Memorial Day Articles, 5.30.2005
The Colorado Springs Gazette carries a long article on a Memorial Day Service held at Ft Carson for fallen 2nd BCT soldiers. 60 Soldiers of the 2nd ID, 2nd BCT have died while serving in Iraq. 114 Soldiers from Ft Carson have died since the war started. Several wounded 2nd BCT Soldiers are quoted describing the memories of their fallen friends.
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The Honolulu Advertiser has a Memorial Day article on the families of fallen service members in Hawai'i. One quote is from the widow of PV2 Jeungjin "Nikky" Kim, of the 2-17th FA, who killed in Ramadi on 10.6.2004. A-Young Kim will be attending a Memorial Day service at the cemetery where he is buried. She "used to view Memorial Day as a three-day weekend when "I was just happy to get the day off work." But now the 1999 Hawaiian Mission Academy graduate, who lives near Kahala Mall, finds it "completely different ... more important to me than Christmas."
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A separate Honolulu Advertiser article is a "dispatch" from 1-503rd Platoon Leader First Lt. Tad Tsuneyoshi (he also wrote dispatches in February and January). 1LT Tsuneyoshi describes his impressions of a changing Ramadi, recent events, and a few historical anecdotes. Some quotes and observations:
- "Since the elections, kids have been going to school on a regular basis."
- "Most of the bullet holes have been covered up and the city has a different look and feel. It feels awkward, however, as we all grew up in combat here in the city. It is a good awkward. Now the people talk to us about how their area is free of terrorists and criminals. And for the first time, I believe them."
- "Recently, our platoon took our commander to the Government Center to meet with the new Ramadi Iraqi Police Chief. Fortunately, we had no hostile encounters and returned with news that the Ramadi police would begin working again."
- "A curfew ordered by the governor was adjusted to no vehicle traffic from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and allowed pedestrian movement. Our checkpoints that control movement in and out of the city are going to be re-opened to allow free flow of traffic."
- "Coalition forces have vowed to help continue infrastructure improvements, more recently with the installation of new power transformers."
- "The enemy's presence was also marked by more violence this week when one of our vehicles was engaged by a rocket propelled grenade, the first direct-fire engagement in weeks."
- "On May 7, the terrorists ordered a two-day, "no vehicle or pedestrian traffic" curfew in the city that was obeyed. The threat was to kill anyone who went to work or school."
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To the Servicemen and Servicewomen of the 2nd BCT, thank you for your continued dedication and service. We are proud, humbled and saddened by your sacrifices. Your efforts will never be forgotten.
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The Honolulu Advertiser has a Memorial Day article on the families of fallen service members in Hawai'i. One quote is from the widow of PV2 Jeungjin "Nikky" Kim, of the 2-17th FA, who killed in Ramadi on 10.6.2004. A-Young Kim will be attending a Memorial Day service at the cemetery where he is buried. She "used to view Memorial Day as a three-day weekend when "I was just happy to get the day off work." But now the 1999 Hawaiian Mission Academy graduate, who lives near Kahala Mall, finds it "completely different ... more important to me than Christmas."
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A separate Honolulu Advertiser article is a "dispatch" from 1-503rd Platoon Leader First Lt. Tad Tsuneyoshi (he also wrote dispatches in February and January). 1LT Tsuneyoshi describes his impressions of a changing Ramadi, recent events, and a few historical anecdotes. Some quotes and observations:
- "Since the elections, kids have been going to school on a regular basis."
- "Most of the bullet holes have been covered up and the city has a different look and feel. It feels awkward, however, as we all grew up in combat here in the city. It is a good awkward. Now the people talk to us about how their area is free of terrorists and criminals. And for the first time, I believe them."
- "Recently, our platoon took our commander to the Government Center to meet with the new Ramadi Iraqi Police Chief. Fortunately, we had no hostile encounters and returned with news that the Ramadi police would begin working again."
- "A curfew ordered by the governor was adjusted to no vehicle traffic from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and allowed pedestrian movement. Our checkpoints that control movement in and out of the city are going to be re-opened to allow free flow of traffic."
- "Coalition forces have vowed to help continue infrastructure improvements, more recently with the installation of new power transformers."
- "The enemy's presence was also marked by more violence this week when one of our vehicles was engaged by a rocket propelled grenade, the first direct-fire engagement in weeks."
- "On May 7, the terrorists ordered a two-day, "no vehicle or pedestrian traffic" curfew in the city that was obeyed. The threat was to kill anyone who went to work or school."
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To the Servicemen and Servicewomen of the 2nd BCT, thank you for your continued dedication and service. We are proud, humbled and saddened by your sacrifices. Your efforts will never be forgotten.
posted by Ryan Kirk @ 7:37 AM
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