Spc. Faith R. Hinkley, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died Aug. 7 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq. She was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Department of Defense
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An army intelligence specialist who grew up here died Saturday after insurgents attacked her unit in central Iraq.

Spc. Faith R. Hinkley, 23, died of her wounds after being transported to Baghdad, according to an Army news release.

Described by neighbors as compassionate, thoughtful and giving, Hinkley’s memory loomed large this week in the farming community of 4,300 people.

“I can’t say enough good,” said Myrna Wartman, a neighbor whose children grew up with Hinkley. “She’s everything you would want in a person.”

Pueblo Chieftain
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via M clouse

A human intelligence specialist, Hinkley was working in an office building when it was hit by a rocket propelled grenade fired by an insurgent. She and two other soldiers were hit by shrapnel as they rushed toward a bunker.

Local reports said the young woman was wounded in the stomach area and was taken to a hospital in Baghdad, where she was pronounced dead. Her companions are expected to recover.

Monte Vista Journal

She was born July 16, 1987 in Alamosa, Colo. to David and Annavee Hinkley.

Faith enjoyed a variety of activities. She was very active in Rainbow Girls, serving as Worthy Advisor of the Monte Vista Assembly, Grand Hope of Colorado Rainbow. Faith was active in her Sunday School class, attended Vacation Bible School and was an instructor and helper. She also belonged to Girl Scouts. Faith was involved in sports and was an honor student in middle school.

During high school, Faith was a cheerleader for four years and was on the golf team for one year. She belonged to several clubs and organizations including Young Life, FBLA, Student Council, FCCLA, Peer Mediation and Key Club.

Faith also was in the color guard for the Monte Vista State Champion Marching Band, and was the 2006 Band Sweetheart and 2005 Homecoming Senior Attendant.

Monte Vista Journal

The general said Faith was instrumental in developing a relationship with Iraqi intelligence and also was instrumental in finding a weapons cache that contained materials for building IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices.”

Pasquarelli then said that, in addition to her posthumous promotion, Faith had been awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

A letter from her supervising officer said Faith was seldom seen without a smile on her face, an infectious smile that made others feel good to be around her.

“She had the courage to face any challenge,” he said, noting that she had posted the highest score, 126 points, on the promotion board.

“Faith is a true American hero, a true soldier, a true warriors, never to be forgotten.” The letter also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family from the entire U.S. military.

Monte Vista Journal

Young women who had been Faith’s friends from childhood wept openly, along with their older relatives. People carrying U.S. flags lined the roadways and stood alongside the fence at the San Luis Valley Regional Airport-Bergman Field in Alamosa.

Youthful soldiers, many with combat ribbons on their chests, stood at attention until it was time to do their assigned duty of the day, then marched to a special gurney next to the small charter jet.

As a sergeant barked orders, they stepped forward in unison and grabbed handles of the dark wooden coffin, then marched in step to a waiting hearse.

Members of the Patriot Guard stood at attention, saluting and preparing to mount their motorcycles and become part of the solemn procession from Alamosa to the Presbyterian Church in Monte Vista.

Monte Vista Journal

Deployed Louisiana National Guardsmen and Saintsations show off their new muscles after a physical training session at Camp Victory in Iraq. The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints cheerleaders dressed out in an Army physical fitness uniform and joined the group during their routine morning exercise. Mobilized Jan. 5, the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed to conduct convoy escort and force protection missions to set the conditions for the responsible draw down of U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang, 199th Garrison Command Public Affairs/256th PAO)

The New Orleans Saints’ cheerleading and dance team, the Saintsations, special guests of Operation Catch Fish, provided a little piece of home to the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, April, 27.

As Soldiers from Louisiana’s Tiger Brigade rose with the sun to conduct their routine physical fitness training, the day started out like any other, but quickly found its own way to imprint a memory that would not be forgotten.

The dancers, Erin Buxton of Houma, La., and Jennifer Thomas of Slidell, La., dressed out in the army physical fitness uniform and literally got down and dirty as they completed various exercises to include push-ups, crunches and flutter kicks in the Iraqi dirt. Erin and Jennifer, joined by Soldiers from the 256th, ended the early morning regimen with a two-mile run.

“They were very energetic and excited about doing PT with the Troops,” said Sgt. Rebecca A. Farmer of Hineston, La., who was part of the group exercising with the cheerleaders.

“They had no issues hitting the dirt like the rest of us. In fact, I think they handled it better than some of the Soldiers did,” the fuel database processer joked. “It was good to see how genuine they were about bringing up the morale.”

After incorporating themselves into one of the morning exercise routines, Jennifer and Erin spoke in amazement of the camaraderie of the group during their morning workout.

“Everyone was so supportive of each other,” Jennifer explained. “They were constantly encouraging each other, and checking on each other during the run. If one person would have stopped, everyone would have. We all started and ended the run together, and that was great.”

Along with conducting the physical fitness training with the Soldiers, Jennifer and Erin toured various places in Iraq and visited as many service members as time would allow while on their tour.

With this being both dancers first trip to Iraq, they took the opportunity to express their appreciation for deployed Soldiers and the sacrifices they make.

“This tour was a huge learning experience for me,” Erin said. “I have a newfound love and respect for people in the military. I feel like I just got here, and I’m not ready to leave.”

“This has been a life-changing experience. I have been truly inspired and humbled,” added Jennifer as she gave her heartfelt appreciation for the armed forces. “Everyone kept thanking us for coming, but we don’t deserve the ‘thank you’; these guys do. Every time I heard it, I wanted to say it back a million times more.”

Erin and Jennifer continued their day’s journey with a visit to Soldiers at the 256th IBCT headquarters on Camp Liberty.

Many 256th Soldiers take their Saints’ loyalty to the extreme. By doing what they do best, the Saintsations cheered on the Tiger Brigade, reminding them that their favorite sports team has not forgotten Louisiana Troops.

Who Dat!

Echoes of “Who Dat!” were repeated across the room by the Louisiana Soldiers, while displaying their own form of team spirit by brandishing a Saints patch on underlying collars of uniforms just for the occasion. “Wow! This is really nice!” expressed Brigade Executive Officer Lt. Col. Scott E. Adams from Hammond, La.

Tiger Brigade Soldier, Spc. Lester P. Broussard from Lafayette, La., logistics, with Headquarters Company 256 IBCT, sported his arm bearing a New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Championship tattoo with the New Orleans Saints' Saintsation Erin. Photo by Spc. Amy Barber

Spc. Lester P. Broussard from Lafayette, La., a logistics specialist with Headquarters and Company, proudly exhibited his Saints tattoo for Erin. “I am the biggest fan ever,” exclaimed Broussard. “It was just too much that the ladies came to visit.”

The visit from the dancers not only brought familiarity to the deployed Soldiers, but also renewed their passion for the upcoming football season.

“They were so much fun, and really brought with them the ‘Who Dat Nation’ attitude,” said Saints fan and logistics operations officer, CW3 Dale D. Poe of Pineville, La. “I can’t wait to watch the first game of the season.”

DVIDS
By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang and Spc. Amy Barber

Miami Dolphin cheerleaders Fabiola Romero, Kellie Covington and Amy Madill greet troops at LSA Dragon and perform part of their dance routine April 28. The women are part of the Hijinks and High Kicks Armed Forces Entertainment tour that stopped at several military camps throughout Port-au-Prince. The cheerleaders were joined on their tour by comedians Carole Montgomery and Leighann Lord. Photo by Pvt. Samantha Hall

The posters advertising them around camp read punch lines and pom-poms, but these women are more than just pretty faces with witty senses of humor. Comedians Carole Montgomery and Leighann Lord, and Miami Dolphins cheerleaders Kellie Covington, Fabiola Romero and Amy Madill, make up the Hijinks and High Kicks Armed Forces Entertainment tour that visited Port-au-Prince from April 27 thru April 29.

“We did three shows for the troops [here in Haiti] to show our appreciation,” Covington said.

The women’s visit to Haiti focused around performing for the troops and boosting morale, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get to do a little sight-seeing themselves.

“We had a helicopter ride,” Lord said. “We were able to get an aerial view of Port-au-Prince and see some of the damage and some of the beauty [of Haiti]. Everything in the news has been about what’s happening and of course about the earthquake and all the organizations trying to help, but we forget some of the beauty of this country. We were able to see some of that from the helicopter.”

The women all agreed that the helicopter ride was eye opening and enjoyable, even if the pilots had some fun while they flew.

The pilots were messing with the cheerleaders, swerving back and forth, Montgomery said. Although the cheerleaders got nervous at points, the two comedians just put their hands in the air and enjoyed the ride.

Following the Blackhawk tour, the group drove to LSA Dragon and saw more of Port-au-Prince from the ground.

“On the drive to [LSA Dragon], we drove through the streets and got to really see what’s going on,” Romero said. “The buildings are demolished; there are people on the streets. There are tents that have people living in them.”

Montgomery said that people don’t really see the true depth of the destruction until they are here and see it firsthand.

“You see the stuff on the nightly news about the devastation but you don’t realize it until you really see it and people have no idea what it is really like down here,” Montgomery said. “We, as Americans, take for granted that we have food every day and running water and toilets.”

During their visit, the women held a schedule similar to the troops. They ate meals, ready-to-eat (MREs), dealt with the heat and humidity and found themselves wishing for the little comforts in life.

“The heated meals that come in a box, they’ve got to do something about them,” Montgomery said. “Get a Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, something. I think that was a low point for me.”

Amy Madill and Kellie Covington are served chow like the troops, during their visit to LSA Dragon on April 28. Madill and Covington are two of three Miami Dolphin cheerleaders who came with the Hijinks and High Kicks Armed Forces Entertainment tour. The other three women are comedians Carole Montgomery and Leighann Lord, and Miami Dolphin cheerleader Fabiola Romero. The women spent several days in Haiti, performing shows several times a day for troops. Photo by Pvt. Samantha Hall

Before the show, the women were able to enjoy a hot meal and sat down to eat and mingle with the troops in the chow tent.

Spc. Darwin Quinteros, wheeled vehicle mechanic, Headquarters Support Company, Special Troops Battalion, U.S. Army South, along with several other Soldiers, sat with Madill and talked about how she got into cheerleading, college and the show.

“It was a good moral booster,” Quinteros said. “The girls were pretty and we don’t see that a lot being deployed. I liked their performance.”

The show kicked off with Montgomery talking to the troops, as well as making them laugh.

“I talk about real things,” Montgomery said. “I talk about my life, my marriage, my son, just everyday things. I’m the woman that says the things everyone wants to say, but don’t want to say because they’re embarrassed.”

Montgomery said a newspaper once described her as looking so sweet, until she opens her mouth.

“I say whatever I feel,” she added.

Lord followed Montgomery’s act and then the cheerleaders performed several small dances. To get the crowds involvement, Madill, Romero and Covington quizzed troops on Miami Dolphins trivia and handed out their team’s swimsuit calendars.

The troops laughed and got involved and seemed to have a good time, said Lord.

“I’m a comedian,” Lord said. “I’m glad when I can bring a little laughter and a little joy. The 20 minutes I spend on stage or the meet and greets do just that. I wish I could do more.”

The group was only able to stay three days in Haiti, with their brief stop at LSA Dragon on their second night, but that didn’t stop them from wanting to stay longer.

“I would stay here longer if I could,” Montgomery said. “If there were more people to entertain, I would stay.”

Montgomery said these tours mean a lot to her because her father is a Korean War veteran and it means so much to see the Soldiers. She said her father gets a kick out of her tours because he still remembers Bob Hope visiting him on his deployments.

By the end of the day, the women were packed up and ready head back to their sleeping quarters for the night, but that didn’t stop them from spending sometime signing autographs and talking to the troops one last time.

“We feel honored that we can come out here and help you guys [relax],” Montgomery said. “Laughter really is the best medicine.”

Romero said being here and seeing the troops is powerful, motivating and uplifting.

“[Soldiers] give you the inspiration to be a stronger person to do more in your community and to stay dedicated to everything in your life,” Romero said.

Lord ended her visit by saying to find joy each day and to remember the Soldiers everywhere.

“If you don’t have a Soldier in your family, then you know someone who does and don’t forget them,” Lord said. “We’ve got men and women all over the world; keep them in your thoughts.”

DVIDS
Story by Pvt. Samantha Hall

Jayne, Michele, Megan, Kate and Mary Beth of the St. Louis Rams cheerleaders put on a performance for the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment during a recent visit to Forward Operating Base Delaram, Afghanistan.

With bright white smiles and cheery attitudes, five of the St. Louis Rams cheerleaders visited Forward Operating Base Delaram here recently to put on a show and help boost the morale of the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

The cheerleaders arrived by helicopter at 9:30 a.m. and were greeted by Lt. Col. Patrick J. Cashman, 2/3′s battalion commander, Sgt. Maj. Jason E. Patrick, the battalion sergeant major, and Gunnery Sgt. Joshua T. Laverty, Headquarters and Service Co. gunnery sergeant.

Although the ladies were there to entertain, the Marines of 2/3 decided to do some entertaining of their own by putting on a couple of demonstrations for them and giving them a tour of the base.

Laverty was in charge of their security and showing them around along with making sure they had everything they needed while on site.

“They seemed very excited to be here and to do the things we had planned for them,” said Laverty. “They were also extremely receptive to everything we told them about, and they were filled with questions. The whole day was definitely a refreshing change of pace.”

While being shown around the base the cheerleaders talked and took pictures with Marines they met. They also gave out posters they had autographed.

“It really shows their character – being willing to come out here and do what they do,” added Laverty. “I’m really thankful for their generosity. What they do really helps boost morale.”

They were shown the mortar pits and given an exhibition on the unit’s adopted weapon system, the 120mm mortar, normally organic to the Army. During the exhibition of the 120mm system the cheerleaders had their photos taken with the mortarmen while holding some of the 120 mm rounds.

Michele, one of the St. Louis Rams cheerleaders, looks through a Marine sniper's high powered rifle scope while Gunnery Sgt. Matthew W. Marks, Sniper Platoon platoon sergeant, steadies the weapon during a recent visit to Forward Operating Base Delaram, Afghanistan.

Weapons Co. scout snipers gave the cheerleaders a chance to look out over the city of Delaram through high powered rifle scopes and try on a Marine combat load – to give them an idea of the amount of weight Marines carry on their body when they are standing post or outside the wire.

Before breaking for lunch, the cheerleaders were introduced to the Improvised Explosive Device sniffing dogs. Charlie, the dog, and her handler Sgt. Andrew T. Ustaszewski showed them.

“This was all very amazing, and we got to see a lot of cool stuff,” said Marybeth, a five-year Rams cheerleader. “This experience really gave me a new appreciation for what the Marines do.”

The cheerleaders started their hour-long show promptly at 3 p.m. in their Rams’ cheerleading uniforms. Part of the show was a question and answer portion where the Marines competed for calendars. Marines also earned prizes in the best “touchdown dance” competition.

“I really loved the opportunity to come out here and see what you guys do and how you live,” added Marybeth, who is also a registered nurse. “Coming out here is an honor for us and we really support everything that our military does.”

“This was awesome!” said Megan, the cheerleaders’ captain. “I came out last year, and I by far think that this was a much better experience.

DVIDS
Photos and story by Lance Cpl. John Hitesman