Article & St. Barbara's Celebration

There is a new article in Stars and Stripes about Ramadi and the changes that they have seen there. You can check it out here.

The military in Ramadi recently celebrated St. Barbara's Day. Here is a write-up from the 2-17 site about the signifigance of the event:

Artillerymen everywhere, including Iraq, celebrate Saint Barbara's feast. Saint Barbara long ago was jealously guarded by her heathen father, and when she chose to become a Christian, her father executed her. On his way back from the deed he was struck down by a lightning bolt, a symbol of God's displeasure. Saint Barbara is now known as the patron saint of those in danger of sudden, explosive death. Due to the unreliability of early artillery pieces, those artillerymen chose Saint Barbara as their protector. We celebrate every year with a ball or dinner, and at the same time induct worthy candidates into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. Those particularly worthy, with a long and distinguished career in the artillery, may be inducted into the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. This year we conducted a joint celebration, along with the 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, and we saw one of 2-17's own inducted into the venerable Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.


You can see more detail and see pictures by clicking here. I must warn you: they make a punch with some pretty unsavory ingredients. Rory, I hope you didn't drink that crap. YUCK!

He Called and Package Overload Again!

Happy monday all!

Just a quick note to let you know that Vicki heard from Rory yesterday. He has a touch of the flu, but hopefully will be on the mend soon. (Don't know if he picked it up from germs or if he actually got it from the flu shot that the Army gave these guys!) Anyway, he did mention that he is TOTALLY and COMPLETELY overloaded on packages from the holidays still. So as much as he appreciates the sentiment, please do not send anymore boxes until the go ahead is posted here. The guys are actually having to throw stuff out right now over there because they are just so deluged. So, if you want to send something for his birthday (which is Jan. 24, he'll be 22!) please just send a card and/or letter. Thanks again everyone for all your support and participation in our "Support Rory" efforts! You all are really the best!

In other news, Rob Brooke, Rory's friend and fellow soldier in Alpha battery is on his way home for leave!!! Yeee haaa!! Welcome home Rob! We're thrilled for you, Julie and your family! Enjoy your break!

Mid January!

Well we are mid January and as Sarah mentioned, Rory has passed his one year mark with the Army. Only 12 more months to go! Congrats Ror!

The guys in 2-17 recently had a Purple Heart and Combat Patch ceremony. All of 2ID wears the patch on the left soldier to signify their unit, but now they also wear it on their right to signify their service during conflict. Here is a bit more about the Combat Patch that Rory was awarded during the last week of December (taken from the DesertStrike page):

The patches, officially called Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, Former Wartime Service, are authorized for units who serve in hostile fire zones. 2nd BCT Soldiers may now wear the 2nd Infantry Division unit patch on their right shoulder to indicate they served with 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq.
This is the first time since the Korean War that Soldiers permanently assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea have deployed to a hostile area and were awarded the combat patch. Third Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division earned its division combat patch last year, but that unit of the division is stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Units of the brigade, although they have not seen combat prior to this deployment since World War II, have a long combat history. 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery also has a combat history dating to World War I, where the unit fired in support of 2nd Infantry Division. Often decorated for combat efficiency and performance in the heat of battle, the unit permanently rejoined the 2nd Infantry Division in 1996.

You can see some pictures of this ceremony by clicking here. Rory isn't in any of them, but it's cool to see what he experienced!