Articles 8.15.2005

The Atlanta Journal Constitution (reg req'd) has an article on the Georgia citizens who have died in Iraq this year. Featured in the article is the family of Sgt. Bennie J. Washington of the 44th Engineers, who died on 1.4.2005 at a hospital in Texas 12 weeks after his Humvee struck an IED, causing second-degree burns over 70 percent of his body. He underwent 27 operations in two months, but died of infection. Sgt. Washington was the father of two children. He was 25 years old.
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KRDO News has an article on the arrival of Flight #17, the final 2nd BCT flight. According to the article, "this particular group was the last to return because these soldiers volunteered to remain behind to make sure all of the unit's equipment came back."
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The Hindustan Times has an article on an Indian-American soldier returning home with the 2nd BCT. Major Raj Butani, who's unit wasn't given, but is possibly the 1-9th, held a medical position in Iraq. His best-friend in the brigade, Cpt. Sean Grimes was killed by an IED on 3.9.2005, and Maj. Butani gave the eulogy at his memorial service. The article describes his families excitement at the arrival ceremony at Ft. Carson.
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Radar Magazine has a long alternative-media article and slideshow with a 3rd Platoon, C Company, of the 1-506th in Iraq, dated only "Summer 2005." A few quotes and anecdotes:
- "The regiment’s battle space sees 10 times the national average of attacks on Americans."
- "The 500-man 506th takes mortar fire, sniper fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and bursts of small-arms fire every day, but, as [Anthony Cruz, who's rank wasn't given] says, things have quieted considerably since last year. Last year the soldiers of the 506th got shot at or blown up every time they ventured out. Now they freely patrol on foot. Their local polling station had a turnout of 55 percent in Iraq’s January election — three times Iraq’s Sunni average. The 506th’s officers attribute the 75 percent decline in violence on their turf to the retaking of Fallujah, the insurgent stronghold 15 miles away."
- "The 3rd Platoon has been in Iraq since August. Before that it was based in Korea. The average soldier in the unit has spent only two or three weeks in the States over the past two years. Out of nine wounded soldiers in the platoon, one is still an invalid, four chose never to leave the base, three returned home, and four are trying to get back to the unit."
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The Colorado Springs Gazette has an article on the financial benefits of military service when factoring base pay, housing and other benefits. One quote from the article: "For unmarried soldiers, a year in Iraq can net them an extra $10,000 per year in bonus pay and tax savings. For married soldiers, a year deployment can net an extra $12,500, including $250 per month in family separation pay."
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The Washington Post has an article on local citizens rising up in Ramadi to fight foreign fighters. According to the article, "Rising up against insurgent leader Abu Musab Zarqawi, Iraqi Sunni Muslims in Ramadi fought with grenade launchers and automatic weapons Saturday to defend their Shiite neighbors against a bid to drive them from the western city, Sunni leaders and Shiite residents said. [...] Masked men distributed leaflets that declared the city's tribes would fight "Zarqawi's attempt to turn Ramadi into a second Fallujah."