Members In Iraq
Editor’s Note: Local 1 Michigan and Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware
have both seen members called up for service and deployed
overseas. Gerhard Seidel of Local 1 Michigan has been deployed
in Iraq since last December, while Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware
member Greg Iannarelli was sent to Kuwait last February.
Our prayers are with them and all the brave men and women
stationed overseas. We wish them all a safe and swift return.
Hello Everyone at Local 1,
 |
| Local 1 MI member Gerhard E. Seidel
on the move to Camp Victory, near Baghdad International
Airport. |
I’ve been deployed to Operation
Iraqi Freedom in Iraq since December 7th, 2003, and it’s
been a long six months. My unit was deployed initially to
Ft. Bliss Texas,
near El Paso, for about two months of train up. We were then
flown directly to Iraq. We arrived here on February 22nd,
and moved directly to the infamous Abu Ghraib prison. We
were working for a military intelligence Battalion while
there, and didn’t do much other than guard the base
in watch towers and provide convoy security.
We are an Airborne
Long Range Surveillance unit, so those jobs weren’t
really appealing to us. We’re used
to being on the ground! My platoon was just moved to Camp
Victory, next to the Baghdad International Airport, and
we are now supporting the Intelligence requirements of
the 1st
Calvary Division, which is good because it puts [us] on
the ground where we belong. We at least feel properly utilized
now, and living conditions are much better here as well.
I’d
like to thank the Union for supporting my deployment by
paying my dues during my absence. This has been a great
help, as my financial situation is somewhat different since
I’ve been deployed. The greatest toll, though, is
missing family and friends. Six months is a long time to
be away
from one’s loved ones, and I still have at least
another six months to go. I was scheduled to come home
on leave for
my son’s wedding on June 25th, but leave has been
cut back so drastically, I don’t know if I’ll
be able to come home for it now. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Gerhard E. Seidel
CampVictory (North) Iraq
Member, Local 1 [MI]
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