Articles 1.28.2005

Updated 12:30 cst
The La Grande Observer, OR, has an article on the family of a 2/5 Marine featured in the recent CBS "60 Minutes" report. Cpl. Jack Evers was featured in the "unflinching" segment. The reality in Ramadi came as a surprise to his family, and led to more honest discussions on the danger he faces. Cpl. Evers, a husband and father of two children, re-enlisted between the first Iraq deployment of the 2/5 Marines and the current deployment which began in August 2004.
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GettyImages photographer Joe Raedle has dozens of more pictures of election preparations in Ramadi dated Jan 19-28. Some of the captions report sniper and mortar fire on polling stations, and counteroffensive responses to those attacks. Others show barricades and metal detectors being set up, as well as Iraqi soldiers setting up camp within the polling station. Many of the photographs mention soldiers of the 1-503rd by name.
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More reports on clashes in Ramadi: AFP reports that "In the western city of Ramadi, a guerrilla stronghold, six Iraqi soldiers were killed in ambushes, an Iraqi officer said." A separate Associated Press article reported that 4 Iraqi National guardsmen had been kidnapped and killed.
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Other articles:
- MSNBC: Poll workers' courage could be key to election
- Newscover Magazine: Millions Expected To Vote In Historic Jan 30th Iraq Elections
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posted 09:00 cst
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (reg req'd) indicates that a funeral mass will be held today for Pfc. Jesus Fonseca, of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 1.17.2005. Following the mass and viewing in Marietta, GA, where his family lives, Pfc. Fonseca "will be buried in the town of Degollado in Jalisco, Mexico, where his wife lives."
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The Cortez Journal, CO, reports that the funeral services for Pfc. George Geer will be held today. Pfc. Geer, of the 1-503rd, was killed in Ramadi on 1.17.2005. The district Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives honored the memory of Pfc. Geer during his first speech on the House floor.
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The Central Connecticut Record-Journal reports on the funeral service for SSG Thomas Vitagliano, of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 1.17.2005. About 300 mourners gathered at the funeral. According to the article, "During the funeral, an e-mail by Col. Gary Patton, Vitagliano's brigade commander, was read. It describes Vitagliano's bravery just before his death. Patton wrote that when Vitagliano realized an approaching vehicle was manned by a suicide bomber, he pushed one soldier to safety. The soldier was injured in the attack, but because of Vitagliano's actions he will live, Patton said. "Even in his last breath and action Tommy was taking care of his soldiers," he said."
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Embedded Stars & Stripes reporter Joseph Giordono has an article on the preparation of polling stations for the upcoming elections. Soldiers of the 44th Engineers and 1-503rd Infantry cleared buildings and set up blockades. The units will guard the polling stations until the election day, on which Iraqi forces will take over security. The polling stations received mortar, RPG, and small arms fire during the first day of guard at one polling station.
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The Los Angeles Times (reg req'd) has an article following a patrol of the 2/5 Marines in Ramadi as they prepare for the elections. The article discusses one arrest of expected insurgents in detail.
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A Multi-National Force Iraq news release reports on Iraqi citizens providing information to U.S. and Iraqi forces during election preparations. In one instance, "Based on a tip from an Iraqi citizen, an Iraqi commando unit seized a weapons cache inside of the gates of the Malik Abn Ans Mosque in eastern Ramadi." The article also mentions that, "in other activities over the last 72 hours, Marines and Soldiers from the 1st Marine Division detained 38 suspected insurgents and seized several weapons caches during operations throughout the Al Anbar Province."
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Several update articles mention clashes in Ramadi. The Associated Press reports that "A mortar shell landed on a house close to a school believed to be used as polling site in the western city of Ramadi, wounding two women and two children, a hospital doctor said." A separate Associated Press article reports that "In Ramadi, capital of the insurgent-plagued province of Anbar, an Iraqi national guard soldier was killed when insurgents attacked a joint U.S.-Iraqi force guarding a voting center at a school, police Lt. Safa al-Obeidi said." The San Francisco Chronicle briefly mentions that attempts to keep polling locations secret until shortly before the elections "didn't stop insurgents from bombing two schools in Ramadi and a school administration building in Samarra that was to be used as a voting center."
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Other articles from the region:
- BBC: Security stepped up for Iraq poll
- LA Times (reg req'd): Iraqis Get Ready for the Worst
- Christian Science Monitor: Iraq's moment of decision
- Christian Science Monitor: Iraqis' big issue: US exit plan
- Christian Science Monitor: How Iraq's election will work
- NPR audio report: General: Iraqi Troops Hesitant to Fight Insurgents inside Borders