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In Baghdad, a Christmas patrol

Dec-25-2006 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq -- The sun was just beginning to rise, bringing a dim glow on a cold and clear Christmas morning in Baghdad, but the U.S. Army mission was late.

The Stryker armored vehicles were supposed to have rolled from Forward Operating Base Loyalty 11 minutes ago, at 6:30 a.m., yet soldiers were still milling about outside the green machines, shivering in bulletproof jackets and Kevlar helmets.

"Load up!" bellowed Jeffrey Huggins, battalion sergeant major for the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment.

The men began climbing into the back hatches of the Strykers, but not fast enough for Huggins: "Load up means all of you get in your trucks! It doesn't mean stand there and look at me!"

Some of the soldiers tried to lighten the mood. "Merry Christmas, sir. Merry Christmas," they called out, knowing they could have had it worse, since other platoons began patrols at 5 a.m.

"Get in the truck!" came the rattling reply.

Christmas was another working day for many in the battalion, heading out to cordon off a dangerous section of eastern Baghdad and go house to house searching for insurgents, weapons and bomb-making materials.

But the holiday - and thoughts of friends and family back home - never left their minds.


Comments For "In Baghdad, a Christmas patrol":

My son Scott is with this unit - just want to say Merry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the 3-2 SBCT!

Posted by: Miller [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 12:04 PM

My son Derek is in this unit. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope all the men have a Happy and Safe New Year. Hurry Home.

Posted by: Bob Durbin [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 1:30 PM

My son Derek is in this unit. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New year and Christmas.

Posted by: Bob Durbin [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 1:31 PM

My son Eddie is with this unit A 5/20. I Hope a safe return for everybody.God bless our troops!

Posted by: STRYKERDAD,PR [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 7:41 PM

My dad Jeff Huggins i amazing ! and i love him tuns and hopes hes had an easy time . and god bless are troops!!!

Posted by: armybrat9258 [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 27, 2006 5:21 PM

My son Tyler is in the 3/2 and I want to wish him a Happy New Year

Posted by: OkieSrtykerDad [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 27, 2006 10:51 PM

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