command team page

 

     

                                                                                                         


 404th DASB, 4th ID

Tikrit, Iraq  (FOB Speicher)

                                                                                                        1 – 7 March 2004

 

            Well, I can’t believe that this day has finally arrived. Today marks the culmination of an unbelievably fast paced year of support to the 4th BCT. It goes without saying that the Providers have been a part of history in which we will reflect on in the days to come. As we have stated in the past, we are honored to be a part of something so special. The blood, sweat, tears and laughter experienced by each of us has made the entire Provider Family an organization that will forever leave an unforgettable impression in our minds and hearts.  

            Our replacements arrived to FOB Speicher on the 3rd and have begun the Relief-in-Place (RIP) process. We were all very happy to see their arrival. The planning and preparation conducted by the Sentry’s, Maddawgs and Rebels has contributed immensely to the smooth transition we have experienced in the RIP process with the 601st.  We wish the 601st God’s Blessings and Grace as they assume their mission in support of OIF2.

             As we continue to prepare for the first step in the process to rejoining our loved ones I ask that you continue to pray for our safety. We will be departing early next week for our movement south. The Providers are up to the task at hand and looking forward to crossing the berm in a southbound manner. We must also let you know that communications will become a little more difficult starting on the 10th as we will be losing our SEN team as they prepare for their deployment south.  We will do everything possible to keep the Rear-d and FRG updated on our progress and future redeployment flow.

             This has truly been the toughest letter we have scripted to date; the emotions of joy and uncertainty run ramped. There are so many that we need to thank for the support received over the past year. I think that the only way that we will really be able to express our gratitude will be in person. You the Provider Family at home will never truly understand what each of you has meant to us. We ask God to continue to place his hedge of protection around each of you and keep you safe until we are all reunited.

 In closing as usual we ask that you keep us in your hearts and prayers for you will all be in ours. We love you more than you will ever know,

 

                                     LTC Allan Evans                   CSM Gordon Murray

            Battalion Commander            Battalion Command Sergeant Major

Please see current updates for new information

 

 

 


 

 

Enclosed is the picture of the statue they will be bringing back for the 4ID
HQ's. It is a bronze sculpture. It used to be a statue of Saddam on a
horse at the entrance to his palace complex. They had it melted down and
redone with donations from the soldiers of the Division.
 

Odierno, Linda--4ID Family Readiness

What Kind Of Man Would Do Such A Thing?

At Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC
 Recently the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), Jack Tilley, was with a group of   people visiting the wounded soldiers. He saw a Special Forces soldier who   had lost his right hand and suffered severe wounds of his face and side
of his body. The SMA wanted to honor him and show him respect without   offending, but what can you say or do in such a situation that will   encourage and uplift?  How do you shake the right hand of a soldier who has   none? He decided to act as though the hand was not missing and gripped the   soldiers wrist while speaking words of comfort and encouragement to him.

But there was another man in that group of visitors  who had even brought his wife with him to visit the wounded who   knew exactly what to do. This man reverently took the soldiers stump of a hand in both of his hands, bowed at the bedside and prayed for him. When   he finished the prayer he stood up, bent over the soldier and kissed   him on the head and told him that he loved him. What a powerful   expression of love for one of our wounded heroes! And what a beautiful   Christ-like example!

What kind of a man would do such a thing ?

It was the wounded man's Commander-in-Chief, George W   Bush; President of the United States.

This story was told by the SMA at a Soldiers Breakfast
held at Red Arsenal, AL, and recorded by Chaplain James Henderson,
stationed there.

Pass it on... the press won't.