Articles 12.21.2004

The Kings County Journal, WA, and Seattle Post Intelligencer report on the funeral services for Pfc. Andrew Ward, of the 44th Engineers, who was killed in Ramadi on 12.5.2004. Pfc. Ward's father is a pastor, and the leaders of a dozen church communities joined together at the service "to deliver a message of hope and comfort." Pfc. Ward was 25 years old.
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The Muskegon Chronicle, MI has an article on a wounded 2nd BCT Marine. Cpl. Joe Grimaldi, a sniper in the 2/5 Marines, was wounded on 11.5.2004 in Ramadi during the same I.E.D. attack in which Cpl. Jeremiah Baro and Lance Cpl. Jared Hubbard were killed and other were injured. Cpl. Grimaldi is presently recovering at his family's home in Michigan. He has undergone several surgeries, with more ahead, and does not have use of his left arm. He plans to leave the Marines, and hopes to "become a special education teacher or work in rehabilitation of the disabled." When he is well enough, he intends to visit the families of Cpl. Baro and Lance Cpl. Hubbard.
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An Associated Press article mentions clashes in Ramadi: "Among the attacks yesterday was the shelling of a hospital compound in Ramadi while U.S. Marines were on a humanitarian mission there."
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Other articles from the region:
- Chicago Tribune (via Sierra Times): Battle-damaged Fallujah awaits the return of evacuees
- NPR audio story: Fallujah Reconstruction Hampered by Continuing Attacks
- Associated Press: Fallujah tries to rebuild before residents return
- LA Times (reg req'd): Bush Foresees a Deeper U.S. Role in Iraq
- Christian Science Monitor: Fragmented leadership of the Iraqi insurgency
- Christian Science Monitor: Sealing Syria's desolate border
- NY Times (reg req'd): Small Charities Show Support by Fulfilling Troops' Wish Lists