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| Commander's Corner
- CPT Scott M. Caldwell - Company Commander. |
- From 2LT Edward Chen, the Company’s Public Affairs Officer |
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In this past month soldiers of Viper Company continued their three part support and stability operations. These operations consisted of training the Iraqi Army, Quick Reaction Force and Civil Affairs Escort missions. To the relief of our soldiers and the local populace, An Najaf remained relatively “peaceful” plagued with the occasional local political turmoil. Soldiers all agree that this past month was positive and extremely constructive. The local Iraqi Army battalion, 405th, requested that they take up more responsibility in the city. The 405th, considered one of the most well trained and organized new Iraqi battalions, feels that it can handle the occasional local disruption and day to day city activity. Once again to the relief of Viper company’s soldiers, they can now count on playing a supporting role in Najaf. This month Viper Company also adopted a co-ed school in rural Najaf. The school, Thaffer Primary School, is an elementary school with approximately 200 students, ages 6-12. Viper Company, along with the other companies in the battalion, will attend to their respective schools on a weekly basis. The purpose of adopting a school is to allow  soldiers
and the local populous to interact, giving local children an opportunity
to ask questions. Viper Company will also be the bridging point between
schools in the United States and the Thaffer Primary School. Children
in Mississippi can now establish pen-pals with Iraqi children and vise
versa. Adopting a school also allows soldiers time to reflect on
why they are here. The Oxford Family Readiness Group will be holding
a supplies drive back home in June to help us gather school supplies to
give out to the children at our school. This is a very important
step in helping us to bridge the gap between our countries and your support
is greatly needed to make this a success.
As of this month, soldiers of Viper Company will proudly display the 155th Brigade Combat Team’s “Dixie Thunder” patch as their combat patch. Combat patches are awarded to units deployed to a combat zone. They represent the unit that a soldier is assigned to while serving in a combat zone and it is placed on their right shoulder, above the US flag. 
As always, Viper Company has awarded two members of its unit for Soldier
and Non Commissioned Officer of the month. Staff Sergeant Jeffery Davis
from second platoon was chosen as the Non Commissioned Officer of the Month
for his dedication to soldier welfare and his outstanding leadership qualities.
SSG Davis, from Booneville, MS, ensured his soldiers knew the importance
of being physically fit in a combat zone. His dedication to keeping himself
fit served as an example for his men to follow.
Specialist Christopher Berry, of third platoon, was chosen as the Company’s Soldier of the Month for his selfless service to his platoon. With his proficiency in maintaining HMMWVs, he gave up his own personal time to help others when they are in need. His selfless service does not only fall in the area of maintenance but elsewhere as well. Specialist Berry, from Enid, MS, also dedicated his time in helping others in his platoon stay in shape. He is often times seen helping others at the gym in creating workout schedules and plans. Specialist Berry and Staff Sergeant Davis are both outstanding soldiers of Viper Company. They have served professionally and are maintaining the high traditions of Viper Company and United States Army. The soldiers of Viper Company would also like to extend a special THANK YOU to the citizens of Oxford, Lafayette County and Ole Miss for the care packages you sent to us. The boxes arrived this past week and we were all so happy to get mail. Please keep those care packages coming! They really help boost morale and bring a smile to our faces. This support from home really means a lot to all of us and we appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than we can say. This deployment is very hard on us and our families and it helps to know that the people back home know we are working hard to promote peace in our AO. Until next time, please continue to keep us and our families in your prayers just as we pray for all of you back home. |
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