Articles 10.26.2005 - 11.21.2005

KKTV News, CO, the Army Times and the Colorado Springs Gazette report that a 2nd BCT Soldiers was killed during a fight at Ft. Carson. Spc Piotr Szczypka, died Friday, 11.11.2005, after being struck with a fireplace poker by Spc. Timothy Parker of the 3rd BCT. The two had gotten in an argument outside of an apartment complex. Spc. Parker has been charged with 2nd Degree Murder. Spc Szczypka was 21 years old. According to the AP, his family emigrated from Poland in 1999. He served with B Company of the 44th Eng in Iraq. Our hearts go out to his family.
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The Winona Daily News, WI, has an article on a Veteran's Day tribute at a school. One of the honored soldiers was Sgt. Andrew Bossart, of the 44th Eng. Sgt. Bossart was killed by a car bomb on 3.7.2005 in Ramadi. His family established a scholarship in his name to be given to basketball players "who exemplifies the qualities Andy Bossert possessed: "teamwork, leadership, confidence, pride, integrity and honor."
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The Fresno Bee (reg req'd) has an article on a former 2nd BCT Soldier scheduled to return to Iraq. Cpt. Charles Romero was a battle captain with the 2nd BCT HHC at camp Ramadi (according to the stars & Stripes). He began training Iraqi soldiers in April 2005. Cpt. Romero is presently with an unspecified Hawaii-based unit, and expects to return to Iraq next summer.
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the Daily Item, PA, has a reporter embedded with National Guard troops in Ramadi. He regularly reports on the newspaper's web-site, and also has a personal blog and picture gallery. One of the articles describes upgrades at Camp Corregidor, Ramadi. Many of the National Guard Soldiers at the base have professional construction skills, which have proved invaluable in improving the Camp. The camp now has indoor heated showers, improved electrical systems, satellite dishes, a kitchen, and a small store operated by an Iraqi citizen. There are still no indoor toilets or a PX. Other articles describe various missions.
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The Fayette County Review has an article on A National Guard soldier on leave from Iraq who describes his impressions of the currect situation in Ramadi. WCAX News, VT, has an article describing NG Soldier's duties at Observation Posts in Ramadi.
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The Gulf Times, Qatar, reports that the woman who confessed to an attempted suicide bombing in Jordan last week came from Ramadi. In the article, Ramadi citizens describe their reactions, which were dominated by "doubts and disgust."
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In a NY Times (reg req'd) article on the pace of reconstruction, officials describe reconstruction in the Anbar province:
-"In Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province in western Iraq, virtually all Iraqi contractors are being brought in from other cities, primarily Baghdad, because local people in those roles have been tracked down and killed."
-"In Anbar, many projects have slowed or stopped because of insurgent attacks, Brig. Gen. James L. Williams of the Second Marine Division in Ramadi, the capital, said in an interview last month. General Williams said work had stopped on 19 projects. A spokeswoman for the American military in the province, Maj. Juliet Chelkowski, said the projects represented a "small slice" of the projects in Anbar, but General Williams said attacks had affected a large number of projects there. Mr. Speckhard said that $300 million had been spent in Anbar and that the projects "had not had trouble."
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The Department of Defense announced that 2 National Guard Soldiers of the 2nd BCT, 28th ID were killed by enemy forces using small arms fire in Khalidiyah on 11.10.2005. Our hearts go out to their families.