One Brick Short

Just got a copy of the November and December Al Taqaddum Times, the newsletter sent to family members of Alpha Company, our local Monticello Guardsmen serving in Iraq, and there’s bits and pieces to toss out there.

First, congrats to Pvt. Samuel Amos. The Louisa County man had just cleared basic training when the locals shipped out for training and the Sandbox, didn’t know hardly anyone and was a buck private as you could get. He’s been promoted to PV2, private second class. Also promoted was PV2 Jaudon Johnson who is now private first class (Pfc.) Johnson.

Spc. Sean Whitaker, of 3rd Platoon, was recognized as Alpha Company’s Soldier of the Month for November for his actions during a Combat Logistics Patrol, although the Times didn’t go into exactly what those actions were.

The company was also awarded the 29th Infantry Division combat patch, a yin-yang kind of thing in colors of blue and gray, to honor the company’s service in a combat zone. The patch will be worn on the right shoulder of the uniforms.

In December’s edition, which talks about November’s activities, a story tells how Janet C. Smith, U.S. Department of Defense Civilian and fleet sustainment manager for the 1st Battalion, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade – Iraq, at Camp Anaconda, stopped by to visit her daughter, Sgt. Michelle L. Smith of Alpha Company.

Sgt. Smith is a medic and truck commander on a gun truck providing convoy security.  Her mother repairs security vehicles and worries every time they bring in a damaged vehicle. Ms. Smith e-mails Sgt. Smith almost every day, but came on Nov. 14 for a mother and child reunion.

Also in the December issue, Sgt. April McFarland, of HQ Platoon, was recognized as Soldier of the Month.  Sgt. McFarland is responsible for upgrading all of the tracking systems at the base.

As of Dec. 8, Alpha Company conducted 103 successful combat logistics patrols totaling 14,488 miles.

Thanks to Katherine Day of the family readiness group for Alpha Company for forwarding the newsletter. If anyone else has news, just drop it here.