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A Soldier's Story

A soldier's account of the 1-year deployment of his company heading into battle in Iraq. 1SG Robert Jennings' story is published weekly in the Honolulu Star Bulletin. He will try to give you significant information about the unit during the mission. The following links will open a new page taking you directly to his story as to not break any copyright laws.

 

Sunday, 1 February 2004 - Preparation is key as isle soldiers hit Iraq

Sunday, 8 February 2004 - The long road north

Sunday, 15 February 2004 - Newcomers learn the ropes

Sunday, 22 February 2004 - Troops get accustomed to new surroundings in Kirkuk

Sunday, 29 February 2004 - Calamity at school follows respite of snow

Sunday, 7 March 2004 - Police car ambush ends days of quiet

Sunday, 14 March 2004 - Members of the 25th Division continue to come under fire

Sunday, 21 March 2004 - Company hunts for source of rocket fire

Sunday, 28 March 2004 - Heavy military presence keeps Kurdish holiday safe

Sunday, 11 April 2004 - Isle soldier's combat death marks deadly period in Iraq

Sunday, 18 April 2004 - Relative quiet allows for rebuilding

Sunday, 25 April 2004 - Residents surprise troops with eagerness to improve

Sunday, 2 May 2004 - Reconstruction takes top priority

Sunday, 9 May 2004 - A fallen leader remembered

Sunday, 16 May 2004 - Soldiers injured in ambush making progress in recovery

Sunday, 23 May 2004 - Injured troops start on the road to recovery

Sunday, 30 May 2004 - Injured soldiers continue recovery

Sunday, 6 June 2004 - 6 soldiers earn purple hearts for attack

Sunday, 13 June 2004 - Reason for single sock dawns hard on soldier's weary mom

Sunday, 20 June 2004 - Plucking out bad seeds takes effort on both sides

Sunday, 27 June 2004 - Troops start plans to fight insurgencies

Monday, 5 July 2004 - Rocket attacks mar relatively quiet post-transfer days

Sunday, 11 July 2004 - Mother happily feels weight of medal on son’s living chest

Sunday, 18 July 2004 - Soldiers receive combat insignias

Monday, 26 July 2004 - 6 months closer to return from Iraq

Sunday, 1 August 2004 - Troops promote unity and charity

Monday, 9 August 2004 - Iraqi forces carry out operation with minimal help from coalition forces

Sunday, 15 August 2004 - Troops’ searches turn up weapons caches

Sunday, 22 August 2004 - Calm helps troops focus on reconstruction

Sunday, 29 August 2004 - Striving to serve

Sunday, 5 September 2004 - Children take focus of efforts to rebuild

Sunday, 12 September 2004 - New trend in roadside bombing emerges

Sunday, 19 September 2004 - Troops uncover weapons of enemy

Sunday, 26 September 2004 - Troops call police to handle most violence among Iraqis

Sunday, 03 October 2004 - Attacks in Kirkuk come from beyond city

Sunday, 10 October 2004 - R&R trip home spans war and disaster

Sunday, 24 October 2004 - Recovery is a sign of a soldier’s mettle

Sunday, 31 October 2004 - Enemy activity rises during holy month

Sunday, 7 November 2004 - Welcome relief

Sunday, 14 November 2004 - Fallujah raid spurs attacks

Sunday, 21 November 2004 - Rocket kills Iraqi man not far from patrol base

Sunday, 28 November 2004 - Life goes on in spite of rebel efforts

Sunday, 5 December 2004 - News of more time in Iraq hits hard

Sunday, 12 December 2004 - Attacks rise as elections approach

Sunday, 19 December 2004 - Enemy now targeting Iraqi civilians

Sunday, 26 December 2004 - Dodge ball and dinner mark celebrations

Sunday, 2 January 2005 - Troops thwart efforts of enemies

Sunday, 9 January 2005 - Soldiers think calm precedes a storm

Sunday, 16 January 2005 - Noose tightens on attempts to disrupt vote

Sunday, 23 January 2005 - Anti-terror operations with Iraqis hurt enemy

Sunday, 30 January 2005 - Soldiers see more action as historic polling nears

Monday, 31 January 2005 - Isle soldiers help keep polls safe amid attacks

Monday, 7 February 2005 - Troops prepare for replacements after election

Sunday, 13 February 2005 - Unit rotation goes smoothly

Sunday, 27 February 2005 - Heroes land for happy ending