Cottonbaler Association Archives

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News and Updates Archives

28 Dec 2007	I have just received some photos of TF 2-7 celebrating Christmas. You can view the photos on the ODS Update Page.

25 Dec 2007	GEN Petraeus, Multi-National Force-Iraq Commander, stopped by TF 2-7 on Christmas morning. The Operation Direct Support Update page has some photos of the General. Photos of B Company at Combat Outpost (COP) Akashat on Christmas Eve are also there.

23 Dec 2007	Students broadcast concert for soldiers Six New York school districts united to present a holiday concert via the Intranet. They don't have the celebrity status of Bob Hope or other USO headliners. And, it certainly isn't possible for them to hop a plane to fly overseas. But, that isn't stopping more than 300 locals music students from entertaining the U.S. troops in Iraq this holiday season. Following the spirited tradition of USO performers who have been brightening the holidays for lonely GIs since the 1940s, the music departments from five local school districts schools are uniting Tuesday, Dec. 18 to perform a special holiday concert for the troops. Unlike the USO, which for safety reasons must perform concerts in designated safe zones, video conferencing technology will enable the schools to bring this concert directly to the soldiers serving on the front lines. The Songs for Troops concert is being organized by Chester Middle School Principal Ernest Jackson, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served most of his military career in the 3rd Infantry Division. A member of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association Board of Directors, Jackson has been coordinating local participation in the retirement association's Operation Direct Support for the past four years. While he continues to solicit donations for soldier care packages and cards, Songs for Troops is a way of getting a large number of students actively involved in a community service project that will touch an even larger number of soldiers - many of whom are away from their families for the first time. Below is the list of participating schools: Chester Middle School - Chester Union Free School District, Chester, NY C. J. Hooker Middle School - Goshen Central School District, Goshen, NY Minisink Valley Middle School - Minisink Valley Central School District, Slate Hill, NY Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School - Port Jervis City School District, Port Jervis, NY Robert J. Kaiser Middle School - Monticello Central School School, Monticello, NY Warwick Valley Middle School - Warwick Valley Central School District, Warwick, NY Further information and links to some video clips and News stories can be found here.

17 Dec 2007	The Mid-East edition of the Stars and Stripes has had several articles that chronicled the activities of TF 3-7 in their new home of FOB Iskan south of Baghdad. 6 Dec 2007 6 Dec 2007 10 Dec 2007 11 Dec 2007 14 Dec 2007

6 Nov 2007	TF 2-7 IN has published their November 2007 Newsletter and TF 3-7 has arrived in Iraq and is enroute to its destination. Check out the ODS Update Page for more information.

10 Oct 2007	The 2008 Reunion will be held 17-21 Sep 2008 in Columbus, GA. in conjunction with the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division 89th Annual Reunion. Further information is listed on the Reunion Page.

10 Oct 2007	TF 2-7 IN has published their October 2007 Newsletter. Check out the ODS Update Page for more information.

23 Aug 2007	I have received a recommendation for an author, Kristin Henderson, that I think should be forwarded on to everyone. Her book While They're at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront is an in-depth portrait of military spouses in wartime. Kristin, a Quaker, is married to a Navy chaplain who served with the Marines in Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition, Association member Larry Bradley is also an author who has a book ( Neither Liberal nor Conservative Be ) out.

6 Aug 2007	TF 2-7 IN has published their August 2007 Newsletter. Check out the ODS Update Page for more information.

18 July 2007	TF 2-7 IN has published their July 2007 Newsletter. Check out the ODS Update Page for more information.

10 Jun 2007	MAJ Chris Carter, former A/3-7 Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom, is back in Iraq. This time he is the leader of a Military Transition Team. He also has a column in the Athens, GA newspaper, the Athens Banner-Herald. His latest column is now available on-line. Registration is required, but it's free. Here is his message with the link to his article included: Greetings from the outskirts of Baghdad. It's another month or so here and it's certifiably hot now. I guess I have another reason to look forward to football season. I figure about three or four weeks into the season, the highs here will only be in the 90s. Well, maybe five or six weeks into the season. My team continues to drive on. Our guys have started to take their R&R leave now. Actually on our third on now. That's another sign that time is moving along here. Our work with the Iraqi Army is beginning to get interesting. We're past the point of "building" a working relationship with them and feel we need to start pushing them to get better. Lots of pushing back though. Looking back, I see why it was so easy to kick their tails before. Maybe it's just that professionalism is standard in our Army or should I say professionalism means something completely different to us. The work continues to be rewarding. Though working with some of the IA officers is a complete pain in the rear, there are others that make our work enjoyable. I just wish we could get the good ones promoted to positions of influence. Thanks for all of your continued prayers. We really appreciate them and there are times when I can truly feel the Lord's influence here. Another article is up for your reading. This one might upset some people.... Here's the link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/061007/opinion_20070610042.shtml Until later, y'all stay safe and Go Dawgs! Chris MAJ Chris Carter United States Army

9 Jun 2007	The 3rd Infantry Division (TF Marne) is publishing a daily newspaper (The Dog Face Daily) and a weekly/monthly publication (The Marne Focus) while they are deployed in Iraq.

1 Jun 2007	Announcing the return of the Redcatchers of the 199th Infantry Brigade! On June 27th, 2007, at Fort Benning, GA, the 199th Infantry Brigade will be reactivated and assigned to the Infantry School as a Training Brigade. This is part of a TRADOC-wide re-flagging of all training brigades linking initial military training to the army's transformation and generation of modular brigade combat teams. In TRADOC, the brigade re-flag enhances the training and retention of junior leaders and Soldiers by providing bona fide histories, traditions and veteran alumni as tools to help foster unit cohesion and esprit de corps. A portion of the Redcatcher newsletter detailing this event and the redesignation is available here.

1 Jun 2007	The National Museum of the U.S. Army recognizes the service and sacrifice of the American Soldier at home and around the world, at war and during peace. The Registry of the American Soldier provides an opportunity for anyone who served in the U.S. Army to have his or her name and service history placed on record at the Museum. If you served, you need to be in the Registry! You may also register the name of a family member or friend, if they currently serve, or have served in the U.S. Army, or submit someone from the past.

31 May 2007	TF 2-7 IN has published their May-June 2007 Newsletter. Check out the ODS Update Page for more information.

20 May 2007	The 2007 Annual Reunion, held in New Orleans, has just concluded. Check out the Reunion page for information on the 2008 Reunion and photos from this year's reunion.

8 May 2007	A grave marker dedication and cemetery recognition ceremony was held at the grave site of Mark (Martin) Franklin, War of 1812 Veteran and a "5 Year man" in the 7th Infantry Regiment. The ceremony was held at noon, Saturday 21 April 2007, just outside Georgiana, AL. Some photos of the ceremony are here.

3 Mar 2007	According to the Army Times, The House of Representatives has unanimously passed a resolution calling on a day to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., the House Armed Services Committee chairman and chief sponsor of the House-passed resolution, said the bill “seeks to recognize the heroism and sacrifice of the nation’s Medal of Honor recipients.” The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation has been pushing for the designation of a day of recognition for the award that was established in 1861 and has been given to 3,444 people, including 112 who are still living. “We are thrilled that Congress has recognized the important legacy of recipients of the Medal of Honor and of all members of the Armed Forces,” said Nick Kehoe, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. “An annual, national day of recognition is an excellent way to remember these American heroes and foster public appreciation for the important values these veterans represent. ”

2 Mar 2007	A grave marker dedication and cemetery recognition ceremony will be held at the grave site of Mark (Martin) Franklin, War of 1812 Veteran and a "5 Year man" in the 7th Infantry Regiment. The ceremony will be held at noon, Saturday 21 April 2007, just outside Georgiana, AL. Here is rest of the information if you're interested in attending the ceremony.

23 Feb 2007	Gary Limmer is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry (66-67) and an Association member. His veteran-owned business is Pride of Service.com. No where else can you create a comprehensive presentation of your "Personal History of Military Service". They design and produce individual custom military Veteran t-shirts and gifts that are great for reunions, holidays, associations, meetings, parades and events or ANYTIME to demonstrate your "PRIDE OF SERVICE". Choose your Branch of Service, Name of Unit, Unit Patch, Rank, Ribbons, Badges, Stations, and any other information or graphics that you want displayed on your PRIDE OF SERVICE T-Shirt or Gift. Once you make your selections, their graphic specialists will create your "one-of-a-kind" design.

8 Feb 2007	The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit corporation that provides comfort and aid to the most severely injured service men and women returning from the current military conflicts abroad. Contributions to the Project are tax deductible.

6 Feb 2007	Task Force 2-7 INF has arrived at FOB Hit and the various Bases in Task Force 2-7 Infantry's Area of Responsibility. Please see the ODS page for further information

15 Jan 2007	The U.S. Army has started a new program entitled the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Program. The Freedom Team Salute program gives Active, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers an opportunity to recognize parents, spouses and employers for the support and strength they provide, while you serve to protect our freedom and American way of life. The Freedom Team Salute is recognition program and provided at no cost to the recipient or the nominator. As a special thanks to our Nation's veterans, the Army would like to send a Freedom Team Salute to veterans for their dedicated service and continued support of today's Soldiers.

15 Jan 2007	The Fall 2006 Newsletter has been posted to the web site.

27 Nov 2006	Hershey Miyamura MOH Korea Monument Dedication The Society of the 3rd Infantry Division has a reference to the dedication of the Medal of Honor Monument Dedication in Gallop, NM for Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura. The ceremony took place on 19 Aug 2006. The Gallop Independent Newspaper also has an article about the ceremony.

2 Nov 2006	Welcome to the redesigned Cottonbaler.com web site. As the new webmaster, I'm interested in your comments and thoughts (both good and bad) on the web site. I'm also looking for some interesting photos and stories (can be as small as a paragraph) of your time with the Cottonbalers. Coming shortly will be a section dedicated to the "Old Guard." Here is where I'll post any photos and stories that you send me. And for those of you who are active-duty Cottonbalers, you'll also have a section for your photos and stories. Thanks. David Spanburg, webmaster

10 Oct 2006	The Army Historical Foundation is creating a registry that will contain the names and service records of U.S. soldiers in conjunction with the campaign to establish a National Museum of the U.S. Army (scheduled to open at Fort Belvior, VA., in five to six years). Information can be entered by veteran and currently serving active and reserve soldiers, family members and friends of deceased veterans, and descendants of soldiers who served in active Army, National Guard, Army Reserve, Army Air Corps (Army Air Forces), Women's Army Corps, and Women's Army Air Corps from 1775 to present.

29 Sep 2006	Information about the 2007 and 2008 reunions of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association has been added to the Reunion Page.

4 Apr 2005	The White House announced that President George W. Bush will honor Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith on the second anniversary of his courageous actions during the Battle of Baghdad Airport. The Medal of Honor will be presented to the Smith family during a White House ceremony, April 4.

8 Jan 2005	The 2005 observance of the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 was made particularly special by the dedication of a memorial to the 7th Infantry Regiment and other units that participated in the battle 190 years ago.

11 Apr 2002	7th Infantry Regiment ceremoniously recognized as "New Orleans Own."

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