Articles 4.5.2005

The Associated Press reports that the governer of California ordered flags at the state-capital to be lowered in honor of Pfc Samuel Lee, of the 1-506th, who died of non-combat injuries in Ramadi on 3.28.2005.
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The Army Times has a reporter's notebook update from reporter Gina Cavallaro, who recently spent time with some 2nd BCT units. The 3.19.2005 note describes the local dogs in Ramadi, including at least one puppy adopted by unidentified soldiers.
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A Department of Defense news story reports on the opening of the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, CO. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and several celebrities attended the opening of the clinic, which has a "program that helps veterans with disabilities push their limits and discover their capabilities." One soldier quoted in the article is Pfc Matt Pederson, of the 1-503rd, who lost his right foot on the 11.6.2005 suicide attack on a 7-ton truck. "While not a first-time skier, Army Pfc. Matt Pederson said he expects skiing might be a bit more challenging since he lost his right foot during an attack in Ramadi, Iraq, last November. “I think it may be a little harder balancing,” he said."
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Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein has a few more pictures published from Ramadi. One caption dated 4.4.2005: "Iraqis hold a small demonstration in Ramadi, Iraq Sunday, April 3, 2005, to protest against a raid on the al-Aziz al-Hakim mosque by U.S. forces Saturday night, according to witnesses. Four men detained by the U.S. troops were security and cleaning workers at the mosque, witnesses said." Another caption dated 4.2.2005: "Iraqis look over the wreckage in Ramadi, Iraq Saturday, April 2, 2005, after a car bomb exploded next to U.S. military outpost Friday."
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A Marine Corps news story reports that Marines of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and 1/5 Marines "discovered illegal weapons and ammunition during a weapons caches search on the outskirts of" Ramadi on 4.3.2005. The article describes the search that led to the find.
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Other articles from the region:
- CNN.com: [3rd ID] Soldier killed in Iraq receives Medal of Honor
- Christian Science Monitor: The story of Sgt. Smith's last hours
- NY Times (reg req'd): U.S. Drones Crowd Iraq's Skies to Fight Insurgents
- Washington Post: Actors in the Insurgency Are Reluctant TV Stars
- USA Today: Army, Marine recruiters shift focus to wary parents
- USA Today (via Yahoo News): Iraqi assembly speaker says tough job is his duty
- AFP: Iraqi Sunni meeting ends in curses
- Reuters: Zarqawi Driven by Emotion, Ex-Cellmates Say