Mar 16th, 2010
“You must show confidence in yourself at all times,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Meineke, the SARC. “Walk with your head high and you will not be looked at as a victim.”
The junior-enlisted Soldiers that participated in the program were also given a very lethal weapon that would scare off any attacker, according the Lucas.
Jan 24th, 2010
The casing of the II MEF colors signified completion of the Marine Corps mission in Iraq. As the Marine color guard marched their colors off the stage, the Army color guard replaced them. Maj. Gen. Terry Wolff, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Division-Center commanding general, said the accomplishments of the Marines in the region will not be in vain.
Jan 5th, 2010
They were escorting TF-BSO personnel to evaluate the Al Majaar Al Kabir Sugar Factory, in need of renovation. The manager of the sugar factory brought in engineers and representatives from several departments within his corporation to meet with the taskforce.
TF-BSO recently completed two inspections with “B” Btry. The first was an initial evaluation of the factory’s buildings. The second was to examine the machinery inside and the sugar cane fields once used to supply the factory.
The fields still grow sugar cane, but, without the means to refine it into a finished product, locals have to sell the cane to factories outside of Maysan. The refined sugar then makes its way back to the province and is resold at increased prices in local markets.
Jan 3rd, 2010
Three hundred Iraqi schoolchildren in the village of Faylaq, near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Iraq, were treated to a surprise donation of school necessities Dec. 22.
In an effort to improve education in Kirkuk, Iraqi police and members of the Al-Atyah Women’s Organization, assisted by Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, attached to1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, donated school supplies for children.
Dec 15th, 2009
The Al Chubayish municipal council recently learned of a new, stronger type of brick. It is made from 45 percent of their local clay and 55 percent cement, and yet doesn’t require oven heat to solidify. As it turns out, all it needs is sunlight.
By avoiding the brick-baking process altogether, the fuel consumption and the required transportation to the construction site – the bricks can be manufactured onsite — the cost could decrease. Additionally, “solar powered” process eliminates the air pollution of baking bricks.
Oct 21st, 2009
“Getting out among the people has been a great experience,” said Sgt. Hugh Gunnerson, from Cannonsburg, Pa. “We can see the benefit of our mission in Iraq when people have something Americans sometimes take for granted, like clean water to drink.”
Sep 9th, 2009
“Through my work there, I had a chance to work and attend presidential events,” said Moon. “We took care of anti-terrorism security measures, particularly those affecting Korean citizens. We built a website for Koreans traveling abroad that gave guidelines for safe practices; tips on how to avoid being targets for terrorism.”
“There came a point where I was going to lose my U.S. citizenship for that career, which is not what I wanted so I decided to join the U.S. Army. My [job] keeps me working in a similar field,” added Moon.
Feb 28th, 2009
Despite her hard work and determination, McMahon didn’t expect to beat out three other Soldiers’ and go this far in the Soldier of the Year. Her original intention for attending the Soldier of the Month boards was to practice for promotion boards.
If she wins the “Iron Brigade” Soldier of the Year competition, she’ll continue on the 1st Armored Division Soldier of the Year in Wiesbaden, Germany and then the United States Army Europe competition in Heidelberg, Germany.
Oct 22nd, 2008
“During that time I struggled to please my father. He wanted me to go to college but I was not a good student, I had a ‘C’ average. I spent a lot of time working to help support the family and have money for myself. The classroom environment was never my place.”
One day, Daniel’s father asked him what he was going to do with his life and he told him he would join the Army. His father scoffed, telling him he couldn’t make it.
“My guidance counselor in high school also told me I couldn’t make it in the Army. I wanted to prove them both wrong,” he said.