Maj. Gen. William Webster Jr., commanding general, 3rd inf. Div. (left); Lt. Gen. John Vines, commanding general,
Multi-National Corps-Iraq; and Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general, 4th inf. Div., salute the flag during the
Transfer of Authority ceremony held at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Saturday.
(Army photo by Sgt. Ann Drier, 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment).

BAGHDAD –Jan.7, 2006- As Iraqi Army and coalition partners looked on, the 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions commemorated the completion of their “Transfer of Authority” during a ceremony at the Multi-National Division-Baghdad headquarters at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Maj. Gen. William Webster Jr., the commanding general of 3rd Inf. Div., along with Command Sgt. Maj. William Grant, officially cased the “Marne” Division’s colors, signifying the successful completion of the division’s mission as the Multi-National Division-Baghdad from Feb. 28, 2005 through Jan. 7, 2006. The division colors will again be uncased during a ceremony after its redeployment back to Fort Stewart, Ga.
Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, the commanding general of 4th Inf. Div., along with Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Riling, uncased the “Ironhorse” Division’s colors, signifying the division assuming the mantle of responsibility as Multi-National Division-Baghdad. The division cased its colors before deploying from Fort Hood, Texas, during a ceremony Oct. 28.
Lt. Gen. John Vines, the commanding general of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, served as the reviewing officer for the ceremony. Also attending were several senior Army leaders from throughout the theater as well as Gen. Babader Zebari, the Chief of Staff of Iraqi Armed Forces; Lt. Gen. Abadi, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Staff; and Maj. Gen. Mobdir, commander of the 6th Iraqi Army Division.

Maj. Gen. William Webster Jr., commanding general, 3rd inf. Div. (left), and Command Sgt. Maj. William Grant
furl the division’s colors during the Transfer of Authority ceremony held at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Saturday.
The ceremony signifies mission completion as the division redeploys back to Fort Stewart, Ga.
(Army photo by Sgt. Ann Drier, 363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment).

“This ceremony symbolizes the transfer of authority. There’s another symbolism of course – the Soldiers who serve under those colors are conducting operations throughout the Multi-National Division-Baghdad sector,” said Vines, commenting on the fact the 3rd and 4th Infantry Division Soldiers were continuing to conduct operations even as the ceremony progressed.
Baghdad is the most complex environment in the world, he continued, as it steadily moves toward democracy. The two divisions have served brilliantly in the Iraqi theater.

“The 3rd Infantry Division is the first U.S. division to serve two complete tours in Iraq, he said. “No unit in the United States Army has been busier, more deployed or has seen as much combat as the 3rd Infantry Division.

As they return home to their families and loved ones, he said, they go with the thanks of a grateful nation of Iraq, and the United States, and with the knowledge that they have done their duties brilliantly.
The ceremony signifies a day marked with both happiness and sadness, said Webster, after casing the Marne Division’s colors.
“We are happy to have shared in the successes of the Iraqi people this year and proud to have served the cause of freedom alongside so many brave Iraqi men and women,” he said.
Much has been accomplished between the coalition and Iraqi forces together, he added.
“We have worked together to fight within the rules of law to beat these terrorists and to put them in jail,” he said. “Together we will win this fight for democracy.
“We wish you well in the year ahead. Freedom, peace and prosperity will come with continued hard work and sacrifice. We are proud to have been a part of it. Thank you. Rock of the Marne!”
Thurman followed Webster at the podium and said it was an honor to be in the great country of Iraq and the historic city of Baghdad and an honor to assume command of the 30,000 Soldiers of Multi-National Division-Baghdad from his close friend, Maj. Gen. Webster.

“To Maj. Gen. Webster and the Marne Division Soldiers: We have watched your selfless service and professionalism from afar,” he said. “On behalf of the 4th Infantry Division, I want to thank you for the magnificent job you have done over the past 12 months. I also want to thank you for the seamless transition between our two divisions.
“We will never forget the sacrifices made by Marne Division Soldiers and the people of Iraq. We admire the courage of the Soldiers and police patrolling the streets and villages, and we admire the courage of the Iraqi citizens who bravely went to the polls to vote.”

Over the next year, he added, Task Force Ironhorse Soldiers will continue to build on the Marne Divisions successes and will continue to foster the partnership with its Iraqi brothers as it continues to move forward.
“This year will be the decisive period for the campaign in Iraq. I look forward to working with the newly elected government, the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police. Together, we will be successful.
“On October 28, 2005, we cased our division’s colors at Fort Hood, Texas, signifying the start of our deployment to Iraq. Today we uncase those colors and assume the responsibility for the Multinational Division – Baghdad Area of Operations. Ironhorse! Steadfast and Loyal!”

Band of Brothers Reunite in Iraq
By Spc. Karl Johnson
363 MPAD

Baghdad-January 12, 2006 “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers: For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother,” wrote William Shakespeare in Henry V.
Shakespeare described the lifelong bond formed between Soldiers who stand together in battle. He called that bond brotherhood. In Iraq today, brothers quite literally serve together. Often kept apart by their different missions, they find themselves separated by their in common profession – as Soldiers. The transfer of command from the 3rd Infantry Division to the 4th Infantry Division brought with it the happy reunion of some brothers. Three sets of brothers who got together again in Iraq are the Hurons, the Martells and the Pooles.
“My brother and I are so close that we can be apart for many years, and when we get back together, it is like we were never gone,” said Lt. Col. Mark A. Huron, 4th Inf. Div. inspector general. Growing up in close quarters, often times sharing the same space, brothers can develop bonds that neither years nor separation can break.
Those bonds are as unique and individual as that old, perfect-fitting baseball mitt you’ve had for years.
“We grew up in the same room,” he said. “We attended the same college and took the same classes.”
When Huron joined the Army over 20 years ago, that closeness was put the test. Following right behind him though was his younger brother, Lt. Col. Gilbert G. Huron, 3rd Inf. Div. comptroller.
“I’ve been in for 19 years, and he has been in for 20 and a half and unfortunately, this is the first time in 19 years that we’ve been stationed in the same place,” said Gilbert. “It’s been nice spending this time with him and getting the opportunity to talk about the good old days.”
For the Martell brothers, serving in the same place, even for a short while, has been a positive experience.
“The transition was a lot easier because he was here,” said 1st Sgt. Osvaldo Martell, 4th Inf. Div. Troops Company first sergeant.
His older brother, Master Sgt. Angel Martell, 4th Inf. Div. G-1 sergeant major, said the brothers often envisioned themselves as G.I. Joes when they were children.
“This Christmas and New Years was the one of the greatest we’ve had in years,” said Osvaldo Martell.
Not all brothers have been kept apart by their careers in the Army. Capt. Daniel Poole, S-4 for 8th Battalion, 10th Calvary Squadron, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and his older brother, Capt. John Poole, Commander, DTC, 4th Infantry Division, said they have been fortunate during their careers.
“Because of the Army, I’ve seen my brother more than if I had not been in,” said Daniel. “We really try to look out for each other.”
“We are really fortunate to be able to share our love of Soldiers, the Army and our Country”, said John. “It makes my commitment that much more special knowing my brother is doing the same thing I am.”
Regardless of how often these Soldier brothers have gotten to see each other, they all agree that is it hard for them to watch each other go. It’s with a heavy heart that these brothers say goodbye.
“In a lot of ways, he’s still just my little brother,” said Mark Huron. “When he leaves, I’ll be very disappointed.”

January 9, 2006

Unmarried soldiers receiving barracks assignments