essay Contest!Deadline extended to: Dec. 20.

Theme: “Christmas on Deployment”

Email: [email protected]


OFF THE WIRE: News from the American Forces Press ServiceSSoollddiieerrss SSaayy WWeeaappoonnss CCaacchheess WWeerree ‘‘LLiikkee aa GGuunn SShhooww’’

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 25,2005 — When local resi-dents provide informationon where terrorists are hid-ing their weapons, Iraqi andAmerican forces are quick torespond.

An anonymous tipprompted Iraqi soldiers from2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade,6th Iraqi Army Division andU.S. forces from DCompany, 1st Battalion,87th Infantry to conductsearches in west BaghdadNov. 20 to 21.

It was a mission thateventually rooted out notonly hidden weapons butthe terrorists themselves.

“The amount of weaponsand munitions found (onthe first day of searches)was enough to arm a smallcell, maybe eight men,” saidSgt. Paul Casiano, 1stBattalion, 87th Infantry.

The American and Iraqiforces turned up cacheshidden inside four parkedcars Nov. 20 and roundedup three suspected terror-ists at the scene.

“The weapons inside thecars were enough to laydown some serious firepow-er, should they have beenused,” Casiano added.“Luckily, the insurgentswere discovered along withthe cache.”

The caches included 10assault rifles, six machineguns, six hand grenades,two rocket-propelled gre-nade launchers with eightrounds, a mine, and thou-sands of rounds of ammuni-tion for the rifles andmachine guns.

“I couldn’t believe that wefound this many weapons infour small cars,” said StaffSgt. Robert Cortez, 1st Bn.,87th Inf. “It is really awe-some that we found allthese weapons and detainedthe suspected terrorists. Allthe hard work of gatheringintelligence and gaining thetrust of the local nationalshas really paid off.”

The next day proved evenmore productive, as theIraqi and American soldiersturned up even largercaches on a large section offarmland once belonging to

Saddam Hussein.Less than 20 minutes

after beginning their mis-sion, the soldiers found amortar round hidden insidea bus parked in an oldgarage. Once soldiers beganthoroughly searching thevehicle, they could barelybelieve their eyes.

Inside a hidden compart-ment was a large cache. Thesoldiers seized 37 blocks ofexplosives, 75 demolitioncharges, 400 feet of detona-tion cord, hundreds ofblasting caps, 33 mortarrounds, 30 hand grenades,29 RPG rounds, 20 hand-grenade fuses, 86 assortedradios, four night-visiondevices, four light anti-tankweapons, three mortarfuses, two submachineguns, a sniper rifle, a videocamera, a laser range find-er, and several thousands ofrounds.

“It was a gun show,”Casiano said. “With all theweapons ... that werebrought out from a hiddenpanel inside the bus, therewere enough weapons toarm at least 30 men.

The Lighter Side

Staff Sgt. Austin S. Fernandez, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon,

Company B, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, holds hands and

walks with an Iraqi child during a patrol Oct. 21 in Mosul, Iraq.

Photo by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp

Chief Warrant Officer (2) Nate Maplesden drops a stuffed toy

"candy bomb" out of a helicopter. Crews from Company B, 1st Bn.,

207th Avn. Reg. dropped toys and candy to Iraqi children Nov. 2.

Photo by Sgt. Rachel A. BruneStories and photographs reproduced on this page were com-

piled from information released through AFIS. For more infor-

mation, or for news released by the Department of Defense,

visit: http://www.defenselink.mil/news.

AMERICAN FORCES INFORMATION SERVICE

Americans Give Special Thanks to U.S. Troops, Bush SaysPetty Officer 3rd Class John R. Guardiano, USNAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2005 – On thisThanksgiving Day weekend, all Americans arereminded of the debt of gratitude they owe to themen, women and families of the United States mili-tary, President Bush said today in his weekly radioaddress.

"We are grateful to the men and women of ourarmed forces for securing the peace in these danger-ous times," the president said. "They are servingwith courage and skill in Iraq, Afghanistan and else-where to defend our freedom and extend the bless-ings of freedom to others."

Bush noted that U.S. military service today isdemanding; it often includes "long deployments andseparations from home." And those left behind state-side, he added, also face difficult challenges becausethey "must deal with the burden of raising families,while praying for the safe return of their loved ones."

"All Americans," the president said, "honor andappreciate the commitment and sacrifice of our mil-itary families."

Bush singled out fallen servicemen and women forspecial praise. "Every person who dies in the line ofduty," he said, "commands the eternal gratitude ofthe American people. The military families whomourn the fallen can know that America will not for-get their sacrifice -- and they can know that we willhonor that sacrifice by completing the noble mission

for which their loved ones gave their lives." The president noted that troops fighting in the

global war on terrorism have achieved great success.Indeed, because the U.S. military is fighting terror-ists abroad, "we do not have to face (terrorists) hereat home," he explained.

U.S. troops, Bush added, also have "helped thepeople of Iraq and Afghanistan hold historic andsuccessful elections." The nation's servicemen andwomen, he said, "are America's finest, and we thankthem today and every day for their service and sac-rifice."

The president observed that Thanksgiving is anational holiday during which Americans givethanks for the many blessings of liberty.

"We are thankful," Bush said, "for our family andfriends, who fill our lives with joy and love. We arethankful for the abundance of this prosperous land.We are thankful for the freedom that makes possiblethe enjoyment of all these gifts. And we acknowledgewith humility that all these blessings -- and life itself-- come from almighty God."

Americans recognize, Bush said, that becausethey are so blessed, they have an obligation to helpthose who are less fortunate.

"The Thanksgiving holiday," he explained,"reminds us that, 'to whom much is given, from himmuch will be required.' As we count our blessings,we are mindful of the need to share our blessingsand gifts with others -- and America is moved to

compassionate action." Bush said that such compassionate action is

manifest in Americans' generous response to the vic-tims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But "the uni-versal call to love a neighbor," he added, "alsoextends beyond our shores, moving us to help peo-ple in other lands."

Bush noted that America also "has begun to helpthe millions of people in Pakistan, India, andAfghanistan who are suffering after last month'sdevastating earthquake in South Asia."

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Andrew Miller

U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., MNF-I command-

er, talks with Task Force Baghdad Soldiers during the

evening Thanksgiving meal Nov. 24, 2005.

By Spc. Carlos Caro1st Bn., 87th Infantry

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