Articles 11.4.2004

The AP carries an article on Sgt. Douglas Bascom, of the 2/5 Marines, who was killed near Ramadi on 10.20.2004. Sgt. Bascom was called up to service from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and was the first IRR Marine killed in Iraq. Sgt. Bascom's mother said he never hesitated when he received his orders. "He was a Marine," his mother said. "He told me that if you're a Marine you protect your own, you protect their back, you fight. You don't stay home."
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The NY Times (free registration required) has a story on the 2-17th Field Artillery as they counteract insurgent mortar attacks on bases around Ramadi, with one picture and several soldiers quoted.

This is a separate article from last weeks Chicago Times Article that featured the 1-9th Infantry and 2-17th Field Artillery working together.