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Iraq Slogger has a good review of some of this past week's news, including a number of links to articles and pictures involving Stryker soldiers.
This morning The News Tribune posted a short article that listed each Stryker Brigade and where each is or has been located.
Provided below are a handful of interesting, non-Stryker related stories that I've been meaning to post. Let us know if you find these kinds of items worthwhile.
Tracking Mount St. Helens? Be sure to bookmark the VolcanoCam provided by the Forest Service, which is updated every five minutes. (Sorry, back to regularly scheduled programming now.)
How can we ignore this local story? After a week of rumbling, Mount St. Helens spewed steam and ash today (this is NOT a repeat of 1980). View articles, photos and videos at KIRO, KOMO or KING.
A few links of interest:
Donna sent us this link from a local station that did an interview with her son Paul in Mosul and her husband in Tulsa. The web site has a video and a pic to view.
The interview can be viewed online at KTUL.com
Broken Arrow Family Gets Opporunity To See And Speak To Son In Iraq
Tulsa - Since coalition forces moved into Iraq, nearly nine hundred of our U.S. soldiers have died. But, the news out of Iraq is not always bleak. NewsChannel 8 was able to help a Broken Arrow family see and speak to their son live from Mosul, Iraq.
Private First Class Paul Sperry has been in Iraq since his last trip home in March. His father Jack and brother Mark joined NewsChannel 8's Keith Taylor in our studios Tuesday morning, not knowing they would have the chance to talk with him.
I might have a new item to look for on Ebay.
[Link to Full Article] (Photo included)
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis used to dance to his tune, but in Baghdad toy shops a chubby, gun-toting Saddam Hussein doll now wiggles his hips to the "Hippy Hippy Shake."
Toy stores around Baghdad are doing a quick trade in dancing Saddam dolls -- foot-high battery-powered puppets of the former president, kitted out in full insurgent regalia, who swing their hips to cheesy pop music at the flick of a switch.
Sorry if this is completely unrelated, but I thought this was very cool.
[Link to Full Article] (Photos included)
By Leonard David, Senior Space Writer
MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA – The first non-governmental rocket ship flew to the edge of space today and was piloted to a safe landing on a desert airport runway here.
Civilian test pilot, now turned astronaut Mike Melvill brought SpaceShipOne down to the Mojave Airport tarmac after flying to 100 kilometers (62 miles) in altitude, leaving the Earth’s atmosphere during his history-making sub-orbital space ride.
Sue sent us a link to a profile of the Stryker vehicle at Military.com that I hadn't seen before. We will add this to our Links Page as well.
This is not Stryker, or even Iraq related news, but I liked the story and thought I would pass it along.
[Link to Full Article]
By Scott Baldauf, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Haji Iqbal Rashidzada tees up for the first hole. It's a tricky shot. He stands on a bare patch of dirt on a small brick building, about a hundred feet above the green. To the left is a major hazard, a bombed-out building shot full of bullet holes. In between is about 371 yards of desert brush and thistle.
And the green, well, actually it's black: a large round patch of sand covered in oil to keep the sand from blowing away.
A few people sent this link to us - I guess there's a new online video game featuring scenarios based on the experiences of the Stryker Brigade.
June 01, 2004 - Kuma\War, the revolutionary new online game service that allows players to experience re-creations of real world military events weeks after they occur via advanced gaming technology has launched Samarra Stryker Brigade, the company's third mission re-created from the military hotspot of Samarra, Iraq.
I just wanted to take a minute and recognize a volunteer organization that deserves a bit of attention. Spirit of America has decided to, "help Americans serving abroad assist people in need." According to its website:
[Link to Full Article]
BY VALERIE ZEHL
Press & Sun-Bulletin
Bob Fiedler of Vestal knows something about war. In the 1940s, he was a boy living in Germany, and a decade later he watched fellow American soldiers die in Korea.
Powerless then, he witnessed ordinary lives falling victim to forces beyond their control. But now, he's in a position to do something.
Sapperwife sent a link to the AAFES website where they have links to the various PX locations in Iraq. In the upper-left corner is a drop-down menu where you can select a location to view. They have photos, descriptions and a list of the goods and services available at each PX. Did you know they have a Beauty/Nail/Spa service at the Mosul PX?
If you don't subscribe to HBO you may have missed the mini-series "Band of Brothers", which is based on the book of the same name by Stephen Ambrose. Consequently, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that The History Channel will broadcast the entire series - twice - beginning Sunday, April 11th. The station will run all 10 episodes, each approximately an hour long, on consecutive nights. To learn more about the story you can go to this entry that I wrote a while back on my old site. The story, and the series, are truly epic.
Patti Patton-Bader, a frequent visitor to the site and supporter of the SBCT, has been profiled in an article that appears on the DOD's Defend America website. Patti started the Soldiers' Angels organization that provides letters and care packages to deployed and injured soldiers. Keep up the great work Patti!
Judy asked if we would let people know about a couple projects related to the SBCT that she's involved with. The first is a project called For the Troops that supplies deployed soldiers with care packages. If you would like to help, or know of a soldier that needs a package, you can email Judy for more information (judithannlambert at yahoo.com).
She has also set up a tribute page for 2-3 Infantry. Head on over to add your name and message and let the troops know how you feel.
From the Anchorage Press a story By Kyle Hopkins about the new Stryker Brigade's living quarters in Alaska.
Who: Fort Richardson soldiers
Where: A 52-year-old building that houses about 10 soldiers - medical personnel - on post at Fort Richardson. Maj. Dan Hunter, U.S. Army Garrison-Alaska Public Affairs Officer, Sgt. Frank Clements and Staff Sergeant Duane Smith served as tour guides.
Katy sent me an email about a new book that might be of interest to many of you called "I'm Already Home", written by Elaine Gray Dumler. According to her website:
Katy sent this link to me and I thought it might interest those of you with children. Close to Heart sells dolls that are designed to keep your loved ones close during deployment. According to the website:
[The dolls] are available through Close to Heart to help military families (especially children) cope with their separation from loved ones. The Huggee Miss You dolls allow you to give a hug to the one you miss until you can do it for real. Just insert a favorite photo of your loved one in the clear plastic sleeve on the face, and the doll can represent that individual. The books describe the military lifestyle from a child's perspective and include topics such as deployment, PCS, and training exercises.
Here's an article featuring the dolls.
[Link to Full Article]
By K.L. Vantran
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2004 – Every Thursday, and some Saturdays, volunteers at Fort Lewis, Wash., lug sewing machines to the Army Community Service building so they can create quilts for children of those deployed in the war on terrorism.
How would you like to drive down the road in this rig? Visit the America's Truck website to view more of these creations.
(Thanks to the Alstons for the links)
Carolyn Blashek started Operation Gratitude to supply deployed troops with care packages. If you have a loved one serving, or know of a soldier that hasn't received a package of their own, visit her site for more information. Provided below is a description of the organization I received from Carolyn.
Patti, a frequent visitor who runs the Soldier's Angels Foundation, is seeking donations for her Wounded Soldier's Backpack Project. Provided below are the basics, but you can visit her website (link above) to learn more and make a donation.
The broadcast of the Super Bowl televised for the troops overseas was commercial-free, so they missed out on some good ads. Never fear, they can now view streaming versions of all the ads at IFILM. What was your favorite?
Lorraine found an online store where you can purchase a framed copy of the cover of Time magazine's Person of the Year issue, which honored "The American Soldier". Two sizes are available.
In related news, the three soldiers featured on the cover are currently on a goodwill tour across America.
If you have a loved one with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment (2-3), you need to pay a visit to the Unofficial 2-3 Website. Sign the guestbook and check out the large gallery of photos from the unit. Great site.
UPDATE: In the comments, jlp points out that the site is focused on A Co., 2nd platoon.
SondraK. recently stopped by to say hello to the dedicated OSOT folks at outpost 122 near the entrance to Ft. Lewis. They are there every Saturday to show their support for the troops. Oh, and she also got to ride in a Stryker recently.
(via Greyhawk)
This has been a pretty tough week news-wise, so I thought I'd throw out a few diversions. At my other site I have a humor category that has some good fluff. If you're short on time, here are a few of my favorites.
Patti, whose son is currently serving in Iraq, maintains two websites you might like to visit. A Soldier's Blog is dedicated to providing news from Iraq, while Soldier's Angels aims, "to provide aid and comfort to any and all armed forces and their families." Keep up the great work Patti!
We'll add these to our links page for future reference.
Patti, whose son is currently serving in Iraq, maintains two websites you might like to visit. A Soldier's Blog is dedicated to providing news from Iraq, while Soldier's Angels aims, "to provide aid and comfort to any and all armed forces and their families." Keep up the great work Patti!
We'll add these to our links page for future reference.
According to his website:
Kevin Sites is a freelance solo journalist currently on assignment for NBC News in Iraq, but this site is a personal website not affiliated with or funded by NBC News...Sites’s war blog [uses] text, digital images and audio to provide readers with a more intimate behind-the-scenes look at the people of Iraq, the war and how it was being covered.
He has some amazing photo essays of his time in Iraq, including one from Samarra published a month before the Strykers arrived there. Go explore.
The Wave A Flag! site is worth a visit. It allows you to sign and fly an online flag in support of the troops. Almost 1,300,000 people have participated.
Thanks Amber.
Molly sent a link to AAFES's "Gifts From the Homefront" program, which allows you to purchade a military exchange gift certificate for soldiers serving overseas. If you don't know a soldier personally, there are a number of other services available that match you with a soldier in need.
Thanks for the link.
Marcel sent me this amazing series of time-lapse photos documenting the recovery of the USS Cole, the destroyer bombed by terrorists in 2000.
FYI - The Cole returned to service in April 2002.
I'm always impressed by the wealth of information provided by GlobalSecurity.org. Today I found a section devoted to information about all of the U.S. military's facilities in Iraq. Here's an introduction, followed by a complete list. If you know where your loved one is located, simply click the name on the list to learn more about the facility, including photos and maps if available.
We've added Deployment Connections to the links page in the "Support Network" section.
Thanks for the link Bob.
I found this joke, which does a good job of explaining the definition of the phrase (word?) HOOAH!.
(via Budaechigae)
Defend America has a gallery of sketches by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jack Carillo from his time in Iraq during 2003. Give them a look.
If you're interested in learning more about some of the high-tech gadgets utilized by the Stryker Brigade, check out this link sent to me by Jim. One-third of the SBCT's vehicles are equipped with Microvision's Nomad Augmented Vision System. Excerpt:
The modified Nomad Augmented Vision System will provide the vehicle commander with a helmet-mounted, head-up, daylight-readable, remote display of the Stryker’s onboard battlefield computer while operating from the commander’s hatch opening. The commander will have an enhanced ability to observe the surroundings, choose the optimum path ahead, command the vehicle and use tactical information to his advantage. This enhanced capability can improve the fighting effectiveness, situational awareness, force protection and survivability for each vehicle and the combined forces.
Sapperwife wanted to let everyone know about a site she frequents that might be of interest to others called Army Wives. An excerpt from the website:
Who, like the Soldiers they married, proudly serve their country. Dedicated to Army Wives everywhere. Although oft' left behind they are NEVER forgotten.
I'll add this link to the "Support Network" section on the links page.
Through an entry on our bulletin board system we learned that you can sign up to send a free calling card to a deployed active service member. Visit the VFW website to learn more.
Bob forwarded this link from GlobalSecurity.org that has some great current and historical information on the city of Mosul.
I came across a very detailed map of the city while checking some web sites. Granted, a lot has probably changed since this map was created, but it will give everyone an idea as to how large the city really is. This is a large color image file and will take a couple minutes to download/open with a dialup connection.
Ever wonder what time it is in Iraq? How far is Mosul from Tikrit? Check out this link for some interesting information.
While you are at it, check out the weather in Mosul.
After reading Michael Gilbert's article in the TNT today, I was reminded of another Starbucks story worth sharing. Yes, there's one (sometimes two!) on every corner in my neck of the woods, but give credit where credit is due.
Any other stories like this?
While we wait for the Seattle Times reporters to start filing stories about the Stryker Brigade, you might want to browse "Inside Iraq", the site the paper created to chronicle their visit. At the top of the page there is a link called "Maps & Graphics" that has some good maps of Iraq and graphics detailing the Stryker vehicle.
Yes, it's been a slow couple news days, but it gives us an opportunity to highlight items sent via email.
Robert wanted to pass along the website for "Operation Support Our Troops", a group you've probably seen on the news before if you live in the Puget Sound region. OSOT organizes rallies for the troops, and can often be found on the Madigan overpass on I-5. Go to the website to learn more.
Liz Jackson from "Operation Heartstone" is involved with this group as well.
We all know that the inaugural Stryker Brigade is being watched closely as it conducts operations in Iraq. Any new vehicle or weapon system is going to be scrutinized by its users and the military community at large. Donald Sensing has posted an entry at his blog which puts such discussion in proper perspective. Click over if you're interested.
FYI - I've received a number of emails from people wondering why we don't post more information on the Stryker vehicle. My answer is that this website is dedicated to news about the SBCT, not the vehicle. I'll link to an article that discusses the vehicle as it relates to the current deployment, but this site will not become a portal or discussion forum for the Stryker. Our focus will remain on the soldiers, not the machinery.
Operation Homefront is an organization dedicated to, "supporting our U.S. troops by helping the families they left behind." I don't have any first-hand experience with this group, but their website has some good information to browse.
I found the site via an email from Bill. He sent me a link to a great slide show set to an original song by Neil Ford. The gallery and song are best suited to a high-speed connection (large file), so if you have one click on over.
Thanks Bill!
UPDATE: Victoria also sent me a link to another slide show that is equally powerful (graphic photos included). This one is more suitable for a slow connection. After it's over, be sure to click the almost invisible "info" link at the bottom of the page to read more about it.
STILL MORE: Bill sent another one, which I will pass along sight unseen. I'll have to wait for the high speed connection at work for this one.
If any of you live in northwest Indiana, there is a support group forming for families with loved ones in Iraq.
Not only will Hal Bernton be filing stories from Iraq, he'll be posting entries on a blog hosted by the Seattle Times called, "Iraq Dispatches." Should be a good source of information when they meet up with the Stryker Brigade. We'll keep any eye on it and link to entries when the SBCT is mentioned.
Good catch Mike!
Lorraine forwarded a link to AUSA and its Army Magazine publication. I'm going to add this to the News Links page.
This is a good time to mention it - if you have a link that you'd like to share with everyone else that's not already listed here, please send it our way.
Katy found a site, 4ArmedForces.com, that sells a few Stryker-related items that might be of interest. Here's the page with the Stryker gear.
Katy thought you might like to learn more about Liz Jackson and Operation Heartstone. From Liz's website:
Operation HeartStone is a tradition that dates back to Desert Storm. This time around, there are over 10,000 HeartStones being carried by troops deployed around the world, as well as their families and friends. FRG's and FSG's have gotten them from me and distributed them to troops and families, chaplains have handed them out to deploying troops...people have given them to total strangers in uniform. Soldiers and sailors have given them to their wives and parents before shipping out.
Each and every HeartStone is handmade by a military mom, and every HeartStone is sent with a prayer from a military mom.
To participate take your HeartStone to your chaplain or family clergy to be blessed, once this is done, the HeartStone is carried in the breast pocket over your heart to remind you of hearts left behind during military deployment.
Whenever you think of home or have a quiet moment, hold the HeartStone and rub it on your uniform, this will cause it to shine.
Take care of your heart, make efforts to see that your heart comes home intact...but, be advised that once home you must hand over your HeartStone to the one whose heart held you closest during your deployment.
To learn more or place an order, visit Patriotic Pastime.
Operation Heartstone was recently featured in an article by the Seattle P-I.
The guys over at Winds of Change publish a regular feature titled "Winds of War", which provides links to a number of recent developments in the war on terror. The Stryker Brigade is not mentioned specifically, but it's a great source of information on our wider efforts.