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1SG Jennings |
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Jennings, a 20-year Army veteran, is the first sergeant of Alpha Company, Jennings is in charge of 135 soldiers |
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Zena |
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She is very loving and takes your mind off the chaos outside our walls, if just a few moments |
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1LT Smiley |
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Michael Smiley says he hopes to raise the initiative level among Iraqis |
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PFC Beaird |
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Says his definition of success here is making sure that all of the officers and security forces learn something every day |
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PFC Gilo |
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"Because we are here showing our presence, it will help the Iraqi police catch the terrorists and others trying to prevent change"
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SGT Navarro |
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"I feel good that we're here," he said. "I know a lot of people are happy with us here. They seem to be getting their lives on track" |
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SSG Ryder |
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"We are here to protect all the ethnicities from each other. It's tough when something goes wrong and you can't tell the difference between the different sides" |
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SFC Brown |
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"The aftermath of the car bomb at the police station is by far the worst I've seen over here" |
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SSG Woodruff |
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"Satisfaction is seeing all the soldiers in the platoon successfully complete the missions given to them" |
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SSG Dzingle |
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Most satisfying achievement during the deployment: "Building all the different beds and shelves for the soldiers' quality of life" |
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Salah |
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If there is anything we need, Salah can find it |
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Dar |
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He has a unique gift of freehand portraits |
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PFC Crugnale |
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The Commander's tallest dwarf |
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CPT Hartz |
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Brad Hartz says he's satisfied to see different ethnicities starting to live together |
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PFC Amos |
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Pfc. John D. Amos II, who died from injuries suffered in a blast on April 4, was well-respected and remembered as a good friend by his fellow soldiers |
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Golden Eagle |
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Bravo company's golden eagle |
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SGM Snyder & Eagle |
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SGM Snyder with Bravo company's eagle |
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CPT Hartz and Israa Talib |
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Israa Talib smiles as she takes a picture with CPT Brad Hartz San Antonio, TX, after finding out she will receive a small business grant |
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Wounded Gators |
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Woolwine, Hernandez, Salinas, and Ferguson were injured in an attack on May 2, 2004 |
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Receiving the Purple Heart |
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Spc. Charles Woolwine receives his Purple Heart from uncle, who earned one in Vietnam |
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SPC Jaber |
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"When the people praise us for improving their lives, it feels good inside" |
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SPC Torres |
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"It seems the Muslims here seem so much different because of their outlook on life itself" |
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1LT Blais |
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"Now that we've been here awhile, I see a far more structured society than when we arrived. It seems like more Iraqis are looking to take responsibility for the rebuilding effort." |
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1SG Jennings |
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1st Sgt. Robert Jennings recently took some time off to visit his mother, Judy Vaughan, in Florida |
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SPC Ninehouser |
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"Mom and Dad I'm doing fine. I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again" |
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SPC Garza |
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"When you're here and see the way people live, it really makes you appreciate what you have. I've seen some areas here that are lower than low when it comes to living standards. I couldn't imagine these places before I came here." |
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SGT Leiva, 1LT Critchley, SPC Messinger |
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Here in Iraq they have been given the additional task of supervising reconstruction projects throughout the city of Kirkuk |
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SGT Cleland & SPC Woolwine |
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Sgt. Wes Cleland, left, and Spc. Charles Woolwine visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. |
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SSG Grigley |
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"People are people. It's really hard to persuade some, but we have been able to win the hearts and minds of those who were not really sure what we were all about." |
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SPC Robinson |
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"As long as we are here, I think they will continue to improve. We need to continue to train the police, Iraqi national guard, and the new army." |
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The Medical Platoon |
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The 1-21 Medical Platoon, from left, front row: Staff Sgt. Michael Farmer, Sgt. Alan Light, 1st Lt. Frank Grover, Staff Sgt. Marco Mendoza, Sgt. Cliff Duffey, Spc. David Katz. Back row: Spc. Jason Williams, Staff Sgt. Craig Andrews, Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Johnson, Pfc. Jason Smith |
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SPC Vaught |
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"I've been in some type of military structure since the seventh grade. After military high school, I spent two years at the Citadel. I left my third year and enlisted in the Army to fight terrorism." |
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1LT Hall |
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"I learned as a platoon leader, boots-on-the-ground soldiers are winning the war." |
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SPC Zhu |
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"Don't worry about me, mom, I'll be home soon." |
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SPC Koziol |
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"I don't think people realize the dangers we face every day. When you leave the walls of the patrol base, there are a lot of people that just want to kill an American. When you're out on a patrol, you have got to be ready for anything." |
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SPC Hunt |
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"Now that we've been able to settle into our routines and interact with the locals, I feel a lot better about our situation." |
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SPC Manchester |
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"I can tell that our rebuilding efforts are working. I really think this country has a bright future as soon as security has been established." |
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