October 2005
Another month has passed and the men of Chosen Company have once
again set the bar high for the Brigades combat units to follow.
This month we have taken on the challenge of assisting in the security
for the Parliamentary elections for the Afghanistan Government.
With this large task at hand there were 9 election sites which your
soldiers planned, resourced, and facilitated the ultimate success
of voter turn out due to the stable environment which they created
in the local areas. Their actions have been commended in a personal
thank you note form the Governor of Zabol province which encompasses
all of the 2/503d’s battle space. Complementing them on their
through planning and vital assistance in the deterrence of disruption
efforts by the enemy for the elections. The turn out was tremendously
higher than any could have predicted and the Battalion staff regarded
your soldiers work as a huge success story for the area. We have
continued to improve the country here. There have been several instances
where the companies efforts have not only saved lives but have bettered
the way in which this country is growing for the future. Your soldiers
have been working with the mid to upper levels of the Afghanistan
Government to help them establish systems that can truly work and
better this country for the future. Their actions are nothing short
of heroic and are always appreciated by the local population.
Our Fallen Brothers
TF Storm has enjoyed several successes over the past month and have
also suffered some severe losses. Their enduring commitment to support
the troops of TF Rock enables us to truly effect the outcome of
our operations which we perform for the good of all the Afghanistan
People. All of our prayers and thoughts are with the families and
loved ones of our fallen brothers.
Keeping Good Soldiers in for the Future
The unique task organization of a Task Force when it is designed
is to allow all the combat multipliers to be pushed down to the
lowest level. We have been blessed with the talented Army and Air
Force soldiers which have come into the Chosen family due to the
unique nature of our business. This month marks the end of the fiscal
year for the Army. Not only is money very important to the army
but so are its soldiers. There is often a push during the later
parts of the year to ensure that the army’s “mission”
for re-enlistment is made to keep our force strong and fit with
veteran soldiers to coach and mentor the new recruits which our
Army is enlisting to bring into the folds. This year we not only
made the mark for the Army but with the Air Force as well. Your
soldiers have agreed to extend their commitment to the United States
Army and defend the freedoms which we all hold so dear for several
years to come. Their commitment to us as brothers in arms is not
overlooked but their larger commitment to the United States is noticed
by General Officers at the top of the leadership ladder. Your husbands,
fathers, brothers, sons, and friends are helping to keep the way
of life we cherish a permanent fixture for generations to come.
Updates On the Guys
This month we have been focused on several key areas to ensure that
the elections occurred successfully enabling the Afghanistan Government
to declare another victory in their movement to a democratic government.
The guys are getting focused and prepared for the winter. As we
reach the mid point of the deployment the leadership is continuing
to ensure your Chosen Few soldiers stay as sharp as when they first
arrived to ensure we do not let the enemy take advantage of any
complacency which may try and take root in our soldiers. Our spirits
are still high as we still receive encouraging words from home and
anxiously wait to both go on leave and see our families or plan
for our time off when we re-deploy. Rest assured that your soldiers
are doing so much for this country that they truly have earned the
right to be remembered through out our history and the history of
Afghanistan.
September 2005
The men of Chosen Company have been working very hard preparing
to support the Afghanistan Government during their upcoming elections.
There are several areas that we are going to assist the Government
of Afghanistan with and they are as always very appreciative of
the help we offer. While our role will be minimal we cannot discount
the enormous impact your sons, husbands, brothers, and friends will
have on the enemy in deterring them from negatively effecting the
elections. The company as a hole has made the adjustments to a new
commander and is performing (as they always have) tremendously well.
As the Commander of Chosen Company I will always try and keep our
families and friends informed about the progress, health, and plans
for the Chosen Few. There are undoubtedly several questions and
many of those may have been generated by a series of roomers that
have been going around about redeployment dates and upcoming deployments
upon our return. Let me assure our families and friends that we
will publish our return time as soon as it becomes available and
what ever the United States Army has in store for the Chosen Few
upon our return to home station we will be very well trained before
we embark on another mission. At this current time we are still
expected to return home on our normal deployment time line. If there
are any changes we will be sure to publish them through the Rear
Detachment and Family Readiness Groups back in Italy.
Our Fallen Brothers
The 2/503rd has enjoyed several success over the past month and
have also suffered some severe losses. All of our prayers and thoughts
are with the families and loved one of our fallen brothers.
Recognition for a Job well done
There are several awards and decorations that the Chosen Company
soldiers are being awarded for their heroic actions under fire.
Some of the pictures below show the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)
being awarded to some well deserving paratroopers. While the other
shows the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia being awarded (SSI). Both these
awards are a visual recognition of soldiers that have been engaged
in combat by enemy forces. There are several other awards that will
undoubtedly be pinned on the uniforms of the Chosen Few before our
time in Afghanistan is complete. This small recognition for their
sacrifices is a tradition which draws it routes from the WWII era.
Our soldiers have given so much during their time deployed in support
of the Global War on Terrorism and I know that the small recognition
from the army and from their loved ones is always appreciated.
Updates On the Guys
Current missions have taken us to new areas in the Zabol Province.
We have been given new sectors to support the Government of Afghanistan
and the guys are getting accustomed to the new environment. We are
still performing the much needed civic assistance mission throughout
our battle space and helping the Afghanistan Government mold and
sculpt their systems to aid them in their strive for good governance
and betterment of their life style. The company is truly blessed
with such a talented group of leaders that we can influence our
areas with maximum effectiveness. We are currently having great
success in the denial of Anti Collation Militia Sanctuary within
the Zabol province. These missions which your soldiers are taking
part in allows the Government of Afghanistan to work on it much
needed infrastructure and establish a solid foundation which it
can build a better country on. We are constantly striving to improve
our ability to work with the Afghan people and your soldiers are
working wonders over here. Without their motivated approach to the
mission and their patriotic outlook on our success we could not
have progressed as far as we have. They truly are the heroes within
this theater.
A Special Thank You
I would like to send a special thank you to all the families and
friends that support the Chosen Few from home. I can personally
attest that our mail days here seem more like the holidays than
a few letters getting dropped off. The soldiers can see a small
indicator of the support that the American public has for the soldiers
forward deployed by the mail that you send. So I would like to personally
thank you for the time and money that you invest to support your
soldiers it is not wasted and helps more than you can possibly understand.
So Thank you very much.
August 2005
I would like to take a brief moment and introduce myself to the
Chosen Family as one of it’s newest members. My name is CPT
Eric Gardner and on the 15th of July Chosen Company said good buy
to the Command team of the Ringgenberg’s and welcomed in (much
to my appreciation) my wife and I to the Chosen Family. My wife
Gretchen and I were overjoyed to be received so openly by the Rock
and Chosen Company. I know there is always some questions about
new leadership when they come in and now with this change occurring
in theater I am sorry that I cannot meet all the families personally
to tell them how truly fortunate I feel to come to such a wonderful
organization. I am an Army Brat so I cannot really claim a home
town. My Father served in the Army for 30 years and has finally
settled down into Retirement. Gretchen was born in Mississippi and
then moved to Virginia, so she claims Springfield VA as her home
town. Gretchen and I have been together for 5 wonderful years and
have been very fortunate with our assignments going first to FT.
Bragg, then FT Benning and finally here at Caserma Ederle. Gretchen
is currently serving at Bagram Air Base in Northern Afghanistan
with the SETAF HQ. She is an Officer in the AG CORPS, and is having
a wonderful time working with Distinguished Visitors coming into
country and telling the Chosen Story to all the big wigs that come
in. We haven’t had the opportunity to start a family due to
our Army’s operational tempo, but have truly enjoyed the free
time in Italy (as little as it is) to experience the European culture
for all it’s worth. We arrived in Italy in April 2003 and
were assigned to SETAF where Gretchen worked in the G-1 shop and
I worked in the command group. We were fortunate to find quarters
out on the economy in a small town named San Georgio In Bosco. Gretchen
has made our house truly look welcoming and we (after a few years)
can finally say that we are settled in. I can truly say that we
have waited anxiously to get to the 173rd and become a part of the
family. We are very proud and honored to call Chosen our home and
know that we have been so blessed to come into such a welcoming
and truly gifted group of patriots.
Our Fallen Brother
On 25 July during combat operations within Afghanistan SSG Schafer
gave his life defending our Country, leading from the front, and
saving his squad members. The gallantry which he displayed was indicative
of the man which SSG Schafer was. The mission was in support of
other US Forces which were in need of assistance and 2nd Platoon
was called in to provided the much needed reinforcements. During
contact with enemy forces SSG Schafer was mortally wounded and gave
his life protecting his squad members from enemy fire. SSG Schafer
was an integral part of the Chosen Family and he will never be
forgotten. His passing is truly difficult for us all. Danielle is
at home with family, and we all send our thoughts and prayers for
them.
Updates On the Guys
Current missions have taken us to habitual areas within our specific
area of responsibility and into new previously uncharted areas of
the country. Even with this dynamic of uncertainty the men of Chosen
have risen to every challenge that the enemy can bring to the table.
Your husbands, sons, fathers, and friends have truly been making
these countries a better place (both America and Afghanistan). The
operation tempo keeps us very engaged but we have been able to find
a relatively good balance to allow all members of Chosen the time
to reflect and refit after each mission. Over the last two weeks
we have denied the Anti Collation Militia (ACM) Safe Haven within
the province of Zabol. To say that we are making ourselves known
is an understatement. With the changing leadership your skilled
and dedicated paratroopers have not missed a beat. We will continue
to stay safe and keep the pressure on the enemy so that they cannot
influence our way of life again.
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