Articles 2.12.2005

The Hampton ,NH, Union carries a letter written from an Army Reserve soldier serving in Iraq. Sgt 1st Class Michael Cawley (who's unit isn't given) worked with an Iraqi unit in setting up a polling station in Ramadi while "attached to an American Army division with a lot of history until after the elections." (the 2nd ID is the only reported division in the area). He describes their election security efforts. He also reports that "the American Army unit we assisted in securing the election site held a ceremony on our last day, recognizing our company’s success in providing a safe place to vote. The colonel in charge presented awards to the company and he was given an Iraqi flag in exchange." Previous articles from Cawley: receiving a purple heart, on getting rest in combat zones, leaving for Iraq Sept 2004.
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There are a couple of recent updates on the Al-Tash refugee camp south of Ramadi. An Associated Press articles follows up on a 2.11.2005 UN press release that reports concern over a group of 102 Iranian Kurdish refugees that fled the Al-Tash camp and "have been marooned for up to four weeks on the Iraqi-Jordanian border without access to official food, medical or material assistance." The refugees were trying to join a larger group of 660 refugees who have been living in a border camp for up to 18 months. Jordan officials said they will provide humanitarian assistance, but will not give asylum. Soldiers and Marines of the 2nd BCT have previously been reported providing assistance to refugees remaining at the Al-Tash camp, which "was badly affected by heavy fighting in the area last autumn".
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The LA Times (reg req'd) has an article exploring the history, evolving role, and benefits of U.S. Army Family Readiness Groups (No 2nd ID FRGs are mentioned). Some quotes:
- "FRGs were started as an initiative by wives," said Lt. Col. Ty Seidule, who teaches history at the U.S. Military Academy. "Then the Army realized they were pretty effective, so it eventually got behind them."
- "The readiness groups emerged after the Gulf War, when families struggled to cope with long separations by forming loosely organized family support groups."
- "At a recent training session at Ft. Bragg for new FRG leaders, Rodriquez, the Army Community Services coordinator, listed the goals of readiness groups: Building morale. Providing accurate information. Reducing the stress of deployments. Promoting self-sufficiency. Linking families with military and community agencies. Rodriquez asked the leaders to list what a readiness group should not be. Their answers: a clique, a day-care service, a private club, a gossip chain or "your mother."
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Other articles from the region:
- Associated Press: U.S. poll Shows Optimism About Iraq War
- AFP: Bush, Allawi discuss Iraqi troop training
- Associated Press: Voter Turnout in 12 of Iraq's Provinces (not including Al Anbar)
- NY Times (reg req'd): Too Angry or Fearful to Vote, Sunni Iraqis Are Marginalized