****
Americans, taking care of business ****
(This is an all year project - Read the soldiers notes below)
A Unique Way to Help Our
Troops and Their Families
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have been donated by the airlines and travelers throughout the USA, enough
for over 22,600 round trip flights. The men and women serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan and their families thank you.
Since the war began, over 10,000
U.S. combat troops have returned ill or wounded to Andrews Air Force Base.
Hero
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to U.S. military hospitals and be at the bedside of their loved ones. Photo
courtesy of Michael Lutzky, The Washington Post
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Soldiers send letter of thanks to us ****
All,
Sorry for writing so infreqently, but I've been out of our headquarters
quiet a bit lately. Our battalion has grown even bigger over the
past few weeks and we've got more companies, and a larger battle space...so
my time away from here has increased and likely will continue to increase.
But, that makes the time go fast and that's a good thing :-)
Below are some photos from one of my recent trips. I'm falling
behind on sending out notes and photos of what I'm doing because we've
been so busy lately. During this trip, which ended on Thursday, we
were with two of our companies, and spent time at 3 different Forward Operating
Bases (FOB) and 5 different Iraqi Police Stations. Some of the photos
are taken with the 127th MP Company and some are taken with the 23rd MP
Company (Airborne). The guys in both units are doing well and motivation
is high. Both units will be leaving in 2 months, and we will be getting
two new companies in to replace them. These Soldiers have a done
a lot, and they've had a tough deployment. The 127th has had three
Soldiers killed and many more wounded. The 23rd has been extremely
blessed in that they have not lost a Soldier (knock on wood), but they
have had numerous evacuated due to wounds. Regardless, both company
has been bloodied, but they have proven resilient and have done a great
job. In addition, both companies are less than 60 days from going
home, so the Soldiers are ready to get these last two months finished and
to get out of Iraq.
I've got more pictures from the stations and FOBs I've visited on Friday
and today, but I will have to send a different note with those photos.
As I stated, I'm getting a little behind. I hope you enjoy.
Drew
From time to time I try to take a minute and get a picture with the
platoon or company I'm visiting. Often times they are so busy doing
their duties that we just can't do this, but on this particular day they
were leaving right behind me so we had the opportunity. This is 1st
Squad, 2nd Platoon, 23rd MP Company (Airborne). In addition to the
squad, Myself, the Platoon Sergeant and the Squad Interpreter are in the
photo.
Another picture of my gunner, Hayes...when we're outside the wire, Hayes
is always close by.
Talking things over...
SSG Allan is a squad leader in the 23rd MP Company
This little boy is a regular at the Station. His father
works at the Station, but is not a policeman (not sure what he does exactly).
But the boy always has a smile on his face and he's always polite.
We gave him one of our soccer balls
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