Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Pressure...

Chris navigates a stream during a hike up to Hanging Lake on his R&R in Colorado.
(CDS Photos, Inc.)

"Always remember To be true to ourselves. We must never let the pressure Of being number one Run our lives. We are only here, For a very short time. So we can't Get so caught up, In the grand competition That we can not enjoy, The pleasure of life itself."

Evening...

More news is coming out on the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment as they take over responsibility for the Diayala region from the 4th SBCT, 2ID. A Transition of Authority (TOA) ceremony was conducted on 1 Jone 2008. If you haven't seen the article detailing the TOA and the outstanding work the 4th SBCT has performed in Diyala give it a read.

Tip of the hat to the Red Raiders...thanks guys and well done!

Also, there are two pretty interesting videos on the 2-2 SCR and operations with the Iraqi Police in the Diyala province. The second one is the full length version and provides a pretty good look at 2-2 SCR ops. Spend some time with them...you might recognize a warrior or two.

R&R continues for Chris and it is everything we hoped and prayed it would be. Special thanks to every prayer warrior who lifts Chris and the entire 2nd SCR up in their daily prayers...you guys rock!

Enjoy the read and videos...this fight is for from over. There is still much work to be done by the 2nd SCR.


By Ryan Eliott
14th Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE - The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment took the reins of responsibility for the Diyala region from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division during a Transition of Authority ceremony held in Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie Fitness Center on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, June 1.

“It’s a great day to be in the cavalry and a great day to be a Dragoon,” said Lt. Col. Bryan Denny, deputy commander, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

“The 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team gave the Iraqi people of the Diyala province hope,” said Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commander of Task Force Iron and Multi-National Division - North.

“Were on the brink of great things in Diyala and must work hard to capitalize on them,” said Denny.

Speaking to the Soldiers of the 2nd SCR Denny said. “Keep up the pressure on al-Qaida and other extremist organizations, and embrace your Iraqi counterparts as we are surely united on a common struggle against tyranny and evil.”

During the Raider Brigade’s time here, they have cleared more than 40,000 kilometers of road, destroyed more than 2,100 improvised explosive devices and most importantly we’ve brought more than 12,000 Iraqis out of the darkness and into Sons of Iraq and other roles to provide security for their own nation, said Col. Jon S. Lehr, commander, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd infantry Division.

“Today the Diyala region is flourishing, because of the efforts of the Raiders Brigade,” Hertling went on to say.

Speaking to the Soldiers of the 4-2 Hertling said, “The Raiders Brigade efforts have allowed the Iraqis to establish their own Army and their own police as well as bring peace to their own people.”

“Our efforts have allowed a fledgling democracy to take hold,” said Lehr.

On the one hand, we are excited to go home to our country and families, said Lehr, but the Soldiers of 4-2 have forged deep long lasting relationships.

“The Iraqis will ultimately defeat the insurgents, said Lehr. It is the responsibility of the 2nd SCR now to lay the ground work to allow this to occur.”

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment is the longest serving Cavalry Regiment in the United States. It is more than capable to take the place of the Raiders Brigade and provide the same outstanding leadership and aggressive posture that the Raiders Brigade has done in the Diyala province, said Hertling.

“I recognize and appreciate what a great job the Raider Brigade has done in the Diyala province and can assure you the Dragoons will continue the struggle for a free and democratic Iraq in a place whose importance cannot be underestimated,” said Denny, “The Dragoons accept this mission and will fight with our Iraqi partners, we will move forward and take the Diyala province to the next level in a free and democratic Iraq.”


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v/r,
- Collabman

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Fallen Angel...


"Regardless of what one may think of the war, the men and women over there are fighting for us, their countrymen. They have earned our gratitude."

Major Andrew Olmsted, who was killed in Iraq on Jan. 3, 2008

Afternoon...

Well, we try and convince ourselves that it won't happen again...but it did. I saw the announcement before I blogged about Chris' R&R but I couldn't get these words out of my mind....

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier....

What words can I say to make it OK or take away the pain? Nothing. This blog has been ongoing for 10 months and these continue to be the most painful blogs to write. I dread seeing the alerts...make them stop, won't you?

I can hear the roll call at the funeral for SPC Mixon...and the silence, the deafening silence that follows his name...

My heart goes out to the Mixon family, friends and fellow soldiers. We will never forget SPC Mixon and his sacrifice. We will remember and America will be forever grateful.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Justin R. Mixon, 22, of Bogalusa, La., died June 1 in Baghdad Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.


v/r,
- Collabman


Monday, June 2, 2008

R&R...

SPC Chris Stevenson, Dog Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry boards a UH-60 Black Hawk helo headed to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) on the first leg of his journey home for R&R. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


"Though a warrior may return alive and uninjured, their lives will never be the same."


Afternoon...

Well, the first six days of Chris' R&R have been simply superb. We have enjoyed every minute and look forward to the remaining few days before he departs for the East Coast and some additional time with his special lady, Erin.

What have we learned in these first few days?

(1) The days are flying! Who authorized this? What was once a 24 hour day appears to have been shortened to 18-20 hours...grrrrr :-)

(2) Chris is doing well, mentally and physically...enough said.

(3) The emotions you experience when you first see and hug your warrior are unbelievable! A flood of love, joy and tears come pouring out...almost beyond description. We convince ourselves that we have it all figured out...but we don't.

(4) What we see and read about operations and activities in Iraq are not always as they are portrayed by the media. I am sure this is not surprising to any of us...but to hear it first hand brings it home...along with the truth...and it is the truth that matters.

(5) We will never really comprehend the commitment, sacrifice and love our warriors have for our great country...Chris deployed as a 19 year-old and is now a man...

For those interested, here is a glimpse of Chris, Erin and friends as they enjoy R&R...

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as we have...as we remember the 2nd SCR in Iraq and their service.


The UH-60 Black Hawk that carried SPC Stevenson to BIAP on the first leg of his journey home for R&R. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


An Apache attack helo flying out of BIAP. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


The second leg of Chris' (Left with shades) journey - BIAP, Kuwait, Ireland, Atlanta, Dallas and finally...Colorado. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris and Erin enjoying lunch and R&R - the expressions speak louder than words.
(CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris, Erin and two friends enjoying R&R - wonderful smiles!
(CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris and Erin in Colorado during R&R - the beautiful mountains of Colorado in the background. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Collabman - a happy father...especially with his warrior home! (CDS Photos, Inc.)



Chris and Erin prepare to head for Hanging Lake in western Colorado (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris takes in a "few" carbs prior to his hike up to Hanging Lake. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Headed up to the mountains on the way to Hanging Lake. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Colorado - simply beautiful! (CDS Photos, Inc.)



Preparing to leave the head-in and begin the trek towards Hanging Lake. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Erin and a Kodak moment on the trail to Hanging Lake. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris and Erin on the trail to Hanging Lake. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Hanging Lake in western Colorado...quite beautiful, eh? (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris and Erin snap a photo at the summit of Hanging Lake. (CDS Photos, Inc.)


Chris...enjoying his R&R in Colorado.(CDS Photos, Inc.)

v/r,
- Collabman