The Home of the 507th

The HHD 507th Engineering Battalion which is currently deployed in Iraq has established a web site, www.507engineers.com, so that they can keep in touch with and exchange news with family members. They must be careful not to reveal any information that could be useful to the enemy. Following are some of the letters written by soldiers in Iraq. These letters are reprinted with the permission of the commander and sergeant.

January 13, 2005

To all the families and friends of the 507th Engineers,

Well it’s been a long haul since November 8th when we said goodbye to Camp Grayling and those who were able to see us off. I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support you are showing to your spouses, sons, daughters, significant others, and friends. It means so much to us all.

Though it’s been only 2 plus months since we left Grayling, it seems much longer. While at Fort McCoy, WI the 507th went through some very intense training, sometimes going more than 36 hours with little or no sleep, preparing us for the task that is ahead. While here in Kuwait our soldiers have gained more knowledge to better prepare them for the mission at hand. The confidence shown by our soldiers is second to none.

Once our preparation and training here in Kuwait is completed we will move north into Iraq, where the most difficult part of our mission will begin. Every drill weekend and every Annual Training your family had to be apart will have paid off. This is what each and every one of our soldiers has been trained for. I am confident that their knowledge, morale, and expertise will carry them through to success.

As our time here in Kuwait comes to an end, I’ve had some time to reflect. Its amazing how 40 different personalities, from units all over the state of Michigan have become a “family of one.” Trusting each other and making friendships that will last a lifetime. Many of our soldiers have served together before, were separated, then crossed paths and united together again in this unit. I find it unique to see family members serving together here in this unit and in our subordinate units. I am overwhelmed by the families back home coming together and helping each other out. I have never seen so much out-pouring of love via the packages (very tasty) sent from home during the holiday season not only from the families but from total strangers like the VFW from Traverse City. Their donations as well as the donations from our Family Support Group allowed our soldiers to come home for Christmas.

In closing, I believe that I’m amongst some of the finest individual soldiers in the army. You should be extremely proud of your soldiers, as am I.

I will continue to keep our families updated throughout our time over here, as the opportunity becomes available. Keep your thoughts & prayers with us.

God Bless America

Gregory N. MAJ, Commander

23 February, 2005

Hello everyone,

We have now been in Iraq for a month. We have taken over operations for the battalion we were replacing, and I am happy to report that everyone has fallen into their positions very nicely.

Some of us have been on a few convoys; unfortunately that is a reality you at home have to face. Rest assured that we are all highly trained and capable of any mission put in front of us. Being such a close knit group of soldiers, we are always looking out for each other. Please try not to worry. Many of us have enjoyed the experience, and the opportunity to help out the Iraqi people.

The weather has been rather chilly and wet. Apparently we made it here in time to experience the rainy season. But in less than a month the temperature will be rising, then we will complain it’s too hot.

We are now all settled into our living quarters for the next year. We are all thankful for the conditions. I don’t think they could be much better considering the circumstances. Everyone is faring very well with the weather changing constantly (reminds us of Michigan) the worst thing we have encountered is a small bout with the flu.

The Junior Enlisted Council is just getting started and they all have great ideas for keeping the morale of the unit up. First on the agenda is starting a game night a few nights a month. Nothing like a good card game (Eucher) to bring out the competitive spirit in everyone. Especially all toughs’ yuppers. We would like to thank Mrs. Kinninger and the family support group for all of the packages. Everyone is enjoying them.

Valentines Day was delightful with everyone receiving cards from family as well as children from schools and churches; it is reassuring to know that we are in everyone’s thoughts and prayers at home.

I will try to give another update next month. Thank you all again for the love and support we receive from home.

God Bless,

GREGORY N.

I Can’t Believe It’s the Beginning of August

I can’t believe it is the beginning of August. The start of the 8th month of the deployment. It is still hot outside. When you step out of the door to go outside it feels, at times, like you are checking a cake in the oven. You can actually feel the heat rushing over your cheeks and stinging your eyes. The evening cools off to 100 or so and that makes for better working conditions. Many of the projects that are underway on our Engineering and Construction missions have rotated to a night workday. Many, but not all, still have to brave the heat and dust to accomplish the mission they are given.

The sacrifices are running very deep. As time creeps on I am seeing so many of the soldiers that I serve with giving their all to accomplish our mission. It is awe inspiring to see. Anytime I see a group of 18-60-year-old men and women loading up their up armored vehicles to head out on a convoy somewhere in Iraq you can’t help but admire them. The roads of Iraq are the most dangerous place to be. Backed only by their fellow soldiers, vigorous training, the best intelligence about the enemy offered and their human instinct, these soldiers face danger and adversity and display courage second to none in the world. As a battalion we have soldiers in three regions of this country, the past month or so we have had a convoy out on the road almost everyday. As a unit, the HHD [Higher Headquarters Detachment in charge of the Battalion], we have had our soldiers back and forth from project sites and bridges on a regular basis. Serving with these heroes makes me proud to be right here where I am.

Beyond the danger, beyond the bombs that are used to break our spirits, beyond the heat that makes this place undesirable, we have each other. We as an HHD have a responsibility to hundreds of other soldiers to insure they are prepared, informed and well managed before we can ever think of ourselves. This small group has quite the burden on our shoulders. Somehow we pull it off day in and day out. We are lauded by those we serve. That is an accomplishment in itself. It is very cool to be a part of this team. Sure we have our drama, and no, we don’t save it for our mommas (though I am sure they hear about it), we soak it up and feed our curiosity with it. We argue, and fight, and disagree, and there is even our fair share of dissention stemming from our arguments. Then we laugh with each other, we play practical jokes, have meaningful conversations, share our lives, our hopes, our fears, dreams and goals. When it matters, when it all boils down, we are a group of people, soldiers, from more than 20 different towns, more than 10 different states, from varying social and financial backgrounds, all coming together as friends and doing great things.

I like to look at the pictures that have been taken over the past 9 months. From the ones of us praying together, in Camp Grayling, Michigan, before we left our families, to the shots of us loading the bus as we moved to our Mobilization site in Wisconsin. I get misty eyed as I look at the pictures of the soldiers reading letters from their kids, girlfriends, and spouses on the bus to Wisconsin. Looking at the dark green uniforms we wore as we trained at Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, in the snow, always brings up hints of nostalgia. I remember when we first got our Desert Uniforms issued to us and how exciting it was. I remember the pain and agony that we went through getting used to wearing all of that body armor and equipment. The pictures of us in the Desert uniforms for the first time are always fun to see. It was like Christmas (Oh it was Christmas) with brand new clothes to go and show our friends and family. Some of us hated the things but most of us were very proud to be seen in that Uniform. Some of the most treasured photos are the ones of us leaving the hanger and getting on to the plane to head to the Middle East. You can see a degree of excitement and fear in most of our eyes. From Kuwait and training to convoy to Iraq and actually driving out of the front gate, locking and loading a magazine with your eyes trained on the horizon for the enemy. We have experienced some things together. We have several more months of memories and experiences to share with one another. So far it has been more than a journey it has been an EPIC and I can’t wait to push forward to more missions, more success and more chances to represent the greatest country on this planet.

War is sacrifice after sacrifice with hero and heroine, winners and losers, good guys and bad guys all sacrificing something. I read about and see the people of Iraq wanting to be great. I see them wanting more out of life. The locals, regardless of age, know all about America and what it and its ideas have to offer. They come up to us begging for our things, wanting to sell us everything and trying to act and talk like us. They see us as a chance to better themselves in life. For some it lessens them because they become beggars, for others it strengthens them because it provides a chance for advancement and hope. Many of the children and the adults are taught or are learning English. They have our pay tables memorized and know the prices to offer on the goods they sell based on how much they know you make. Its like a marketing class taught by Iraqi locals. It’s even cooler that many of them believe in the cause. They talk of growing up and becoming Iraqi Soldiers. Everyday many of the volunteers for the Iraqi National Guard and Army are murdered for standing up for that dream. The insurgency attacks the lines outside the recruiting stations and will do anything to stop the spread of liberty. Our presence here is encouraging and providing hope. As we rebuild bases and maintain bridges and roads, as we roll up and down their street unmoved by the threat of attack, we are all building on something that I pray will become a strong nation, that the kids we give shoes, candy and dolls to today, can be proud of tomorrow. Our sacrifice, your families’ sacrifice and their sacrifice all can add up to greatness.

To those that are part of the EPIC, if you read this web posting, mail a package to a soldier, spend time at your local food shelter in a soldier’s honor, write a letter to someone serving their country, or simply bow your head and say a thoughtful prayer for safety health and peace. I am honored to be experiencing all of this with you. To the taxpayers that buy soldiers coffee, offer them discounts, give them hugs or simply shake their hand, it is you that keep us smiling and remind us why we do this. To all of you husbands, wives, children, girlfriends, boyfriends, grandmas, grandpas, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, bosses, coworkers, neighbors, distant relatives, mailmen, doctors, and the guy at the family reunion you hope isn’t just there to eat. All of you: Thanks.

SGT. Ray T.