Photo By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky | Sgt. Peter Ray, left, and Pfc. Trevor Riener, both Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field...... read more read more
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Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU – The scenery seems plucked from a Western movie. Dust swirls in the air and cattle are herded on the edge of the one road through town. The landscape is mostly barren and the law, like traces of modern civilization, is almost non-existent. Here, fittingly for this frontier-like environment, marks the boundary between freedom and insurgent tyranny.
Like the Dog-Face Soldiers of yesteryear at the Marne River in World War I, who stood their ground and halted the German advance, the Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga., have taken a stand in Madariyah against the oncoming terrorist threat posed by al-Qaida.
"We're living history," said Sgt. Peter Ray, team leader, sensitive site exploitation team. "We are all part of history; I'll be able to wear the 3rd Infantry Division combat patch the rest of my career."
Like the history that stands behind this patch, the artillery men hope they too will create their own legacy, a legacy on par with that of the past.
While they may not ever, due to the nature of the war they fight, engage in the epic battles of yesterday, the Soldiers still feel they are making a difference.
Pfc. Trevor Riener, Battery B, said if the American public saw the people his unit brought in and the weapons they had found they would change their mind about whether or not they should be in Iraq. "We've made a lot of progress," he said. "We're keeping a lot of bad guys from doing lots of stuff."
By fighting the battle here, the Soldiers said they are keeping it in check, preventing the battle from spreading back home. Although doing so often requires a lot of sacrifices, they are sacrifices the two said they are willing to take.
"It is a little rugged, but I love it," Riener said of living on Patrol Base W-1. "Once you get past the freezing cold shower water its okay."
Although it lacks some of the conveniences of larger forward operating bases such as laundry service and hot chow for every meal, Riener said he prefers the rugged life.
What the base may lack in amenities, it more than makes up for in a sense of belonging amongst the occupants. The friendship amongst the Soldiers sharing the hardships has created a literal "band of brothers" amongst the Soldiers, said Riener, who enlisted out of a sense of patriotism.
The camaraderie is top of the line, second to none, Ray added. People take initiative to go out of way for their comrades, he said.
"We operate like a battalion," Ray said, noting Soldiers in his battery perform all types of missions, from firing artillery rounds, acting as infantrymen, running logistic convoys and reaching out to the community.
In doing so, they have begun to show the community that they care, and that America has the Iraq people's best interests at heart. Reiner and Ray, both who have been on more than 50 missions, said their work has lead to many insurgents being detained and weapons removed from the population.
"We're keeping bombs off the road and mortars out of the air," Ray said.
Most recently, the Soldiers removed a cache of a dozen 120 mm mortars, one 82 mm mortar, a 60 mm mortar system complete with firing tube and base plate, a bag of mortar fins, a DSHKA high-caliber machine gun and seven improvised explosive device pressure plates.
"It's mind blowing, all the stuff that was so close," Reiner said.
In emptying the insurgent's resources, the two said they are filled with pride.
Such pride makes the two proud to serve in the 3rd Infantry Division and U.S. Army.
"I want to say I retired from the proudest profession," said Ray, who re-enlisted to join the Marne Division from the 10th Mountain Division.
Ray also said he enjoys being part of a unit that has a place in history.
He said the contributions he and his fellow Soldiers are making will only add to the proud history of the Marne Division.
Within the pages of the Marne history book, one new addition that can be added is the work done training the Iraqi army. Ray said he sees a lot of progress in the IA from living side by side with them.
"We've came along way with IA; I now have a lot of faith in them," Ray said. "They have proven themselves battle worthy."
Reiner agreed, saying the IA are good guys who are becoming better soldiers tactically with each mission and foot patrol conducted.
Like the footprints left behind in the dust on the paths they trod, the Soldiers are making an impression in Iraq. However, unlike the boot prints left in the dirt, they see their work as more permanent and not so easily covered over.
Although it requires a lot of sacrifices, Ray said he believes in the cause. Coming from a family he describes as very patriotic, Ray wants to do his part to his part for his country like his father, a decorated Vietnam Vet who fought in the Tet Offensive in 1969 and earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with valor and Purple Heart.
"I love serving my country. America is the greatest nation on earth."
It also boasts the greatest Army in the world, with great officers and non-commissioned officers, he said.
American also boasts the greatest Soldiers, he added; Soldiers who, like the previous Dog-Face Soldiers, are serving their country honorably.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2007 10:26 |
| Story ID: | 14063 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 319 |
| Downloads: | 308 |
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