Good News From Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070927-01
September 27, 2007

3rd IA Soldiers seize large cache
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TAL’AFAR, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers discovered a significant cache while conducting security operations in western Nineveh province Sept. 24.

Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division found the cache in an abandoned house northwest of Tal’Afar while searching near Alo village.

Among the items found were more than 140 mortar rounds, nearly two dozen AK-47 assault rifles with dozens of loaded magazines, two SVD sniper rifles, 50 hand grenades and a ready-made improvised explosive device in a 5-gallon bucket. In addition to the munitions, four full IA uniforms, six tactical vests and four fake license plates were seized.

“This is the second significant cache discovered based on information provided by four enemy fighters who were captured on Sept. 20,” said Maj. Mufutau Taiwo, executive officer of the 1-9 Cavalry. “The IA soldiers out here are doing an exceptional job of finding and removing these large stockpiles of enemy weaponry before they can be used in attacks against the citizens of Nineveh and Iraqi and Coalition Forces.”

All of the weapons and equipment found were removed by the IA forces and transported back to their base for reallocation (rifles and ammunition) and destruction (mortar rounds and explosives).

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH AT: TFLIGHTNING.PAO@US.ARMY.MIL

Supporting the Troops at the Freedom Walk 9/11/07

Here are some faces you might recognize!



The Freedom Walk began in 2005 when U.S. Pentagon employees desired to commemorate the attack on the Pentagon and remember the precious lives lost on September 11, 2001. As a result, an overwhelming 15,000 participants walked from the National Mall to the Pentagon on September 11, 2005 during the first organized walk. Today, the Freedom Walk is a national tradition and continues in communities all across the United States. The Arizona Freedom Walk is a non-partisan and non-political event. In Tucson the event was at Gene C. Reid Park followed by a patriotic concert by The Tucson Pops Orchestra.

America Supports You is a U.S. Department of Defense program recognizing citizens’ support for our military and communicating that support to members of our Armed Forces and their families, at home and abroad. The program’s homefront groups have organized Freedom Walks in every state in the Union and in over 130 cities across the nation. For more information about the program, visit: www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil

Good News From Iraq

Ramadi has changed so drastically from the terrorist-infested pit that it was as recently as April 2007 that I could hardly believe what I saw was real. The sheer joy on the faces of these Iraqis was unmistakable. They weren’t sullen in the least, and it was pretty obvious that they were not just pretending to be friendly or going through the hospitality motions.

“It was nothing we did,” said Marine Lieutenant Colonel Drew Crane who was visiting for the day from Fallujah. “The people here just couldn’t take it anymore.”

What he said next surprised me even more than what I was seeing.

“You know what I like most about this place?” he said.

“What’s that?” I said.

“We don’t need to wear body armor or helmets,” he said.

I was poleaxed. Without even realizing it, I had taken off my body armor and helmet. I took my gear off as casually as I do when I take it off after returning to the safety of the base after patrolling. We were not in the safety of the base and the wire. We were safe because we were in Ramadi.

Read these two articles (here and here) by Michael J. Totten on what he calls the Anbar Awakening.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR MISSION IN IRAQ

Never Forget September 11, 2001.

Minutes from August 28, 2007 meeting

• The meeting began at 6:30pm

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Treasurer Report – $772 in account - $500 designated for postage for care packages

• Old Business

• Chapter 1 vs. Chapter 2 – Debbie Miller explained that we are officially chapter 2. There is another chapter in Lake Havasu that began before ours. There is also a chapter 3 just starting to form in the Phoenix area. Those who purchased and paid for shirts will receive replacement ones with the chapter 2 on them at no charge. A donation was made to cover the cost of the replacement shirts.
• Bonnielee – calling tree – the sign up sheet went around asking for a cell phone number or an emergency number – from that, she will form a calling tree and email to us all so that, in the event of an emergency, we can contact everyone in a matter of minutes
• Bonnielee – still has pins, bears & shirts available to purchase

• New Business

• Bylaws & BSM Handbook can be found at www.bluestarmothers.org – scroll to the bottom of the page. The bylaws are listed as 3 separate parts to view
• Subject of Thank You cards for those who have donated was brought up-suggestion was made to get a template for some sort of certificate-Barb L. will check with a friend of hers in the printing business

• Fundraising

• Debbie S. talked about wanting some volunteers to form a committee. Some possible fundraising events are the Wooden Nickel program from WildOats, booth at the Pima County Fair, Silent Auction with donated items from local businesses. Would be nice to have a BSM brochure available at these events also. Debbie M. to check into that. Having a banner for our booth or table was also mentioned.

• Announcements

• April Bolt – Tom wants every mom to have a bracelet he made at no cost
• Sept. 8^th, 6:00AM – Rummage Sale at VFW Hall to benefit 1/285^th FRG
• Sept. 11^th – Operation Homefront 2007 Freedom Walk – Reid Park – registration begins at 5:00, candlelight walk begins at 6:30
• Sept. 21^st, 6:00PM – POW-MIA Ceremony & Dinner at VFW Hall
• Magnetamerica.com is a good website for blue star magnets
• Grantham University (http://www.grantham.edu/promo/bluestar2.php) offers a free blue star flag as well as information on free tuition for military and their families

• Guest Speaker: Rick Rodriquez

• Closing: Serenity Prayer

• Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm

• Next meeting Sept. 25^th, 6:30pm

• Minutes reported by Debbie Miller