Soldiers Give Backpacks to School Children

Story by 1st Lt. Myles Frohling
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

First Sgt. Wayne Lawrence, from Carsville, Mo., first sergeant for Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was among Soldiers in his company handing out school bags to children in Jurf as Sahkr, Feb. 15. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Barr, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

FOB KALSU — If you were to walk down the streets of Jurf as Sahkr during a school day, you would see a large number of children walking to and from school. One thing you would not see is many children carrying school bags.

Seeing the need, Soldiers of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, recently distributed school bags to students in the area.

First Sgt. Wayne Lawrence, from Carsville, Mo., first sergeant for Company A; Staff Sgt. Michael Navarro, from Clifton, N.J., a squad leader in 2nd Platoon, Co. A; and Spc. William Johnson, from Bellevue, Wash., a medic with 2nd Platoon, handed out school bags to children near the Tharir primary school in Snadeej.

“There is nothing better than working with our ISF (Iraqi security force) counterparts and making Iraqi children smile with a simple backpack,” Navarro said.

While school bags were being handed out, 1st Lt. Ryan Daly, from Woodbridge, N.J., 2nd Platoon leader, spoke with local residents in the area. The general consensus is that security is good in the area, said Daly.

“Events like this help me realize how important it is for us to be here to protect the children in the area and build their trust in the CF (coalition forces),” said Pfc. Danial Taylor, of Rialto, Calif., a gunner with 2nd Platoon, Co. A.

Dozens of Air Force reservists from Tucson to deploy next week

About 80 reservists stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will head to the Middle East for more than a year

By Aaron Mackey

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Dozens of U.S. Air Force reservists based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are scheduled to deploy next week.

About 80 reservists with the 943rd Rescue Group, which specializes in combat search and rescue, are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East, says Master Sgt. Shawn McCowan, a unit spokesman.

The 943rd will deploy along with members of its parent unit, the 920th Rescue Wing, for more than a year, McCowan says.

McCowan wouldn’t say when the unit would leave or exactly where the reservists would be sent because of security concerns, which is standard military procedure.

The deployment is the first in a series for the unit, he says.

The unit will deploy other reservists in early June and again in October, he says.

The 943rd, a tenant unit at D-M, was activated in February 2005 and is equipped with six HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters, according to a military fact sheet.

The 943rd is the only reserve combat rescue unit in the Southwest, the fact sheet says.

The unit was established to provide search and rescue capabilities in support of combat operations abroad and can also respond to natural disasters that occur in the United States.

Happy Valentines's Day!

KEENE – She hadn't expected him home until April, but last night, Elizabeth Penn cried tears of joy as she embraced her father, David Penn, a New Hampshire Army National Guard soldier home from Iraq on a two-week leave.

A freshman at Keene State College, Elizabeth had just walked into a semi-formal dance at Holloway Hall when the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey started to play.

Her friends, who had all kept the secret for weeks, turned and looked toward the door. That's when Elizabeth saw her father, dressed in fatigues, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a stuffed animal. The two embraced, and the tears started to flow as Elizabeth's friends and family encircled them, capturing the moment forever on cameras and video.

"I'm just shocked," said Elizabeth, wearing a black gown with rhinestones. "I don't know what to say. I'm shaking."

Dave Penn of New Hampshire Army National Guard's 34th RAOC Unit surprises his daughter, Elizabeth Penn, 18, at a Keene State College dance last night. (KRISTEN SENZ)

A Manchester resident, David Penn is a member of the Army National Guard's 34th Rear Area Operations Center Unit, a security force of 30 soldiers currently stationed in Mosul in northern Iraq.

"I miss my family a lot," said David, who was deployed last July and hasn't seen his wife, daughter or twin sons since. "I miss my kids."

"She'll always be my little baby," he said of his daughter.

Donna Penn, David's wife of more than 20 years, orchestrated the Valentine's Day surprise for Elizabeth. She said the two have always had an extremely close relationship.

"They're like peas and carrots from the Forrest Gump movie," she said.

The surprise reunion was Donna's Valentine's Day gift to her family.

"It was exciting," she said. "It was heartwarming. I was nervous, because I know how close they are. It was heartwarming, and that's Valentine's Day. We're very lucky to have this day with him."

When she was able to catch her breath, Elizabeth said seeing her father "was like a burst of energy, because I haven't seen him for so long."

The Penn family planned to spend the weekend together at a bed and breakfast in Troy.

"We just want to regroup, get to know each other again and just be a family again," Donna said.

Good News From Iraq. 15 Feb., 2008

From MNF-I, Adwaniyah Residents Look to Brighter Future, Normalcy.

Capt. Douglas Hoyt, from Columbus, Ohio, commander of Troop A, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. and leaders of Adwaniyah have worked hard to establish trust and confidence within the community to improve the security and economic situation for the town. Photo by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Last year, the community of Adwaniyah witnessed the worst of what the insurgency brought to the people of Iraq.

There were reports of kidnappings and murders. Members of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) were said to have forced residents out of their homes. Soon, Adwaniyah residents realized that life under AQI would be a step backward and they began to work with Coalition forces to rid their community of AQI.

Adwaniyah citizens Hazim Shaker Ahmen and Riyah Yas Khudayr, both former Iraqi Army officers, began working with Coalition forces and started ‘Sons of Iraq’ (SoI) programs last October.

In mid-November AQI mounted an offensive against U.S. Soldiers, Iraqi Army and Sons of Iraq. At the time, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division was the Army unit patrolling Adwaniyah. Troop B and the SoI repelled the offensive and since then AQI members have either been detained or fled the community.

Now, Troop B, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. controls the battle space and the future of Adwaniyah is bright.

“The local leadership, the Sons of Iraq and Iraqi Army all played an important part in making this a success and they continue to do so,” said Capt. Douglas Hoyt, Troop B, 6-8th Cav. Regt. commander, from Columbus, Ohio. “The willingness to make a stand, to sacrifice and work hard has paid off.”

In December, a SoI headquarters was set up and a town council was established.

By January, word began to spread that the community was safer. Residents began moving back into the city and businesses started re-opening.

“The situation has gone from bad to better,” said local SoI co-founder Ahmen. “The task has begun to improve the security, economic and employment situation and the relationship with the central Government of Iraq.”

Assisting with the improvement in security, Troop B, 6-8th Cav. Regt. established Patrol Base Dolby in the community to help keep residents safe, rebuild the infrastructure and try to boost the economy.

(Story by 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs)

Soldiers See Need

Yasser Mahmed enjoys a lollipop in his new wheelchair from Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Feb. 7. Despite nerve damage in his legs, 7-year-old Mahmed always waved to Soldiers passing through his neighborhood. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Despite nerve damage in his legs that confined him to a wheelchair, 7-year-old Yasser Mahmed was always in good spirits, waving to Soldiers passing through his neighborhood in Arab Jabour. The Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division noticed the little boy, who relied on the legwork of his 12-year-old cousin, Ahmed Sluman, to propel his chair around.

The boys’ teamwork inspired Soldiers of Company D to reach out and make a difference. On Feb. 7, the Soldiers gave Yasser a new wheelchair, one with rugged tires to help better navigate the terrain.

"I am grateful for the assistance," said Mahmed's father, Yasser Mahmed Hussen. "I would like to say thank you more than one time."

Sluman said that family is very important to him and caring for his younger cousin comes naturally. "There are strong relationships in Iraqi families. We rely on our families," he said.

The Soldiers hope that through small acts of kindness like this, they can build trust in the community.

"The overall goal is to build trustful relations between us and the community," said 1st Lt. Bryan Deminico, platoon leader, Company D. "Little things done at the community level show we are here to help."

NEW MEETINGS!!!

The mission statement of Blue Star Mothers:
We are a non-profit (501[c]3) service organization supporting each other and our children while promoting patriotism.


As we begin a new year, I have been pondering on what we can do to meet the needs of Blue Star Mothers. After speaking to some mothers who are no longer attending our meetings, it has come to my attention that we are not meeting the emotional needs of many of our mothers. I realize that we are all working full time jobs, we have family responsibilities, and quite frankly no one wants to sit through another fundraising meeting time after time after time.

I have spoken with the commander of the VFW, and have been granted permission to use the meeting room at the VFW on the 2nd Tuesday of each month as well as the 4th Tuesday of the month. So on the 2nd Tuesday of each month we will have a meeting that is for emotional support, caring and sharing. We have mothers out there who are hurting and no where to turn, Well, from this point on, there will be a place that they can go and get the support they need.

We will continue to have our business meetings on the 4th Tues of each month. If there is time I would also like to have time for emotional support on these nights as well.

Please feel free to attend one or both meetings each month. We will begin with the additional meeting next Tues, February 12. This meeting will only be emotional support, no business meeting. We only want to meet the needs of all our members.

Another thought was to have pot lucks for this meeting each month or, a dessert bar, or,e healthy items like relish trays etc. A spaghetti dinner would also be fun and easy. Please feel free to email me or Vicki Payne on your ideas.

I want to personally invite and welcome each and everyone of you to please attend one of the meetings, give us a chance, and if ever there is anything that you feel needs changed or if you feel we are not meeting your needs, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will see what I can do to make a change. Only you know how you are feeling and unless those feelings are shared, we can't help one another. The mission statement for Blue Star Mothers is to support one another.

I hope to see everyone on Tuesday, Feb 12, 630-8:30 PM, for our new and improved meeting. We all have big shoulders and we all have had the same cares & concerns at some point. Let's be there for each other.

You are all a great bunch of ladies. Remember without mom's there would be no military persons serving our country. So you are very very important. Thank you for all you do.

Thank you
Debbie Seifert

January Meeting

January 29, 2008

Debbie Miller welcomed all members and guests. The meeting was called to order at 6:38pm. Vincent, Debbie Miller’s son led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Minutes of the November 27th meeting were posted on the website for review and approval. The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: November balance of $558.10. There were deposits of $234.00 for dues, donations and bracelets resulting in a balance of $792.10 on January 29th.

Old Business –

1. Dues/Membership Applications – Dues in the amount of $10.00 are due and payable to our Treasurer Linda Cagle along with the new Membership Applications.
2. Team/Committees – Teams were explained for the benefit of our guests and new members. Each Team should meet on a monthly basis either in person or via email. A Team report should be submitted at the BSM Monthly Meeting.
1. Courageous Tigers – Fund Raising.
2. Flying Eagles – Letters and correspondence.
3. Gentle Lambs – Emotional/moral support.
4. Industrious Ants – Community service.
3. Fundraising –
1. Debbie Seifert received a donation of $100.00 from Jim Click and plans to contact other auto dealerships in the Tucson area regarding matching that donation.

ACTION – Debbie contact local dealerships regarding matching Jim Click donation.

New Business –

1. Publicity – Discussion on how to inform the public about BSM. No decisions were made.
2. Homecoming of 285^th – Some of the troops should arrive at Pinal Air Park on January 31^st. Additional troops should be arriving on February 2^nd. If you can, please plan to go early, around noon, to help with the displaying of banners and flags.
3. Fallen or Wounded Soldiers – Discussion was on how to and/or whether to set up some sort of fund to send cards, deliver food, etc. to those current or past BSM members who have a soldier who is killed or wounded. Support is the main issue. National has no rule for anything of this sort. They do receive information on any casualties and do send that information to the local BSM Chapters. Suggestion was made that the Gentle Lambs meet to prepare a proposal for submission to the next BSM Monthly Meeting.

ACTION – Gentle Lambs meet to prepare a proposal for submission to next Monthly Meeting regarding fund to be established for bereavement support.

Chrissy Harlan’s son, Daniel, joined the meeting to discuss his experiences in Afghanistan and answered many questions of concern to the BSM members and guests.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Charli Greenlees