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A Soldier’s Story First Sgt. Robert Jennings |
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Reconstruction
takes top priorityAs we move into the month of May things seem to be stabilizing a little more. We have been very active in the city with numerous vehicle and dismounted patrols. We have been able to focus on rebuilding projects in some of the poorer neighborhoods and stabilization projects in others.
I've been planning my next town meeting in Amu Shabi next week. I think we need to ensure that these villagers are organizing themselves for future stability. They had no noticeable structured government or leadership in that area of the province. I think we can guide them in the right direction; it's just going to take some time and a lot of effort.
Young girls waited in line for their turn to pick donated clothes, school supplies and hygiene products that soldiers passed out.
We were also able to hand out donated clothes, hygiene products and school supplies to another poor village. We all thought the name given, Dirt Village, was a nickname that described the place. To our amazement, the village leader told us, "No, that's the name." We showed up 30 minutes early at the village school and the kids were let out early so we could set up. Already there was a huge line forming. We broke things down into boys and girls stuff and started to form the lines. The younger ones seemed more excited than the older ones.Things started out pretty organized, then turned into a Blue Light Special at Kmart. I talked with the soldiers who participated in the event and they said it was enjoyable.
"We can only do what we can with what is given," said Staff Sgt. Marcos Mendoza, Fresno, Calif. "I hope we can do it again sometime."
30 April 1100 hours >> Just read an e-mail from one of our rear detachment soldiers. Helen Cantrell gave birth to a baby boy, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, 1834 inches. Congratulations, Sgt. Michael Cantrell. "Mikey" should be in the air if he's not already there.
The week ended with a dedication ceremony. We try to do little things that break up the monotony of day-to-day activities.
We formally dedicated our patrol base and named it the "Swamp." We are the Alpha Gators, so it only seemed appropriate.
Staff Sgt. Mendoza showed some of the children how to give the shaka.
We had our local friend Dar, the artist mentioned in a previous article, and his friend Atug decorate the entrance wall to the patrol base.They really exceeded all expectations and created a masterpiece. When people visit, this wall will definitely catch an eye.
I had mixed emotions about the whole "Swamp" thing. Those that know me know that I am a huge Florida State football fan, and the "Swamp" to me is just another conquered ground. We'll have to see how soft I get living in the "Swamp" for the next year.
1 May 2250 >> Two explosions near our patrol base stir everyone. Our Observation Posts begin to send a report of two rocket launches not far from us. Immediately we send soldiers to investigate the area.
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Rifleman takes pride in work
This week I am going to feature Spc. Robert Eidson from Lexington, Ky., a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in economics.
He is an M-249 Automatic Rifleman for 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, and has been in the Army for 12 months. Eidson has conducted numerous combat operations with Alpha Company throughout the city of Kirkuk.
He likes to spend his off time reading anything dealing with history and is currently about halfway through "A Pirate Looks at Forty" by Jimmy Buffet.
As some of the local friends of Alpha Company know, he can play a mean guitar and still tears the strings up over here. He says: "This was a unique opportunity to be a part of this operation. Not everyone can say they overthrew a dictator and helped rebuild a country."
When asked what his feelings are about the way the public seems to view us, Eidson explains: "When people disagree with our role here, they should put themselves in these people's shoes. We see and interact with them every day. If the American people could hear firsthand the stories of how they were treated under the old regime, they may have a different opinion."
I asked Eidson what the funniest part of the deployment has been. He said: "Tea; they love to drink tea here. If we are on a patrol, we will be offered tea numerous times. When we have Government Building guard, we have the opportunity to sit with the Iraqi guards and drink Chi tea, listen to their stories, and pick up a little Arabic."
When asked about home he said: "I want to say hi to my mom, Barbara Curtin, back in Lexington, and my dad, Tony, in Atlanta. Don't worry about me; I'm doing fine. I'm taking my vitamins and, yes, mom, I'm wearing clean underwear."
