Articles 6.1.2005

The Everett Herald, WA, KOMO News, and the Seattle Times have articles on Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, of the 1/5 Marines, who was killed in Ramadi on 5.30.2005. Cpl. Starr joined the Marines in 2001. He was planning to get out of the Marines at the end of this 3rd combat tour over the 4 year enlistment. He had already enrolled in classes at a local community college, planning to study psychology. In the article, his family tells several stories of his descrpition of action in combat, including a large gunfight in Fallujah in April 2004. He was 22 years old. A Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter recounts e-mail exchanges with him. Cpl. Starr contacted the paper attempting to give proper credit to the Marines who were wounded in the Fallujah battle.
=========
KITV News has an article on a wounded 2nd BCT soldier. 1st Lt. Wes Fine, a platoon commander in the 1-503rd, lost his left eye and suffered additional shrapnel wounds during a mortar attack on an unspecified U.S. army base last month. 1st Lt. Fine will likely receive a medical discharge from the Army. He had hoped to be a career soldier. In the article, he describes his pleasure in leading his men and struggling with the loss of 3 of his Soldiers in combat.
=========
A Department of Defense news article describes the support for US troops at last weeks Indianapolis 500. Gen (retired) Colin Powell spoke before the race and recognized the families of fallen servicemembers in attendance. Included in that group was the family of Pfc Stephen Downing II, of the 2-17th FA, who was killed in Ramadi on 10.28.2004. They had been invited guests of a long-time patron of the race.
=========
KOAA News had a brief 4.27.2005 article on a Ft. Carson ceremony seeing off 37 Soldiers heading to Iraq as part of the 2nd BCT. The Soldiers will join the 2nd BCT and return with them later this summer.
=========
The Washington Post (reg req'd) reports on the death of Raja Nawaf Farhan Mahalawi, the governer of the Anbar province. He was killed during a gunbattle between US forces and his captors, but died from blunt force trauma, possibly from rubble during an explosion. More than 2000 mourners turned out for his funeral procession in Ramadi. Witnesses said U.S. Marines took up positions along the funeral route to guard the mourners.
=========
Other articles from the region:
- Reuters: Iraq's wild west a constant thorn for U.S. troops
- Knight Ridder: U.S. Army officers cite lack of troops in key region
- LA Times (reg req'd): After Arrest, Sunni Leader Urges Unity
- LA Times (reg req'd): U.S. Toll in May Highest Since January
- NY Times (reg req'd): Iraq to Move Up Trial of Hussein and Start It in Summer
- Associated Press: Iraq Concerned U.S. May Leave Too Soon