Articles 11.22.2004

Time Magazine has an article on combat stress in which the 2/5 Marines in Ramadi are predominantly featured.
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There are a few new pictures on the 2BCT FRG page, with no names given. There are also some new AFP pictures of soldiers in and near Ramadi on Yahoo News Pictures. Again, no names are mentioned, but the 2nd ID patch is visible in a couple of photos.
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In an article on families of Marines in Iraq, The Kansas City Star (reg req'd) interviews the family of Cpl. Andy Smith of the 2/5 Marines security platoon. He is able to talk to his family about once a week, more than most of the troops.
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The LA Times (reg req'd) has an article on the community around Camp Pendleton, CA, the home base of the 2/5 Marines and several other marine units who have taken large casualties in recent weeks. The local newspaper, the North Country Times, started a fundraiser that aims to give a $15,000 savings bond to each child of area-based serviceman or servicewoman killed in Iraq. So far, the effort has raised $975,000, with matching funds from the paper's former owner.
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Daily clashes are continued to be reported in Ramadi. Other articles from the Sunni Triangle:
- NY Times (reg req'd): hostage in Fallujah
- NY Times (reg req'd): review of combat tactics in Fallujah
- Washington Post (reg req'd): more hostage sites found in Fallujah
- Chicago Tribune (reg req'd): hostage sites in Fallujah
- Christian Science Monitor: new risks in Fallujah
- Reuters: security risks in Fallujah
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There is also a lot of news on the number of troops in Iraq. The Boston Globe (reg req'd) details those who support reductions in troop numbers, while the Washington Post (reg req'd) evaluates those who argue in favor of an increase in troop levels.