A hero lost... almost a year ago

Some new pictures, some new scares

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. Josh's work over there is fairly secretive, and his access to the internet is limited, so I seldom have news to share. The only thing newsworthy I can share is he was emergency evac'd last week because they thought he had meningitis. He had all the symptoms, including a fever of 103.5 degrees. But a lumbar puncture and blood test showed negative, so he's being pumped full of IV antibiotics for 10 days and is on light duty. Lucky for him I sent a box full of DVDs and a new XBox 360 game recently.

the ol' FOB

Two of The Boys

By 1st Lt. Matthew Gregor Contributing Writer
KIRKUK, Iraq – A chance encounter with coalition forces and an injured Iraqi villager recently provided a chance for Soldiers to treat the man with first aid he would otherwise not have available.Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, were patrolling through villages in the Kirkuk area of northern Iraq – assessing the area for security issues and other problems that need to be resolved.Because most Iraqi villages lack medical clinics or hospitals, Soldiers ensure a medic travels with them to each area they visit, available to administer first aid to citizens in need. “We will travel to villages throughout our area of operations, assessing the availability of water, electricity, education and other important services – with the ultimate goal of helping to provide them with anything they need,” said Capt. Johnny Giroux, 1-87 Infantry. “As we make our assessments, we ask the citizens if anyone in the area is in need of medical attention, and our unit medics will aid them in any way that they can.”Soldiers encountered a man who had injured his hand two weeks earlier while working with machinery on his farm.Lacking access to local medical care, he wrapped his injured hand the best he could and continued to work – not wanting to spare a even a single day as he works to provide for his family. Spec. James Gale, a medic, calmly assessed the farmer’s injury and began first aid. “The man was initially reluctant to be examined, but he was happy to be treated when he realized we only wanted to help him,” said Gale, medic for 3rd Platoon, A Company, 1-87 Infantry. “I cleaned, treated and redressed the wound; then gave him extra supplies and information on follow-up care.”Military medics are trained in a variety of first aid techniques that are valuable in any situation, whether combat related or not. Sgt. Michael Goolsby, A Company senior medic, oversees all tasks platoon medics respond to and takes care to ensure they are fully trained and ready to respond to any kind of medical crisis. “The extensive training that medics receive helps prepare them for any situation they might encounter,” Goolsby said. Soldiers feel that actions such as Gale’s are important as they try to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.“When we come searching for their problems, trying to help them in any way that we can, it helps them realize that we have only their best interests in mind,” Goolsby said. “We are here to help the Iraqi people, and we want them to know that.”“It’s a great feeling to help people in need, and then return to base knowing that we as American Soldiers care for the Iraqi people,” Gale added. (Gregor is a member of 1-87 Infantry.)

Soldier transforms patrol base into more livable, operational place
[1/18/2008]
Source: 1st Lt. Nathan Barlow

Pvt. Jacob Sweet, with 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, is never satisfied. The Soldier, who is deployed here with his unit, has a knack for repairing things, and he is bothered when machinery is inoperable or a piece of furniture is not perfectly level.Stationed at Patrol Base Millet, an outlying post near 1-87 Infantry’s Forward Operating Base McHenry, Sweet has worked constantly over the last few months in an effort to improve operations and make life more livable.Through his efforts, PB Millet has gained running water, working heating / cooling units, picnic tables, rain awnings, shelves and an improved flow of electricity after he repaired five faulty generators.
“When we first arrived (at) the patrol base, we had no running water and very little electricity. It was definitely austere living,” recalled Sgt. Brian Welch, 1-87 Infantry. “The way Sweet has transformed this place is amazing.”Sweet works quietly on his own, choosing to do things without anyone asking him to do so.
“Sweet’s improvements to this place have really benefited us all,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Harmon, platoon Sgt. in D Company 1-87 Infantry. “He has made it easier to conduct vital operations and complete combat missions through improvements to the Tactical Operations Center. He has made it easier to obtain something that many Soldiers consider vital to their workdays – coffee.”Sweet is known to those around him as a hard-working man of few words and high values. When asked why he spends so much of his time working on such projects, Sweet responded simply, “I just can’t stand doing nothing, so I figure I might as well make things a little better around here.”(Barlow is a member of 1-87 Infantry.)

This speaks for itself

Eventful day in Iraq proves nothing out of ordinary for combat medic
[1/29/2008]
Source: 1st Lt. Eddie Van Buren

For Soldiers deployed to a combat zone, day-to-day life is almost never ordinary, and some days can be especially more stressful than others. For combat medics, who must be ready at all times to give medical aid to anyone in need, such days often become too familiar.Sgt. Even “Doc” Barker, a medic with D Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, has become used to eventful days as Soldiers conduct operations in northern Iraq. Soldiers recently experienced a series of events, some tragic, all in one day as they patrolled villages in the Kirkuk area – and the continued heroics of certain troops helped them through the chaos.“The events that happened on the afternoon were tragic for our unit,” recalled Pfc. Joey Prete, 1-87 Infantry. “Yet, I think in the weeks to come, I will choose not to remember the tragic loss of one of our friends and fellow Soldiers; I will instead think about all the heroic deeds of all the members of my platoon that day.”
Their mission began as any other, as they conducted reconnaissance of a local village rarely visited by coalition forces.After meeting with local leaders to gain intelligence and determine where help was needed, Soldiers were led to a child who had suffered severe burn injuries days earlier when boiling milk spilled down her back.“The girl had suffered second-degree burns that spread down her lower back to the backs of her legs,” said Barker, who treated the young girl: cleaning, medicating and bandaging her wounds.After treating the child and handing out humanitarian aid supplies to the village, Soldiers moved on.Some 700 meters from the village, their lead vehicle struck an improvised explosive device – severely wounding three Soldiers. “Doc” Barker was the first to begin aiding casualties, providing trauma care and first aid as quickly as possible. Working with practiced knowledge and skill, Barker was able to keep Soldiers alive until helicopters arrived for medical evacuations. His immediate care also prevented two of the injured Soldiers from sustaining further complications to their injuries.“Barker’s candor, courage and professionalism saved lives that day,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Woodbury, a Soldier in Barker’s platoon. “He reacted calmly and quickly – disregarding his own safety in order to help his fellow Soldiers.”Barker has become a hero in the eyes of fellow Soldiers. He remains prepared for anything that might happen and willing to help in any way that he can.“Having someone with such knowledge and bravado with our Soldiers as we conduct operations adds a great deal of confidence to us all,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brian Dommell, Barker’s platoon leader. “He is by far one of the most experienced medics I have ever worked with.”(Van Buren is a member of 1-87 Infantry.)

Holding one's breath over Iraq

The "surge" is working... a combination of General Petraeus' plan using more troops in a proactive manner, plus two other things: the Sunni "awakening", where tribal sheiks have decided they're sick of al Qaeda's horrific tactics, and Muqtada al Sadr's order for his Shia militias to stand down at this time. While the Iraqi government has floundered in a sea of politics, Iraqi citizens have taken action themselves to try and make their country a better place. Yes, it's tenuous. But it's all we have. If we listened to the vast majority of our people who've been over there five years running, we'd know victories come a little at a time... and the sacrifices are so great. As the mother of a soldier, I don't have the luxury of selective listening, of hiding my head in the sand. I know first hand that what the TV news shows is only a small part of the story over there. Unlike many, I don't lay it on political bias; I blame it on the type of war this is, and the general lack of understanding the average network corrospondent when it comes to the military and war fighting. I've caught so many mistakes on Fox News Channel I had to quit watching. Yes, they're pro military, but get a "D" at best in accuracy and comprehension.

I'm just an Army Mom, but I'm one who scours the internet for accurate and reliable news every day, from sources all over the globe. I have my television on cable news all day long. But mostly, I have the words of my son, and his brothers in arms. A lot of people condescend to them, saying "well, they're young...". But these young people have been fighting in Iraq for 5 years now. Most have deployed more than once. My son is almost 22, but there's one hell of a difference between his 22 and that of the majority of his peers who haven't been to war -- twice -- like he has. These young people have old souls now... they have no delusions, or illusions... they're pragmatic, realistic. Each of them volunteered. There is something in them that needs to reach beyond what most of us are willing to. And I think that means at the very least, we are obliged to listen to them.

It's colder than snot in Iraq

A lot of people don't realize, even though Iraq is largely desert, and summer temps can hit the 120s, the winters are harsh. Cold, rainy, and if you were paying any attention to the news last week, SNOW. Even in Baghdad. First time in a century. This photo is courtesy of one of Josh's fellow scouts. Yeah, northern Iraq in mid January is a lot like much of the U.S. in mid January.

It's also rainy in Iraq this time of year. Yep, cold and rainy. Much like Ohio in November or March. Ugh.