Ceremony recognizes military working dog s contributions

Transcription

1 Multi-National Division Baghdad First Team...Team First Friday, April 17, 2009 Ceremony recognizes military working dog s contributions By Spc. Howard Alperin MND-B PAO BAGHDAD Military working dog teams from throughout Victory Base Complex came out April 13 for a ceremony at the division chapel to honor one of their own. Kevin, a military working dog, passed away due to complications from cancer. His death was unexpected and left the other half of his team, Staff Sgt. Aaron Meier, in limbo and in mourning. While in theater, military working dogs are not replaced, so Meier will be reassigned to other duties for the remainder of his deployment. As Meier now turns his attention to new job responsibilities, most of his focus still remains on the loyal partner and friend he lost. Kevin was the highlight of my day, said Meier, a military dog handler, from Fairmont, Minn., assigned to Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. For more than four years, Meier and Kevin built an excellent working relationship together. Kevin was a great patrol explosive detector dog, said Meier. I could flip his on and off switch easily because of all the training we did together. During their course of working together, the relationship developed further and formed a powerful, personal bond between them. I was planning on adopting Kevin after this deployment, said Meier. This was his last time deploying because of his age. Though he never got to adopt him, Meier and Kevin still had many unforgettable moments together. I pampered him a lot because a happy dog works better. Meier recalled the first time he gave Kevin a pillow to rest his head when they were together in a hotel preparing for a Secret Service mission. Kevin had many human characteristics, Meier added. By Spc. Howard Alperin, MND-B PAO A memorial tribute honors a fallen comrade April 13 at Camp Liberty. Military working dogs are an important part of the military team and sometimes they are taken for granted, said Lt. Col. Barbara Sherer, from Springfield, Mo., 1st Cav. Div. chaplain and co-coordinator of the ceremony. By Spc. Howard Alperin, MND-B PAO Staff Sgt. Aaron Meier, a military dog handler, sits somberly during a ceremony highlighting the life of his deceased partner, Kevin April 13 at Camp Liberty. Kevin was my buddy. He was affectionate, very protective and an excellent worker, said Meier, from Fairmont, Minn., assigned to Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. Kevin s traits will always stick out in the minds of those who knew him. He was very protective of Sgt. Meier, said Staff Sgt Christopher Jasper, kennel master at Camp Liberty, DSTB, 1st Cav. Div. Besides being a great detection and patrol dog, he was good for law enforcement purposes. As one of the first dogs to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kevin s achievements were acknowledged during the ceremony. There were poems read in his honor, Taps was played by a 1st Cav. Div. trumpeter and military working dog teams left snacks in Kevin s bowl as a tribute to his service. It is appropriate to honor their service, said Lt. Col. Barbara Sherer, from See DOGS, Pg 2

2 PAGE 2 April 17, 2009 We consider dogs to be Soldiers too, they are constantly working. DOGS, From Pg 1 Springfield, Mo., 1st Cav. Div. command chaplain and cocoordinator of the ceremony. Military working dogs are an important part of the military team and sometimes they are taken for granted. That s a sentiment echoed by Staff Sgt. Jasper, We consider dogs to be Soldiers too, they are constantly working. The ceremony gives credit to all the dogs and all the work they do here and in the United States, he added. Military working dog teams are called upon often to perform their duties, so there is rarely a chance for teams from the different camps to see each other. Kevin afforded each team the opportunity to see in each other more of the common ground they share. As Kevin s life, the attachment Sgt. Meier had with him and the work they accomplished together were celebrated, new bonds formed among the Soldiers. They realized more the value of their military working dog teams and appreciated the chance for one of their own to be recognized. By Spc. Howard Alperin, MND-B PAO Soldiers and their military working dog partners take time to pray in honor of Kevin, a military dog who succumbed to cancer. National Guard Bureau Director visits Guardsmen in Iraq BAGHDAD Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn (center left background), National Guard Bureau Director, addresses questions from Soldiers with the 225th Engineer Brigade, Multi- National Division Baghdad. Vaughn covered a number of topics involving National Guard Soldiers including troop drawdown and military benefits. Vaughn said he wouldn t be surprised if Congress lowers the retirement age for National Guard and Reserve Soldiers to 55. Cav Round-Up radio newscast available MND-B PAO BAGHDAD The Cav Round-Up is a three-minute radio newscast from Baghdad covering military units and events across Multi-National Division Baghdad. Today s Cav Round-Up No. 47 was produced by Sgt. Lisa Heise, MND-B Public Affairs Office. The April 16th newscast includes the following stories: 1. Sgt Ashley Anderson reports on efforts of the 82nd Airborne Brigade Support Battalion to keep Soldiers all over Iraq supplied with what they need to keep the mission on track. 2. Sgt. Lisa Heise reports on Iron Brigade Soldiers and Iraqi Army soldiers showing off their skills including air-assault, crowd control and live fire exercises. To hear the Cav Roun-Up, click on the following links: NIPR LINK: Cav Round-Up SIPR LINK: Cav Round-Up Check out more MND-B news at the 1st Cavalry Division s homepage:

3 PAGE 3 April 17, 2009 Paratroopers contend to enter elite NCO Club By Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea 3rd BCT PAO, 82nd Abn. Div. BAGHDAD After months of preparation and hours of studying, 16 noncommissioned officers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division Baghdad, participated in a two-day evaluation for a shot at induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC), April 11 at Joint Security Station Loyalty. The club was established to recognize NCOs who demonstrate high leadership qualities, professionalism and care for their Soldiers welfare. The SAMC is named after the most decorated Soldier in U.S. history, Audie Murphy. Despite being denied entry into the Marines and the Paratroopers for his height, the 5 ft., 5 in., Texas native earned every medal for valor including the military s highest award, the Medal of Honor, during World War II. Following two days of testing, Command Sgt. Maj. King O. Parks, the senior enlisted leader of the 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., announced 12 out of the 16 competitors were moving on to the division-level evaluation process. Parks said this event embodies the legacy of Audie Murphy and recognizes the great leaders in the NCO ranks of the 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div and the Army. He also said this event is a great example to honor the Army s year-long theme Year of the Noncommissioned Officer. This highlights the great accomplishments of great NCOs because that was what Audie Murphy was, said the native of Greenville, N.C. This event is an excellent opportunity for NCOs to make themselves better, and it is a fitting way to hold this event in combat during the Army s Year of the NCO. Unlike a traditional board, which just consist of a question and answer session between a Soldier and several of the unit s senior enlisted leaders, the SAMC board has participants go through a series of evaluations. During the event, Paratroopers went through a gauntlet of By Staff Sgt. James Selesnick, 982nd Combat Camera Co. Sgt. 1st Class Terrell Brisentine, sits and answers questions from the brigade s senior enlisted leaders during the board evaluation portion of the Sgt. Audie Murphy event April 11 at Joint Security Station Loyalty, located in eastern Baghdad. The board was one of several exams noncommissioned officers had to participate in during the Sgt. Audie Murphy board. By Staff Sgt. James Selesnick, 982nd Combat Camera Co. Paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division Baghdad, conduct a physical fitness test during the Sgt. Audie Murphy board April 10 at Joint Security Station Loyalty, located in eastern Baghdad. events such as a physical fitness test, a hands-on evaluation on the functions of several crewserved weapons, proper firstaid procedures and a leadership board where the NCOs were asked a series of leadershipbased situational questions. One of the participants, Staff Sgt. Matthew Zwolinski, assigned to Company A, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, said preparing for the SAMC was a challenge because he had to try and study following his combat patrols. As a combat engineer, Zwolinski can spend several hours on the road during route clearance missions. It is definitely a sacrifice to participate in this event, said the Chicago native. I used whatever free time I had following a mission to study for this event. Although it was a sacrifice, I feel this sets a good example for my Soldiers to follow and it sets me apart from my peers. Zwolinski and the other selected NCOs will now move on to the division-level evaluation where a panel of senior enlisted members from various units within MND-B come together and select the inductees. The Corps headquarters board is the final step for the wouldbe Audie Murphy members. An official announcement of the newest members to the club is set to come later this spring.

4 PAGE 4 April 17, 2009 Dagger leaders meet with IA at home station By Sgt. Dustin Roberts 2nd HBCT PAO, 1st Inf. Div. BAGHDAD In their first engagement on Camp Liberty, leaders serving with the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Dagger, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division Baghdad met with staff in the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division April 11. The leaders, who help secure the population west of Baghdad, ate dinner together at the 2nd HBCT s dining facility before heading to the brigade s conference room for a joint meeting focused on non-lethal efforts. I appreciate all of the hard work the brigade has made for the people in the Dagger brigade s area of operations, said Lt. Col. Qassim of the 24th Brigade. These projects are great By Sgt. Dustin Roberts, 2nd HBCT PAO, 1st Inf. Div. Leaders of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Dagger, 1st Infantry Division, Multi National Division Baghdad, meet with leaders of the 24thBrigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division for dinner at the Dagger Inn Dining Facility on Camp Liberty April 11. After the meal, the leaders conducted a partnered briefing at the Dagger Brigade Headquarters. for the security effort and for humanitarian services. Since the Dagger Brigade arrived in October 2008, numerous projects in essential services have been completed throughout the brigade s operational environment and plans for projects are scheduled to continue for the remainder of the brigade s time in Iraq. As they sat around the conference room table the group discussed how they are going to communicate more often when it comes to building projects. From my point of view, the IA lacks information for projects the Dagger Brigade is doing in our area, said Qassim. If we can work on these projects together, then we will be able to provide more security for the projects. By Sgt. Dustin Roberts, 2nd HBCT PAO, 1st Inf. Div. Dearborn, Mich. native Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Dagger, 1st Infantry Division, Multi National Division Baghdad, meets with leaders of the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division for dinner at the Dagger Inn Dining Facility on Camp Liberty April 11. The meeting was the first time the leaders have met at Camp Liberty. Qassim went on to say that they would ensure contractors present their identification and credentials to the Iraqi Soldiers, ensuring the contractors do not contribute to terrorism in any way. The security partners shared the same goals with each other, agreeing that the Iraqi citizens need to know how the IA and Coalition forces are working together to rid Baghdad of criminal activity and make their lives easier through rebuilding projects. The assembly talked about accomplished projects, to include various school refurbishments and humanitarian aid drops. Americans have donated 20 to 40 tons of school supplies, soccer balls and toys to give to the citizens here, said Dearborn, Mich. native, Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd HBCT. This shows that humanitarianism is far more persuading than the dwindling insurgents in Iraq. As the meeting came to a close and the respective leaders saluted one another, Martin wrapped up by saying there was still work to be done. We will continue to work together in this effort, he said. We are one team and we are here to help the people. Lt. Col. Yasser, also with the 24th Brigade, was very appreciative for the opportunity to visit the Dagger Brigade. Every time I ask you a question I always get an answer, Yasser said to Martin. I appreciate the invitation to your headquarters and for us to able to share information.

5 PAGE 5 April 17, 2009 On This Day In Military History On this day in 1945, a Soldier s courageous actions on the battlefield in World War II earned him the Medal of Honor. 1st Lieutenant Francis X. Burke was an officer serving in the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in Nuremberg, Germany on April 17, Lt. Burke, a battalion transportation officer, had gone forward to select a motor pool site, as his battalion was engaged in rooting out fanatical defenders of the citadel of Nazism. Lt. Burke advanced beyond the lines of the forward riflemen and detected a group of about 10 Germans making preparations for a local counterattack. Lt. Burke rushed back to a nearby company of Soldiers, secured a light machine gun and daringly opened fire on this superior enemy force. The Germans returned fire with machine pistols, rifles and rockets. From another angle, a German machine gun tried to blast Lt. Burke from his position, but Lt. Burke killed the guncrew and drove off the survivors of the unit he had originally attacked. Lt. Burke then went after enemy infantrymen in ruined buildings, dashing more than 100 yards through intense fire and engaged the Germans from behind an abandoned tank. Lt. Burke then went after a sniper by charging the sniper s shooting position in a basement window and firing his entire clip into the window. Lt. Burke then charged enemy soldiers with two grenades, killing them. Lt. Burke was injured by an enemy grenade, but went on to kill three more enemy soldiers and another with a machine pistol. Lt. Burke then helped his platoon in a raging 30-minute firefight. In four hours, Lt. Burke single-handedly killed 11 enemy soldiers and took a lead role in engagements in which an additional 29 enemy were killed or wounded. Lt. Burke, of Jersey City, N.J., reached the rank of major before leaving the Army. He died in 1988 at the age of 69. David Letterman s Top Ten Things I ve Learned From Being An Accountant 10. When you know the right people at the post office, it can be April 15 whenever you want. 9. Wite-out and 7-Up surprisingly refreshing. 8. If you re confused by something on the tax form, just write Huh? 7. You do the taxes: Don t let the taxes do you. 6. People will pay a lot of money if you pretend to know how the tax code works. 5. The only thing more satisfying than getting a client a sizeable return is the garlic shrimp scampi at Red Lobster. 4. Numers is hard. 3. After completing tax returns for 12 straight hours, your calculator starts talking to you. 2. Always put your clients first, unless you get an offer to go on Letterman. 1. Women want me. Men want to be me. Iraq 3-Day Weather Report Today 80 F 59 F Tomorrow 82 F 59 F Sunday 80 F 59 F

6 PAGE 6 April 17, 2009 Pvt. Murphy by Mark Baker Quote For Today The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude. James Truslow Adams, American author, historian PEGASUS OASIS DFAC HOURS BREAKFAST 0530 TO 0830 LUNCH 1130 TO 1330 DINNER 1700 TO 2000 MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 TO 0100 SUNDAY ONLY BRUNCH 0730 to 1330 DINNER 1700 to 2000 MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 to 0100 Trigger s Teasers The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow: Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9. Every Sudoku game begins with a number of squares already filled in, and the difficulty of each game is largely a function of how many squares are filled in. The more squares that are known, the easier it is to figure out which numbers go in the open squares. As you fill in squares correctly, options for the remaining squares are narrowed and it becomes easier to fill them in. Yesterday s Answers Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Philip Smith Public Affairs Chief: Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner Editor: Spc. Jon Soles Staff Writers: Sgt. 1st Class Ron Burke Sgt. 1st Class Joel Quebec Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Staff Sgt. Peter Ford Sgt. Joshua Risner Spc. Howard Alperin Spc. Laura Johnson Spc. Phillip Adam Turner The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Daily Charge are not official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of the Army, or the 1st Cavalry Division. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army, the 1st Cavalry, or The Daily Charge of the products and services advertised. All editorial content of The Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Multi-National Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office. Do you have a story to share? The Daily Charge welcomes columns, commentaries, articles, letters and photos from readers. Submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs NCOIC nicholas.conner@mnd-b.army.mil and include author s name, rank, unit and contact information. The Daily Charge reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the paper. For further information on deadlines, questions, comments or a request to be on our distribution list, the Editor at jon. soles@mnd-b.army.mil