Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | Spc. Anthony Lewis of Goldsboro, N.C., assigned to Task Force Iron, troubleshoots a...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Richard Ybarra
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq — Just after midnight on January 1st, a reenlistment ceremony for Spc. Anthony Lewis of Goldsboro, N.C., assigned to Task Force Iron, was conducted in front of a memorial for the fallen at the Forward Operating Base Marez dining facility, marking the first reenlistment of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the year 2008.
The memorial is dedicated to military service-members and civilians who were killed in a suicide bombing at the dining facility on Dec. 21, 2004. "It (the bombing) was a shame, I want them to know that we still carry on," said Lewis. "I wanted my reenlistment to be a tribute to those fallen heroes."
Lewis, on his second tour to Iraq, is an Information Operations Analyst with the 1st Armored Division. He is responsible for management and maintenance of more than 30 computers and two networks. Lewis is also responsible for setting up temporary networks as missions require.
"There is always room to learn and improve in this field. While you are learning, you have a chance to meet different people, because in today's society, everyone uses internet and computers no matter what their job or mission," said Lewis. "I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of good people, while I continue to improve."
A 1996 graduate of Goldsboro High School, he was a member of the marching band for four years. Lewis said he was looking forward to his upcoming leave to Goldsboro.
"I miss my family and friends, there is nothing like home," he says.
Lewis joined the Army in 2003, after training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Fort Gordon Ga., his initial assignment was with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. In 2005, Lewis deployed with the 3rd ID to Iraq and was stationed in Baghdad.
Lewis worked as an information management officer and local area network manager for four FOBs within the Green Zone. This included networking with the U.S. Embassy, other U.S. military services and other coalition forces within the Green Zone.
"That deployment helped build on the things I learned in training. The effects of heat and dust on the equipment," Lewis grimaced. "It really helped my hands-on skills."
Upon completion of his tour, Lewis was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany with the 1st Armored Division. "I love Germany, the people, the culture as a whole. The sights, the sounds, the history, being able to visit historic sites and other countries have been great," said Lewis.
1st AD deployed to Iraq in August of 2007, where Lewis has been stationed in Mosul, which is in northern Iraq, with Tactical Area Command-North with Task Force Iron at FOB Marez.
"By reenlisting I feel like I am helping the citizens of Iraq to a better future. I can tell a difference for the better between 2005 and now," Lewis said. "In the end, hopefully, it will mean not just a better Iraq, but a better world."
"The army could not function with the efficiency that it does without the technical skills of Soldiers like Spc. Lewis," said Col. Raymond A. Thomas, assistant deputy commander for Task Force Iron, "his commitment to serve, now on his second tour, bringing security to the people of Iraq are an inspirational way to begin the new year."
| Date Taken: | 01.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.02.2008 11:31 |
| Story ID: | 15126 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 689 |
| Downloads: | 626 |
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