Posted on 09/02/2005 8:36:10 PM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Subject: Newsletter #24
Families and Friends of the Vanguard Brigade
Another 110 degree daily average for the week but we had a few nights where it was quite comfortable – low 80s by morning.
Like we said in our last letter, nothing happens like expected, or forecasted, or announced. The proposed Constitution was finally presented to the Assembly and has been distributed for comment. Some would say it was late, but it was presented and it was written by Iraqis who had several very tough issues to resolve as the result of 30 plus years of dictatorship. It is really a remarkable achievement for the Iraqi National Assembly to write a Constitution in less than a year, especially with the tremendous diversity of Iraq. The next step in the process is the referendum to ratify the Constitution which is currently scheduled for October 15th. There will be a fair amount of discussion and rhetoric over the next several weeks as the political parties work to explain their position on the Constitution.
The good news is that voter registration for the Referendum has been high – the Sunnis have turned out in record numbers. This is a very positive development since they had a low participation rate for the last election. Iraqis understand that they have to participate in the political process, and we are hopeful that this positive development will have some effect on the insurgency. We did have a decrease in attacks over the past week, and we even had one day with no attacks at all. Of course, the Constitution will have no impact on hard core terrorists.
We have about 109 projects ongoing in our area of operations worth about $188 million dollars. Most of this money is going toward sewage, water, electrical, and road projects. We have worked very hard to build the Iraqi ministries so they can manage their own infrastructure. For example, we will not fund a project unless it is approved by the government, and we will not make a final payment to the local Iraqi contractors until it passes the government inspection. This sounds so basic, but the system was not in place to enforce engineering standards. We continue to face challenges on infrastructure due to poor maintenance and growing demands and expectations.
We are very sad to announce the death of Specialist Hatim Siraj Kathiria who was killed in a rocket attack on 22 August. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and his family.
Finally, one of our sister brigades is the 256th Infantry Brigade from Louisiana – they are preparing for redeployment home, but for many, their homes were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane. They have done a great job here in Iraq, and now they will redeploy back into a disaster area. Our thoughts and prayers go with them when they depart.
Our Soldiers are simply the best – we continue to be amazed at the discipline, maturity, and confidence they present every day in the performance of their mission. They make us proud every day. Thanks for all of your continued support that keeps our Soldiers focused on their mission – it helps keep them safe.
Vanguard! Rock of the Marne!
(We received some email asking what these phrases mean. Every combat brigade in the Army has a name – ours is the Vanguard Brigade; therefore, we say Vanguard. Rock of the Marne is from our Division history when the 3d Division stood like a rock on the Marne River during World War I. Every since then, the Division has been known as the Marne Division.)
Very Respectfully, Colonel Ed Cardon and Command Sergeant Major Louis Torres
4th Brigade ping list.
Thanks so much, HJS. Prayers for the family of Specialist Hatim Siraj Kathiria, and for all of the troops who will be coming home to the destruction of their homes by the hurricane. Prayers that they find all of their family members safe, and God's blessings to help them rebuild their lives.
Continued prayers for all of our beloved troops, and their families. Prayers for their mission and for the Iraqi people as they all go about defeating the enemy and building a free Iraq.
Amen.
Well, perhaps not for the page number overpowered the article and I could have been blinded from the articles content. ; )
thank you
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