Chapter News

This section contains a SPECIAL REPORT

and seventeen news articles

Special Report

From the Desk of

General Gordon R. Sullivan, USA Retired

Our Resolutions Tapestry

Recently I spoke to more than 30 new AUSA chapter presidents during their training at the association’s headquarters. The energy and excitement they brought to the table was enormous. These men and women and the almost one hundred others – all volunteers - who lead AUSA chapters around the world are the bedrock of AUSA’s efforts to help tell our Army’s story.

AUSA uses its Resolutions Committee, composed of about a dozen folks representing the major constituencies of the association, to determine the issues on which we will focus during the next legislative year. Next month I will meet with the full committee chairman and subcommittee chairmen to give them my guidance on the major issues as I see them.

My criteria for issues are not new, and I have mentioned them in previous columns: those items of policy or budgetary action that will have impact on the prosecution of the war on terror; the readiness of the force; the well being of our Soldiers and their families and the continued momentum of Army Transformation – materiel, equipment, training, facilities. They define where we stand as an Association.

The issues relate to: people – Soldiers and their Families, Retirees, and Army Civilians - readiness and force transformation. Some of the major categories are closing the pay gap, keeping medical care fees and deductibles from rising, funding Wounded Warrior, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury care and research initiatives as well as funding housing programs and expanding veteran, spousal and family member education and employment opportunities and the list goes on.

The size of the Army, and indeed the defense force as a whole, must be sufficient to accomplish our national security goals, and defense spending must be at least five percent of our gross domestic product. Acknowledgement of the radically changed role of our Reserve Component must result in redesigned structures, pay and benefits as well as retirement that reflect the way that segment of our defense establishment is now used.

Further, money must be available to reset (repair or replace) equipment for the Current Force and to complete the Future Combat Systems that will take the Army into the future as well as spin off new technologies and capabilities now for the Current Force to use. Operations and maintenance funds to allow completion of active and reserve missions as well as training dollars also must be available.

All of these issues have enormous impact on our Army, our Soldiers and families every day. The Resolutions Committee will weave these into the tapestry that becomes the Association’s legislative agenda.

Then, our members vote, through their chapters, on the final product thus creating the 2009 AUSA Resolutions which are published and provided to every member of Congress as well as opinion leaders in local communities and within the Army. The resolutions process is grassroots activity at its very best, and I am very proud of the volunteers who create it and make it an effective instrument of policy for AUSA.

News Articles

1. Chapter Farewells our III Corps & Fort Hood Senior Command Team (July 18, 2008)

2. CSM Neil Ciotola provides personal perspective on deployment, fighting. (July 1, 2008)

3. Chapter Recognizes Distinguished Support (July 1, 2008)

4. Toyota Truck won by local corporate member (July 1, 2008)

5. 2008-2009 Executive Committee Leadership Team Announced (July 1, 2008)

6. 2008-2009 Chapter Board of Governors Elected (July 1, 2008)

7. Three Chapter Members Appointed to National Committees (June 5, 2008)

8. Chapter presents fifty four $1,000 scholarships (June 12, 2008)

9. Don Jones to Lead AUSA’s 4th Region (April 1. 2008)

10. Chapter Receives Special Recognition (March 31, 2008)

11. Major Donation Supports 4ID Family Readiness Groups. (March 11, 2008)

12. Commander, 1st Cavalry Division briefs us on Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 5, 2008)

13. Harker Heights Cheerleaders Support Fort Hood Wounded Warriors. (Updated March 5, 2008)

14. Transformation equals some New Patches-but Adopt A Unit Soldiers remain the same. (March 8, 2008).

15. Adopt A Unit Continues to Grow (February, 2008)

16. Secretary of the Army Pete Geren's Key Note Address (October, 2007)

17. Members Briefed on Global War on Terrorism - The JCS/J5 Briefing (June, 2006)

1. Chapter Farewells our III Corps & Fort Hood Senior Command Team

On Monday, July 14, our chapter joined with hundreds of other Central Texans in wishing LTG (P) Ray and Ms. Linda Odierno the very best as they head off to new, and terribly important, challenges. LTG (P) General Odierno will soon be promoted the General and return to Iraq to command the Multi-National Forces, Iraq.

As part of a region-wide event, Chapter President Ron Taylor presented our Senior Command Couple with a certificate, thanking them for their service to Soldiers, their Families and the Communities of Central Texas.

In part, the certificate reads:

We are honored and delighted to provide a

One Thousand Dollar Donation to

The National Museum of the U.S. Army

To assist in its telling the story of America’s Army

And of the leadership qualities that you both so thoroughly exemplify.

Then, on Friday, July 18, many from our chapter watched as the colors of III Corps and Fort Hood were passed from LTG (P) Odierno, through the hands of General Charles Campbell as US Forces Command Commander to LTC Rick Lynch - formally signifying the transfer of command.

The Odiernos will be sorely missed. They have left huge footprints in our Central Texas soil.

But as they drive off, we welcome back LTG Rick Lynch, and his wife, Sarah to the Great Place. In prior tours at Fort Hood, LTG Lynch commanded the 1^st Battalion, 8^th US Cavalry, 1^st Cavalry Division and the 1^st Brigade, 4^th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He has also served here as the Assistant Division Command (Support), 4^th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He returns to Fort Hood now, having just completed a tour as Commanding General, 3^rd Infantry Division, with duty at both Fort Stewart, GA and in Iraq.

See photos in our Photos Section.

2. CSM Neil Ciotola provides personal perspective on deployment, fighting.

Posted directly from the Killeen Daily Herald website on:

Tuesday, July 01, 2008, 2:25 AM

By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald

Fort Hood's senior noncommissioned officer would prefer to not deploy and fight ever again.

"We, the Army, have been rode hard and put up wet," said Command Sgt. Maj. Neil L. Ciotola. "We're catching ourselves coming and going. ... In all honesty, ladies and gentlemen, I and the majority of us in uniform, and those that repeatedly support us are tired."

Ciotola addressed the Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the United States Army Monday night at its general membership meeting in Killeen. It was at that meeting he was also awarded the chapter's Douglas Hayes-Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Bufford Jr. Award for leadership from an active or retired senior noncommissioned officer.

Ciotola, who, alongside Lt. Gen. (promotable) Raymond T. Odierno, led III Corps at Multinational Corps-Iraq from late 2006 to early 2008 in Iraq, is known for his candor. He was called Multinational Corps' "steel spine" during its 14 months in Iraq by Defense Secretary Robert Gates in February.

James Anderson, the chapter's president, said Ciotola was a "soldier's soldier" who was admired by anyone whoever put chevrons on their uniforms.

Ciotola said he felt "duty bound" to provide those at Monday's meeting with the same thing he does to his commander: perspective.

"A sense of what we're confronted with today and in the future, to separate myth from reality," he said. "At the risk of future employment in this noble institution I am compelled to give it to you from the gut."

As if anyone would expect anything less from a man who has spent nearly 32 years in uniform – most of that time as a noncommissioned officer.

The Army is not an equal-opportunity employer in many respects, Ciotola said. Not because of skin color, religious preference or gender, but because an emphasis on moral and ethical fiber and a physical ability.

"To serve in the United States Army today, you must quite frankly 'deserve to serve,'" he said. "You must willingly and completely subordinate yourself to the profound ideals of the Constitution of the United States and those of this noble institution."

Ciotola said he wouldn't speak for everyone in the room that night, but that tens of thousands in uniform feel like he did about never wanting to deploy and fight again. Too many of them have "seen too much of death, sacrifice that cannot be measured on any scale, evil that cannot be comprehended by those who have not looked it in the eye."

"Yet, I willingly embrace the reality we still have confronting us; this is a long war; an era of persistent conflict and much is expected of us, both in and out of uniform," Ciotola said.

America at large has failed to embrace that the Army is resolute, he added, and the Army is not willing to throw in the towel.

Officials are well aware of the shortfalls the Army is confronted with, Ciotola said. The Army lacks all the equipment it needs to support the entire force, it lacks all the troops it needs to satisfy every requirement and there is too little time to let formations adequately recover from one combat deployment before they prepare to deploy again, he said.

"Yet, there is reason to allow one's chest to swell with pride, reason to revel in all that we're confronted with," Ciotola said.

"Yup, we're tired, we're under-manned, under-equipped ... but again, we are resolute."

The glass is far more than half-full, the command sergeant major said, and pessimism is the "most heinous enemy we face."

Ciotola went on to say that it isn't just those in uniform who shoulder the burden of the war. It is also families and community leaders who fight to support those who deploy. They are the ones who "sustain us, comfort us, encourage us," Ciotola said.

"We're tired, we're resolute and we'll never quit," he reassured them.

3. Chapter Recognizes Distinguished Support (July 1, 2008)

Each year, our chapter recognizes individuals or organizations for their superb support of Soldiers, Soldier Families and this Chapter.

At our June 30, 2008 General Membership meeting, chapter President Jim Anderson, assisted by Incoming President Ron Taylor, made the following Distinguished Service presentations:

* The General Robert M. Shoemaker Award (Awarded to a civilian member who has provided singularly outstanding support of this Chapter throughout this past Program Year). Presented to Bill & Anna Crawford of Lampasas, Texas.

* The BG James I. King Award (Awarded to the individual member who has provided singularly outstanding, long-term support of this Chapter). Presented to Mr. Randy Sutton.

* The Roy J. Smith Award (Awarded to a Corporate Member for outstanding support of this chapter throughout this past Program Year). Presented to Fort Hood National Bank.

* The CSM Douglas Hayes – CSM Joseph Bufford, Jr. Award (Awarded to the SGM or CSM, active or retired, who has provided singularly outstanding support of this Chapter throughout this past Program Year). Presented to the senior Noncommissioned Officer of III Corps and Fort Hood, CSM Neil Ciotola.

Jim Anderson and Ron Taylor had earlier thanked Golf Tournament Chairman Randy Sutton, along with committee members Don Jones, Mike McDougal, Jack Hunter, George Delany, Tex Burrows and Ron Taylor for their efforts on behalf of our 2008 Golf Tournament Committee.

They also thanked five others for their special efforts during this past year. They include:

* Bill Alexander - who served as the special right arm of Chapter President Jim Anderson.

* Doris Santos - who served as the special right arm of Incoming Chapter President Ron Taylor.

* Pete Gilbert - for his always available support of the annual golf tourney.

* Bob Sykes of Wal-Mart - for the hundreds of things he and his team do, day in and day out, and

* Paula Lohse of Toyota of Killeen - for her superb support of our truck raffle.

We congratulate all of those recognized at this, our final General Membership meeting of Program Year 2007-2008, and know that our collective successes could have been accomplished without the help and assistance of dozens of others.

See photos in our Photos Section.

4. Toyota Truck won by local corporate member (July1, 2008)

Mr. Allen Mantanona, a first year Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter corporate member from Salado, Texas, won our raffled 2008 Toyota Tundra 4 dr. pick-up, valued at $37,000. The raffle was held in the concluding minutes of our final GM meeting of this program year and helped us raise over $22,100 for this year's Soldier and Family Programs. The winning ticket was drawn by Retired General Bob Shoemaker, and Mr Mantanona was present to proudly take possesion of his prize.

See photo in our Photos Section.

5. 2008-2009 Executive Committee Leadership Team Announced (July 1, 2008)

Forty volunteers have now joined Chapter President Ron Taylor to form our chapter’s Executive Committee (EXCOM) for Program Year 2008-2009.

On July 1, Dr. Jim Anderson completed a very successful term as our Chapter President and Incoming Chapter President Ron Taylor has taken the helm. “We have had a great past few years, and I want to thank Jim Anderson for his efforts in leading our chapter over these past twelve months,” Taylor said. “And I thank everyone who has agreed to serve on the incoming EXCOM. These are dedicated AUSA members and I am honored to have them as my Battle Buddies.”

The full 2008-2009 Executive Committee includes:

President – Ron Taylor

President Elect – Marty Smith

Immediate Past President (Ex Officio) - Jim Anderson

4th Region President (Ex Officio) - Don Jones

VP, Adopt A Unit - Clyde Glosson

VP, Annual Meeting, Travel and Events - Kasey Snyder

VP, Corporate Membership (Belton) - Jay Taggart

VP, Corporate Membership (Copperas Cove) - Jim Schmitz

VP, Corporate Membersip (Gatesville) - Mary Beth Harrell

VPs, Corporate Membership (Harker Heights) - Susan Jones & Eva Keagle

VP, Corporate Membership (Killeen) - Jackie Fountain

VP, Corporate Membership (Lampasas) - Sid Wieser

VP, Corporate Membership (Salado) - Mike McDougal

VP, Corporate Membership (Temple) - Bill Jones

VP, Membership - Enlisted Programs - Dennis Webster

VP, Family Support - Hal Schiffman

VP, Grant Writer - Matthew Wright

VP, Jr/Sr ROTC & Wounded Warrior Support - Jerry Smith

VP, Membership DoD Civilians – Eloise Lundgren

VP, Membership Military Retirees - Gene Silverblatt

VP, Scholarships - Steve Hanik

VPs, Defense Contractors - Bill Crawford, Drew McDanald, Katherine Kage, Mike Gravens,Rex Johnson and Richard Kaye

VP, Non-profit Orgns - Tony Mino

VP, Business Development - Bob Sykes

VPs, Public Relations - Gerald Skidmore & Debbie Stevenson

VPs, Annual Golf Tourney - Jack Hunter & Randy Sutton

VPs, Special Projects - Kathy Gilmore, Dalena Kanouse, Pat Christ & Billy Mills

Executive Administration Assistant (Appointed) - Doris Santos

Secretary (Appointed) – Kelly Creech

Treasurer (Appointed) - Gary Young

Webmaster (Appointed) - Ralph Gauer

Under the chapter’s bylaws, Executive Committee members are selected by the incoming Chapter President, whereas members of the chapter’s Board of Governors are elected by the general membership.

Both organizations are assisted through the voluntary participation of military members from each Fort Hood-based major unit command as such commands are defined by the Fort Hood Installation Commander.

6. 2008-2009 Chapter Board of Governors Elected (July 1, 2008)

On Monday, June 30, this chapter elected a forty eight member Board of Governors to assist our new President in guding and directing our future. The election was held as part of a very successful General Membership meeting held that evening at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. Our Board of Governors for 2008-2009 includes:

BELTON

Jim Covington (09)

George Dulany (09)

Lee Grabman (10)

Carol Mills (10)

Brian Nelson (10)

Stephanie O’Banion (09)

Jim Reed (10)

COPPERAS COVE

Rose Cameron (09)

Richard Donnell (10)

Roger O’Dwyer (09))

GATESVILLE

David Barnard (10)

HARKERHEIGHTS

Mike Case (09)

Mary Gauer (09)

Richard Kitterman (10)

Bill Kozlik (09)

Thomas Sinkey (10)

KILLEEN

Lois Anderson (10)

Coleen Beck (09)

Peter Beronio (10)

Vickie Carpenter (09)

Donna Connell (09)

Scott Cosper (10)

John Crutchfield (09)

Terry Gandy (09)

Rudy Gill (08)

Tim Hancock (10)

Bobby Hoxworth (09)

Terry Lancaster (09)

Fred Latham (09)

John Mayer (09)

Rick Miller (09)

Greg Schannep (10)

Stanley Small (09)

Bradley Whitis (10)

LAMPASAS

Stan Gorman (09)

Sally Yancy (08)

MOFFETT

Dan Elder (10)

SALADO

Bill Alexander (10)

Sam Kanouse (09)

Allen Mantanona (10)

Bill Parry (10)

TEMPLE

Jon Burrows (09)

Tex Burrows (09)

Jim Howe (09)

Sonny Jaramillo (10)

Joe Stewart (10)

Martha Tyroch (10)

WACO

Virgil Teter (09)

A governor's term of office ends on June 30 of the year indicated in parenthesis after their name.

7. Three Chapter Members Appointed to National Committees

When it comes to finding experienced leaders able and willing to assist our association, AUSA knows where to look. The answer is our Central Texas - Fort Hood Chapter!

On July 1, Don Jones, our chapter’s Immediate Past President, became our association’s new 4th Region President and its principal spokesperson in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. As such, Jones has been asked to speak out in support of all components of the Army, promote Association-supported professional education and information programs and foster greater public support of the Army’s role in National security.

And on July 1, other three chapter members took their seats on three different AUSA national committees.

Chapter Incoming President Ron Taylor will continue as a member of the Association’s Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs Committee, charged with defining and supporting the needs and interests of the enlisted Soldier and providing broad policy guidance to assist Chapters in developing operating policies and procedures. “I am extremely honored and excited to be selected to serve this additional three year term and look forward to doing whatever I can to support of our magnificent soldiers and their families.”

Chapter Past President Ralph Gauer has been reappointed to the national Association’s Resolutions Committee, charged with shaping AUSA’s legislative agenda for 2009. “This is serious business,” Gauer said. “AUSA chapters, worldwide, submit their requests, asking the association take a specific position on this issue or that. We closely examine each submission, meet with Army senior leadership and develop our association’s position on the key issues impacting our Army (past, present and future) and their Families. Our goal is to help maximize members’ participation in the federal legislative process.”

Jones, Taylor and Gauer will be joined this year by Clyde Glosson, our Chapter’s Vice President for Adopt A Unit Programs who has been appointed to a three year term on the association’s Chapter Operations Committee. “For the past several years I have witnessed the ever increasing presence of our chapter in our community and especially at Fort Hood, impacting the Quality of Life for our soldiers and their families. Family Readiness Groups and units have been highlighted with support from this chapter. Units are increasingly being partnered with civilian groups and individuals through our Adopt a Unit program. It will be an honor for me to represent our Chapter at the National level and tell others about the great things our soldiers and families are doing at 'The Great Place."

8. Chapter presents fifty four $1,000 scholarships

Fifty four students received $1,000 toward the cost of their higher education under the acclaimed annual scholarship program cosponsored by the Association of the United States Army, Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter, and the communications company Embarq.

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno presented the scholarship checks during a luncheon on Thursday, June 12, at the Fort Hood Catering and Conference Center.

Each year, the chapter's partnership with Embarq offers $1,000 scholarships to students who are members of the association and are connected to the military, either through active-duty or retired status. The students are selected based on academic performance, an essay submission and extra-curricular activities. Each year’s scholarships are funded through the generous support of area business and individual donors.

This year's recipients include:

Abigail Michele Mayfield

Alex Langenberg

Amanda B. Casarez

Andrew James Young Jr.

Angela Knox

Angela Petra Meyer

Anthony D. Lasso

April Rachelle Willhite

Ariel Simpson

Bearington Cecil Curtis

Brandi Diane Waruch

Brittney Alysse Visser

Carol Ann Tait

Cassandra Elizabeth Konichek

Catherine Mary Von Hahn

Christina Marie Robbins

Courtney Ann Potts

Cynthia N. Roman

Daniel Guy Garrett

Denise Marie Wharton

Donald M. MacWillie IV

Gordon Kurt Von Hahn

James Cody Arnold

Jennifer Kristina Meyer

Jennifer Theresa Cardenas

JenniferWhitten

Joyce M. Morris

Karen Lucas

Kassidee Stamper

Kurtis J. Pope-Davis

Lavonya Lyn McAlister

Lydia Lee Geisler

Marcus Xavier Mathews

Mary Anna Hill

Mary Frances Flemming

Matthew Funk

Melissa Ann Knowles

Melissa Windham.

Melyssa-Anne Kaitlin MacWillie

Michael John Tully

Paul Anthony Rodriguez

Robert J. Moore

Robert William Reeves

Sara DeVries-Sandifer

Scott Austin Key

Sean Patrick Meredith

Sha'Tia Nicole Safford

Sriratana Sutasirisap

Stephanie Marie Rabena

Suchada Sutasirisap

Tabbitha Tishar Ashford

Valene Anne Bummara

William H. Smith Jr

William Victor Hill IV

9. Don Jones elected as AUSA’s next Fourth Region President

LTG (Ret.) Don Jones, our chapter’s Immediate Past President, was elected to a two year term as AUSA’s Fourth Region President, by the Region’s current State and Chapter Presidents at a meeting held in Lawton, Oklahoma on 27- 29 March. Jones had served as President of the Central Texas - Fort Hood Chapter from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006. He replaces Terry Tipton who has served for the last four years.

Worldwide, the Association of the US Army is organized into nine Regions - seven in the United States and one each in Europe and the Republic of Korea. Our Fourth Region, with over 17,000 members, includes ten chapters in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

Asked to comment, Jones said “I am both honored and humbled to have been elected to serve as the 4th Region President. Nothing is more gratifying than serving those who serve our nation in uniform. As Region President, I will do all that I can to assist the chapters in providing quality services to the Soldiers and their Families. I look forward to working with the State and Chapter Presidents to enhance both the quality and type of services for our soldiers and assist both in achieving their organizational goals.”

Jones will take on his new duties on July 1.

10. Chapter Receives Special Recognition

On 28 March, as part of the 4^th Region’s annual Spring Banquet and Leadership meeting, our Central Texas - Fort Hood Chapter was presented an AUSA National 2008 Special Award and Streamer for its exceptional fundraising support of Soldiers and their Families.

Over the past eighteen months, our chapter raised over $1,000,000 dollars through generous gifts and grants, which we then provided directly or indirectly to local Soldiers and their Families.

In making the presentation, Fourth Region President Terry Tipton cited several examples, including:

a. The $22,000.00 Sail Boat, donated to the chapter by Terry and Elizabeth Tullier of San Saba, Texas, which in turn was presented to Fort Hood’s Directorate of Morale, Welfare & Recreation for use by Soldiers and their Families at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation facility.

b. The $33,000 donation provided by the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation of Houston, Texas which, in accordance with the Foundation’s request, was distributed to 4^th Infantry Division Family Readiness Groups.

c. The donated use - for a year - of two new automobiles by Automax of Killeen, and provided to Fort Hood's Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer and Enlisted Soldier of FY07.

d. The $750,000 grant, negotiated by Immediate Past President Don Jones and Chapter Board Member Matthew Wright from the Dallas Foundation, to fund Scott & White Hospital-provided mental health care for both AC & RC Soldier families.

We proudly accepted the honor - and thank everyone who helped to make these fund raising efforts so successful.

11. Major Donation Supports 4ID Family Readiness Groups.

The Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation of Houston, Texas has stepped forward - in a major way - to support the Family Readiness Groups of our “Steadfast and Loyal” 4th Infantry Division.

On March 11th, Mr. Richard Loewenstern, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors returned to Fort Hood where, forty years ago, he had served as a young Soldier. This time, he was carrying a message - and a $33,000 donation from the Herzstein Charitable Foundation to be distributed to 4ID Family Readiness Groups.

Mr. Loewenstern, a lifelong friend of Albert and Ethel Herzstein and a Board Member of the Foundation named in their honor, described Albert Herzstein’s evolution from a boy in rural New Mexico to one of our nation’s most successful private businessmen, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. The foundation he and his wife created exists to promote education, serve to enrich the human spirit and work to improve the quality of life for others.

In brief ceremonies at the Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center, Mr. Loewenstern presented the Foundation’s gift to Dr. Jim Anderson, President and Ron Taylor, President-Elect of the our Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter with his request that it be distributed to each company size Family Readiness Group in the 4th Infantry Division. That breaks down to $500 to each FRG, and to be used as each sees fit.

The Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter, Association of the US Army is delighted to receive this grant in order to sustain support our magnificent soldiers and their families here at Fort Hood.

(See related photos in the Photos Section)

12. Commander, 1st Cavalry Division briefs us on Operation Iraqi Freedom

(March 5, 2008) More than six hundred Central Texans attended our second General Membership meeting of this program year to hear Brigadier General Vincent K. Brooks, Commanding General, 1st Cavalry Division update the chapter on the First Team’s most recent fifteen month deployment in Iraq, and what it means to serve in America’s Army today. "We were successful because of our Soldiers," he said, describing today’s Troopers as “courageous, adaptive and smart.”

General Brooks began with words of thanks to all in Central Texas for supporting this latest deployment. “You were there when we departed. You were there when we returned; and you were there to care for our Families while we were gone.”

General Brooks, who in his last Washington assignment served the Army’s Chief of Public Affairs, said, “it’s a Soldiers obligation to tell the story of Iraq.” Referring to the terrorist threat, General Brooks said, “Our Soldiers have figured it out. Ask the Soldiers who are here. Make that connection with these returning Warriors.”

At home station, the 1st Cavalry Division numbers about 19,000 Soldiers.In Iraq, it grew to over 44,000 and included elements from most of the Army’s other active divisions, plus both Guard and Reserve units from throughout the nation, It was, General Brooks reported, the largest formation ever to serve under a single division flag.And it was a very complex operational arena - not just a single war - but many different wars all going on at the same time.

He described Iraq as a land of great beauty with tremendous natural resources, and miles and miles of palm trees and groves. It is, he said, a beautiful place; but there is a down side. It has suffered years and years of dictatorship, and a culture that brutally eliminates its enemies. There had been, General Brooks reported, no concept of shared power.

But today, there is undeniable progress. “The time has come for change.” When asked why we were experiencing success now but had not in the past, he simply said, “it worked out (now) because it worked out; it was just time.”

Armies like to measure things using metrics - and using data from Dec 06 compared to Dec 07, General Brooks reported dramatic reductions in the indiscriminate killing of Iraqis. Al Qaida in Iraq now has no safe areas from which to operate; Al Qaida has lost its grip on the population.

We began to emplace “T” walls - ten foot tall concrete barriers, to control flow into and out of Baghdad’s neighborhoods. Our Soldiers came to know who belonged there, and who did not. He highlighted the value of active patrolling - every day. And, he stressed, it is more than physical presence; “you must also think about the economy.” Junior leaders would work the streets, asking local Iraqi shop keepers, what do you need? Carts? Paint? How can we help you open a shop?

The more they trusted us, the more they told us. The more they told us; the more they supported us. The more they supported us, the more we could mount operations. These operations produced ‘visible signs of change.” Local markets came to life. City parks became safe gathering places.

General Brooks spoke to the surge and its impact on Soldiers and their Families.The surge was important - and effective. It made a difference. But fifteen months was tough on Soldiers and their Families.

General Brooks also spoke to the extraordinary courage of Iraqis now willing to reach out and take direct action in support of their government and the coalition. There are 16,000-20,000 Iraqi volunteers who call themselves the Sons of Iraq, who are now actively defending their country.

Today, General Brooks reported, Al Qaeda in Iraq has lost its safe areas and is on the run. But Internal Iraqi factions continue to represent real challenges to self government, complicated by lingering tribal sect violence, various militia elements, and the negative impact of Iranian influence.

General Brooks concluded with three short videos, each representing the array of Warriors who fought with the Multinational Division - Baghdad.

The first involved four Apache pilots - 1st Lt Brian Haas, CW2 Cole Moughon, CW4 Steven Kilgore and CW4 Eliott Ham - each awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor in air combat operations.

The second featured then-Sgt Ken Thomas who received the Silver Star for heroism during ground operations.

And the third told of SPC Ross McGinnis, a member of 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, a unit attached to MND-B, who fell on a grenade thrown into his vehicle and in so doing saved the vehicle’s four other crew members, McGinnis has been awarded the Silver Star, and recommended for the Medal of Honor.

"Talk to our soldiers," he said. "They'll tell you the rest of the story."

(See related photos in the Photos Section)

13. Harker Heights Cheerleaders Support Fort Hood Wounded Warriors.

(Updated March 5, 2008) The Harker Heights High School cheerleaders just wanted to show their support for soldiers and raise the morale of the student body. What resulted from wearing red to school and tying yellow and red ribbons to campus trees was a $1,000 donation to the Central Texas-Fort Hood AUSA Chapter.

“The majority of the cheerleading squads were directly affected by Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Emily Sykes, senior captain. “Either a family member or a close friend has at one time or another been sent overseas.” Wearing red and tying ribbons to trees wasn’t enough, according to Sykes; the cheerleaders wanted to do more.

“Our coach, Jennifer Bonheim, came up with the tee shirt idea,” Sykes said. “We began selling them for ten dollars a piece every Wednesday at both lunch periods. “We would also make announcements over the school intercom,” she added. “The rest was easy. Our spirited student body not only purchased tee shirts for themselves, but also for their families.”

The words “Americans First, Knights Always” are displayed on the front of the red tee shirts while “We Support Our Troops” is shown on the back. “The red shirts symbolize not only the blood shed by our soldiers,” Sykes said, “but also represent our high school colors.”

The booster club gave 100 percent of the profits from the tee shirt sales to the Fort Hood’s Wounded Warrior Fund. Six of the cheerleaders presented a giant symbolic check for $1,000 to chapter leadership at the November 2007 general membership meeting. Then, at the chapter’s March meeting, the cheerleaders were presented with a poster and note from Major General Jeff Hammond, Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division and FortHood’s senior mission commander at the time of the November check presentation.

“Having everyone come up to us at the AUSA banquet and thanks us personally made all the hard work worthwhile,” Sykes said. “We are continuing the tee shirt fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Fund this year going with the same approach.”

“We know that our contributions barely scratch the surface of what is needed,” Sykes continued, “but we will continue to show our support to the ones we love. We’re confident that the supportive student body of Harker Heights High School will make this years just as successful as last year.”

Members of the 2006-2007 varsity squad that initiated the fundraiser are Senior Head Captain Lauren Reider, Captain Jonet Gonzalez, Spirit Captain Ashleigh Feeney, Emily Sykes, Taylor Boose, Sommer Isdale, Stephanie Rabena and Katie Staton. Junior varsity members were Captain Ashley Ford, Jordan Davis, Mariah Kuykendall and Cameron Lancaster.

(See related photos in the Photos Section)

14. Transformation creates some New Patches - but Adopt A Unit Soldiers remain the same. (March 8, 2008)

The Army is in the midst of the most significant reorganization since WWII. Called Transformation, it will involve some Fort Hood Adopt A Unit battalions or brigades being reassigned from one major command to another.

Most recently, the 15th Sustainment Brigade moved from the 1st Cavalry Division to the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division moved over to become the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. In this latter case, the 4th Brigade’s subordinate battalions were “reflagged” - or renamed - to match the heraldry and traditions of its new higher headquarters. The 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment was reflagged to become the 2nd Bn., 7th Cav. Regt. The 3rd Bn., 67th Armor Regt. reflagged as the 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt. The 704th Brigade Support Bn. reflagged into the 27th Brigade Support Bn, and the 8th Squadron, 10th Cav. Regt., reflagged as the 1st Squadron, 9th Cav. Regt.

For Adopt A Unit civic partners, partnerships and personal contacts did not change. The Soldiers in “your” unit did not move; only the name - the unit designation - changes.

But, regrettably, some email Points of Contact and/or telephone numbers did change. So, if in this recent shuffle, you have lost contact with your unit, let us know. Email us at leadership@forthoodausa.org. We will help you to reconnect.

15. Adopt A Unit Continues to Grow (February, 2008)

Our Adopt A Unit (AAU) efforts are expanding by leaps and bounds.

Much of this new energy originated with our latest public service announcement, featuring the 4th Infantry Division’s Major General Jeff Hammand and we thank the television stations that have broadcast our message.

Next came the “Team Normangee” effort (details in our October newsletter, available on this website) when a Hilltop Lakes, Texas service club decided to partner with a Fort Hood unit. Soon after, the club encouraged a local church and Normangee’s elementary, middle and high schools to participate.