Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Sledgehammer Supporter

This morning I got an e-mail from Angie, who is hard at work, supporting Fort Benning soldiers.

Though I have never met Angie, she is from my hometown of Duluth, GA so it’s good to hear from home.

Anyway, here’s what Angie is working on.  I thought you all would be interested:

In February 2003, I started the Support Our Troops/Adopt-A-Soldier program at the Duluth United Methodist Church (located 30 miles north of Atlanta).  We adopted the 800 Soldiers of the 2-69 AR Battalion, as well as 31 individual Soldiers, during OIF I and sent them care packages, cards and letters of encouragement.

When they returned home, 100 of the Soldiers traveled by bus to Duluth to march in the Fall Festival Parade and were honored during opening ceremonies.  The Army also approved them to stay overnight and enjoy the festival of arts and crafts.

The Soldiers honored Duluth again by returning in 2004 and 2006.  Last year, Governor Sonny Perdue made a special trip to Duluth to present a plaque of appreciation to the 2-69 AR Battalion.

In 2005, while the troops were deployed, 75 of the families were invited to the Duluth Fall Festival to march in the parade and were honored during opening ceremonies for their many sacrifices.  They received a complimentary hotel room, dinner at Dave & Busters, and game cards for the children.

Our program has grown that we can now support other Battalions within the 3rd Brigade.  I just received 500 completed Adopt-A-Soldiers questionnaires from Soldiers in the 2-69 AR and 1-15 IN Battalions wanting to be adopted by Duluth families, schools, businesses and organizations.

Our program has been incorporated as HUGS FOR SOLDIERS, and we’re waiting for our 501(c)(3) status.  We love our 3rd Brigade Soldiers and appreciate all their sacrifices.

I have many of the pictures and articles you have posted, but would like to have your permission to copy some of those that I do not have, and add them to our website, http://www.hugsforsoldiers.org, for our supporters to enjoy. 

I would love to hear from some of the 3rd Brigade families, so you do have my permission to post our website: http://www.hugsforsoldiers.org

Thank you so much.

Angie Doerlich
HUGS FOR SOLDIERS, Inc.
Founder

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Care Packages

I recently received an e-mail from Robin in Fort Worth, Texas.

She had a couple of questions that I’m hoping some of you can answer.

Here’s part of here e-mail:

What do the troops especially like sent to them?  One thing I read is that packages of Crystal Light, lemonade, and so forth are a hit, since they are easily carried around and make a good instant drink.

Other ideas you may have gotten from the troops?  I know candy must also be a favorite, but seems chocolate might melt.  Perhaps cookies and so on.

What about personal items?

If anybody has some advice for Robin, just leave it the comments section.

Friday, April 20, 2007

TF Marne Soldiers receive combat patch

Master Sgt. Kevin Crawford, 3rd Infantry Division, G-6 plans NCO, affixes his combat patch during a ceremony at Task Force Marne headquarters Thursday.

Task Force Marne
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

TF Marne Soldiers receive combat patch
By Sgt. Ben Brody
Task Force Marne PAO

BAGHDAD – Soldiers of Special Troops Battalion and Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, received their “combat patches” during a ceremony at Camp Victory Thursday.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia – Former Wartime Service, commonly called a combat patch, is authorized for Soldiers who serve in a hostile area.

“(Young Soldiers) naturally look for mentors, standard-setters – persons with experience,” said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, 3rd Inf. Div. commander.  “A combat patch is often the first indication to others that a person is an experienced individual.”

Division Command Sergeant Major Jesse Andrews then removed Lynch’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment combat patch, and replaced it with a Marne patch.

“This patch represents nine decades of service to our nation,” Lynch said.  “Wear this combat patch from this day forward with pride.”

Soldiers from the headquarters unit are primarily responsible for gathering battlefield information to aid the command group’s decision making process, and disseminating those decisions.  Many Task Force Marne Soldiers also provide security for the command group and the headquarters building.

“I know what I’m doing up here is helping my battle buddies down in the line units,” said Pvt. Kyle Hughes, of 3rd Inf. Div. Engineers.  “I’m proud to wear the 3rd Infantry Division patch.”

Thursday, April 19, 2007

3rd HBCT awards Purple Heart to 3-1 Cav. leader

Command Sgt. Maj. James Pearson, Philadelphia, Pa.., 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team command sergeant major, speaks to the Soldiers of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment prior to Capt. Arthur L. McGrue, III, being awarded the Purple Heart Tuesday at Forward Operating Base Hammer, for injuries received during a small arms fire engagement, Mar. 29.

Task Force Marne
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

3rd HBCT awards Purple Heart to 3-1 Cav. leader
3rd HBCT, 3rd ID Public Affairs

FOB HAMMER, Iraq –The commander of 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, was the first member of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team to earn a Purple Heart during Operation Iraqi Freedom V.

Soldiers from the squadron, out of Fort Benning, Ga., gathered Tuesday to honor Capt. Arthur L. McGrue, III, from Seaside, Calif. The commander of Troop A was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during a small arms fire attack on March 29.

The incident occurred while McGrue was conducting a patrol with Company E, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, a National Guard unit from Michigan, to get familiarized with the route from Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah to Nahrawan, Iraq.

During the mission, MrGrue and his combat patrol stopped at an Iraqi Police station along the route to assess their facilities. During the stop, an informant gave coalition Soldiers a tip on a wanted individual in a nearby town and was willing to show his team the location.

During a joint patrol with the local IPs, to recover the individual, the patrol began taking fire.

As soon as McGrue heard it, he yelled, “Muzzle flash in the wood line! Muzzle flash in the wood line!” He added, “We all took cover and when I went to raise my weapon I was hit.”

He felt exactly where he was hit — in the chest of his interceptor body armor.

“I started rubbing my body armor and calling out that I was hit,” McGrue said. “I checked real quickly for injuries and noticed my wrist was bleeding.”

McGrue explained he was hit in the chest and pieces of the round ricocheted off his armor and struck his left wrist in two places. He said the physician’s assistant who was with the convoy that day wanted to do immediate care.

“I told the PA it was just a flesh wound,” McGrue said. “Then I moved to another wall for cover and continued to return fire.”

After a 15-minute firefight, McGrue said the patrol leader made the decision to return to the vehicles and leave the area. When he got back to his vehicle, he received aid for his injury.

Although he was injured in the line of duty, McGrue still keeps an upbeat attitude about the mission in Iraq.

“We have a positive effect,” McGrue said. “We talk with the local Iraqi citizens in our area and they are happy to see an American presence.”

After being awarded with the Purple Heart, McGrue spoke to his troops and told them three things to remember.

“First, remembrance of the fallen Soldiers; second, remember to wear the proper uniform because it does save lives; and remember to be prepared when you leave because you don’t know what you will face,” McGrue said.

FOB Hammer opens barber shop

Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, Governor of Forward Operating Base Hammer and Monticello, N.Y. native, along with 1st Lt. John Enfinger, of New Brockton, Ala., cut the ribbon marking the opening of the new Hammer Cuts Barber Shop as Maj. Dewey Boberg, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team executive officer, from Anaheim, Calif., looks on.

Task Force Marne
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOB Hammer opens barber shop
By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd ID Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team now have one more morale booster at the ever-improving Forward Operating Base Hammer.

A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening Sunday of the Hammer Cuts Barber Shop, located next to the new Post Exchange on FOB Hammer.

Hammer Cuts Barber Shop took approximately 1 week to complete, according to 1st Lt. John Enfinger, FOB mayor. Steps involved in creating the shop included establishing a location, power generation, air conditioning, plumbing, sinks, water, and solid flooring. Both Army and Air Force Soldiers were involved in making the establishment fully operational.

“It was a joint effort to provide our Soldiers with a much needed morale booster,” Enfinger, of New Brockton, Ala., said.

According to Enfinger, the barbers, contracted from the Army and Air Force Exchange Services, are from India and the Philippines.

Hair cuts cost 3 dollars for both male and female Soldiers, a significant decrease from the average seven dollars at Fort Benning, Ga., where the 3rd HBCT calls home.

“I am very glad that AAFES was able to provide this service to our Soldiers,” said FOB Governor Lt. Col. Kelly Lawler, Monticello, N.Y., native, and one of the first Soldiers to have his hair cut at Hammer Cuts.

The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and already has a steady clientele, according to Enfinger. The profit goes to AAFES and the barbers collect tips.

“Hammer Cuts is great” said Sgt. Jeremiah Thompson, Headquarters Company, 3rd HBCT, from Jacksonville, Fla. “The prices are great and it’s a very clean establishment. It’s a good sign that progress is being made at FOB Hammer.”

Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team get their hair cut at the new Hammer Cuts Barber Shop on FOB Hammer Monday.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Richard P. Langenbrunner, 19, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died Apr. 17 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.

Langenbrunner was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. 

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Credit Where Credit is Due

Many of you have sent me e-mails and comments telling me how much you enjoy much of the writing and content here at the HammerSlogger.

Many of these articles are written by Specialist Ben Hutto, who is a writer for the Sledgehammer Brigade’s Public Affairs Office.  Specialist Hutto also takes many of the pictures you see here.

Great job Ben!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Dog Face Daily

I’ll try to post these as often as I come across something that is Sledgehammer Brigade related.

Dog Face Daily (PDF)

(This is a document produced by the 3rd Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office.)

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Units come together to mourn loss of fallen comrades

SSG Harrison Brown, who was a squad leader and a M2 Bradley vehicle commander with 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Benning, Ga., was not only a remarkable Soldier, but a family man.	PFC David Simmons, who served as a M2 Bradley driver with 2-69, was a stellar Soldier and a friend of all friends.

 

Task Force Marne
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Units come together to mourn loss of fallen comrades

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq – Soldiers from the southern Baghdad area gathered to mourn the loss of three fallen comrades during a memorial service in Yusufiyah, Iraq, Thursday.

The Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown, Pfc. David Simmons and Sgt. Todd Singleton, were part of Task force Marne and on a patrol when they were killed from an improvised explosive device in Yusufiyah, Iraq, Sunday.

During the ceremony Soldiers who were close to each of the fallen comrades took a moment to talk and reflect on their memories of them.

Brown, who was a squad leader and a M2 Bradley vehicle commander with 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Benning, Ga., was not only a remarkable Soldier, but a family man.

“He was the type of leader who could make or break a Soldier,” said Staff Sgt. Elocious Frazier, a member of 2-69 and also a friend of Brown. “He loved his family. He also would not hesitate to let everyone know that all great athletes came from the south.

Singleton, who served as a section leader and a M2 Bradley vehicle commander with 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, was remembered for being unique – one of a kind.

“We would tease him all the time because he had this ugly, blue wallet and an even uglier cell phone,” said Sgt. 1st Class Clifford Owens, Singleton’s friend who serves with 2-5 CAV. “He said he liked having those things because they were different – they made him unique.”

Simmons, who served as a M2 Bradley driver with 2-69, was a stellar Soldier and a friend of all friends.

“Simmons was a great Soldier who was my best friend,” said Pfc. Jared Green, Simmons’s friend, who serves with 2-69. “One night we went out and got matching tattoos. After that evening we were referred to as the Marne brothers. Everyone thought we were twins.”

To bring peace to the Soldiers who lost their loved ones, their brothers, Chaplain (Capt.) Jeff Bryan, with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 10th Inf. Div., left some words for everyone to ponder.

“When you think of the mechanized units you think of monstrous machines that are unstoppable,” Bryan said. “But it is the men who make these magnificent machines run. They are the true spirit behind the machines – we have lost three true spirits and they will be truly missed.”

Capt. Richard Ince, the Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division commander, out of Fort Hood, Texas, pays final respects to three fallen comrades during a memorial ceremony in Yusufiyah, Iraq, April Thursday. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs)

Helmets, boots, rifles and dog tags represent three fallen comrades at a memorial ceremony in Yusufiyah, Iraq, Thursday. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs)

Pfc. Jared Green (r) reaches to console Spc. Nick White, both Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Benning, Ga., during a memorial ceremony in Yusufiyah, Iraq, Thursday. White was with the Soldiers when they were killed. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs)

Sledgehammer Brigade improves Soldier quality of life

3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team commander, Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Davis, the Army and Air Force Exchange Services manger at Forward Operating Base Hammer from the Brigade’s Headquarters Troop, 46, Bartow, FL and Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson, 3rd HBCT Command Sergeant Major cut the ribbon at the news AAFES Post Exchange trailer located at FOB Hammer on April 13, 2007.

Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sledgehammer Brigade improves Soldier quality of life
Story and Photos by SPC Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd ID

FOB HAMMER, Iraq – A hot lunch and a shopping spree went a long way in lifting the spirits of Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

The Sledgehammer Brigade opened a new Army and Air Force Exchange Service Post Exchange, dubbed the “Hammer X” by the 3rd HBCT commander, Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr. That same afternoon Soldiers enjoyed their first hot lunch at the Desert Grille Dining Facility.

“I hope these things add to the morale and bring it up,” said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Davis, the AAFES manger from Bartow, Fla. “I hope this day and the other things we have coming up can help give our high-speed Soldiers some things to look forward to when they aren’t concentrating on their mission.”

A line had all ready formed in front of the entrance to the Hammer X before Grigsby arrived with 3rd HBCT Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson. The pair greeted the eager Soldiers before cutting the ribbon to the facility.

“This is for you guys,” said Grigsby. “I know you guys will probably wipe out whatever is on the shelves in their quick, but be assured that this facility will keep getting bigger and bigger. I can’t say enough about the hard work you guys are doing and I hope this PX will make your lives a little easier. Mark my words, what you see here today will only get better.”

Grigsby, Pearson and Davis cut the ribbon and the trailer was quickly flooded with eager Soldiers.

“I think it’s really good that they finally opened this,” said Tuscaloosa, Ala., native, Antonio Harris, from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment. “Soldier morale will definitely improve because of this.”

Two hours later, the Desert Grille DFAC opened for lunch for the first time. A line of hungry 3rd HBCT Soldiers were greeted with hamburgers, hot dogs and various other backyard favorites.

“It was very convenient to eat a warm meal before I went back into work,” said San Antonio, Texas, native, Sgt. William McMillan, an intelligence analyst with 3rd HBCT. “It was much better than digging through a box of MREs.”

As he watched Soldiers file through to get drinks, Staff Sgt. Russell Slouffman, from Miami, Fla., who has Soldiers working at both the Hammer X and the Desert Grille, was satisfied with what the 3rd HBCT was doing to make life easier for the Soldiers living on FOB Hammer.

Every Soldier needs a break from his or her mission, replied Slouffman. There is nothing better than a hot lunch or a chance to buy a candy bar or soda, he added.

Soldiers from the 3rd HBCT will soon have even more to look forward to.

“We have more computers with Internet access, AT&T phones for Soldier’s to use and a barber shop on the way,” explained Davis. “The 3rd HBCT has really taken the challenge of bringing up morale and ran with it.”

Sgt. 1st Class Danny Ervin, from Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 40, Dillon, SC, grabs some comfort items off the shelves of the new Army and Air Force Exchange Services Post Exchange trailer located at Forward Operating Base Hammer on April 13, 2007.

Pfc. Brandon Neer, from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 21, Clayton, NC, takes his plate from one of the Dessert Grille Dining Facility at Forward Operating Base Hammer on April 13, 2007.  Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team were served lunch at the Desert Grille DFAC for the first time since they had arrived at FOB Hammer.

Friday, April 13, 2007

On the Ground

Fort Benning’s 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division took charge of their Area of Operations Saturday (April 7) and has been hard at work, getting settled in for what is expected to be a fifteen month deployment.

The Sledgehammer Brigade is undertaking combat missions in Baghdad in an effort to bring security and stability.  To accomplish that, soldiers are tasked with rooting out insurgents, and weapons.  “Our overall mission is to interdict accelerants from coming into Baghdad,” 3rd Brigade Public Affairs Officer Major Joe Sowers said in a phone conversation Friday.

The brigade’s area of operations covers an area east of Baghdad.  “We have a 3,300-square kilometer area… approximately the size of Rhode Island,” Sowers said.

Sowers said the area is home to about 1.5 million Iraqis, roughly 70% Shiite and 30% Sunni.

The 3rd Brigade, commonly known as the Sledgehammer Brigade, is currently working to establish their presence by meeting with Iraqi Army, Police and governmental leaders.  “Our challenge right now is that we have to establish relationships,” Sowers said.  “We’ve got to build trust.”

Elements of the brigade are working to establish their base of operations at Forward Operating Base Hammer, and a number of other FOBs and combat outposts.  Those outposts will put Sledgehammer soldiers close to the Iraqi population, near towns and villages.  “What there will be eventually is ‘mini-FOBs’ that are company-sized,” Sowers said.

The Brigade also learned this week that their deployment to Iraq would last fifteen months.  In a press conference Wednesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the extension was a “difficult but necessary interim step.”

“I think everybody is handling it pretty well.  Everybody has kind of been like, ‘Yeah, we knew that was coming,’” Sowers said.

Sowers added that many of soldiers previously expected the deployment to go on for eighteen months.  “They told us, be prepared for eighteen months.  So, fifteen isn’t as bad.”

Sowers said elements of the Sledgehammer Brigade are working to establish the creature comforts of home.  A phone center and Internet café are in the works, which will allow soldiers to contact family and friends at home more regularly.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

support3rdid.com

I’ve gotten a couple of comments from folks who are trying to register at support3rdid.com.  But, they seem to be having trouble registering because they don’t a referral name.  Read the comments here.

I don’t have anything to do with that particular site, so I’ll put it out there for you folks.  What can we do to get these people registered?

Pentagon to extend Army-unit tours in Iraq

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two defense officials say the Pentagon is extending all active-duty soldiers’ tours of duty in Iraq to 15 months from the current 12 months to sustain the higher troop levels President Bush ordered in January.

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Do you agree with a Pentagon plan to extend Army deployments in Iraq from 12 months to 15 months?

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3rd HBCT leaders meet with Iraqi Army

Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, commander of 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, and Col. Fadhil Abbas, commander of the Bey May Eagles, discuss ways their units can work together in Abbas’s office at Bes Maya Range Complex on Saturday.

Task Force Marne
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq
APO AE 09342

April 11, 2007

3rd HBCT leaders meet with Iraqi Army
Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd ID

FOB Hammer, Iraq – Col. Fadhil Abbas, commander of the Iraqi Army’s Bey May Eagles, had dinner with members of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s 3-1 Cavlary Regiment Sunday at the Bes Maya Range Complex near FOB Hammer east of Baghdad. 

Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, commander of 3-1 Cav. Blackhawks, dined with Abbas and members of his Iraqi Army training unit to discuss future combined operations and to get to know one another a little better.

“I’m very impressed with the level of professionalism the Iraqi soldiers showed as we rolled through the gate,” said Kolasheski.  “It says a lot about their training.”

Abbas presented the Blackhawk leadership with a huge meal to honor their visit and encouraged everyone present to relax and enjoy.

“My brothers, I am so excited that you are all here,” said Abbas. “I look forward to working with you as one family. The Iraqi team and the American team is one team and I want to have a high level of cooperation. My Iraqi soldiers love their American Soldiers as brothers.”

After their meal, Abbas and Blackhawk leadership discussed the training that the Iraqi Army was doing at Bes Maya Range Complex.

Abbas proudly explained that the complex features a sniper course, mortar course, infantryman’s course and a Combat Arms School. Many of these training courses are taught and run completely by the Iraqi’s themselves and others are almost to that point.

Abbas was understandably proud how far his country and army have come since their days under Saddam Hussein’s control.

“These types of facilities are so important in giving our Soldiers proper training,” remarked Kolasheski. “I’m very impressed with the facility you have here.”

Abbas also assured Kolasheski that the tribal division that had hindered Iraq’s army in the past was not a problem with the unit under his command.

“All my soldiers fight under one flag,” said Abbas, as he pointed to the Iraqi flag on his wall. “No more clans or separate religions here. We all worship one God and fight under one flag.”

He pointed out that Iraq was under Hussein’s control for over 20 years, and it will take time to change the way an entire generation of Iraqis think, but he is confident that change will take place.

“I promise you, in five more years this country will be an example for other countries to follow,” said Abbas. “We are almost there.”

Abbas also recognized that there were elements in his country that did not want Iraq to change, but was confidant that with America’s help, they too could be overcome.

“My brothers, this country would not be free of Saddam without your help, but this country still has bad people that must be stopped,” explained Abbas.  “We will stop them. I promise you this.”
Blackhawk leaders were impressed with Abbas’s level of commitment and enthusiasm.

“We look forward to working with you to help rid your great country of these bad men,” replied Capt. Jim Hathaway, 3-1 Cav’s Headquarters Troop commander.

After enjoying desserts prepared by Abbas’s wife and cups of steaming chai, the commanders parted ways, but promised to be in touch with one another.

“I look forward to working with you and hope to do this again soon,” said Kolasheski.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

2-69 Soldiers Killed in Iraq

This release from the Department of Defense:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2007

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown, 31, of Prichard, Ala.
Pfc. David N. Simmons, 20, of Kokomo, Ind.

Here’s a link to an article on SSG Harrison Brown.

Here’s a link to a TV news report on SSG Brown.