Were I a soldier in the Israeli Army I think I’d be damned proud to wear the uniform just knowing that my civilian leadership sincerely cared for the men and women serving. Just a thought. Sgt Hook out.
In case you didn’t catch this on the evening news, Feisal Amin al-Istrabadi, Iraq’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, recently spoke at a ceremony to honor American mothers for the sacrifices their sons and daughters have made for his country.
“We were a country without hope,” Istrabadi said. “The intervention of the United States in my country has been a lifeline for us. It has restored hope for us that our future will be very different from our past.”
Hearing laughter in Iraq’s streets again and no longer feeling the need to cringe when admitting their heritage is part of what America’s intervention has given back to his country, he said.
“These are not small things. These are things for which this country, and you as individuals and your children, have earned our tremendous gratitude,” Istrabadi said. “Words of thanks truly seem to me to be insufficient to convey to you the thanks of a country, a grateful nation, which has lingered too long under tyranny.”
Iraq’s gratitude to the United States and the families who have sacrificed personally “will be eternal,” he said.
America is likewise eternally grateful for the sacrifices your sons and daughters have made for our continued freedoms. This We’ll Defend. Sgt Hook out.
A chemical operations specialist for A Company, 22d Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), Graves was driving to work on Dec. 15, 2005, in heavy sleet with low visibility. The temperature was 29 degrees, roads were icy and schools had closed early.
While driving, she noticed something lying in the road at the busy intersection of Hanson Road and Route 24. She immediately parked her SUV between the object and oncoming traffic, surprised to discover the object was a young boy lying unconscious in the middle of the road.
“I couldn’t believe people were just driving by,” said Graves. “From where he was laying in the street it looked as if he had been hit by a car. As I got close enough I saw little boots and a bike, and immediately ran to his side.”
Graves used her Army training to render first aid, while another bystander called 911. She stabilized the boy’s neck while he was unconscious.
The 15-year-old-boy was riding his bicycle home when slipped on ice, hit his head and fell unconscious.
Graves stayed by the boy’s side and continued to assist the paramedics, making sure the boy remained stabilized while they placed him on the “back board” and put him in the ambulance.
Well done Sergeant Graves, I’m proud of you. Sgt Hook out.
In an effort to share with the gentle reader what military life is like, I thought to write about our latest PCS (permanent change of station) move. The life of a Soldier and his/her family is unique, to say the least. My heart goes out to those married to your Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coastguardsmen for the sacrifices they and their children make, in both peace and war. What follows is a brief description of our 4th PCS move since 2001. Part I can be found here.
Door: ding dong
Hook: (opens door) Hello?
Man w/clipboard: (looking down at clipboard) Mr. Hook?
Hook: No, that would be “Mr. Clipboard” (pointing a finger at said clipboard), I’m Mr. Hook, can I help you?
Man w/clipboard: (looks up nearly snapping his neck) Oh sorry sir, we’re with Acme movers, we’re here to pack you out today.
Hook: blink, blink, blink…today? I thought you were coming tomorrow?
Clipboard man: (quickly glances at clipboard and back up) No sir, we’re scheduled for today and tomorrow and the truck comes on Wednesday to load you out.
Hook: blink, blink, blink…load me out?
Clipboard man: yes sir
Hook: (calling up the stairs to the Lovely and Talented and Downright Sexy Mrs. Hook) Honey, the movers are here.
TLATADRSMH: (wearing only a bath towel having just come out of the shower) blink, blink, blink…drip, drip, drip
Hook: OK then, come on in.
Clipboard man: Mr. Hook, I’m Maurice, and these are my associates, Lawrence and Curly.
Hook: Mo, Larry, and Curly?
Mo: Yes sir.
Hook: blink, blink, blink
And so they went to work wrapping and packing dishes, glasses, wall hangings, golf shoes, Castaway Conner, furniture, clothes, and whatever got in their way.
Hook: Hey Curly, could you unwrap my son, Castaway Conner, we’re gonna take him with us in the car.
Curly: blink, blink, blink
Castaway Conner: Oh man that was fun! Andrew! Andrew! You gotta get packed up!
Larry: (sound of glass shattering) Oh shit! sorry man.
Mo: I apologize Mr. Hook, I’ll make a note of that (writing on his clipboard).
Curly: Hey Mo! Look at this…wooops!
Mo: I apologize Mr. Hook, I’ll make a note of that (writing on his clipboard).
Hook: blink, blink, blink
At the end of the third day, our household was stuffed into a large tractor trailer and driven off towards our new undisclosed location.
Hook: (turning to my now homeless family) Let’s go to the hotel.
Castaway Conner: Does our hotel have room service dad?
TLATADRSMH: blink, blink, blink
Hook: I think so son.
CC: Andrew! Andrew! Andrew! We’re going to the hotel with room service!
TLATADRSMH: (arms crossed over her chest, staring at her soldier) blink, blink, blink
Hook: It also has a hot tub.
TLATADRSMH: wink
Renegade Ryan: blink, blink, blink
Typhoon Tyler of Trieste: blink, blink, blink
Andrew the Adventurous: blink, blink, blink
Castway Conner: yeah! Room Service!!
TLATADRSMH: blink, blink, blink
So we packed our duffel bags into the cars, along with four pirates and two dogs, and drove off to the hotel way too exhausted for hot tubs or room service. Tune in for PCS Part III. Sgt Hook out.
What are your Soldiers up to you wonder? Let’s take a look at what’s happening around your Army that isn’t necessarily reported in the MSM…
Rescue…
UIJONGBU, South Korea (Army News Service, July 6, 2006) – Two Camp Red Cloud Soldiers saved an elderly woman and her handicapped daughter when a sandwich shop caught fire just outside the camp’s front gate July 1.
Pvt. Reid Erickson and Pvt. Russell McCanless Jr. of Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, Special Troops Battalion, were first on the scene when New York Sub sandwich shop caught fire.
“We walked out of 7 Club to see whether or not I could do handstand pushups, and when I was doing them I noticed something behind us,” Erickson said. Standing and turning around, he saw smoke coming from the shop.
Rushing to the fire, they tried opening the glass door to the sandwich shop to find it hot and locked. The Soldiers then sought assistance at a Korean Police booth outside the gate.
75th Ranger Regiment…
FORT BENNING, GA. (Army News Service, June 30, 2006) – Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker presented three campaign streamers yesterday to the first Army unit to receive the streamers for the Global War on Terrorism conflict, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As Col. Paul LaCamera, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, passed each battle streamer, Schoomaker attached it to the unit colors during a ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga.
According to information released by the Army’s Human Resources Command, the 75th Ranger Regt., is the first Army unit to be awarded the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom streamers. One other unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas, was approved for the Operation Enduring Freedom campaign streamer.
“This is a great day not only for Fort Benning, the Rangers, but also for the Army,” Schoomaker said. “I cannot think of a better place and a better way to recognize this great unit. Truly, the 75th Ranger Regiment leads the way and we are very, very proud of it.” The battle streamer ceremony was a prelude to the 14th annual Ranger Hall of Fame induction program hosted by the Ranger Training Brigade here.
Hugh O’Reilly’s humanitarian efforts have been chronicled in newspapers and magazines around the world, and his story inspired the 1955 Columbia Pictures film “Three Stripes in the Sun.”
O’Reilly’s military career spanned 30 years from 1932 through 1962. He fought in both World War II and the Korean War.
But it was Christmas Eve of 1949 that forever marked O’Reilly’s life and made him an inspiration for generations to come. That June, O’Reilly was ordered to Japan and stationed with the 25th Infantry Division’s 27th Infantry Regiment at Camp Sakai.
Alongside Iraqis…
KIRKUK, Iraq (Army News Service, July 6, 2006) – When people lose their homes and possessions to a disaster in the U.S., neighbors and friends often chip in to alleviate some of the stress.
For four Iraqi families whose homes were damaged by fire from a recent vehicle-born IED, there was help from Iraqi Police; civil affairs and psychological operations Soldiers; and members of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Police officers and Soldiers hauled in beds, water and school supplies to make the families’ lives a little easier until larger repairs could be made.
Afghan Villagers…
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2006 – Villagers captured an extremist who threw a grenade into a mosque in the village of Showbi in the Tere Zayi district of Afghanistan’s Khost province today during prayer, military officials reported.
The grenade injured three men, including the mullah, who were taken to the coalition hospital in Khost for treatment.
The villagers chased the assailant down and captured him, then notified coalition forces. Afghan police took the assailant into custody.
“Extremists continue to conduct needless attacks on Afghan civilians to threaten and intimidate them in the hopes they won’t support a free and growing Afghanistan,” said Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman. “These insurgents offer nothing but violence and oppression. Afghan people only want a safe environment and a reasonable income to live on. This is the future of Afghanistan.”
Citizen Soldiers…
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 5, 2006) – A combined 1,350 National Guardsman from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey assisted in nearly 1,000 water rescues and tens of thousands of evacuations after widespread flooding from torrential rains swept across the northeast in late June.
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell declared a state of emergency June 27 when 46 of the state’s 67 counties were deemed disaster areas. In New York, Gov. George E. Pataki called the state’s National Guard into action in advance of the threat of severe flooding along the state’s southern tier. And in New Jersey, Guard units assisted in last-minute evacuations along the swollen Delaware River.
Much of the Pennsylvania Guard’s efforts focused on the Wilkes-Barre area where most evacuations took place. In addition to flying missions throughout the commonwealth, Guard members from the 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment, and the 628th Division Aviation Support Battalion flew over the border in CH-47 Chinook and UH-1 Huey helicopters to help evacuate Conklin, N.Y., locals who were trapped by Susquehanna River floodwaters, which rose nearly 30 feet.
Meanwhile, Soldiers from the New York National Guard’s 204th Engineer Battalion evacuated Walton residents who had been trapped by historic flood levels.
“Our guys were at their peak for this mission,” said Maj. Carlton Cleveland, commander of the 204th. “Two weeks of annual training in early June gave our equipment operators and planners plenty of preparation so when the call came in, we hit the ground running.”
With water heights not seen at such high levels in more than 100 years, Walton’s Main St. turned into a canal of thick mud and water, rising in some places to five feet. Rushing waters washed out roads and parking lots, moving cars and their garages downstream.
Immigrants in boots…
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 5, 2006) – More than 100 service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan became the newest American citizens in naturalization ceremonies on Independence Day. In Afghanistan, 27 Soldiers from 17 countries took the oath of citizenship. In Iraq, 75 service members from 29 countries also took the oath.
“Thousands of immigrant troops are making extraordinary sacrifices for America,” said Jack Bulger, district director for the Department of Homeland Defense’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Rome. “They are defending with their lives the liberties which they have only today secured for themselves.”
“The citizen who is a Soldier has to do more for the nation than other citizens because the citizens of America count on them to defend her and make sure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are guaranteed for all Americans,” said Coalition Joint Task Force-76 Commander Maj. Gen. Benjamin Freakley.
Multi-National Force – Iraq Commander Gen. George Casey commended the service members serving in Iraq for their achievement.
“Before us stand great citizen-Soldiers of 29 different countries,” said Casey, “and we are happy to welcome them as the newest citizens of the United States on this 230th birthday of our nation. Yours is the highest form of citizenship. You have shown the courage and the determination in this difficult task of bringing freedom to the Iraqi people.”
For new citizens such as Spc. Guillermo Paniagua, a nuclear, chemical and biological specialist with the 4th Infantry Division, enlisting into the Army meant more than just joining the military. It meant joining the United States.
“It took a long time for my parents and me to establish ourselves as permanent residents in this country,” said the Soldier, who immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1984. “I am excited – 22 years later I can actually say I am a citizen.”
Re-up your crazy…
TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, July 5, 2006) – Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky., currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, have exceeded the retention goal for the 2006 fiscal year three months before its end. They have achieved the highest number of reenlistments for any active-duty division in the Army.
More than $60 million in reenlistment bonuses have been awarded to approximately 4,600 Soldiers, said Sgt. Maj. Steven Sabinash, 101st command career counselor. The fiscal year goals for initial-term, mid-career and career-level Soldiers continue to surpass the mission goal each day.
“One out of every four Soldiers deployed have reenlisted so far,” Sabinash said. “Approximately 61.5 percent of those Soldiers have chosen to stabilize with the 101st, which exceeds the average 30 percent a division usually retains.”
The division’s Screaming Eagles are still reenlisting at a steady rate while deployed, and have helped the division reach an important milestone set forth by the Army.
Our Angels…
HANAU, Germany (Army News Service, July 6, 2006) – Coping with the carnage of war is challenging in the best of circumstances. Arriving at a hospital in a foreign land weak, injured and separated from one’s friends or fellow Soldiers only increases the trauma.
Members of the Soldiers’ Angels make it their mission to help service members being treated for injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan at the Army’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, as well as other military hospitals. They offer friendship, visits and donations ranging from clothes to backpacks.
Founded by Patti Patton-Bader, the mother of a Soldier who had deployed to Iraq, Soldiers’ Angels attracts support from people from all over the world who are interested in helping American service members, according to Wilhelmine Aufmkolk, a long-time member of the Wiesbaden Kontakt Club and supporter of the Soldiers’ Angels organization.
“There are about 40,000 people involved, with about 60 people in Europe, who regularly support Soldiers’ Angels,” she said. “In 2004 we realized there was an extreme need for backpacks, underwear, hygiene items, something to read, homemade blankets – anything to make the Soldiers’ lives easier when recovering in the hospital.”
Where in the world…
Kosovo: 1,700 soldiers Afghanistan: 18,000 soldiers Sinai: 680 soldiers Saudi Arabia: 200 soldiers Horn of Africa: 1,700 soldiers Gitmo Cuba: 1,700 soldiers Iraq and Kuwait: 133,000 soldiers Bosnia: 160 soldiers
On 26 June, 2006 Rob, aka: Acidman, passed away. I never met Rob, nor have I heard him play guitar, but I have read him and I’m painfully aware that it is an understatement to say, “he was one helluva a writer,” but I’ll be gottdamned if he wasn’t. Over the course of my few years blogging, Rob and I exchanged a couple of emails and shared the same friends from the blogosphere, but most importantly, I always read his blog, Gut Rumbles.
I can’t say that we were friends, but I can say that I wish we had met for I’m certain we would’ve been. As a lifelong soldier, I’m honored to say that this nation and our military had no greater supporter than the Acidman and when it is my turn to fall-in on Fiddler’s Green, I expect to hoist a few with Rob, the Acidman. RIP you old bastard. Sgt Hook out.
Halfway down the road to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler’s Green.
-Author Unknown
That was rough. Moving to our new undisclosed location and setting up shop has proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated. My apologies for the long absence (read AWOL), but it looks like my internet connection can now (cautiously) be relied upon so cross your fingers, as Sgt Hook is back on duty.
I realize that I’ve missed quite a bit these past few weeks, but I’m looking forward to catching up so cinch up your bootstraps and ruck up, we’re moving out. Sgt Hook out.
This site is a collection of my writings, thoughts, and ramblings and in no way reflects the official positions of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. OPSEC trumps everything.
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In view of a recent tendency to identify characters in fiction with real people, it seems proper to state that there are no real people in this volume: both the characters and their names are ficticious. The names or designations of any military units are ficticious. There are no living people nor existing military units presented in this book.
-Ernest Hemingway
Halfway down the road to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
-Author Unknown
The Blog of War
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