Articles 1.29.2005

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on the funeral services for Pfc. Jesus Fonseca Jr., of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 1.17.2005. Pfc. Fonseca joined the army at the age of 17, straight out of high school. According to his sister, "He was scheduled to come home in December, but gave up his time to a fellow soldier who had a family emergency." His sister also shared that "A corporal called her from the field in Iraq to offer condolences. He told her that her brother was felled by a sniper's bullet after the car bomb exploded. About her brother, the corporal told her: "He was a good soldier. He was never angry. He was never unhappy. He was never afraid." Pfc. Fonseca's body is being "flown to Mexico this weekend for burial Monday in his hometown of Degollado in the state of Jalisco, where his wife, Marlen, lives. His parents, siblings and other family members will accompany the body. In Mexico, family members will carry the casket to the cemetery, a 30-minute walk."
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KOAT News, Denver Post, and the Cortez Journal, CO, report on the funeral services for Spc. George Geer, of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 1.17.2005. Spc. Geer, who was a SAW gunner, received a posthumous promotion from PFC "because of his honorable service and ultimate sacrifice." Several hundred local citizens and Army personnel attended the memorial service, where he was remembered for his enthusiasm and love for vehicles and adventuring in his "beloved Rocky Mountains". Several organizations joined together to install a lighted flagpole at the Geer family's house as a memorial.
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The Palm Beach Post, FL, has an article on a wounded 2nd BCT Marine. Cpl. Brian Sellers (who's unit wasn't given, but is the 2/5 Marines) suffered shrapnel wounds to the neck and side on 10.23.2004 when a mortar landed on his barracks. According to the article, "Sellers is making slow but steady progress. He began speaking again Nov. 5 but his speech is slurred because of nerve damage in his tongue.[...] His throat injury left him with apnea, a temporary shutdown of breathing that causes him to startle awake, and nightmares, which also wake him up at night. Then he lies in bed worrying about his friends still in Iraq."My Marines," he calls them. "I was the only one from my company sent home. If I was there, would somebody else not be injured? I feel guilty that I'm not there."

Cpl. Sellers was in the patrol when his platoon leader, 2nd Lt. Michael Felsberg, was killed on 10.13.2004 by an RPG, and spoke at his memorial service.
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The LA Times (reg req'd) carries an article on the preparation of polling centers in Ramadi. The station is guarded by the 2/5 Marines, while the 2nd Combat Engineers Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, is assisting with the efforts.

A separate LA Times article (reg req'd) evaluates the use of a veteran Iraqi commando unit in Ramadi. Several hundred commandos, who had fought in the November assault on Fallujah, were given the task of providing security in Ramadi after 1,000 members of the local police force quit. The unit is working with the 2/5 Marines.
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Embedded Stars & Stripes reporter Joseph Giordono has an article on the U.S. forces role in tomorrow's election. U.S forces will provide the outer cordon of security at polling stations, while Iraqi forces will protect the polling stations themselves. U.S. forcers were also given strict instructions on their duties and what they should and should not say during the election. Soldiers in Baghdad and with the 1-503rd in Ramadi are interviewed.

A second article claims the joint U.S.-Iraqi election security efforts in Ramadi have "rounded into shape." 10 polling stations have been set up around the city, with 5 being manned by Marines and 5 by 2nd ID units. Mortar, RPG and small arms fire were aimed at several of the stations on Friday. One unidentified U.S. soldier and one Iraqi commando were injured at different polling stations on Friday. In addition, "Roadside bombs were detonated near several joint patrols in the city, but no casualties were reported." Iraqi Electoral Commission officials are in route to the polling stations.
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NBC News has an article and video report with the 2/5 Marines in Ramadi. Marines at the main polling station have been securing a 10 block radius around the location, preparring voting resources, and conducting a "get-out-the-vote" campaign.
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An Associated Press article claims that a wide boycott of the elections is expected across the Sunni-dominated Anbar province. According to the article, 5 schools used as polling stations in Ramadi received mortar attacks on Friday. Another tidbit: "Rumors spread through Ramadi that U.S. troops will be moving around with ballot boxes on election day, forcing people to vote or to go to polling stations. U.S. officials have denied such plans. "
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Other articles from the region:
- Associated Press: Iraq Sets Dusk-To-Dawn Curfew Before Vote
- AFP: Iraq sealed off as insurgents keep up election battle
- Advertiser Adelaide, Australia: Workers smuggled into polling stations
- Washington Post (reg req'd): So Many Candidates, So Few Rallies
- Washington Post (reg req'd): U.S. Forces Intensify Preparations For Iraq Vote
- Washington Post (reg req'd): U.S. Military Plans A Hands-Off Role
- BBC: Violence 'will deter many Iraqis'
- LA Times (reg req'd): A Question of Hope
- Chicago Tribune (via Yahoo News): Nation in near-lockdown as election work hastens