Victory Times. Drowning Pool Rocks Camp Victory, Troops

Transcription

1 Victory Times Vol. II, Issue 103 Telling the Camp Victory story Drowning Pool Rocks Camp Victory, Troops Story and photos by Cpl. Jessica Kent MNC-I PAO A quiet night was interrupted by hundreds of screaming rock fans as servicemembers went surfing over the heads of swaying bodies. While many audience members happily sprayed water into the air, others threw their arms up high and cheered on a live rock band. Members of Drowning Pool performed for a crowd of servicemembers and civilians at the Kellogg, Brown and Root Entertainment Stage at Camp Victory, Sept. 10. The concert took place during the band s third tour dedicated to supporting U.S. troops. In the past few years, Drowning Pool band members traveled across areas of South Korea, Kuwait, Iraq and Germany to spread a message. During the performance, a message was relayed to the troops. After Mistress Carrie (voted the most popular disk jockey in the U.S.) introduced the band, the message was clear. Thank you for our freedom, said Ryan McCombs, Drowning Pool s lead singer. Thank you for what you do! Are we ready to have a good time tonight? During the next three hours, members of the audience appeared to enjoy the concert. Everyone looked like they were having a blast. I was surprised that the crowd was treating this like any concert from home, said Spc. Jesse A. Husack, billeting assistant, 38th A Soldier surfs the crowd during the Drowning Pool Concert, Sunday. During the three-hour concert, the crowd yelled, crowd surfed and threw water yelling for the band to play their popular song, Bodies. Infantry Division Support Command, M u l t i - N a t i o n a l Corps-Iraq. As servicemembers went crowd-surfing and threw water in celebration, they yelled for band members to play their most popular song, Bodies. When the band played it, there wasn t a person not jumping and singing along. They can put on a terrific show, said Husack. After h e a r i n g some of the band s new music, i n c l u d i n g s o n g s inspired by D r o w n i n g P o o l s first trip to Kuwait and Iraq, Husack said he has a new level of respect for them. Drowning Pool has always been my favorite band, (but) I think better of them now. After hearing some of the new music they played, it made me realize how patriotic these guys are, said Husack. They informed me that on the next album, they are going to have a couple of songs that they wrote for the Soldiers. It was obvious, Husack said after meeting the band, that these musicians respect servicemembers for what they re doing in Iraq. These guys went out of their way to make sure anyone who wanted a photo or tried to get something signed, got it, he said. Besides having great music, they have great hearts as well. See Drowning Pool, Page 3 Drowning Pool played three hours for troops. In today s Victory Times: Page 2: Ramadan: Islamic Season of Devotion, Prayer Page 3: Chaplain s Corner, Page 4: Military History Page 5: Camp Victory Operating Hours

2 Page 2 Victory Times Ramadan: Islamic Season of Devotion, Prayer Story by Col. Duncan Baugh MNC-I Deputy Chaplain Ramadan is the most sacred of all Islamic religious observances. It is celebrated or observed by a month of fasting. Fasting is the third of the five pillars (guiding principles) of Islam. Muslim believers understand fasting as a process of purification, a means to attain the consciousness of Allah and to guard against the schemes of Shaitan (Satan). Muslims believe that Muhammad was visited by the Angel Gabriel in Ramadan 610 AD. This was the occasion where tradition reports that the initial verses of the Qur an (Islam s sacred scripture) were imparted to Muhammad. The Qur an makes observance of Ramadan obligatory. The dates for the observance of Ramadan are determined by the Lunar Calendar. The Lunar Calendar is based upon 255 days rather than the 365 days associated with Western calendars. As a result of the shorter cycle, the dates for Ramadan begin 11 days earlier each year. The start date for Ramadan is determined locally through a combination of astrological and eye witness methods. This year the dates are on or about September 24 through October 23. The essential practices of Ramadan are framed by observance of the fast from sunrise to sunset. The fast includes no food or water. The time is spent in prayer and reading the Qur an. The believer dedicates this time to Allah and Allah alone. The most significant observance during Ramadan is the Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Power). This night is believed to be the very night that the Qur an was revealed to Muhammad. Muslims spend this night asking for forgiveness for their sins and reciting the Qur an. The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the end of the fast and the end of Ramadan. This festival lasts for three days and is exemplified by joyful celebration of enhanced piety, moral victory, peace, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. This celebration is the time for expressions to Allah for his help and strength. When interacting with Muslims during this period, it is important to be sensitive to this time of fasting and refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in their presence. Because this is a time of heightened religious sensitivity, lying or the use of profane words or gestures is strictly forbidden. Respect for these sensitivities will be greatly appreciated. After sundown, Muslim families celebrate with a large meal. It is customary for families and friends to come together to share this meal. It is also likely that there will be an increase of pilgrims visiting shrines and mosques. Islamic history observes that this is a time of heightened religious sensitivities and a time for the special providence of Allah. Not only was Ramadan the time which marked the receiving of the Qur an, it has been a time of significant military successes. The Battle of Badr was fought in Ramadan, March 17, 624. This battle has been passed down in Islamic history as a decisive victory. The victory is attributed to divine intervention and is often referred to as the first Jihad. The conquest of Mecca by Muhammad occurred during Ramadan 629. This victory was secured without a battle. It resulted in the establishment of Mecca as Islam s most sacred city. The Kaaba was purged of the offensive idols and dedicated as Islam s most holy site. Other notable Islamic military successes occurred during Ramadan to include the defeat of Roderick in Southern Spain in 710 AD where forces of Islam maintained authority for 800 years. The crusaders were driven from Syria by Saladin in Ramadan The Mongols experienced their first decisive defeat in Ramadan The Ramadan (Yom Kipper) War was launched in Ramadan, in This attack was named Operation Badr commemorating the battle acknowledged as the first Jihad. In more recent times, the first and five subsequent Palestinian Intifadas ( ) were launched during Ramadan. Al-Qaida s attack on the US destroyer, The Sullivans, in Yemen was on the Night of Power in The Al-Qaida attack on the U.S.S. Cole was conducted Ramadan, Though this is a time of heightened religious devotion and dedication, a strong historical association with military successes does not preclude faithful Muslims from viewing this time as a time in which Allah may smile upon their military endeavors. Believing that this is a particularly providential occasion for divine intervention, Muslims have historically conducted some of their most successful and ambitious military operations during the month of Ramadan.

3 Page 3 Victory Times The Lieutenant s Success by Chap. (Maj.) Charles Herring Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 There have been many new Soldiers lately on Camp Victory. As some units end and others begin their missions, the Right Seat Left Seat Ride is an important duo-phase requirement in the final transition and integration. During the Right Seat Ride the new Soldier figuratively and some times literally sits in the passenger seat to observe and begin familiarization with the dayto-day operations of the unit as the veteran shares his practical knowledge and professional expertise. During the Left Seat Ride the veteran Soldier sits in the passenger seat to observe and monitor the progress of his replacement. One evening in the Coalition Café, I listened attentively as two young Lieutenants engaged in a Right Seat Left Seat Ride discussion. Both were deeply meshed in the process and it was evident in their voices that they were electrified and charged by the Soldiers they were to lead and have led. At the conclusion of their discussion, I heard the veteran Lieutenant say, Look, if you forget everything I ve said, remember Be strong and courageous. Don t be scared; do not be discouraged, because God will be with you wherever you go. After all the professional wisdom had been disclosed, the veteran shared some spiritual wisdom. I specifically prayed for both those young Lieutenants that Chaplain s corner evening in my devotions. The veteran Soldier had shared all the mission-essential information that resulted in his success as a young leader of professional Soldiers. Reflecting on their situation, I was reminded of another Right Seat Left Seat Ride discussion between Joshua and God. Joshua had been the deputy commander until the death of Moses and had suddenly found himself in command of a difficult mission that involved the decisive conquest of a brutal and powerful country. In order to succeed in his mission, Joshua listened as God told him three mission essential tasks: (1) Be strong, (2) Be courageous and (3) Be not discouraged. The mission demanded physical fitness (strength). It was not a mission for a weakling. The mission demanded moral fitness (courage). It could not succeed with a coward. The mission demanded intellectual fitness (intelligence). It would be doomed if he was not sufficiently intelligent to conduct his risk management and prepare a strategic battle assessment that would defeat the larger and powerful armies. The effectiveness for these three mission essential tasks was summed up in the last line of the famous FRAGO for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. This mission essential task list for strength, courage and intelligence has not been improved upon by any later FRAGO, and it is as necessary today as it was to Joshua and the two young Lieutenants. My prayer tonight is that my mission essential task list is found to be that of Joshua and two young Lieutenants in the Coalition Café. Camp Victory Three-day Forecast Friday Low: 76 F Saturday Low: 75 F Sunday Low: 75 F Drowning Pool In addition to motivating troops in Iraq, the band s music has been used in several motivational videos for the military. Drowning Pool is proud to support the military. That means the world to us; it s the greatest feeling in the world, said C.J. Pierce, vocalist and guitar player. We love playing for the troops. We re thinking of them, and we appreciate what they re doing for us. Band members are not the only ones who appreciate the sacrifices that have been made. When (Drowning Pool members) first landed, I shook each and every one of their hands and let them know we appreciate it. This has been a blessing on both halves, said Sgt. 1st Class Troy L. Dumes, MWR representative, 38th DISCOM, MNC-I. They really want to be here, and just for the sake of them coming over here, that speaks great credit on their part as Americans. The concert lifted morale for Soldiers, Dumes said, and the morale boost may last for days. He expressed thanks to Drowning Pool for giving Soldiers an opportunity to mentally get away from work, physically relax and enjoy the entertainment.

4 Page 4 Victory Times This Week in Military History with Lt. Tom Lewis, Australian Forces If you re Airborne, this is not a good memory. Sixty two years ago this week, on 17 September 1944, the ambitious WWII Operation Market Garden was launched. It dropped thousands of paratroopers behind enemy lines in Europe to secure bridges in Holland. Their aim: to allow Allied armies to advance north into Germany, bypassing the Siegfried Line, a massive German obstacle. The war, it was thought, would be over by Christmas. The invasion of Europe which had started with D-Day in June 1944 was not going well. Allied armies were hampered in their advance by a severe lack of fuel and reliance on too few ports in which supplies could be landed. The Germans were attacking Britain with the fearsome V2 rocket, which remotely crossed the Channel and detonated on target in southern cities. Market Garden was conceived to make a single thrust into Germany rather than a joint eastern assault as had been planned. With Market referring to the airborne element, and Garden to the ground troops, a combined drop was planned consisting of the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, British 1st Airborne Division, and the Polish 1st Parachute Brigade. On 17 September, 1, 500 aircraft rocketed and strafed enemy troops in the area. Pathfinding paratroopers were dropped to mark landing fields. Nearly 14, 000 troops were brought in over three days by gliders, parachute, and aeroplanes. Gliders brought in 1,689 vehicles, 290 howitzers and 1,259 tons of ammunition and other supplies. The Germans were completely surprised by the assault, but they rallied quickly. The Allies targets were eight water obstacles such as rivers and canals. Although initial success was encouraging and the ground units of Garden advanced in good order, the Germans effective fighting defence, and a lack of speed and finer planning on the part of the Allies, meant the operation became less effective as it advanced over six days. As the film A Bridge Too Far shows with fair accuracy, the operation was too ambitious. Finally, faced with an effective defence at the last target bridge on the Rhine river, the whole assault ground to a halt. After 10 days of savage fighting the operation ended with what was left of the 1st British Airborne Division evacuated from the drop area. Allied casualties numbered around 18, 000 to the Germans 13, 000 and the final result was failure. Did you know the history of who made the first parachute jump is confused, but it is well-established that in WWI chutes were only used by German airplane pilots the Allies did not establish the practice. However, both sides equipped their balloon observers with parachutes. The balloons used mainly for artillery spotting were particularly targeted as they markedly increased the guns accuracy, and so they were well-defended by ground fire. This hazard had to be braved by any attacking aircraft, and inevitibly they would target the observers, even under their parachutes, as the availability of trained personnel was far less than a new balloon.

5 Page 5 Victory Times Operating hours Coalition Cafe Breakfast 5:30-8:30 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner 5:30-8 p.m. Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. Sports Oasis Breakfast 5:30-8:30 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner 5-9 p.m. Shopette Open 24 Hours Camp Liberty Post Exchange Everyday 8 a.m p.m. Fitness Center Open 24 Hours Post Office Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday 1-5 p.m. Golby Troop Medical Clinic Sick Call Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Dental Sick Call: Monday - Friday 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday 9-10:30 a.m. Mental Health Clinic: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - noon Post Deployment Health Briefings: Monday - Friday 1 p.m. Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon, 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 7:30 a.m. - noon Legal Assistance/Claims Saturday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Personnel Service Support Centers Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ID Cards Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Worship Opportunities Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31) Friday: Jumu ah (Islamic Prayer) 1 pm Sunday: Traditional Protestant Service 7 am 8:45 am Roman Catholic Confession 10 am Roman Catholic Mass 10:30 am Gospel Protestant Service 12 pm Latter Day Saints Service 2 pm Episcopal/Lutheran Service 4 pm Contemporary Protestant Service 6 pm Saturday: 7th Day Adventist Service 11 am Roman Catholic Mass 8 pm Mini-Chapel (Bldg. 2) Church of Christ Worship Service 3 pm Monday Friday Roman Catholic Service 4 pm Friday Jewish Service 6:30 pm Sunday Church of Christ 3 pm Latter Day Saints Service 7:30 pm Submit letters from home Is your loved one deployed in support of Multi-National Corps-Iraq? Would you like to write him or her a message in the Victory Times? Send messages, three to four lines of text to curtis.squires@iraq.centcom.mil. Ensure to include Soldiers name, rank, and unit. Victory Times welcomes columns, commentaries, articles and letters from our readers. Send submissions or comments to jason.baker@iraq.centcom.mil. We reserve the right to edit for security, accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space. New Location For Army National Guard Retention Office NOW LOCATED IN AREA 51 GO INTO AREA 51 PAST FUEL POINT TURN LEFT AT BUS STOP GO THROUGH FENCE ON LEFT SIDE OF MWR LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM PBO TRAILER 51TR8 STOP BY AND CHECK OUT YOUR OPTIONS Sgt. 1 st Class JOHN GRAY, THEATER RETENTION NCO MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Michelle L. Martin-Hing MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Paul J. Stevenson MNC-I Command Info Chief: Sgt. 1st Class Laurence R. Lang MNC-I Production Chief: Staff Sgt. Jason B. Baker Layout/Design: Spc. Curt Squires Victory Times Staff writers/ photographers: Sgt. Brian James Anderson, Spc. Curt Squires, Spc. James P. Hunter, Cpl. Jessica Kent, Spc. Sean Finch Victory Times is an authorized electronic publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this electronic publication are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps Iraq.