We got this in the first batch of photos he sent back after we knew he was in Baghdad. My fear melted away when I saw it, and I said, "Thank You, Lord. My baby is OK!"
(Now please, son............get down from there!)
Posted on 05/09/2006 4:15:26 PM PDT by CAWats
The mass re-enlistment of 640 GIs of the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment is considered invaluable to the Army's future.
A year ago, as Iraqi fighters detonated a bomb that shattered his convoy, Army Sgt. Gene Braxton led survivors scrambling out of their Humvees in the hot dusty haze to hunt for the triggermen.
Five months later, a bigger roadside bomb rocked the armored vehicle Braxton was in. Reeling from a concussion, he dragged a wounded buddy to safety.
Back in Colorado, Braxton has re-enlisted and will undergo parachute jump training in preparation for a possible third stint of combat duty in Iraq.
(Excerpt) Read more at denverpost.com ...
We got this in the first batch of photos he sent back after we knew he was in Baghdad. My fear melted away when I saw it, and I said, "Thank You, Lord. My baby is OK!"
(Now please, son............get down from there!)
Oh, the King of the World LOL. Great pic!
You have reason to be both proud and scared, mystery.........and you know you have MY prayers!
Some things never change..;-)
Big Booya! for Ft. Carson.......... Who's bored?
Here's what he had to say today about the weather (via e-mail):
"The weather has been getting steadily hotter. Kuwait City & Basra are roughly the same distance from camp ********, give or take 30 miles or so, and every day i check the stars & stripes for the weather forecast. Today was something like 113 in both locations. Add to that the fact that camp ******** is prolly a little bit warmer, being that Kuwait city & basra are both on the water, whereas we are smack in the middle of the desert. That all adds up to a very warm day indeed. It really isn't THAT bad though.. especially considering that even if it averages at 130 this summer, that's not even another 20 degrees. definitely bearable. It is of course a dry heat too, which helps immeasurably. You don't even get really sweaty because as soon as you start, it evaporates off into the dry air. It's really like being in a sauna, and that's supposed to be soothing, right?!?!? right."
(Sorry kiddo but nothing about 113 sounds "soothing" to me.;^)
You are the good Mod aren't you?
He took us on a tour of Baghdad, via Google Earth.
He took us down the roads he drove on his escort patrols, out to Camp Victory, and up to Tikrit and Balad.
It was FASCINATING! You can see the palaces and the crossed swords and everything via satellite. It's just amazing!
(These crossed swords.....)
Up close.....
And from the inside of one, looking over to the other.....
Sorry..........I think I'm getting carried away here...... LOL!
Prayers for your son to be able to deal with the intense HEAT. It's tough.
If I had the pics, I'd be posting them too.....darn it Mike...
If the mod comes to a quick stop, your head's gonna disappear! ;-)
LOL!! ;-)
From: Mayor of Tall 'Afar, Ninawa, Iraq
In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall'Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.
To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.
To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.
Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young.
This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them. I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.
The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science.
This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.
God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.
Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven'tthe words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.
---NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID AL-JIBOURI Mayor of Tall 'Afar, Ninewa, Iraq *************************
He says "he hasn't the words", but he does pretty well!
Very nice addition to this thread! Thank you for posting.
I wish that I was granted 1/2 the courage that God gave these men!!! God bless you, and God bless the U.S. of A!!!
I keep saying I'm going to frame his letter and stick it on my wall. I know a few guys from 3rd ACR, they really are special, and I keep close track, as my son has been in Iraq 3 times (5th SF), and my wife is from the Arab world (she cries every time she sees our flag --well almost every time).
U.S. Army Capt. Ryan Howell, the commander of G Troop, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, holds a soccer ball over his head while playing with the children of Tall Afar, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2005. Coalition forces, in cooperation with local residents, constructed and opened a soccer field at the Al Zahawe School in the neighborhood of Sarai. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt
I'm giving this a late bump -- sorry -- I haven't been around much or very attentive when I am lately. Thank God for these men and women ready to do rough work so I can rest in my nice warm bed tonight without any fear. God bless them all.
lol....don't apologize! I'm loving this!
That letter gives me goose bumps. Thank you for sharing it.
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