Iron Brigade celebrates 4th of July

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | 1st Sgt. Martin Kelley, native of Laurel, Del., first sergeant, Bulldog Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, barbeques at the troop cookout July 4. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Paul J. Harris, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, July 4, 2006)  

BALAD, IRAQ

07.06.2006

Story by Spc. Paul Harris 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BALAD, Iraq (July 4, 2006) -- Servicemembers celebrated the Fourth of July at Logistical Support Area Anaconda near Balad, Iraq even though they were thousand of miles away from the U.S.
For Bulldog Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, the day started promptly at 9 a.m. with a promotion and awards ceremony followed by a troop barbeque.

Staff Sgt. Scott Lathan, senior medic, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop attached to B Troop, 2nd Sqdn., 9th CAV, received a Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds to the face he received from an improvised explosive device while on patrol.

Sgt. Travis Rupert, senior dismount on red alpha patrol, B Troop, 2nd Sqdn., 9th CAV, received the Army Commendation Medal for spotting an insurgent carrying IED assembly equipment and alerting coalition forces of his location where the man was later detained.

"It is an honor considering this is Independence Day and to be awarded on a day like today compares to no other," said Rupert.
Capt. Ronald Magtanog, executive officer, B Troop, 2nd Sqdn., 9th CAV, who was newly promoted to captain as of July 1, was humbled to stand before the troop for the festivities. The troop had been scattered across different bases assisting in the Iron Brigades" mission. It was the first time the troop had been all together in a long time.

"We are a long way from home but we are with our family," Magtanog said, "This is my family right now while I am away from family."

Those Soldiers who did not have to go on patrol later in the evening were given the rest of the day off and were encouraged to take part in the activities Morale, Welfare and Recreation had planned for the service members of the LSA.

The pool was a busy place on the Fourth with servicemembers" barbequing, playing water volleyball or horseshoes. MWR set up two special events a water dodge ball tournament and a tug of war competition.

Due to security reasons pyrotechnics were prohibited for the evening of the fourth but Warner Bros. showed a special screening of Superman Returns. In every seat cup holder was a postcard that has been mailed from the U.S with messages of encouragement. The program entitled Operation Superhero had the message printed on the postcards "Let our troops know why they are true super heroes."

Participants in the U.S. were asked to write messages to the troops in Iraq and mail the postcards to Warner Bros. who would send them on to the screening. Most of the handwritten messages contained phrases like "you are the real Supermen" and "please come home safe."

Pfc. Chris Paukei, military policeman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd HBCT, was on his way to Kuwait to go on mid-tour leave and decided to see the film. He was surprised yet happy that in the middle of the desert he was able to see a first run movie.

It shows the support we are getting for the war, Paukei said. It felt good, felt a little like home.

• Date Taken: 07.06.2006
• Date Posted: 07.06.2006 13:11
• Story ID: 7063
• Location: BALAD, IQ