SOLDIERS AND POPULACE CONTINUE BUILDING RELATIONSHIP IN AL ANBAR

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

December 24, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-58

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOLDIERS AND POPULACE CONTINUE BUILDING RELATIONSHIP IN AL ANBAR

AR RAMADI, Iraq – The 82nd Airborne Division maintained operations in the Al Anbar province aimed at the continued development of Iraq’s infrastructure and the country’s growth as a free, independent nation.

During the last 24 hours, soldiers in Al Anbar conducted 196 patrols, including six joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi police.

Last night in 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area, an informant led soldiers to a cache buried west of Ar Ramadi. The cache contained 66 RPG rounds, 69 RPG fuses, over 550 14.5mm rounds, and two boxes of propellant.
Soldiers from 1st Brigade also discovered a separate cache east of Ar Ramadi. There were 100 155mm artillery rounds, seven RPG rounds, a case of grenades, a case of TNT, and small arms ammunition.

In 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment’s area, soldiers from the regiment continued with Operation Rifles Fury. The focus was on civil military operations in the Rawah area. Renovation projects were initiated on a medical clinic, a sanitation building, the city building, water stations, the electric office, and the mayor’s office.

Civil affairs personnel with 3rd Brigade distributed body armor to police departments throughout their area. The new vests will allow the police to perform higher risk missions with less dependence on coalition forces.
Additionally, an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps class graduated from the Navea Training Center today. There were 185 students in the class and they will join coalition forces in providing stability and peace to Iraq.

Soldiers from Task Force “All American” continue to foster a positive relationship with the people of Al Anbar. Coalition forces remain committed to providing a secure and stable environment to the Al Anbar Province.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Mequon soldier's request to loved ones touches many hearts across the nation

Posted: Dec. 23, 2003

Mike Nichols
E-MAIL | ARCHIVE

If Christmas truly is the season of giving, here is some proof that it started a bit earlier than usual this year.

Seven weeks ago, Capt. Scott Todd, a 28-year-old Mequon native who is part of the 101st Airborne in Iraq, sent an e-mail to what his parents estimate was 20 or 30 friends and family members.

He had a modest request.

The Army ranger had spent some time at the Al Razzee Hospital in Mosul, and noticed there was a need for things like pacifiers and toothbrushes, formula and diapers - simple things.

He included an address where donations could be sent, asked that any packages be mailed prior to Dec. 1 because this unit will be returning to the States early next year, and said "thank you" in advance.

Suddenly - without warning - needy Iraqis were hauling in more stuff, even, than a Packers receiver running a deep route on Monday night.

According to recent messages of thanks his parents, Kathy and Dick, have sent out:

Local public schools in Mequon "sent 60 crammed boxes" of clothing, supplies and toys.

University School sent 15 boxes and raised $400 through a bake sale. That money "was used to purchase children's tables (and) chairs, small Big Wheels and puzzles for the hospital waiting area."

Residents of Friendship Village in Milwaukee started knitting caps for newborns.

And word spread.

An appeal was placed on an Internet site for Virginia Tech and - within minutes - the owner of "a resale shop e-mailed to say she would be going through her inventory and mailing off infant clothing."

A 17-year-old California boy "glued fliers on grocery bags" and collected donations at a soccer banquet.

Girl Scouts in Los Altos, Calif., "went door to door on Veterans Day for donations and sent get-well cards" and toys.

People, say Kathy and Dick, kept forwarding Scott's e-mail.

Generosity multiplied.

"A toothbrush distributor . . . in Minnesota contributed cartons of toothbrushes."

"A New England toy company sent stuffed animals."

The request was not for money. Still, cash donations totaled at least $4,500 locally, and much of that was used to purchase medicine.

Collections, according to the Todds, were taken up at businesses, bookstores and grocery stores.

There are all kinds of heartening anecdotes.

Dick and Kathy themselves were in line at the post office at the airport one day with all sorts of packages and fell into a conversation with a woman behind them.

Dick said in an interview this week that she probably should have been perturbed at the long wait. Instead, she later called them, asking if they could pick up two boxes of things from her home in Caledonia.

It goes on and on.

The donation drive was eventually extended to Dec. 15, and the Todds aren't sure how much eventually was sent. But they know that they alone forwarded hundreds of boxes. Donations were made in at least 17 states.

"There was stuff sent that we are just now finding out about," said Dick. "A young 12-year-old girl in Atlanta went out and raised $700."

"Apparently," said Kathy, "she went door to door."

They hear from Scott that Iraqis can't believe the stuff is not coming from the government or the United Nations.

It is simply coming from individual Americans, people with all sorts of political views but one overriding impulse.

"I just have to be so proud of America," said Kathy. "There is so much good we are doing."

From the Dec. 24, 2003 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.