Christmas down range

Photo By Spc. Leith Edgar | Maj. Chad Shields, commander, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, who is from Brandon, Miss., views the insides of Patrol Base Courage Dec. 25. Shields and his men were busy Christmas day ensuring the protection of the small base and the security of the surrounding area.  

12.25.2006

Story by Spc. Leith Edgar 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Leith Edgar
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

PATROL BASE COURAGE, Iraq – While excited children and delighted parents open their presents Christmas morning across America, many Soldiers in Iraq awoke to business as usual – another day down range.

Though holiday greetings of "Merry Christmas!" are rampant on outlying patrol bases such as Patrol Base Courage, the festivities are subdued and the mission remains first and foremost, said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Wooten, the patrol base mayor, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

"The mission has not changed regardless of (it being) Christmas. We'll try to squeeze Christmas in sometime between missions," said the native of Virginia Beach, Va.

The mission for the Soldiers at Patrol Base Courage, a small outpost located north of the Iraqi capital, is to secure their center of operations, which looks almost like a hasty-fighting position, and the surrounding area of Agru Quf, as well, said Wooten, who is deployed for a second tour of duty.

Despite spending the holidays in a remote location, away from friends and family, Soldiers are at least able to celebrate with one another, said Wooten, who has been away from his family during Christmas four times during his military career.

According to Maj. Chad Shields, the company commander, the best part of spending Christmas on a patrol base is, "being with the boys," who he called a bunch of "great Americans," who serve selflessly.

"We've lost two Soldiers already, but the boys understand we have a mission to do. Everybody understands the mission and we have a motivated company.

We're sticking together and we're going to see it through," said Shields, who hails from Brandon, Miss.

In addition to the camaraderie built from experiencing a common challenge, the Soldiers of Patrol Base Courage share a special Christmas meal, compliments of their diligent cooks, Shields said.

For some Soldiers on outlying patrol bases, experiencing Christmas while deployed to Iraq taught them the true meaning of the holiday. That been the case for Pvt. Patrick Ozment, an infantryman with 2nd Bn., 14th Infantry Regt., 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Div.

Ozment enlisted at 17, deployed after turning 18 and is spending his first Christmas away from his family in western Baghdad. He now calls Patrol Base Gator Swamp home.

"Now I really know what it's about. It's about family and I miss mine," said the native of Jefferson County, Texas. "Just grasp every single moment you can because it's the most precious thing."

• Date Taken: 12.25.2006
• Date Posted: 12.25.2006 14:23
• Story ID: 8670