January 18, 2004
Michael Gilbert Article
"Screaming Eagle of 101st Leaving Town"
Excerpt:
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News TribuneMOSUL, Iraq - Heading north on Highway 1 out of the refinery town of Bayji, a road sign emblazoned with a familiar screaming eagle welcomes travelers into 101st Airborne Division turf.
In Mosul, the eagle is painted big on the water tower at the airport.
It's on a large placard that hangs over the entrance to the palace at what was once Saddam Hussein's presidential compound, now the division's headquarters.
And it's on the shoulder patches worn by the 25,000 or so 101st soldiers throughout northern Iraq.
But the eagle is leaving town soon, presenting a marketing puzzle for the 5,000-some Fort Lewis-based troops who will replace the 101st.
Am hoping the transition will continue to move smooth. We change our governing power here every so often.There are many good citizens may they show us gratitude as we help them get back to a self-assuring mode.
a solders moma
snowpony