Articles 3.22.2005

The NY Times (reg req'd) has an article on Mexican citizens serving in the U.S. military, and discusses the motivations for joining a foreign service, including an increased chance for citizenship, financial incentives, and a desire to serve. Of the 41,000 permanent resident aliens serving in the U.S.
Armed forces, 3639 are from Mexico. At least 22 Mexican citizens have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. One soldier featured in the article is Pfc Jesus Fonseca, of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 1.17.2005. The pictures accompanying the article are of his family. Another featured soldier is Spc. Sergio Diaz Varela, also of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 11.24.2005. Both soldiers were buried in Mexico. There is also a picture slide show with the article.
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A 3.17.2005 Marine Corps news article indicates that the 2nd Marine Division has assumed control of the Al Anbar province. The division, nicknamed the "Tarawa" Division and from Camp Lejeune, NC, is based out of Camp Blue Diamond in Iraq. The commander of the 2nd Marine Division is Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck.
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Other articles from the region:
- LA Times (reg req'd): U.S. Turns to Iraqi Insiders in Battle Against Insurgency
- NY Times (reg req'd): Top Shiite Cleric Urges Iraqis to Form Coalition
- NY Times (reg req'd): There Are Signs the Tide May Be Turning on Iraq's Street of Fear (Haifa Street, Baghdad)
- USA Today: Guard, Reserve raise recruiting age
- Department of Defense news article: Two Years in Iraq: Meeting Needs of Changing Battle Space
- Reuters: Iraq's New Leaders Wrestle with Role of Islam