WASHINGTON — This is not your father’s war,Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker tellstroops in a videotaped message emphasizing properOperations Security procedures and responsible use ofthe Internet.

The video is part of the Army’s comprehensiveOPSEC Action Plan that has Mobile Training Teams vis-iting deploying units to teach how improper informationand photographs posted on the World Wide Web couldendanger lives.

For instance, photos of combat operations anddestroyed military equipment could provide the enemywith clues about U.S. vulnerabilities, said Maj. MichaelPate, the Army’s OPSEC officer at the Pentagon.

“This isn’t censorship,” Pate said about the OPSECplan he had a key role in devising.

“It’s about striking a balance between freedom ofexpression and protecting sensitive military informa-tion,” he said.

In World War II and Korea, it took a long time forinformation to move from the battlefield to the public,Schoomaker says at the beginning of his video. Todaywith the World Wide Web, it’s immediate with the pushof a button.

“We have an information-technology explosion that isglobal,” Schoomaker said.

“Our adversaries have the ability to take our utter-ances, our writings and our pictures and do all kinds ofthings to harm us.”

Web logs, or blogs, are a venue where instances ofunauthorized photos and some sensitive informationhave been inadvertently disseminated, Pate said.

MNC-I first with blog policy

So Multi-National Corps-Iraq developed a policy for theincreasing number of Soldiers posting blogs in theater.

Baghdad, Iraq Nov. 25, 2005Vol. 3, No. 45

See BLOGS, Page 2

U.S. Navy photo by Airman Eben BoothbyAn Iraqi Marine conducts a visit, board, search and seizure mission during training on Al Basrah OilTerminal in the Persian Gulf. It was a combined training exercise with U.S Coast Guard personnel.

Seabee Sailor keeps sewer pipesclean in the IZ Page 5

What are you thankful for thisThanksgiving? Page 3

Mechanics teach martial arts toCamp Liberty Soldiers Page 8

Inside

Army News Service

KillerBlogsPosting on Internetmay endanger troops

BAGHDAD — While an M-1 Abrams battle tank may look indestructiblerolling down the highways of Baghdad, a trip to the motor pool reveals howmuch maintenance the 70-ton machines actually require.

Tankers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, are conducting daily operationsin eastern Baghdad while constantly making sure their tanks are roadworthyand combat-ready.

“For every hour you spend driving a tank, that’s two hours you spend inthe motor pool maintaining it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Derington, TroopB, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry. platoon sergeant. “That’s not to say thatthey’re delicate – it’s just the reality of operating any machine with thatmuch power.”

Baghdad highways generally do far more damage to tanks than terroristattacks because tanks are well designed to withstand attacks, but not toendure constant driving on asphalt.

In addition to setting up observation points and creating improvised road-blocks, tankers primarily conduct security patrols on highways.

During a Nov. 13 night mission , tankers patrolled a major Baghdad high-way for hours looking for terrorists planting improvised explosive devices.

During the mission, a wheel sheared off one tank and Soldiers rushed torepair it well enough to drive back to Camp Rustamiyah.

“The tanks will almost always roll back in under their own power, but a lotof times there’s work to be done,” said Pfc. Zeb Saul, a Troop B loader. “It’san unforgiving machine, but tanks are as fun as they are hard.”

Upon their arrival at Rustamiyah, the 4th Platoon tankers worked repairingthe damaged tank, an all-day job.

“We’re like a pit crew with this tank, we fix it so fast,” Saul said. “Go on amission, fix the tank, and get back out there again.”

Troop B’s 4th Platoon tanks have logged more than 7,000 miles during thedeployment, said Spc. Eziquel Guitierrez, a Troop B driver.

Tankers are a superstitious group, probably due to the amount of work that goes into repairingtanks. Apricots are seen as bad luck by most tankers, and some refuse to carry any kind of fruiton a tank.

“Never bring an apricot on a tank, you’ll regret it,” Derington said. “Talking trash about your

buddy’s tank is another good way to get your own tank to break down. Just try it and see.”As the day wore on, the 4th Platoon tankers repaired the tank’s broken arm, and replaced

many of the track’s worn-down track pads.“We’re going to finish up here, grab some chow, take a quick nap, and head right back out,”

said Sgt. Jay Schade, a gunner with Troop B. “That’s the tanker’s life for you.”

Some of the Soldiers found that posting a periodic blog tothe Web was easier than sending multiple e-mails to friendsand family. Others have found a modicum of fame for theirdescriptive coverage of life in the combat zone.

The MNC-I policy requires Soldiers to register theirblogs through their unit chain of command. A list of blogsis maintained at the division level, complete with Webaddresses and points of contact.

The policy also identifies established elements such asArmy Web Risk Assessment Cells and Information-Assurance teams that assess Web sites and monitor infor-mation for compliance with Army policy.

Such information includes classified information, casu-alty information before next-of-kin notification, informa-tion prohibited by the Privacy Act and details of incidentsunder investigation.

Commanders are able to develop their own OPSEC policyaddressing blogs under the umbrella of Army policy andguidance, Pate said. The Army’s new OPSEC initiativesrange from individual to institutional training, he said.

The Mobile Training Teams provide unit-level training-to priority-one units scheduled to deploy, Pate said. TheMTTs come from the Army OPSEC Support Elementestablished earlier this year by 1st Information OperationsCommand (Land) at Fort Belvoir, Va.

MTTs recently visited the 101st Airborne Division toprovide OPSEC instruction to one of its brigade combatteams at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Smaller units can access OPSEC training modulesthrough Army Knowledge Online, Pate said. He saidusers can click on center right of the AKO front page on“Army OPSEC News,” sign in again using their AKOpassword and enter the OPSEC Portal.

The OPSEC Portal includes a number of briefingsthat Pate said assist in satisfying OPSEC trainingrequirements.

Editor............................................Sgt. Jeffrey M. Lowry

Assistant Editor.......................Spc. Richard L. Rzepka

Staff................................................Spc. David J. Claffey

The Scimitar is an authorized publication for members of theDepartment of Defense. Contents are not the official views of theU.S. Government or DoD.The editorial content is the responsibility of the Public AffairsOffice of the Multi-National Force - Iraq. Stars and Stripes news-paper is not affiliated with MNF-I and acts only as a distributingsource for the Scimitar. Questions and comments should be direct-ed to the editor at scimitar@iraq.centcom.mil.

Scimitar welcomes columns, commentaries, articles and letters from

readers. Send submissions to scimitar@iraq.centcom.mil

We reserve the right to editfor propriety, clarity and space.

The Scimitar can also be viewed on theWeb at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/

publications_theater.htm

jeff.lowry@iraq.centcom.mil

richard.rzepka@iraq.centcom.mil

david.claffey@iraq.centcom.mil

MNF-I Commanding GeneralGen. George W. Casey Jr.

MNF-I PAOCol. Dewey G. Ford

Combined Press Information Center DirectorLt. Col. Barry A. Johnsonbarry.johnson@iraq.centcom.mil

Command Information ChiefCapt. Bradford E. Leightonbradford.leighton@iraq.centcom.mil

Command Information NCOICSgt. Jeffrey M. Lowryjeff.lowry@iraq.centcom.mil

BLOGSfrom Page 1

Task Force Baghdad maintenance keeps armor rolling alongStory and photo by Spc. Ben Brody2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Tankers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry prepare their tanks for a morning patrol in Baghdad.

ScimitarPage 2 Nov. 25, 2005

CorrectionsAn article and headline about a Bosnia and

Herzegovina explosive ordnance disposal platoon onpage 5 of the Nov. 11 Scimitar contained severalerrors in fact.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one country, an inde-pendent state containing several ethnic groups includ-ing Bosniacs, Croats and Serbs.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina EOD platoondeployed to Iraq in June as part of the CoalitionForces.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the Coalition.Croatia and Serbia are not part of the Coalition.

In addition, the name of Zenica, an industrial city of300,000 on the Bosna River in central Bosnia andHerzegovina, was misspelled in the article.

For many servicemembers here, spendingThanksgiving in a combat zone will be a new experi-ence. This year we will dine with our weapons close

and our friends and families far, far away. While folks at homecarry on with their yearly traditions, we too will carry on a tra-dition — a tradition of patriotism,brotherhood, and giving thanks intime of war.

Taking time to reflect on every-thing that is good in this world isnothing new to American Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen, and Marines atwar. Since December 1777, whenGeorge Washington proclaimed aThanksgiving celebration in honorof the defeat of the British atSaratoga, our military tradition andour thanksgiving tradition havebeen inextricably intertwined.

Sure, we all know the legend ofthe pilgrims and Plymouth Rockand the copious amounts of chowthey ate, but that’s not when Thanksgiving as we know itbegan. It all started with the “Great Emancipator” AbrahamLincoln in the midst of one of the bloodiest conflicts thisnation has ever seen — the Civil War.

After being prompted by poet and writer Sarah Hale to cre-ate a national holiday to give thanks, Lincoln issued a declara-tion which made the fourth Thursday of NovemberThanksgiving. Lincoln was aware of the hardships troops andtheir families faced. He urged all Americans to “commend tohis tender care all those who have become widows, orphans,

mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in whichwe are unavoidably engaged.”

The American public quickly responded to the idea, and amovement was established to show the troops they wereremembered at home. Along with tobacco, apples and home-made pies, an estimated 50,000 turkeys were sent to the troopson the frontlines in time for Thanksgiving.

Support for America’s servicemembers during the holidayseason continued into the 20th century. During the vicious

trench battles of the Great War,World War I, food was rushed fromthe home front to the troops forThanksgiving. Again, during WorldWar II, an outpouring of publicsupport for the troops during theholidays was shown.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, duringhis 1943 Thanksgiving proclama-tion, uttered these words whichseem to be as relevant now as then.

“God’s help to us has been greatin this year of march towardsworldwide liberty. In brotherhoodwith warriors of other UnitedNations, our gallant men have wonvictories, have freed our homes

from fear, have made tyranny tremble, and have laid the foun-dation for freedom of life in a world which will be free. Ourforges and hearths and mills have wrought well; and ourweapons have not failed.”

The hardships of life in a combat zone are many, but theyare not new. While aunts cook the turkey and uncles watchfootball, a new generation of American war fighters will beon guard duty, riding in a convoy, freeing the oppressed andcarrying on a proud and noble tradition.

That’s something to be thankful for.

ScimitarNov. 25, 2005 Page 3

PERSPECTIVES

By Spc. Rick L. RzepkaAssistant editor

Turkey with the troops a noble tradition

“Our gallant men havewon victories, have freed

our homes from fear, havemade tyranny tremble, and

have laid the foundationfor freedom of life in a

world which will be free.”Franklin D. Roosevelt

U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian ChristiansenThankgiving Day 2004 at Camp Cobra. North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers with the 30thBrigade Combat Team, help themselves to Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving Past

If you could do one thing to improve the world, what would it be?

If you could one place for the rest ofyour life, where would it be and why?

ScimitScimitar Pulsear Pulse

“I’m just thankful that I’m alive, Ihave food to eat and a place tostay and a shower with everythingthat happened with the hurricanesand all.”Air Force Master Sgt. Deborah DixonMulti-National Security TransitionCommand, Health Affairs

“I’m thankful that I get to go home inthree weeks in time for Christmas!”

Army Capt. Scot T. HasskewStrategic Effects

“I’m thankful for living in Baghdad,because it gives me an opportunityto help people in a profound way.”

Army Col. Sylvia T. MoranMilitary Assistant to AmbassadorZalmay Khalilzad

“I’m thankful for my daughtersbeing born and that my boy is get-ting good grades in school.”

Army Spc. William LopezInternational Zone Billeting

“I’m thankful for the great group ofpeople I work with. By accomplish-ing our mission we are building afree and better world.”

Marine Sgt. Jeffrey L. CareySecretary of Combined Joint Services

“I’m thankful that my family is safeand healthy in the states and that mysoldiers and I are too.”

Army Master Sgt. Quentin A. FarrellJoint Area Support Group - Central

“I’m thankful for all the support ofmy family and friends.”Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron W. RosenlundDeputy Chief of Staff forIntelligence noncommisioned offi-cer-in-charge

What are you thankful for thisThanksgiving?

Scimitar Nov. 25, 2005Page 4

South Iraqi students reap benefits from improved schools

BASE CAMP ADDER —Approximately 80,000 Iraqi chil-dren are attending better schoolsin the nine southern provinces ofIraq because of the Iraqi Reliefand Reconstruction Fund. Theaffected children attend 368 differ-ent schools ranging from innercityto rural, village mud schools.

The process to determine whichschools should be replaced,repaired, or refurbished was a jointdecision.

First, the director general foreducation in each provinceassessed the schools along withCoalition forces and U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineer representatives.

Second, schools were evaluatedin order to provide a safe, healthylearning environment for school-children.

Third, a list of school renova-tions and replacements was priori-tized by the director general andmatched to available Coalitionfunds. The final step was to awardcontracts and start construction.

Eight thousand students whopreviously attended deteriorated,

unhealthy schools made of mudand reed, now attend 39 newschools. Mud schools were demol-ished and replaced because thestructures were beyond repair.

Construction renovation activi-ties varied from school to schooldepending on the needs of eachschool and the priorities set for the

school. After construction started,if a school needed more repairsthan the original assessment, moreimprovements were done if fund-ing was available.

Typical renovations includedadding classrooms and toiletrooms; building perimeter court-yard walls; repairing roofs;

installing floor and ceiling tiles;repairing electricity and installingceiling fans; and replacing doors,windows, water and sewer sys-tems. Workers repaired, plasteredand painted the walls to completeinside and outside appearances.

Twenty-five schools are underrenovation and expected to be fin-

ished by the end of thismonth. Workers soonwill begin renovationson three additionalschools recently addedto the list.

In addition, manyCoalition forces havecollaborated withschools to equip themwith desks, chalk-boards, and other equip-ment. Countless otherindividual and groupefforts have connectedschoolchildren in theUnited States withschoolchildren in Iraq.Their efforts resulted indonations of thousandsof boxes of school sup-plies and backpacksshipped to students inIraq.

Local Iraqi contractorsreceived the majority of

construction contracts; they, inturn, hired local Iraqi workers toperform the construction and reno-vations.

Other government and non-governmental agencies andCoalition forces’ programs servedto perform additional school ren-ovations.

Story and photo by Suzanne M. FournierU.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Soldiers, firefighters help their Iraqi counterparts

RUSAFA — Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th FieldArtillery; firefighters from Fort Wayne, Ind.; and residents ofKissimmee, Fla., have a friend in Col. Laith Abbas, fire chiefof central Baghdad.

Firefighters from Fort Wayne have given Abbas trainingaids, while Kissimmee is in the process of becoming a“Sister City” to Rusafa.

The unit’s commander, Lt. Col. Steven Merkel, who isfrom Fort Wayne, and its intelligence officer, Capt.Matthew Wheeler from Kissimmee, were instrumental inpushing the project.

“It really shows that people in the U.S. want to help makethings better here – it’s a big confidence boost,” Merkel saidduring a visit to Abbas’ station. “I’m extremely proud of theFort Wayne firefighters; it says they believe enough in whatwe’re doing in Iraq to donate their time and resources.”

Like the military, U.S. firefighters have common task train-ing, which involves a lesson plan and tests. Among thedonated items were CD-ROMs and training manuals to helpdevelop the Rusafa firefighters’ skills.

The field artillery Soldiers found a way to lend a hand atthe Rusafa fire station. Local residents routinely bring unex-ploded ordnance to the firefighters, and so U.S. troops assistin its proper disposal.

“We’re working with Colonel Laith to increase forceprotection at his station, and to the dud pit,” said Maj. JaySawyer, the unit’s operations officer. “We just call (explo-sive ordnance disposal Soldiers) to come over when thedud pit is getting full.”

Explosive Ordnance Disposal came to the station recentlyand removed about a dozen 155-mm artillery rounds, 11 120-mm mortar rounds and many smaller explosives, including

hand grenades and rifle grenades.The assistance runs both ways; Abbas and his men have

aided U.S. troops on numerous occasions.“We will respond to any bomb strike, no matter who is hit

– American or Iraqi,” Abbas said. “We come to put down thefire, and help our friends.”

Abbas’ firefighters responded to a blast near Sadr City inwhich one U.S. vehicle was damaged, and helped extinguishthe resulting fire.

“We don’t care if the TV cameras are filming, we wantto show that we work together and support each other,”Abbas said.

Story and photo by Spc. Ben Brody2nd Brigade Combat Team

The principal of Zubieda School, one of the new improved shcools, cuts a red ribbon for its opening.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery and an explosive ordnance disposal team load 155-mmartillery rounds onto a truck after removing them from a fire station in Rusafa.

CAMP TAJI — The lights are out. The streets are dark. Soldiers are trudging down the alley in silence to find a

target.Early in the morning recently, Soldiers of 2nd Mechanized

Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Divisionwalk from their patrol base in Saba Al Bor to a strategic areato catch terrorists before they escape.

They start at their target house, knocking on the front dooras an early-morning surprise. Their suspect is in the houseand the Soldiers detain him without a struggle.

“I think they did really well,” said Maj. Steve Lutsky, 2ndBattalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st ArmoredDivision operations officer. “This was their first dismountedattack. We moved, dismounted in the cover of darkness, anddoing that, they did very well.”

The Iraqi Army’s participation was part of a bigger opera-tion by the 2nd Battalion., 70th Armor Regiment. searchingthe surrounding area.

Iraqi Soldiers were conducting most of the mission ontheir own.

“We let them do their own thing,” said Sgt. Troy Krahmer,a member of the battalion Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany. “We were just there to kind of look over them, butwe were always there to point them in the (right) direction.”

“They had their own objectives, so they conducted a com-pany operation,” Lutsky said.

The Iraqi Army was successful in finding who they werelooking for — as well as someone they weren’t expectingduring this operation.

“The IA caught one of the targets, and also a target ofopportunity that we have been looking for,” Lutsky said.

As the Soldiers went from house to house, they also foundcontraband.

“They found a couple of weapons that the Iraqis aren’tallowed to have,” Krahmer said.

Lutsky said the operation also showed local residents that

the Iraqi Army is here to help them build a safer life.“The goal of the operation was to cordon and search areas

to provide a safer environment for Iraqi people in Saba AlBor and also show that the Iraqi Army is here and capable ofprotecting them,” Lutsky said.

“(The Iraqis) want their own people. They see their ownpeople; they’re going to respect them because it’s Iraq.”

On the streets, the Iraqi Soldiers joked with kids and gaveout Iraqi flags.

“Everybody seemed to interact with them and liked whatwas going on,” Krahmer said.

Lutsky said continuing to conduct company-level opera-tions will help guide the Iraqi Army to bigger operations inthe future.

“Eventually they will be conducting battalion-level opera-tions without our assistance,” said Lutsky.

Lutsky said the Iraqi Army is getting close to taking overtheir areas and leading the way.

“I think we are well on our way to turning this area of Iraqback over to the Iraqi Army with their set of governance andsecurity,” he said. “At this rate, we will have the Iraqis lead-ing Iraqis very soon.”

Scimitar Page 5Nov. 25, 2005

BAGHDAD — Petty Officer 1st ClassDavid Pedreira is washing his hands ofIraq after a year of trudging through themuck and grime of the International Zone’sdrainage system.

The Seabee Sailor advised an Iraqi con-tractor on troubleshooting a project to fix aburst water pipe on Al Kindy Street.

Pedreira was responsible for the clearingof more than 18,000 meters of storm andwastewater pipelines throughout the IZ.That’s roughly the size of a drainage pipefrom here to Baghdad International Airportand more than 11 miles.

When Pedreira arrived earlier this year,he saw flooded areas throughout the Iraqiliving areas of the IZ. Those flooded areasturned out to be raw sewage backup fromblocked drainage systems all over the IZ.

“I saw children walking through thesepools of wastewater just to get to school,”said Pedreira.

From his Navy Seabee experience, heknew the storm-drain system, which was

doubling as a wastewater system, was notadequate size for the amount of waste itwas receiving.

“There were rock formations that hadbuilt up in the pipes and lift stations fromsand that storm runoff had dumped into thepipes,” he said. “They completely blockedoff the pipes. In some cases, we foundplastic bags and trash blocking the pipes –even dead animal carcasses.”

In July, he started cleaning out a fewmanholes with the help of a local Iraqicontractor. Less than five months and morethan 800 manholes later, Pedreira, and the30 Iraqi workers he hired, cleaned outmore than 18,000 meters of pipeline andlift stations throughout the IZ.

According to Pedreira, the most signifi-cant area affected by the cleanup was thearea near the apartment complex known asthe 215 Apartments.The complex has morethan 1,250 units.

“All of that wastewater drains into a sin-gle lift station,” said Pedreira. “The pipesin the complex were completely blockedwith trash and garbage that had beenthrown into the lift station, as well asleaves and sticks that fell from the over-hanging trees.”

Working in 120-plus degree heat duringthe Iraqi summer, the workers labored inthe sludge-filled manholes. Pedreira taught

them the basics of maintaining a city watersystem, while cleaning out and improvingtheir own system.

Eventually, they cleared the main linesaround the 215 Apartments and rebuilt thepump in the lift station. They also craftedmodified covers for the lift station to keepdebris and garbage out of the pipes.

Pedreira said the next project for theapartments will be to clear the many small-er wastewater lines running through thecenter of the complex. He said that there isstill a lot of work to be done, but hebelieves he has improved the conditionshere.

“I would say we are only about 50 per-cent complete with the (water) lines in theIZ,” said Pedreira. “The plan after I leaveis to concentrate on the 215 Apartmentsand improve conditions there.”

Though work on the drainage systemwill continue after Pedreira redeploys, hissupervisor, Air Force Maj. BrianMacDonald, Joint Area Support Groupchief of infrastructure, said Padreira’sefforts will be tough to emulate.

“Dave was so proactive … and cared somuch about what he was doing here,” saidMacDonald.

Story and photo by Capt. Chris WattJoint Area Support Group Public Affairs

Sanitation Seabee keeps sewer pipes clean in the IZ

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers keep pressure on terroristsStory by Spc. Michael Leslie3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division Public Affairs

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Wester

Sgt. Adam T. Mauldin, with Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th ArmorRegiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division,reports his element's progress during a cordonand search mission in Saba Al Bor.

Petty Officer 1st Class DavidPedreira, left, briefs Army 1st Sgt.Rafael Tirado about the InternationalZone’s Al Kindy wastewater lift sta-tion.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin BromleyIraqi Army Soldiers from the 9th Iraqi ArmyDivision, patrol the streets of Sab al Bor in theearly morning hours.

Iraq has been liberated. Since then, the people have made monumentalstrides toward a free and democratic national government. On Jan. 30, thepeople of Iraq held the first democratic election in three decades and formedan interim Iraqi government and a transitional national assembly. It is the jobof the TNA to draft the new Iraqi constitution. Fifty-eight percent of Iraqiseligible to vote participated in the January election.

On Oct. 15, a general referendum took place to approve the nation’s newconstitution. There was only one question on the ballot: yes or no. The peo-ple approved their new constitution by a nationwide 79 percent majorityvote. This time, despite the threats of terrorist attack, 63 percent of eligibleIraqis cast their votes.

Under the rules of the Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for theTransitional Period regardless of the majority vote, had three governoratesvoted against the constitution, each by a two-thirds majority, the constitutionwould have been defeated. That would have meant December’s electionwouldn’t be for a permanent Iraqi government, but for a new TNA whichwould be tasked with drafting another constitution.

The Anbar and Salahadeengovernorates voted against theconstitution by a two-thirdsmajority. The Ninewah gover-norate voted against it by amajority vote but less than two-thirds. Since only two gover-norates voted against the consti-tution by a two-thirds majority,the constitution passed.

The next step on Iraq’s road todemocracy is a national election,which will be held in Dec. 15. Thepeople of Iraq will elect a 275-seatCouncil of Representatives toserve for a four-year term. TheCouncil of Representatives willselect the president of Iraq andtwo deputy presidents (thePresidency Council). The presi-dent will, in turn, appoint the Iraqiprime minister.

Around 320 entities and 21coalitions are registered with theIndependent Electoral Commission of Iraq as candidates for the Decemberelection. Iraqis will be able to vote by party or may select independent candi-dates. It is interesting to note that 97 percent of eligible Iraqis are registeredto vote compared to only 72 percent of Americans. Under the provisions ofthe TAL, the new Iraqi government will be seated no later than Dec. 31.

Truly, the democratic nation of Iraq is on its way!

ScimitarNov. 25, 2005 Page 6

I’d like to share a secret withyou today.

If you have ever asked thequestion, “Why?”, or wonderedif “this” was ever going to end,then this secret is for you.

If you have ever felt like youwere searching in vain for some-thing to be thankful for, then thisis a secret you must learn.

I’m not sure what the “why”or the “this” is in your life, buttoo often we allow our circum-stances to dictate the conditionof our heart. Being surroundedby difficult circumstances, per-haps the loss of a friend or lovedone, a broken relationship, finan-cial difficulty, or other disap-pointing or painful events, maylead to feelings of hopelessness,helplessness, or worthlessness.We wonder, how in the worldwill we ever have something tobe thankful for ever again?

If you find yourself readingand relating to these words, thenthere is a secret you must knowabout. This secret is found inthe Bible.

In Philippians 4:11-13 theApostle Paul twice talks aboutthe “secret of being content” anddeclares that “he has learned thesecret of being content in what-ever circumstances I am” (Phil.4:11). If anybody understoodwhat it meant to learn this secret,Paul was the champion. His lifeis a study of learning how to becontent or thankful in difficultcircumstances. The Bible tells us

at least three thingswe should knowabout learning howto be content orthankful.

First, we mustfocus on the powerof Christ. In 2Corinthians 11:24-30, Paul summarizesa difficult time ofhis life. He recounts that he waswhipped five times with 39 lash-es, beaten with rods three times,stoned once, shipwrecked threetimes, and on one occasion hadto tread water for a full day andnight in the Mediterranean Sea.He was frequently on dangerousjourneys; in danger from rivers,from robbers, from persecution,dangers in the city and in thewilderness, dangers in the sea,and dangers from false teachers.He had suffered labor and hard-ship, through hunger and thirst,often without food and exposedto the cold and the elements.Throughout this he concludesthat in his weakness God’s“grace is sufficient for you, forHis power is perfected in ourweakness … that the power ofChrist may dwell in me.” (2Corinthians 12:9). Back inPhilippians 4:13 he states “I cando all things through Christ whostrengthens me”.

Despite all of his hardships,Paul chose to focus on the powerof Christ.

Second, we must focus onhonoring God. Psalm 50:23declares, “He who offers a sacri-fice of thanksgiving honors Me;and to him who orders his wayaright, I shall show the salvationof God.” What a wonderful

promise! When Ifocus on honoringGod for who He is Iexperience His peaceand salvation.

Third, we mustfocus on the charac-ter and works ofGod. Psalm 100 says,“Shout joyfully tothe Lord, all the

earth. Serve the Lord with glad-ness; come before Him with joy-ful singing. Know that the LordHimself is God; it is He who hasmade us, and not we ourselves;we are His people and the sheepof His pasture. Enter His gateswith thanksgiving and His courtswith praise. Give thanks to Him,bless His name. For the Lord isgood; His loving-kindness iseverlasting, and His faithfulnessis to all generations.”

So, what is the secret of con-tentment and a thankful heart?Here it is: instead of focusingon “what” I must focus on“who”. As long as I focus onwhat is happening around me,than I make myself a victim ofmy circumstances. Rather, if Ifocus on God-His power inChrist, honoring Him, and hon-oring His character and worksthen I will enjoy contentmentand a thankful heart. My circum-stances will never again dictatethe condition of my heart.Instead, God will bless me withpeace and a thankful heart whenI focus on Him.

Which leaves me with a finalquestion: Are you focusing onthe “what” in your life or the“Who” the author of peace,thankfulness, and salvation?

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Guy E. Glad Multi-National Force - IraqStrategic Operations

CHAPLAIN’S TALK

Chaplain Glad

Glass half full: Being thankful under miserable conditions

NEWS IN BRIEF

Coalition Forces capture high-level Ba’athParty leader in Diyala province

BAGHDAD — Coalition Forces captured Hamid SharkiShadid, the leader of the New Ba’ath Party in DiyalaProvince, during a patrol Nov. 9.

Coalition members apprehended Shadid along with physi-cal evidence at his home.

Shadid is a former member of the Ba’ath Party in DiyalaProvince and is suspected of being responsible for all anti-Iraqi forces Ba’ath Party activities in that area.

Shadid’s capture is a major achievement for CoalitionForces as they believe he can provide crucial information onthe whereabouts of former Staff General Jamal Karki, a sus-pected Ba’athist insurgent, and Abd-al-Baqi al-Sa’adun, whohas been a fugitive since the fall of the Saddam Husseinregime in 2003.

Up to $1 million is being offered to capture or kill Abd-al-Baqi al-Sa’adun.

Disruption operations help reduce terror-ists attacks by 60 percent

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND — Approximately 150 IraqiArmy soldiers and 300 Marines and Soldiers from the 2ndBrigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Division began OperationDhibbah (Bruins) in northern Ramadi Nov. 19.

Operation Bruins is part of a series of disruption operationsin Ramadi, designed to set the conditions for successful elec-tions in December.

Operation Bruins comes on the heels of OperationPanthers, which disrupted operations in the Sophia district ofeastern Ramadi. Additionally, Bruins follows the Nov. 17engagement where 2nd BCT successfully repelled a terroristattack in which 32 terrorists were killed in downtownRamadi.

Attacks against Coalition Forces in the Ramadi area havedecreased 60 percent in the last few weeks as a result ofthese ongoing operations.

Iraqi Soldiers seize terrorists’ weapons,detain three suspects in west Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army Soldiers confiscated a largenumber of terrorists’ weapons and bomb-making materialsand detained three suspects Nov. 21, during cordon-and-search operations in the Ghazaliyah area of western Baghdad.

Acting on information provided by Iraqi citizens, Soldiersfrom 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Divisiondiscovered explosives, weapons, improvised explosivedevice components and numerous other devices used by ter-rorists to attack Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces andCoalition Forces.

A small group of U.S. Soldiers from D Company, 1stBattalion, 87th Infantry helped with the two-hour searchwhich started about 9 a.m.

The cache was discovered in four different locations. Alarge number of the items were found in buses parked in thearea. Others were buried in burlap bags.

"We believe, and the Iraqisbelieve, the best way forward is

through the democraticprocess. Al Qaeda wants to use

their violent ways to stop themarch of democracy becausedemocracy is the exact oppo-

site of what they believe isright. We're making progresstoward peace. We're making

progress toward an ally that willjoin us in the war on terror, that

will prevent al Qaeda fromestablishing safe haven in Iraq,and a country that will serve as

an example for others whoaspire to live in freedom."

President George W. BushOctober 16, 2005

Iraqi Electoral Process:The Road to DemocracyCommentary by Maj. Lawrence KingStrategic Effects Directorate - Communications Division

SScciimmiittaarr SSllaappssttiicckkScimitarPage 7 Nov. 25, 2005

Art by Jeffery Hall

SScciimmiittaarr SSllaappssttiicckk

Art by Maj. James D. Crabtree

Story, photo, art and comic submissions are welcome! Please send to the Scimitar

for consideration at:scimitar@iraq.centcom.mil

CAMP LIBERTY — Confidence. Discipline. Passion. Thesemay sound similar to Army values, but they’re also leadershiptraits Spc. Fred Jean-Francois and Sgt. Jean Valnues strive toinstill in their martial arts students.

Jean-Francois and Valnues are mechanics with Headquartersand Headquarters Operations Company, Special TroopsBattalion. In their off-duty time, they teach Tae Kwon Do toSoldiers at Camp Liberty.

Jean-Francois, a second-degree black belt, brings almost 20years of experience to his students. He began teaching in 1992in his native country of Haiti, where he has won two nationalchampionships. His interest in martial arts began in his child-hood, when a classmate he looked up to showed him the passivenature of Tae Kwon Do.

“I was a bit of a troublemaker as a kid, and I would get in alot of fights,” he said. “One classmate had a very calm charac-ter that I admired. I saw him practice Tae Kwon Do one day,and I was very impressed. So, I became interested (in martialarts) as well.”

Valnues came to the sport later in life. After he attended Jean-Francois’ class in March, he said he was immediately interested.He trained diligently, earned his green belt, and is now an assis-tant instructor.

“When I first came to the class, it was the first time I ever par-ticipated in Tae Kwon Do,” Valnues said. “I was hooked fromthe beginning. I found it very competitive and challenging.”

There are two aspects of Tae Kwon Do: form and fighting.Form is like imaginary fighting or kata. Fighting is more activeand self-defense driven. It is Jean-Francois’ specialty.

Tae Kwon Do is not just a hobby for him.“It’s a way of life, like a religion for me,” Jean-Francois said.

“I think people who study Tae Kwon Do learn self-control inevery aspect of life, and most importantly, discipline.”

The ideals of the martial art as preached by Jean-Francoishave made Valnues a better martial artist.

“He is truly a master of his art,” Valnues said. “He makes surepeople understand the moves, he’s very informative and takes astep-by-step approach to teaching, yet he remains very relaxedand approachable.”

Maj. Susan Robinson, a staff physician with 602nd AreaSupport Medical Company, said she takes the class to keep her-self connected with her family.

“My 6-year-old son is taking Tae Kwon Do (in the United

States), so talking to him about it is a real bondingexperience,” Robinson said.

The instructors have stayed dedicated to theirduties as mechanics, but they both agree that TaeKwon Do has helped boost their spirits during someof the most trying periods of deployment.

“When it comes to Army life, I have no stressdespite being away from family or being in Iraq,”Jean-Francois said. “Tae Kwon Do gives me the dis-cipline to stay positive no matter what happens dur-ing this tour. That’s just the way I am, and I try topass that positive attitude onto others.”

Valnues agrees that martial arts helped boost hismorale. He also sees parallels between Tae KwonDo and the Army. He is a leader in the motor pool,but a student when it comes to Tae Kwon Do.

“Tae Kwon Do has definitely given me more con-fidence and discipline, which is important in theArmy,” Valnues said. “The Army structure is verysimilar to Tae Kwon Do, they both have a rank struc-ture and there is a level of respect among us.”

He is a fellow Soldier at work, but in class theyswitch positions, said Valnues.

“I salute him by bowing to show respect,” he said.Jean-Francois believes that physical ability is not the most

important characteristic to have in order to succeed in Tae KwonDo. He advises those who want to be successful in martial artsto have the mindset to never quit.

“You have to believe in yourself in order to succeed. When Iteach, it doesn’t matter if my class has one or 100 people, I’mgoing to stay dedicated to teaching, and that mindset is what youneed to be successful in Tae Kwon Do,” Jean-Francois said.“Tae Kwon Do is an art that is all mental. If your heart is in it,you will get to where you want to go. When life gives you apunch, you have to get back up. Never stay down.”

TALL AFAR — Coalition forces, in coop-eration with local residents, constructed andopened a soccer field at the Al ZahaweSchool in the neighborhood of Sarai.

“It is basically a goodwill gesture from theCoalition Forces to the Sarai neighborhood,”said Capt. Ryan Hambleton, ateam leader in the 401st CivilAffairs Battalion.

Sarai, a Sunni area, wasone of the more deeplyeffected neighborhoods dur-ing the military actions inearly September.

With more than 50 chil-dren attending the opening ofthe field, the day was filledwith joyous yelling, laughterand soccer.

Elements from the 2ndBattalion, 325th AirborneInfantry Regiment, 82ndAirborne Division and 3rdArmored Calvary Regimentaided elements of the 401stCivil Affairs Battalion, whocoordinated the event.

A flatbed tractor trailerbrought the newly construct-ed goal posts to a dirt fieldbehind the school. Soon the

posts were placed at opposing ends.Carefully laying down lines of chalk, an

Iraqi man marked the field’s boundaries andgoal lines.

Nets, donated by Presbyterian College inSouth Carolina, were strung up with blackwire ties by the children.

Once the field was ready, the anticipationbuilt as the children waited for a ball.

Lined up, the children waited anxiously forthe battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion,

325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and anIraqi general to open the field.

As several paratroopers and Iraqi police-man took to the field to challenge the chil-dren in a friendly game, the field waschristened.

The children of the neighborhood weregiven 10 balls by the Coalition Forces to useon their new field.

A similar project is in place to create a soc-cer field in a Shiite populated neighborhood.

ScimitarNov. 25, 2005 Page 8

Story and photos by Pfc. James Wilt82nd Airborne Division

Story and photo by Spc. Derek Del RosarioTask Force Baghdad Public Affairs

Coalition Forces help build soccer field in Tall Afar

Capt. Ryan Howell, the commander of G Troop, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, holds asoccer ball over his head while playing with the children of Tall Afar, Iraq.

Capt. Ryan Hambleton, a team leaderin the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion,watches children tie a net onto newsoccer posts, which they receivedfrom the Coalition Forces.

Martial art mechanics teach Tae Kwon Do to Soldiers

Spc. Fred Jean-Francois (black belt), a mechanic withHeadquarters and Headquarters Operations Company cor-rects the form of Spc. Mario Gonzales, 860th Military PoliceCompany, at the 3rd Infantry Division gym.