Articles 5.24.2005

The Richmond Palladium-Item, IN, has an article on a 2nd BCT Soldier home on leave. Sgt Josh Hetisimer (who's unit isn't given beyond 2ID) returned to his families home in Indiana. His family put a sign in their yard saying "Honk! USA Soldier back" and, according to the article, "The sound has been deafening, and invigorating." Sgt Hetisimer is a 2nd ID medic. He describes some of his impressions and experiences, including responding to an IED attack on 3.4.2005 that killed 1-9th Soldiers Capt. Sean Grimes, Sgt. 1st Class Donald W. Eacho, Cpl. Stephen M. McGowan, and Spc. Wade Michael Twyman. Sgt Hetisimer wears a bracelet honoring the four soldiers. He returns to Iraq on Friday.
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The Santa Cruz Sentinel, CA, and KSBW News have articles on the custody trial over the body of SSG Jason Hendrix, of the 1-9th, who was killed in Ramadi on 2.16.2005. A civil court trial has been scheduled for October 3 with a county Superior Court Judge after a probate-court judge in Oklahoma vacated part of her original ruling.
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The LA Times (reg req'd) carries an article on the insurgency in the western portions of Al Anbar province (seemingly west of the 2nd BCT area of operations). The article explores a lack of manpower in the area following Operation Matador. The area is believed to be a staging area for "attacks in cities to the east like Ramadi, Mosul and Baghdad." Officials believe the area has become an insurgent stronghold, including "a larger percentage of foreign jihadists than the U.S. military previously believed." The article estimates that 2100 Marines patrol the western part of the province, down from 3600 last year.
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Other articles from the region:
- Christian Science Monitor: US to consolidate forces into four huge bases in Iraq
- Reuters: Mideast more secure but Iraq inspires Qaeda [based on Think Tank report]