Planning...

SPC Shawn Derrick, Dog Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment relaxes in a stryker vehicle following a patrol in Iraq.

(CDS Photos)


I can't call in sick on Mondays
When the weekend's been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
Sometimes all night long

You can bet that I stand ready
when the wolf growls at the door
Yeah I'm solid, yeah I'm steady
Hey I'm true down to the core

Toby Keith/American Soldier

Afternoon...

Another hump day...so, how are you doing? Are you counting the days or refusing to look at the calendar for fear that the days may get even longer? It never gets easy.

For me, I continue to work through one day at a time. Keeping a balance and battle rhythm in my life has been my goal from day 1 of this deployment...and continues today. Thanks to all of you who have been faithful to pray for Chris, the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, and for my wife and I. That simple question... "how is Chris doing" ...tells us you care and that you remember what we are dealing with.

The info hounds have picked up the schedule of events for the Dragoon’s Welcome Home ceremony and dedication of the Fallen Soldier’s memorial in November. As our warriors continue to take care of business in Iraq (see the photos below) it is great to see planning being conducted by the Rear Detachment Group.

Special thanks to David Gettman, 2nd Cavalry Assn News Center for providing the update. The complete overview can be viewed here.

2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment Homecoming Schedule

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 in Vilseck, Germany

Dedication of Operation Iraqi Freedom Fallen Soldiers Memorial Monument and Park

• Time: 1000 hours
• Place: Fallen Soldier’s Memorial Park, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany
• Participants: Special Guests, surviving families and public invited
  

Reception following the Memorial Service

• Time: Approximately 1100 hours
• Place: DFAC, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany
• Participants: Attendees of the Memorial Ceremony, Surviving Family Members, supporters and public
  

Welcome Home Ceremony

• Time: 1300
• Place: Vilseck High School Football field, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany
• Participants: Special Guests, Soldier’s Families, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Public
  

All of our returning wounded are encouraged to attend all of these events.

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A quick look around the net shows these shiny objects and photos of warriors from the 2nd SCR. Special thanks to the info hounds...

Enjoy!

Iraq nets three women would-be bombers in anti-Qaeda sweep

Iraq's female bombers rise as Qaeda's men fall

More than 375 suspected al Qaeda fighters detained in Diyala operation

U.S. Specialist Cristopher Fair (L) and Corporal Charles Mendez from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment work out at the Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment relax at the Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment rest next to dogs trained to sniff for explosives at the Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment tries to sleep next to a dog at the Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment play video games at the Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Specialist Jeric Hizon from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment talks on the phone at Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008. U.S. and Iraqi forces have routed al Qaeda in Baghdad and Western Iraq, and the Sunni Islamist group has since regrouped in Iraq's north, including Diyala, where a major security operation is underway to crush insurgents. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment play video games at Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment is reflected on a window as he walks out of a door at Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment use the internet at Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Specialist Steven Sic from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment takes his breakfast at Diyala media center in Diyala province August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


An Iraqi woman walks in front of a military vehicle from the U.S. Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment on a street near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. Iraqi security forces captured more than 80 suspects on Monday and Tuesday during a security operation in the restive Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Askari said. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walk on a street near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


An Iraqi woman walks in front of a military vehicle from the U.S. Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment on a street near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Staff Seargent William Cassidy (R) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks past Iraqi soldiers at an abandoned village near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier stands guard on a road during a joint patrol with Iraqi forces in Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers stand guard on a road during a joint patrol with Iraqi forces in Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ)


U.S. Lieutenant David Hanna (R) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and their Iraqi translator (2nd L) greet an Iraqi soldier at an abandoned village near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Specialist Sean Ludeman (R) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment shares a laugh with Iraqi soldiers at an abandoned village near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Lieutenant David Hanna (R) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and their Iraqi translator (L) talk to an Iraqi working at a check point near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walk towards a check point near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks next to a military vehicle near Baquba during security operations in Diyala province August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

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Chris we love you son and are so proud of all you all doing.

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman