No Rest...

Evening all! Have you recovered from all that Christmas food yet? How will we work off all those carbs? ;-)

A virtual show of hands from those of you who were out at the stores by oh-dark thirty this morning looking to cash in on more sales? One, two, three...I thought so ;-)

For me, it was an early breakfast with one of my best friends and then I began the process of painting our bedrooms prior to our remodeling project. This should keep my wife and I occupied throughout the spring as we look forward to Chris' R&R this coming May.

Now to some news about the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment who continue to hunt the bad guys and build trust amongst the Iraqi people...no rest for our warriors.

This article broke today and indicates that the insurgents continue to plan and prepare to attack coalition and Iraqi forces in the Baghdad area. Make no mistake, this battle is far from over...


Iraqi National Police discover two caches in Mosque in south east Baghdad
By 2nd Stryker Cav. Reg. Public Affairs
Dec 26, 2007 - 2:10:00 PM

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi National Police found two caches after receiving a tip regarding the location of terrorists near the Al-Kartheemain Mosque Dec. 24 in east Rashid.
When INP and Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers, from Company F, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and of the 1st Company, 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade arrived, the suspected terrorists had fled into the mosque. The national police searched the mosque and found two caches. The first cache included 107 mm rockets. The second cache consisted of mortar rounds, plastic explosives, TNT, grenades and other components needed to make improvised explosives.

"The discovery of these caches by the Iraqi national police confirms reports that Shia extremists continue to use mosques to plan and stage attacks against Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces and the people of Iraq," said regimental spokesman, Maj. Jon Pendell. "These groups are actively working to undermine the improving security situation in Baghdad."

The cache was recovered by explosive ordnance disposal personnel for disposal.

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Street Festival Celebrates Reconciliation
Courtesy Story
Posted on 12.26.2007 at 02:37PM
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

BAGHDAD – Local Leaders with Iraqi security forces and Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers held a reconciliation street festival in the Saha neighborhood of the Rashid District, Dec. 23.

Local Iraqis as well as Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, and policemen from 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division attending the festival witnessed an impromptu signing of a reconciliation pledge by Sunni Sheik Faisal of northern Saha and Shia Sheik Ali from the southern part of the neighborhood.

“Today over 200 residents from Saha met to resolve their differences peacefully and pledge cooperation for the future,” said Lt. Col. Myron Reineke, 2nd Sqd. 2nd SCR commander. “This is an important step towards improved security and a better life for all Iraqis.”

The event, held on 30th Street, would not have been held had the security situation in Baghdad not improved over the past few months.

Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. and Iraqi Brig. Gen. Abdhul Kareem, commander, 7th Bde. 2nd INP Division, attended the event to show their support for reconciliation efforts in Saha and surrounding neighborhoods.

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Chris, we miss you and love you son! Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman