vigilant times-feb. o5static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_0303.pdfthen who had the 18th mp bri-gade...

Vol. 1, Issue 4 18th Military Police Brigade Newsletter Feb. 15, 2005

VIGILANT TIMES

“Aunt” Nancy building moraleof deployed soldiersBy Spc. Lynne Steely

BAGHDAD, Iraq--Deployments can be anexciting, yet sometimesdifficult time for manysoldiers. Separationfrom family and friends,a new culture andchanges in livingconditions can be acause of stress. One ofthe best morale boostersfor many soldiers duringa deployment may be assimple as letter fromhome or a carepackageof homemade cookies.During Operation IraqiFreedom I, NancySimioni read a letterfrom her niece, Capt.Sara Mann, about threesoldiers who neverreceived mail and werein need of somecheering up. Mann wasdeployed to Baghdad atthe time with the 18thMilitary Police Brigade.Simioni was touched bythis and was all tooeager to help. She askedfor the soldiers namesand addresses and begansending them candy andcheerful notes of

support.News spread rapidlyaround her workplace,and Simioni’s co-workers at GeneralMotors Corporationimmediately joined inby sending cards anddonating small treats.Soon they began askingabout soldiers that theirfamilies could “adopt”.Simioni’s caring gesturewas rapidly growinginto a project beyondher imagination.(cont’d on page 4)

Posing for a picture with Co. Commander Capt. Ludwigand 1st Sgt Arbec are January 28 reenlistees Spc. LamikaFisher, Sgt. Nadia Gibson and Sgt. Delonda Allen.

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Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Graybill and Nancy Simioni meet face to face for the first time.

Brigade Briefs

{March Birthdays

01- Spc. Alma Ortiz02- Pvt. Steven Dionne04- Maj. Michael Blahovec12- Cpt. Brian Boston15- Maj. Eric Brunken17- Cpt. Michael Capps17- Pfc. Bradley Swope23- Spc. Lynne Steely29- Maj. Dean Lewis

{Congratulations to Sgt.Delonda Allen, Sgt. NadiaGibson and Spc. LamikaFisher on their reenlistmenton January 28.

{A ceremony was held forthe soldiers of the 18th MPBrigade February 11. Allsoldiers received a certifi-cate authorizing them towear the 18th MP CombatPatch for participation inOperation Iraqi Freedom,as well as four patches.

{There will be a diagnos-tic PT test February 21 and28.

{A qualification rangewill take place March 2nd,3rd and 5th.

Vol. 1, Issue 4 Vigilant Times Feb. 15, 2005

VIGILANT TIMESProduced by the 18th Military Police Brigade

Public Affairs Office, Baghdad, IraqPhone: DSN 302-242-0112

Maj. Rob Simmons.....................................S-1 OICSpc. Lynne Steely............................Photojournalist

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Pfc. Dionne, Pfc. Aaron and Pfc. Coleman pose for a picture with Co.Commander, Capt. Ludwig, and 1st Sgt. Arbec following their promotion.

02-1905-John PershingMilitary General

03-1894-Norman RockwellPainter

04-1902-Charles LindberghAviator

11-1847-Thomas EdisonInventor

14-1913-James HoffaUnion Leader

16-1905-Robert FrostPoet

21-1905-Albert EinsteinPhysicist

21-1905-Joseph StalinPolitician

Famous February Birthdays


COMMANDERS CORNERBy Col. James B. Brown

Greetingsfamiliesandfriends ofthe 18th

MPBrigade!This hasbeen suchan eventful month since our lastedition!!! First of all, we playedan integral role in the first freeelections here in Iraq. Whilemost Soldiers were limited tothe base camps for the elections,our Military Police played acritical role in supporting ourIraqi Police partners in securingtheir communities for the elec-tions. It was a tremendousprivilege for I and my team to beout among the Iraqi people andto share in their joy as theyvoted for the first time! Previ-ous to the election, I was sur-prised at how few women I haveseen in Iraq. On election, day,they came out to vote in themillions!I just want you all to know thatthrough your support of thisbrigade, you were there as welland together WE are making apositive difference to share thebasic rights and freedoms thatother people fought to ensurethat we enjoy today. During thiswhole experience, I kept askingmyself… “I wonder what thefirst election in the United Statesof America was like?” I think I

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got to see some of the answers tothat question in person on 31January. I know that many ofyou only see bad things in Iraqthrough some of the mediacoverage. Let me assure youthat the Iraqi people are verythankful and excited to have avoice in their present and future!Another highlight here has beenthe awarding of our combatpatch certificates for servicewith the 18th Military PoliceBrigade in combat…the 18th

Military Police Brigade combatpatch has again been awarded toall members of the brigadecurrently serving in combat.The legacy of this patch andwhat it means to those who haveserved in this brigade in combatis something that practicallydefies description…it is some-thing that has to be felt. It ismuch like the pride described bya pro-ball player—who after along and distinguished careerfinally finds himself playing ona league winning team andearning a world series ring.When I first entered the Army in1977, I encountered Soldiersthen who had the 18th MP Bri-gade Combat patch. One of thefirst was SFC Alvin Troyer whohad earned the combat patchserving with the 716th MPBattalion in the defense ofSaigon during the TET Offensiveof 1968. SFC Troyer had alsoearned the Silver Star in that

action as well. While he didn’tcarry the Silver Star around withhim, the 18th MP Brigade patchwas always there on his fatiguesto remind all that he had servedwith the 18th MP Brigade incombat. We now join in theenduring legacy SFC AlvinTroyer and all the other greatSoldiers like him who haveearned this distinguished patch incombat.As I write this we are in the finalday of the feast of Ashoura. Thisyear the celebration was marredby terrorist attacks, but fewer thanthe year before. We are makingprogress with our Iraqi partnersand the Iraqi people are makingsignificant gains as they stepforward to direct their owndestiny. It is a privilege for us tobe here and to help them whilehelping protect our own country aswell.Thank you for all your support toour deployed Soldiers and for yourpersonal gifts. We have sharedmany a beanie baby and candy barwith the Iraqi children. Those ofus who serve in Germany todayknow how much of an impressionour grandparents made when theyshared American chocolate andgifts with the German kids afterWWII, now its our turn to do thesame for the next generation here!Please continue to keep us in yourprayers, God has blessed us all sorichly! Faithfully yours,VIGILANT 6


During the fall of 2003, Simioniwent on a Detroit radio station inher area encouraging others to helpget support to as many soldiers aspossible for the holidays bysending cards and letters.Hundreds of people jumped at theopportunity to show their support.Each soldier on “Aunt Nancy’s”list was adopted twoand three timesover!The project grewquickly as GM andHarley Davidsone m p l o y e e s ,Veterans, families,scout troops andclassrooms all overthe United Statesbegan writingletters and sendingcare packages.Those who heardabout Aunt Nancybegan submittingthe names of their family andfriends who were in the military. Awebsite was donated to Simioniwhich opened up a largercommunication gateway. Troopsbegan submitting their own unitsfor support after finding herwebsite on the Internet.What began as support for ahandful of soldiers within thebrigade grew to 10, then 30 and isnow a complete support networkfor over 600 soldiers all over Iraqand Kuwait.By Christmas 2004 the Aunt

Nancy Adopt-a-Soldier Project hadover 1,100 Americans sendingsupport to deployed troops. For thesecond year in a row, GMemployees sponsored a large-scaleholiday collection of decorationsand goodies, filling 450 Christmasstockings.The 18th MP Brigade is back in

Baghdad and Aunt Nancy has notforgotten them. When she heardabout the deployment shecontacted Sgt. 1st Class ElizabethGraybill, the 18th’s Morale,Welfare and Recreationrepresentative who was with theunit during the previousdeployment. The two got togetherwhile Graybill was on leave in herhometown of Michigan and theyplanned some holiday cheer for theunit.Graybill is now the liaison betweenSimioni and the unit and helps with

distribution of care packages. “I’mglad to help and I really enjoy it,”said Graybill. “I really feel I’m theright person for the job.”Simioni’s motivation behind thishumanitarian effort stems mostlyfrom her teenage years during theVietnam War and what she viewedas poor treatment and a lack of

support for thetroops of hergeneration. She alsoremembers thestories her father, aWWII veteran, toldabout how alone hefelt during the war.The emails andletters ofappreciation shereceives from thesoldiers she’shelped really keepher going and herspirits high, shesaid.

When the 18th arrived at CampVictory in December, there weretwenty boxes containing 100Christmas stockings alreadywaiting from none other than AuntNancy and her personal army ofdedicated helpers. She has becomeeveryone’s Aunt Nancy.If you want to contribute to theAunt Nancy Adopt-a-SoldierProject or know a soldier whoneeds support, you can email herat [email protected]. Youcan visit her website atwww.auntnancyusa.com.

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Three Iraqi nationals show their ink-stained fingers as proof of voting in Iraqs first democratic election. Soldiers of the18th MP Brigade were conducting security operations at a polling station in Baghdad on January 30 during theelection. (Photo by Army Spc. Michael Prokop)

Staff Sgt. Donald Mays takes some time out to test his strength while Sgt. Gregory stands by for assistance. The weightsare located in our company area, and help keep our soldiers in peak physical condition.

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Geraldo Rivera...

...live from Camp Victory!

Lights, camera, action! Rivera’s camera crewhard at work!

GeraldoRiverainterviewedSoldiers fromthe 18th and42d MilitaryPoliceBrigade’s atCamp Victoryduring a livetwo-hour FoxNewsbroadcastcovering theIraqielectionsJanuary 31.

18th’s Soldiers look at the monitor during apause as election clips are broadcast.

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Staff Sgt.Chelsea Spieris grinningfrom ear toear as sheposes withRivera afterthe show.

Pfc. BradleySwope getspulled up frontfor aninterview withRivera live onnationaltelevision.

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Battalion NewsBAGHDAD, Iraq--The 306th MilitaryPolice Battal ionunfurled their colorsduring a Transfer ofAuthority ceremonyJanuary 21 at theAbu Ghraib prisonchapel. Theyreplaced the 391stMP Battalion out ofColumbus, Ohiowho have beenguardians of theprison sinceFebruary 2004.

Staff Sgt. Stuckey of the 306th MP Battalion reenlistedfollowing the Transfer of Authority ceremony January 21.General Brandenburg performed the reenlistment.

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Soldiers Speak...What is a “perfect” Valentine’s day for you?


Pfc. JasbleidickChancay-

Sgt. Norma Hill-

“One dozen roses from myhusband .”

Staff Sgt. WilliamChasteen-“Being there to see the lookon my wife’s face when shegets the roses I sent her .”

“Me on a beach in Floridawith Bruce Willis in aspeedo.”

Photo of the MonthSunset at CampVictory. It’s amazingthe places we can findbeauty if we only stopand take the time tosee it.This is a view from oneof our offices.

(Please send us yourphotos! We would loveto feature it on ourphoto of the monthpage!)

Sgt. Patrick Henry-

“Being at home with thepeople I love.”

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18th MP Soldiers earn combat patch

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - TheSoldiers of the 18th Military PoliceBrigade received the 18th MPcombat patch in a ceremony at theirbrigade headquarters February 19.The patch, earned for participation inOperation Iraqi Freedom, is worn onthe right uniform sleeve.Because the combat patch is earned,it can never be revoked despite thefuture status of the Soldier, unlikesome military awards. All Soldiersalso received a certificate signed bythe Brigade Commander, Col. JamesBrown and Command Sgt. Maj.Joseph Shelley.

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CONNECTIONSBy Lt. Col. Thomas Evans

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The statue in the photo on the left was created by an Iraqiartist named Kalat. For years this man was forced to createhundreds of bronze statues of Saddam Hussein, and his work was displayedall over Baghdad.

Following the overthrow of Saddam’s regime, Kalat wanted to show hisappreciation for the liberation of his country. He melted three of the headsfrom his statues of Saddam, and from that metal, sculpted this pieceshowing an American soldier mourning the death of his comrade, while alittle Iraqi girl offers comfort and sympathy.

Election Day showed what the Iraqi citizens wanted. The media reportedthat the turnout was over 70%. It further reported that 50% of the peopleexpected violence at the polling stations, but that they went to vote anyway.

The Iraqi citizens had no means by which to overturn the very powerfulSaddam regime. When he invaded Kuwait in 1990, he had the fourthstrongest military in the world. He used that military to keep thecitizens of Iraq in check. The dictator government was not “of thepeople, by the people, and for the people.” Saddam sucked wealth fromthe citizens to build a multitude of palaces for his own pleasure. Heused the citizens’ skills and resources to support his whims.

Election Day in Iraq was the culmination of vast amounts of work and planningby the Interim Iraqi Government. Once the people were freed to speak, oncethey were freed to establish their own government, the citizens of Iraq rose tothe challenge. With great risk to themselves and their families, the people havechampioned their own desire to live free. The radical extremists have usedbullets and bombs to try to convince them that they cannot succeed. Electionofficials were gunned down on the streets and in their homes, but when onefell, another stepped into his place.

The people of Iraq courageously stood in the face of the threats and havedemonstrated that they sense the hope that the future holds.The future will not be easy, but nothing of value is.

An Iraqi woman holds herchild while voting at a pollingstation in the center of AzZubayr, southern Iraq.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust inhim, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the HolySpirit.” Romans 15:13


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Security in Iraq just got easier for the Iraqi Highway PatrolBAGHDAD, Iraq-- The Iraqi Highway Patrolwill now be able to secure its nations roadwaysbetter than ever.The IHP received 90 four-wheel drive ChevyLuv extended cab pickup trucks February 9,complete with police essential accessories andready to hit the road.Maj. Andrew Johnson and Capt. Steven Carusoof the 18th Military Police Brigades Civil Affairs

Office, coordinated a convoy to escort thevehicles from the port of Umm Qasr in southernIraq, to IHP headquarters in Baghdad.Once the IHP are able to provide the necessarysecurity for its highways, the economy shouldbegin to improve, creating more opportunitiesfor the people of Iraq.This is just the beginning for the IHP as manymore improvements are in the planning stages.

IHP leaders (left) shakehands after signing forthe new vehicles.Below, left: The 18th’sCapt. Steven Carusoand Maj. AndrewJohnson explain to theIHP the “rules of theroad” and how theconvoy is going tooperate , with the helpof a translator, beforeleaving the port for thelong trip to Baghdad.Below, right: Theconvoy lines up beforeleaving the port.

There are so many ways to say I love you!

Ana behibek-----------Arabic

Mahal kita-------------Filipino

Ich liebe dich-----------German

Ti amo----------------Italian

Aishiteru---------------Japanese

Sarang Heyo---------Korean

Ayor anosh’ni--------Navaho

Ya tebya liubliu-------Russian

Volim te---------------Serbian

Eu te amo--------------Portugese

S’agapo-------------Greek


JUST FOR FUN...Presidents Day is February 21. Testyour presidential knowledge with thisfun trivia quiz!

1.Who was the only president to beunanimously elected?

2. Which presidents picture is on the twenty-dollar bill?

3. Which president held office for only onemonth?

4. Which president voted for the first timewhen he was 62 years old?

5. Which president never married?

6. Who was the first U.S. president to recieve apatent?

7. This president never attended school.

8. Who was the first left-handed president?

9. Which presidents daughter was the BabyRuth candy bar named for?

10. Name the first American President to winthe Nobel Peace Prize.

11. He was the first president to be buried inArlington National Cemetery.

12. He was the only president with a Ph.D.

13. He was the oldest president ever elected.

ANSWERS1. George Washington 2. Andrew Jackson 3. William Harrison 4.Zachary Taylor 5. James Buchanan 6. Abraham Lincoln 7. AndrewJohnson 8. James Garfield 9. Grover Cleveland 10. Theodore Roosevelt11. William Taft 12. Woodrow Wilson 13. Ronald Reagan

GROUNDHOG DAY

VALENTINES DAY

Groundhog Day originated inNorth America during the late1800’s based on German folklore. Clymer H.Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, aCongressman and newspaper publisher,organized and popularized a yearly festival inPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania featuring agroundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. The groundhog exits his hole after a longwinter hibernation. If its shadow is seen, itreturns to its hole predicting six more weeks ofwinter. If no shadow is seen it stays aboveground because spring is near.

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Financial Insider


Legal Tips

Soldiers and Taxes-It’s that time of yearagain; time to file bothState and Federal incometaxes. Soldiers basedoverseas have anautomatic extension until June 15, and deployedsoldiers have a 180 day extension from the time theyreturn from deployment.If income tax is owed, soldiers will still have to fileby April 15 or risk accumulated interest fees. Forjoint returns, married soldiers who are deployed cangive their spouse power of attorney to file the returnin the soldiers absence.Since the soldier receives an extension, their spouseautomatically receives an extension when filing ajoint return.Income taxes can be done for free at your post legalassistance office.Thanks to legal NCOIC SFC Elizabeth Graybill

Websites

Help the ones left behindDeploying soldiers with a beloved pet cat aren’tleft with many choices unless they have familynearby to care for the animal. Now, you can helpby being a foster owner until the soldier returnsthrough Operation Noble Foster. For moreinformation on how you can help go to:www.operationnoblefoster.org

TIDBITS

DownloadsDownload a free, animated flag for yourcomputer desktop at:www.deskflag.com

More websites to check outwww.soldiersangels.orgwww.homesforourtroops.orgwww.thefreedompage.orgwww.showthanks.comwww.defendamerica.mil

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Retro Enlistment Bonus-As many as 5,000 soldiers who re-enlisted last yearmay be eligible for a bonus of up to $5,000. Thebonus will be retroactively paid to soldiers betweenthe ranks of specialist and Staff Sergeant with 17months to 10 years in service, who re-enlistedbetween March 18 and Sept. 18, 2003. Only thosewho re-enlisted under the option of being assignedto a deployed unit in Afghanistan, Kuwait or Iraqare eligible for the bonus. Soldiers have until June30 of this year to contact their career counselorsand request the lump sum payment. (FromMilitary.com)Military training equals college credit-You can save tuition dollars when you get collegecredit for your military training, courses, andoccupational specialty. Before contacting theschool, make sure to have updated records of allyour military coursework and training.

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