Sacrifice...

A US soldier from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks past an outpost of a local militia in Baghdad. The US military said that a diary and a document captured during raids on Al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq show the group has been weakened and that civilian anti-insurgency groups are making an impact. (AFP/Ali Yussef)

Evening...

Another week behind us - can you believe we are in to February already? Time continues to march on and I count each day as another day closer to having our warriors home.

As you will see from the article and pictures to follow that the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment remains in the fight in and around the Baghdad area of operations.

Lets begin with a story that shows the grace, courage and strength of Lt. Ryan Miller, a 24-year-old war veteran from the 2nd SCR, who was wounded in southern Baghdad last October. I would encourage you to take a few minutes and read about Lt. Miller's new mission of healing, courtesy of the Stanton Island Advance.

A new mission for Staten Island vet severely hurt in Iraq

For the 2nd SCR, they continue to hunt down insurgents and extremists alike...while finding and eliminating weapons caches. Check this article out - nice job Dog Company, 2-2 SCR!

Saturday, 09 February 2008

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080209-13
February 9, 2008

Joint patrol arrests six, find munitions
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division -- Baghdad Soldiers arrested six suspected extremists and seized munitions in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital, Feb. 8.

During an early morning joint patrol in northwest Rashid, Iraqi soliders from 1st Infantry Division, and 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division as well as Soldiers of Company B, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, detained six men believed to be connected to Al Qaeda.

The six alleged extremists, suspected of murders, intimidation of Iraqi citizens and attacks on Coalition Forces, were taken to a Coalition Detention Facility for questioning.

Later, Soldiers of Company D, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, found the munitions during a patrol in southeastern Rashid.

Explosive ordnance disposal personnel detonated five 60mm mortar rounds, 13 rocket-propelled grenades and four RPG boosters with detonation cord at a Coalition base in southern Baghdad.

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Finally, let me close with two photos of warriors from Fires Squadron, 2nd SCR taking care of business...

Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond (left), the commanding general of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division, who is a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., along with Hammond’s executive officer, Maj. Andy Gordon, a native of Hueytown, Ala., and Command Sgt. Major Anthony Diamond, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, a native of Cedartown, Ga., listen attentively during a patrol brief Feb. 7 before moving out to the Fira Shira Market, which is located west of Baghdad.U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B PAO

1st Sgt. James Grove (left) and a fellow Soldier from Battery B, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, joke around with local residents Feb. 7 in Fira Shira Market, which is located west of Baghdad. Recently, the unit provided a micro-grant to a local Iraqi businessman to jump start a bakery in the market. A week later, a restaurant opened across the street as a direct result of the bakery. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B PAO

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Chris, we think of you constantly. We remember your courage, sacrifice and commitment to duty.

You will never know how many folks are praying for you and the entire 2nd SCR.

I love you Chris...

Love,
Dad