Photo By Staff Sgt. April Campbell | Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division and...... read more read more
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By Pfc. April Campbell
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Deploying halfway around the world not only affects Soldiers, it also has a resounding effect on the families and larger communities to which the Soldiers belong.
For 4th Infantry Division Families at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colo., staying connected with their loved ones who are deployed here in Iraq helps to ease the burden of the distance between them.
As part of an effort to keep the Ivy Division families informed about their Soldiers and the happenings here in Iraq and at home, Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, a Hattiesburg, Miss., native, the commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div. and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, along members of his staff, participated in their third 4th Infantry Division Town Hall Meeting from Iraq March 26.
The meeting was broadcast live, via satellite, to Ivy Division Families at both Fort Hood and Fort Carson. Using the internet, via webcast through the 4th Inf. Div. website, and satellite communications, the families themselves were able to take part in the meeting.
Along with addressing the families' questions, Hammond offered his first-hand view of the current situation in Baghdad to those who remain in the United States.
"In Baghdad, I'm very proud to tell you that the government is holding and doing a fine job," Hammond continued. "The Iraqi army, the national police and the Iraqi police, are executing their responsibility with respect to security, and your Soldiers are well supporting this effort as necessary. I think we're moving in the right direction."
The Ironhorse commanding general took an opportunity at the beginning of the event to recognize two 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers: Spc. Elliott Valdez, who serves as a division broadcast journalist with Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., and Sgt. Robert Shultz, who serves as a platoon sergeant and generator shop non-commissioned officer in charge with Headquarters Support Company, STB.
Valdez, a Lawton, Okla., native, was awarded a commander's excellence coin for his efforts in making an Ivy Division national anthem video. His wife, Sgt. Racheal Valdez, an Atlanta native, who serves as a supply sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, currently under 1st Sustainment Brigade, MND-B, stood by his side as Hammond presented him the coin.
The couple, who have two children, have sacrificed a great deal to serve their country at war, said Hammond.
Shultz, a Mesa, Ariz., native, has deployed multiple times to Iraq. His current deployment marks his second trip to Camp Liberty.
"I've been in the Army for 17 years, and I serve for the duty, honor and love of my country," Shultz said. "Although this is currently my third deployment to Iraq, I would not hesitate to do it all over again if I had to do so."
Some changes, such as additional sidewalks and barriers, have made marked improvements to Camp Liberty since his previous deployment, Shultz said.
"Life here is not perfect, but we know that future improvements will find (their) way here to the surrounding areas and to the motor pool," Shultz added.
"This man is a man of character," said Hammond, who also presented Shultz with a commanding general's coin. "He's a man of moral courage, and the basis for him is his family."
In addition to seeing the Ivy Division Soldiers recognized, family members were able to see and hear the perspective of one Baghdad area Iraqi patriot, Dr. Moayad Musleh Hamud.
"This man puts his life on the line every single day ... for your Soldiers," said Hammond. "By trade, (Hamud) is a cardiologist, but he has chosen to fight in defense of the people of Iraq. He has been a key person in helping our Soldiers down in an area we call ... East Rashid."
Moayad said he hopes his community's strong ties and relationship they have enjoyed with the Soldiers of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, MND-B, will continue to thrive with the incoming unit into the area: 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., which is based out of Fort Hood. Moayad was also presented a commanding general's coin for his continuing efforts and friendship.
During the last part of the monthly event, Hammond answered questions from the family members in Texas and Colorado.
One family member asked if the current 15-month deployments would be changed to 12 months.
"I would plan for 15 months," Hammond said. "There is no reason for me to believe, nor have I seen anything that would indicate anything less than 15 months."
A question was also asked concerning the 4th Inf. Div.'s movement to Fort Carson upon its redeployment from theater. For this, Hammond turned to Lt. Col. Kerk Brown, who serves as the division personnel officer for the 4th Inf. Div. and MND-B.
"Your Soldiers should know, before they redeploy, exactly what's going to happen in terms of their disposition – if they are going to go to Fort Carson, remain at Fort Hood, or (permanently change stations) due to the needs of the Army," said Brown, a Lompoc, Calif., native.
In closing, the Ironhorse commander, speaking from the heart, thanked the Families and communities back in the U.S. and expressed his feelings for the Soldiers he leads.
"(These Soldiers) are men and women of character. They've got more moral courage than anyone I've ever seen in my life – they are strong because you're strong back there."
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2008 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 17873 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 280 |
| Downloads: | 259 |
This work, Ironhorse CG stays connected with Families back home, by SSG April Campbell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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