FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Maj Marci Hodge ~ 15 January 2018

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States
Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Marci Hodge

Info from here.

           

"In this job, you find out what you're made of; if you can hack it or not."

Recently promoted to Major, Marci Hodge knows a thing or two about what she's made of. She's spent ten years in the Army; 5 years on Active duty and another 5 so far in the Reserve. She returned from Camp Victory in Iraq, her second deployment, a couple of years ago.

"I'm not interested in reliving traumatic events. The job is to create stability and win hearts and minds," expressed Hodge, who spent 8 months in theater this last time.

MAJ Hodge, who served as Division Humanitarian Assistance Officer as well as the Battalion Sustainment Chief for the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion, is a logistician and civil affairs officer; simply put, "I can move anything," she said, like thousands of fourth and fifth grade level books for school children that the Department of State had been previously trying to move from Jordan to Iraq for the last few years with no luck.

Or such as in Iskandiayh, one of the 14 different locations her battalion covered in Iraq, where she worked on a project with local government to get a completely staffed plant that had survived the war back to fully functioning capacity. Working with one of the facility's managers- one of the few who spoke English at the plant- MAJ Hodge's team on the ground even helped establish organizational practices and human resources, bringing in corporate mentors from the United States.

Her team worked to ensure that the plant would be in a position to operate without the U. S.'s assistance in the future. They brought in older generators to their Forward Operating Base that the Army no longer needed but had the potential to refurbished, and presented the plant with and its employees with their first large project post-war. Local Iraqi truck drivers were also employed to transport the refurbished generators.

"It put folks back to work," said MAJ Hodge, citing at least a thousand workers associated with the local Iraqi plant's operations.

And it's the "folks" she's interacted with that have made the most significant impression on MAJ Hodge, including the Iraqi locals.

"People matter regardless of where they are," she said slowly, emphasizing that people are the same despite miles of ocean and geographic boundaries.

MAJ Hodge, awarded the Bronze Star for her meritorious service in Iraq, identified it as a "human connection" one that allows people to relate and help one another.

And according to MAJ Hodge, one would be hard-pressed to find "more amazing people" to work with than the American troops she's served alongside while in the Army, able to overcome the inevitable obstacles and disappointments that occur while deployed with camaraderie and hard work.

"It's your duty to give back," said Hodge. "You give it everything you've got."

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...happy hunting today.

You and Bo have a great Monday.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Hat tip to Maj Marci Hodge.

Thank you, Star (and Ma) for preparing
the Canteen for today's activities.

I'm back. It's been a busy few days
and at least one of them to rest.
Had a family funeral to attend in Roanoke, VA.
It's a long drive and then a long day, but was glad I could make it.

Thank you Luvw for doing the thread for me.
You are a life saver.

It's been frigid again.

We're in for a bit of nasty weather, through Wed.
In our area, we might see an inch or two...or a mix.
(hope that's all)
Then a warm up.

Gonna catch up on pings.
But please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[mountainlion]

Got some snow. It is supposed to be up to 50 next week. It has been quite warm here this winter. Weatherbell says February and March will be cold.

[luvie]

This is what my Monday is like, Early Birds!
I just LOVE being retired!
...but I repeat myself. :)
It's a bright, beautiful morning here.
Tomorrow it will be way colder!
Well...it IS still winter, right?
Anyhooooo....🦉....Hope this is a GREAT day for y'all!
Happy MLK Day!
He was a great man
who had the best interests of people at heart.
((((hugs))))