VOLUME II ISSUE 6

SPRING 2006

EDITION

 “The Governor’s Own”

The 88th Army Band

 Helps in StateWide

Recruiting Effort.

 (See Inside)

OCEAN STATE

GUARDIAN

The Official Magazine of the Rhode Island National Guard

Brigadier General Robert Thomas Bray

Appointed New Adjutant General

of Rhode Island National Guard

Members Of Task Force DragonWing Return

Home To Rhode Island On

Christmas Eve

Members of the 172nd Infantry

are silhouetted by the setting

sun as they patrol the streets

of Husseiniya, Iraq.
War is an intractable issue that always seems to be in the news. Most

philosophers who have written on war have provided singular explanations

of why we wage war: they blame the environment, our genes, culture,

technology, or even our reason. In other words, they claim that man cannot

stop war – it is in his nature to wage war. Even political writers, on the

subject, enjoy describing the details of the balance of power theories, but

also, too often, employ the philosophical argument that war is inevitable or

that conflict is innate in human affairs. As human beings, all we can truly

hope for is that the true moral goal for humanity is to become more

reasonable and to renounce violence.

THE OCEAN STATE GUARDIAN

 SPRING EDITION

 The Ocean State Guardian

 can be viewed at:

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/

 pubs_main.php

Ocean State

 GUARDIAN

 EDITORIAL STAFF

Adjutant General

Brigadier General Robert T. Bray

Assistant Adjutant General, Air

Brigadier General James

D’ Agostino

Chief of Staff

Colonel Brian Goodwin

Public Affairs Officer

LTC Micheal McNamara

Editor/Design

Sergeant John Cervone

Reader Contributions are encouraged.

For guidelines contact the Public Affairs Office at:

(401) 275-4193

 (401) 275-4338 (Fax)

Or you may e-mail to:

michael.mcnamara@ri.ngb.army.mil
OSG

SPRING 2005 - EDITION

TOP STORY:

Governor appoints new

Adjutant General , BG

Robert Bray, to head

Rhode Island National

Guard Page: 4

Departments:

Features:

The appearence of any commercial advertisements or private oqganizations in this publication does not constitute

endorsement either stated or implied by the RING.

Mission of Mercy

To New Orleans

Page: 10

From The Desk of

The Command Sgt.

Major Page: 5

The RING Honors

Detachment

Page: 11

Military Humor

Page: 29

The Governors Own

Page: 8

Artillery Review

page: 20

The 126th Aviation

comes home for

Christmas Page: 15
 Brigadier General

 Robert Thomas Bray

From the Desk of the

Adjutant General

On 9 February 2006, in a ceremony at the Rhode Island State House, Governor Carcieri introduced

BG Robert Bray as Rhode Island’s new Adjutant General. BG Bray brings more than 35 years of

military service to the Adjutant General’s position. Before coming to Rhode Island, BG Bray served

as the Deputy Commanding General for the Army National Guard at the U.S. Army Field Artillery

School in Fort Sill, OK.

Brigadier General Robert Thomas Bray brings a vast knowledge of military and emergency

management experience to this very critical position. He has a national reputation and is highly

regarded for this outstanding leadership style, for his great command of strategic planning, and his

strong fiscal management skills.

BG Bray is a 35 year member of the South Dakota National Guard where he has held numerous

command positions. He understands the many challenges that members of the National Guard and

their families face, and this is truly a wonderful quality to possess during a time when the Rhode

Island National Guard has had so many of it’s members deployed. Also, in this post-9/11 world, we

are confronted by a wide range of military, civil preparedness, and emergency management issues

on a daily basis. BG Gray has direct experience with these issues as a commander in the National

Guard and as a Fire Division Chief with the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Department, where he was

responsible for all incidents involving hazardous materials.

BG Bray joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1971 and was commissioned a Second

Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. In 2004, he was promoted to Brigadier General. BG Gray retired

from the Sioux Falls Rescue Department after 27 years of service. He most recently served as Fire

Division Chief, where he was responsible for Special Operations. Since the Adjutant General serves

as the Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and is the liaison to the

Federal Department of Homeland Security, BG Bray’s experience, expertise and knowledge will

greatly enhance all three positions and allow him to manage with continuity and stability during

these troubling times.

The Brigadier general’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, five awards of the Meritorious Service

Medal, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, six awards of the Army

Reserve Components Achievement Medal, two awards of the National Defense Service Medal, two awards of

the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, three awards of the Army Reserve Components Overseas Ribbon, Army

Service Ribbon, four awards of the South Dakota National Guard Service Ribbon, South Dakota Desert Storm

Ribbon, South Dakota Distinguished Service Ribbon, and the Army Superior Unit Citation. He served overseas

duty in Germany and the Republic of Korea.

4
Command Sergeant Major

 John J. McDonough IV

 THE “WORD”

 FROM THE COMMAND SGT. MAJOR!

1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery (B)

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The lobby to the north entrance of the State House is home to two famous Civil War

cannons, each with its own unique history. The Gettysburg Gun was struck by three

Confederate shells during Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

Two members of Battery B First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery were getting

ready to load the cannon when a Confederate shell hit the muzzle, instantly killing

officer William Jones. The second officer, Alfred G. Gardner, was struck in the left

shoulder and died minutes later, shouting, “Glory to God! I am happy! Hallelujah!

“Officers tried to load the gun, hitting the 12-pound iron ball with the side of an axe, but the muzzle was too

damaged and the heat of the gun molded the ball in place. Even now, visitors can see the charge still lodged in

the cannon. After the war, the Gettysburg Gun was displayed in Washington D.C. It came home to Rhode

Island in 1874, and has been inside the State House since 1903. For 99 years, the gun remained loaded with

its charge of gunpowder, until the potential danger was noted and the powder was removed in 1962.The lobby

also houses another Civil War cannon, this one used in the Battle of Bull Run.

Military courtesy is an extension of the cultural norms that

form a foundation for this great nation’s society. As warriors,

in the profession of arms, we observe numerous additional

customs that recognize the unique hierarchy, responsibilities,

and traditions of military service. The manner in which we

follow military courtesy reflects upon us as soldiers and

indicates a great deal about our character in general. When

addressing an officer it is a simple addition to one’s

conversation to refer to them as “sir” or “ma’am”. This

common courtesy can make all the difference between

imbuing a professional demeanor and a sloppy one. The

professional courtesy of a hand salute is an extremely basic

concept that was originally established to display an unarmed

right hand. Salutes distinguish our warrior culture as well as

accentuate an outdoor greeting. Lack of a salute or trying to

avoid making eye contact, engenders inattentiveness and

malaise. When your hands are full, obey the spirit of the custom

by a simple greeting instead of a salute. We owe our officers

and ourselves this courtesy. Remember good military

appearance imparts cleanliness, organization, and discipline.

Hands in pockets, unzipped jackets, and inappropriate wear

of headgear are all symptoms of a carelessness we must

not become accustomed to or allow. Proper flag etiquette

should be reviewed and practiced at least on a monthly basis.

Military customs and courtesies are attributes of our noble

profession that do not end or abate periodically and then

automatically reestablish themselves. We need to establish

them now as ingrained and sublime habits, and remind others

of their responsibility to do the same. Remember, as General

Patton said, “You are always on parade.”

5
Over the years we have heard this term used to describe

members of the military who have made a career out of the

military life. It can also be used as a term of respect for an

individual who has performed his or her duties with both tolerance and pride. But in order to fully understand how the

term applies to a military person, one has first to provide the

context in which the word “professional” is used. While in

some usages, professional denotes a ‘career’ or lifelong

occupation, the term professional here will be used for a

much more concise meaning. The precise definition will be

the one we use when we refer to Doctors and Lawyers as

professionals. Artisans and line-workers may perform important functions in society, but they lack the true professionalism that will be used here when referring to the professional soldier. This sense of professionalism is that which

demands respect. The two main characteristics used to

define professionalism are expertise and responsibility. All

professionals must have expertise in their field that sets

them apart from common people or from civilians. A doctor

must go through years of school and residency in order to

learn the details of the human body and the methods for

treating illness. Even after completing this training, they still

have to pass examinations that certify their competency in

the field. Likewise, the professional soldier goes through a

general and technical education, in order to become a professional military person. A professional person is also responsible to society. Instead of being set purely by the

market forces, their salary is often regulated by professional

customs and law. If the professional chooses to act in opposition to society, they cease to be professional. Only by

improving society can they accomplish their goals. The professional military person is skilled in the management of

violence. This is the primary skill which sets them apart

from the common person or the civilian. In carrying out their

ability in this skill, they are not working solely for monetary

gain. They are not mercenaries, soldiers who are paid to

wage war, but are instead a loyal member of society. Their

motivation stems primarily from a love of the military craft

and a desire to so utilize it for the benefit of society. A complex system of rules and regulations are followed by the

soldier in carrying out their duty. Their ‘clientele’ are not

individuals, but the collective state. The professional soldier

is truly set apart from other members of society. In order to

enter into the profession, they must be willing to sacrifice

their own comforts and they must undergo a great deal of

physical training and education in many diverse subjects.

They must also be prepared to sacrifice their lives for the

greater good of their country and the individual doctrines

they have been sworn to uphold and protect. Their uniforms,

experiences and associations tend to set them apart from

common men and women. The soldier’s focus is the

application of violence, but also of the management of that

violence. There is a strong line drawn between the two. The

application of violence can be considered a trade, performed

by a person lacking in professional skills. The management

and control, of that applied violence, places the emphasis

on the nature and conduct of the individual controlling that

applied violence or science. Therefore the degree of violence

applied to a certain situation, by an individual, and also the

amount of control exerted by the individual, will justify whether

the person can be judged to be a professional or merely an

applier of violence without discretion or control. A

“Professional” soldier is also described as having a “Military

Mind”. When thinking of the military mind, characteristics of

bellicosity and authoritarianism are most often brought forth.

This definition, however, misses some of the key

characteristics of a professional soldier. A true professional

solder subscribes to a ‘universal’ military ethic. This

professional ethic is the same regardless of the national or

personal associations of the individual military man or woman.

The military person is essentially *Hobbesian* in their view

of mankind. Like Hobbes, the professional soldier views man

as inherently selfish and evil. The military ethic views conflict

as a universal pattern throughout nature and sees violence

rooted in the permanent biological and psychological nature

of men. The military person owes their very existence to the

conflicting nature of men. Were all men inherently good,

there would be no need for military. Furthermore, success

in warfare depends on the organization of groups. One person

cannot win a war. The military must be made up of a group

of people. Only in groups can men and women realize their

true power. Furthermore, they must learn by experience.

This experience can come either personally, or through the

annals of history. The military person also owes their livelihood

to the many conflicting nation states. War is always caused

by the political means of the country. The professional soldier

must be prepared to respond to those means.

 The Professional Soldier
Thus, the military person is driven towards the increasing and strengthening of their military forces. Alliances and

territorial expansion must be carried out in such a way to provide benefits that exceed the burdens placed on

increased jurisdictional needs. The soldier does not desire to engage in war for war’s sake. They may engage in

a “preventive war”, in order to safeguard national security. They always favor preparedness, but truly never feel

prepared. They are respectful of their enemy and of the true nature of war. They want to prepare for war but always

view the actual “Road to War” as a last resort. The professional military mind only goes to war when so ordered by

the politicians. It is impossible for a person of today to be simultaneously well-versed in both the military and

political roles. Thus, the military depends on the state for ‘direction’. The military, however, is neutral. The political

orders of the nation supersede the military ideals held by the soldier. The military thus exists to serve the state.

They must carry out the orders of their political leaders no matter how militarily unsound they are. A soldier who

ceases to be loyal and obedient ceases to be a professional. The soldier is judged not by the policies they

implement, but rather by the promptness and efficiency with which they carry them out. In conclusion, the

development of the professional soldier is a relatively new phenomenon, only gaining prominence in the last

century. The professional soldier is marked by their expertise and responsibility. They must undergo a great deal

of training to be able to master the skill of the management of violence. A professional soldier will remain in the

field of military affairs, while allowing the statesman to run the political affairs. While doctors serve their patients,

and lawyers their clients, the professional soldier has the high calling of selfless service to their state.

By: Sgt. John Cervone

Thomas Hobbes was born in London in 1588. He received his college education at Oxford University

in England, where he studied classics. Hobbes traveled to other European countries several times to

meet with scientists and to study different forms of government. During his time outside of England,

Hobbes became interested in why people allowed themselves to be ruled and what would be the best

form of government for England. In 1651, Hobbes wrote his most famous work, entitled Leviathan. In it,

he argued that people were naturally wicked and could not be trusted to govern. Therefore, Hobbes

believed that an absolute monarchy - a government that gave all power to a king or queen - was best.

Hobbes believed that humans were basically selfish creatures who would do anything to better their

position. Left to themselves, he thought, people would act on their evil impulses. According to Hobbes,

people therefore should not be trusted to make decisions on their own. In addition, Hobbes felt that

nations, like people, were selfishly motivated. To Hobbes, each country was in a constant battle for

power and wealth. To prove his point, Hobbes wrote, “If men are not naturally in a state of war, why do

they always carry arms and why do they have keys to lock their doors?”

Governments were created, according to Hobbes, to protect people from their own selfishness and evil.

The best government was one that had the great power of a leviathan, or sea monster. Hobbes believed

in the rule of a king because he felt a country needed an authority figure to provide direction and

leadership. Because the people were only interested in promoting their own self-interests, Hobbes

believed democracy - allowing citizens to vote for government leaders - would never work. Hobbes

wrote, “All mankind [is in] a perpetual and restless desire for power... that [stops] only in death.”

Consequently, giving power to the individual would create a dangerous situation that would start a “war

of every man against every man” and make life “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

Despite his distrust of democracy, Hobbes believed that a diverse group of representatives presenting

the problems of the common person would, hopefully, prevent a king from being cruel and unfair. During

Hobbes’ lifetime, business began to have a big influence on government. Those who could contribute

money to the government were given great status, and business interests were very powerful. In order

to offset the growing power of business, Hobbes believed that an individual could be heard in

government by authorizing a representative to speak on their behalf. In fact, Hobbes came up with the

phrase “voice of the people,” which meant that one person could be chosen to represent a group with

similar views. However, this “voice” was merely heard and not necessarily listened to - final decisions

lay with the king.

 The Professional Soldier
88th Army Band

“The Governor’s Own”

The mission of the 88th Army Band is: “To provide

music that promotes troop morale, unit esprit

de corps, and support civil and military

operations and ceremonies.” Over the years they

have performed that mission and performed it in an

outstanding manner. But it needs to be remembered

that these individuals are soldiers as well as

musicians and they take pride in the organization they

are a part of. Their pride has led them to partake in a

program that will give tremendous exposure to

themselves and to the Rhode Island National Guard.

Over the next few months the 88th Army Band

“Combo” will be performing at various sporting

events, throughout the state. These “Combo

Concerts” will be the thrust of their new recruiting

presentations. They have already performed at a

Providence Friars game, at the Dunkin Donuts

Center, and at Bryant University. Their future

performances will be a “Combo Concert” at RIC on

April 13th and URI on April 14th. Their performances

seem to bring out the best in their audiences and

they are always greeted with enthusiastic applause

and the end of their performances always leaves the

crowd wanting more. As a unit they are extremely

tight knit and strive for perfection. They are not afraid

of constructive criticism because they know that the

end justifies the means, and the end for them is giving

a memorable performance.

 I have enjoyed the time I have spent with all the

members, as they are able to put their individual

egos in the background, in order to strive for the

unity that makes them a sound and viable

organization.

They are sacrificing their time for the worthiest of

causes. They are trying to bring the National Guard

to the youth of Rhode Island in a very special way.

Their methods do not include employing heavy

weapons or biological radiation suits or even flights

in helicopters. What they do is demonstrate to an

audience that they are a military unit that has a goal

of entertaining listeners with music both

contemporary and patriotic. Their recruiting tools

are their instruments and their ability to use those

instruments very well. One of their greatest assets

is their own individual personalities. They are willing

to explain what they do in a very easy going manner.

They do not try to impress others with their talents,

but rather, they try to explain how an interested,

talented person, could become a part of their

organization. They recruit with their hearts. They

are proud of what they do and their pride is evident

in both their military appearance and their

performances.

By: SgT J Cervone

8

 A Mission of Mercy

Over the past few years we have seen many of our

friends and relatives climb on board busses and set

out for a lengthy trip to Southwest Asia. We have said

goodbye with sadness in our hearts and at times

tears in our eyes. It’s not easy watching someone

we are close to, going to war, in a far away land. But

sadly, over the years it has become a scene that we

are getting used to. As soldiers, it is not up to us to

ask why; we are not allowed that solace. We have to

accept our fate and the fate of our comrades, as

something that we anticipated, when we chose to

become a member of the military.

This past September, our nation witnessed some of

the most horrid events that have occurred here in

many years. In September of 2001, our world was

cast into chaos by men intent on destroying the very

fabric of our society. In September of 2005, our world

was cast into chaos by the very elements of nature

itself. Killer Hurricanes, destroyed and damaged

parts of our nation, to such a degree, that man himself

was completely at a loss as to how to bring order out

of the chaos that was taking place. Fortunately, many

of our nation’s states responded boldly to the crisis

in New Orleans and the surrounding areas that had

been impacted by the hurricanes that struck there.

The Rhode Island National Guard responded by

sending Military Police to the region to help restore

order and also to assist in humanitarian missions.

Sometimes, the humanitarian assistance can be

overshadowed by the many tactical and military

operations that are transpiring at any given time. It

needs to be remembered that they are no less

important. In fact they are probably remembered long

after the situations have returned to normalcy.

The 1207th Transportation Company performed one

of those missions of mercy. They drove for three and

one half days, in order to arrive in New Orleans as

quickly as possible, so that they could give support to

the Rhode Island MP’s, who had been previously flown

there. Their trucks were loaded with water, MRE’s,

flashlights and personal gear. They were stationed in

New Orleans for twenty three days. For twenty three

days they were assigned rescue missions. Using their

vehicles, they assisted rescue teams in helping people

who were trapped either in their homes, on top of their

homes or floating in the water. They rescued over fifty

people along with their various pets. As they rescued

civilians, they also tried to help the people they were

rescuing, to overcome the fear and sadness they felt

at seeing everything they owned destroyed and

underwater. They performed day and night missions

using their wrecker and flatbeds to pull stalled vehicles

off the highways in order to facilitate the flow of

emergency vehicles. They performed their mission

with pride and compassion. Their legacy is a young

pup they rescued, who certainly would have died if

not for their compassion. They found him in a shelter,

alone and uncared for. They brought the pup, they

named him “Storm”, back to Rhode Island and the

unit has cared for him ever since. Specialist Michael

Wolfe and Sgt. Luis Castaneda explained to me what

a great feeling it was to have helped so many people

and how proud they and their entire unit were of the

job they had performed under such dire conditions.

We should all share their pride at having done such a

great job. Let’s also try to remember, as we go through

our day to day routines, that in many ways our job is

to help people here in Rhode Island and in any other

state we may be called on to assist. These soldiers

performed a real world mission not a tactical exercise.

The people they saved were real and will remember

them possibly for the rest of their lives. As soldiers

we all perform our missions to the best of our abilities.

The 1207th Transportation Company succeeded

admirably in the performance and completion of their

mission.

by: Sgt J Cervone

10
THE RHODE ISLAND FUNERAL

 HONORS DETACHMENT

The Rhode Island Funeral Honors Detachment is headquartered at the Armory of Mounted

Commands, on North Main Street, Providence, RI. The members of the detachment provide

Military Funeral Honors for all deceased Rhode Island Veterans. These dedicated individuals

will participate in over 150 funerals a month. These committed airmen and soldiers participate in

this program so as to ensure all deceased veterans receive the honors that are due to them.

These soldiers and airmen perform their mission in cemeteries all over Rhode Island and at

times even in Massachusetts. Many of the services are performed in chapels but quite a few are

performed at graveside. This means that the firing team and the members of the flag folding

detail are subject to whatever weather conditions exist that day. They perform their duties whether

the sun is shining or whether there is ice and snow on the ground. A graveside service, that

includes ice and snow, can make for a very precarious half an hour.

Today the program is managed by CW5 George Wilkins. Chief Wilkins is responsible for the

over all management of the program which includes payroll, logistical operations and internal

management. Andrew Boudreau and Sgt. Major Raymond Ferreira (Ret.) are the programs field

managers. They are responsible for maintaining the daily team schedules, including hiring new

members, maintaining a training program and keeping the every day nuts and bolts work squared

away. But everyone involved in the program is ultimately responsible to the deceased veteran

and the family of the deceased veteran. When a team arrives at a graveside it is time to put away

all the petty annoyances and grievances that arise in everyday life. It is time to render the appropriate

honors to someone who has served their nation faithfully. That is all that should be on the minds of

the team members. Firing precision by the firing team and total concentration by the flag folding

members is paramount. The team members are in the spot light and must always be aware of

that. To be a member one should have a deep regard for those who have served before them and

also an ego that allows them to practice tolerance and understanding. The program is designed

for junior enlisted and junior NCOs, although at times it has become top heavy with higher ranking

non commissioned officers. As a former team member, I can truly attest to the fact, that rendering

military honors to a deceased comrade has both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. The intrinsic

reward of having an inner pride in ensuring the proper and correct honors have been rendered

and an extrinsic pride in having been a part of an elite team of military professionals that performed

a ceremony, as a team, in a truly expert manner.

By: Sgt John Cervone

11
James Bethel has been a member of the Rhode Island

Honors Detachment going back to a time when there

were only ten members and that included the Field

Co-coordinator, Command Sgt. Major Raymond Morris

(Retired). They did not have government vans or

sedans to take them to the funerals back then.

In order to render Military Honors to fallen veterans, they

drove in old and tired military vehicles, that could be heard

long before they were seen. Most of them had

no heat in the winter and no air conditioning in the summer.

There were never more then three members at a funeral

and most times only two members were on hand.

It took a special kind of person to dedicate their time and

training to the Honors Detachment and Jimmy Bethel is

that special type of person.

 James Bethel has a calm and relaxed personality that has

always allowed him to present the flag of his nation, to the

veterans’ family, in a way that can never be easily forgotten.

 As he presents the flag, he always “connects” with

the receiver and the gratefulness in that person’s eyes say

 all that needs to be said. Jimmy Bethel is proud of what he

does and proud of his longstanding membership with the

Honors Detachment. There are many individuals who can learn

from watching and listening to Jimmy. I did. Jim Bethel’s way

of approaching his mission comes from his heart. He puts the

deceased veteran and the veteran’s family first and last.

He is a true professional.

By: Sgt J Cervone

An Old Soldier Can Teach Us Humility

To all past and present members of the Rhode Island Military. If you are a Combat Vet, ride a

motorcycle larger then 500cc’s, then you could apply for membership in the Rhode Island Chapter of

the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association. We are an association comprised of US Combat Veterans

from all branches of the Armed Forces that ride motorcycles as a hobby. Our reason for being is to

address veteran’s causes and issues. We have taken part in the “Toys for Tots Run”, Christmas gifts

to veterans at the RI Veteran’s Home and other events in 2005. There will be much more in 2006.

To learn more visit their web site at www.cvma.org

To join contact: State Rep Mike Dalmazzi at mikedal2000@yahoo.com

or by cell at 401-556-3160.

Or Contact: Andy Martel at andrew.martel@us.army.mil

or by cell at 401-323-8649.

We look forward to hearing from you

Sincerely

Mike Dalmazzi State Rep “CVMA 556”

The Rhode Island Chapter of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association

James Bethel
The desolate highway from this trash-strewn town of

Trebil, on the Jordanian border into western Iraq, is

littered with bomb craters and burned-out skeletons

of supply trucks. They are grim reminders of the

dangers that lurk along this main supply route for U.S.

forces here. Rhode Island soldiers are well aware of

the dangers present in this war torn area. Troopers

of the 172nd Infantry Regiment have regularly traveled

this highway along with their counterparts in the

Georgia National Guard. The Rhode Islander’s are

presently serving with the 1st Battalion, 118th Field

Artillery Regiment Task Force, 48th Brigade Combat

Team. Their assignment has been to protect trucks

loaded with fuel, food and water. Roughly, usually 100

troops, in about 30 heavily armed military vehicles,

are assigned to guard each convoy. And yet despite

the overwhelming military presence, insurgents are

aggressively attacking the convoys with rocketpropelled grenades and roadside bombs. Between

Sept. 1 and Nov. 11, 2005, thirty seven roadside

bombs hit convoys or were detected by soldiers

before they detonated. One recent convoy was

attacked with eight roadside bombs. More than 2 1/2

years after the invasion of Iraq, the ambushes

underscore how insurgencies remain robust in many

parts of the country, despite U.S. attempts to stamp

them out. In western Iraq, Guard soldiers are tracking

as many as five insurgent and militia groups operating

around their supply routes. They include al Qaida in

Iraq and Ansar al-Sunna. Both of these notorious

terrorist organizations are linked to Abu Musab alZarqawi, a radical Sunni Muslim from Jordan. The

Rhode Islander’s are protecting convoys from bandits

seeking to plunder supply-laden trucks in the Al Anbar

province. The soldiers consider these enemies such

a threat that they escort each and every supply convoy.

Still, even with the overwhelming military presence,

insurgents are aggressively attacking. Soldiers report

that for every couple of insurgents detained or

eliminated, there are busloads of them coming across

the border to join the cause. The Guardsmen try to

fool the insurgents by changing their travel patterns.

But that’s also considered a challenging task. There

is only one paved highway between the Jordanian

border and their supply hub at Al Asad Air Base, near

the city of Hit. In recent months, several civilian truck

drivers and U.S. soldiers from other units have been

killed on supply routes across Iraq. Fortunately, the

National Guardsmen have managed to keep their

supply convoys running despite the attacks. But their

vehicles have taken a beating from roadside bombs.

During the last week of November, a 118th supply

convoy was hit by two roadside bombs, narrowly

avoided a third and possibly a fourth. The convoy

started early on the morning of Nov. 22 and ended

on Thanksgiving Day. The troops started their

mission escorting about 100 empty supply trucks

to Trebil. On the first leg of the trip, they rolled along

a treacherous road called Route Uranium. Pocked

with bomb craters, the road passes through a

desert landscape. Soldiers wince on the narrow,

one-lane route as they drive past suspicious-looking

piles of gravel and sand, possible hiding places for

bombs. A sign warns of mines off the road. Route

Uranium eventually gives way to Route Mobile, a

divided highway lined with the blackened carcasses

of supply trucks. When the trucks break down, U.S.

soldiers move them far off the road and blow them

up so they cannot be used as booby traps. More

than halfway through their trip, the 118th soldiers

encountered some Marines stopping traffic. The

Marines were about to detonate a bomb they found

planted in the median. It was three mortar rounds

connected to a car battery. When the Marines blew

it up, the troops heard two explosions, the second

possibly coming from another bomb planted nearby.

Insurgents sometimes attempt to lure soldiers by

placing a bomb, called a “come-along,” in clear

view. They conceal a second explosive nearby to

kill troops who climb out of their armored vehicles

to destroy the first bomb. The Guardsmen from

Rhode Island are involved in a daily quest to find

and destroy an elusive enemy while trying to protect

themselves and their comrades. Their enemy has

one distinct advantage over all. Their enemy has

time on their side along with a ruthless disregard

for any human life. Time is a friend to the terrorist,

while as time drags on, in a war that seems to have

an undetermined life span; it may slowly become

an enemy to those trying to prevent the spread of

death and violence.

By: Sgt. John Cervone

War and Time Wait for No Man
President Bush Honors Two

 Rhode Islander’s

On Jan. 1, 2006, The President of the United

States presented Purple Heart Medals to nine

soldiers. Two of these soldiers were SPCs Chad

Danusis and David Dyer. They are currently

recuperating from wounds received while

stationed in Iraq. They are both members of the

861st Combat Engineers, Rhode Island National

Guard. President Bush visited Brooke Army

Medical Center, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to

wish wounded troops undergoing treatment there

a happy new year, thank them for their sacrifice,

and present nine Purple Heart Medals.

”I can’t think of a better way to start 2006 than

here at this fantastic hospital,” Bush told reporters

during a stop at the San Antonio post. He also

went on to say that this hospital is filled with

courageous young service members who, along

with their loved ones, are making great sacrifices

as they serve their country. At the hospital, Bush

met with patients and their families at the

Amputee Care Center that opened in January

2005. From there, he visited the Burn Center,

which has treated 388 service members

wounded in the war on terror, and intensive care

unit. The 861st Engineer Company (CSE) is

located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

The General ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers,

directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the

author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast,

the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding.

V Corps assumes command mission in Baghdad

Soldiers of V Corps headquarters, based in Heidelberg, Germany, officially assumed duties in

Baghdad as the command staff for Multi-National Corps - Iraq, for the next 12 months. Lt. Gen.

Peter W. Chiarelli accepted authority for MNC-I from Lt. Gen. John R. Vines in a

ceremony at Camp Victory Jan. 19. Chiarelli comes to the MNC-I from Heidelberg as

well, where he served as commander of

Task Force Victory.

Vines and his Soldiers of the XVIII

Airborne Corps, who have served as the

MNC-I staff for the past year, will now

return home to Fort Bragg, N.C. to

resume their positions with the XVIII.

The 43rd Military Police Brigade is

presently serving with members of Task

Force 134, stationed at Camp Victory,

which falls under the command of V

Corps. About 100 members of the

Guard’s 43rd Military Police Brigade are

guarding Abu Ghraib and two other

prisons in Iraq.
Members Of Task Force Dragon Wing Return

Home To Rhode Island

One hundred members of the 1st Battalion, 126th

Aviation Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard,

returned home to Quonset Point, Rhode Island, on

Sunday, December 18th, 2005.

While stationed in Iraq, “Task Force Dragon wing”

logged over seventeen thousand flight hours in both

UH-60 and CH 47 helicopters. Many of their missions

involved inserting Coalition and Iraqi soldiers into areas

called Direct Action Missions. These missions were

flown at night utilizing NVG’s. At times they flew under

hostile conditions and were fired upon by surface to

air missiles at least forty nine times. They not only

moved troops and supplies but were also called upon

to fly dignitaries to specific areas in theater. Secretary

of State Condolezza Rice and Senator Jack Reed

were just two of the distinguished visitors they

transported. All told, they moved over 5,100 tons of

cargo and over 66,000 passengers. These Rhode

Islanders exhibited great personal courage and

dedication to duty while operating in a combat zone.

Once again, Rhode Islanders have risen to the

challenge and continually raise the bar of excellence

higher and higher.

By: Sgt. John Cervone

15
Guard unit’s return a Christmas wish come true

Families get early Christmas gifts as Rhode Island troops return from Iraq

Tears streamed down the cheeks of many family members, as parents and children held on to each other as

the two C 130j’s flew over the Quonset Point, Air National Guard Base. Aboard those airplanes were the final

returning members of the 126th Aviation Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard. The members of this

National Guard Blackhawk unit were returning home, after a year long deployment in Iraq. This was Christmas

Eve, and indeed, the holidays seemed to be on everyone’s mind. Santa was present and many of the signs,

held by family members and friends stated that, “All I want for Christmas is You.” A feeling of joy was very

apparent, as many of the returning soldiers exclaimed that it was good to be home, but to be home at

Christmas time made it all the more wonderful. Getting back in time for Christmas was truly a miracle. And it

only added to the beauty of the entire event. At 2:30 p.m, the troops began to disembark the C 130j’s, to

cheers and applause from a crowd of family members, friends and comrades. Brigadier General John Enright

Jr., Interim Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, was among a contingent of Guard leaders

and State officials welcoming the troops home. He walked through the crowd shaking hands, and lingered a bit

to personally welcome home a few individual members of the regiment. Based in Iraq, the unit logged 12,430

UH-60 flight hours and over 4,750 CH-47 flight hours. Their mission included ferrying troops, supplies and

equipment all over the country. They also were called on to transport VIPs like Secretary of State Condoleezza

Rice and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. The Rhode Island aviators also flew various

Congressional delegates including Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

The “Dragonwing” crews were fired on by over forty-nine surface to air missiles and had six aircraft damaged.

We are truly proud of our comrades and are all very thankful for their safe return to Rhode Island. By: Sgt.

John Cervone
RHODE ISLANDER’S AT WAR

 IN IRAQ
RHODE ISLANDERS,

AT WAR,

IN IRAQ

861st Engineers

861st Engineers

861st Engineers
 Last December, the 115th Military Police Company

 was awarded the Valorous Unit Award. On February

 4th, 2006, the Valorous Unit Award was presented to

 ten former members of the 115th Military Police Company

 along with two current members. The award was also

 presented to the families of SSG Camara, SGT. Caldwell

 and SPC Andrade.
103rd Field Artillery Review

The 103rd FA held their 35th Annual

Artillery Review on Saturday, 3

December 2005, at the Armory of

Mounted Commands. This also included

a Change of Command for the 1st Bn

103d FA. LTC Mark P. Habershaw was

outgoing and LTC Stephen M. Carty was

given the Command.

20
103rd Field Artillery - continued

The Torch is Passed

CW2 COCCIO’S RETIREMENT
Know Your Enemy

This story is about a battle that occurred in a Vietnamese

hamlet called Ap Boc. Ap Boc, was located fourteen miles

northwest of My Tho, a village to the south of Saigon, in the

Republic of Vietnam. An insignificant blot on the map, this

hamlet was destined to become the proving ground in the

Viet Nam War. The battle of Ap Boc would give credence to

the fact that the Viet Cong had become an effective fighting

machine, and would also highlight the weaknesses of the

South Vietnamese military. The South Vietnamese

government was perhaps, the greatest weapon the Viet

Cong possessed. The corruptness of the Diem government

literally oozed into every corner of the nation. Diem placed

incompetent lackeys in high government and military

positions. His disregard for his own people helped the Viet

Cong gain the respect and trust of many of the villagers,

who willingly provided support and recruits over the years.

The ARVN army themselves provided much needed arms

and other military equipment to their enemy. Thanks to the

carelessness of the ARVN troops, the Viet Cong were

increasingly armed with modern American weapons. The

ARVN soldiers sometimes sold their weapons or the VC

captured them. In the latter half of 1962, Viet Cong battalion

commanders began to study the American war machine,

which was being implemented by the South Vietnamese

military and devised tactics to overcome it. They then worked

at convincing their junior officers, non commissioned officers

and troops that if they did not panic, and used the terrain to

their advantage, they could be successful in defeating the

American advised southern army. The extent of the ferocity

of the Viet Cong became apparent on October 5, 1962,

near the “Plain of Reeds”. A 40-man ARVN Ranger company

was ambushed by a group of guerillas. The VC fired into

the Rangers from their camouflaged foxholes. The majority

of the Rangers were killed and wounded within the first few

minutes of the firefight. Reinforcements and an air strike

were called in. The VC were hit with bombs, rockets, and

napalm and yet they did not run. They stayed concealed

and did not panic. When they did leave the field they did so

in an orderly fashion. They took all their dead and wounded

and policed up their brass. To even the most naive obser-

 -vor It appeared that the time of American technology,

striking fear into the VC was coming to an end. This victory

would fill the Viet Cong with patriotic fervor, and they would

use it as a rallying cry in the South. Early in January of

1963, the ARVN 7th Division, along with its contingent of

American advisors, were in command of the northern half of

the Mekong Delta. There were 38,000 ARVN troops in this

area, against an estimated 15,000

guerillas. Even though outnumbered

the Viet Cong had the strategic and

tactical advantage on the

battleground. They determined the

course of the war in this area

because of their knowledge of the

terrain and the support of many of

the local villages.

Lt. Colonel John Paul Vann was

the American advisor in charge

of this region. His many

attempts to destroy the Viet

Cong in the area had usually

been thwarted by the ARVN

army’s timid approach to battle.

The ARVN troops were usually

on the defensive, reacting to the guerilla moves, and lacked

the cooperation of the local peasantry. Their leaders were

usually content to allow the VC to escape rather then pursue

and destroy. The disaster at the Plain of Reeds had made

the ARVN even more timid. As advisor, John Paul Vann

was determined to make the ARVN troops more aggressive

something the French had little success with in their colonial

war with the Vietnamese. Lt. Col. Vann’s opportunity to

finally fight the VC in a stand up battle materialized at Ap

Boc. But again, poor intelligence reported the presence of

at least 120 guerillas in the Ap Boc area. There were, in

fact, 320 heavily armed guerillas dug in and safely

camouflaged in the Ap Boc area. Even so, Lt. Colonel Vann

and his Vietnamese counterparts devised a plan to trap

and destroy the Viet Cong in Ap Boc. The plan was both

simple and direct. It’s only flaw were the personnel being

directed to carry it out. The ARVN 7th Division infantry

battalion (approximately 330 men) would land to the North

by helicopter. While this was taking place, two battalions

of Civil Guards would march up from the South. To ensure

the presence of over powering fire power, a company of

thirteen M113 armored personnel carriers, with infantry on

board, would advance from the southwest. They would

position themselves around the village in order to keep the

VC from retreating. The three marching elements (the

division battalion and the civil guard battalions) were capable

of handling a reinforced company of guerillas with the support

of artillery and fighter bombers. The M113’s and the mounted

infantry were to be held in reserve. There were additional

infantry companies in reserve at Tan Hiep (ARVN HQ) which

could be sent in by helicopter if needed. Now, keep in mind

that only 120 VC were reported in the area and yet over

1200 heavily armed ARVN soldiers were going to attack

them. The additional 200 VC that were there should have

had no effect on the battle at all. The ARVN still had an

almost 9-1 advantage. Even Lt. Col. Vann believed that defeat

was almost impossible with the amount of men and firepower

being thrown at the enemy. As has happened to many

great battle plans over the years, Montgomery’s MarketGarden comes to mind, the human element can sometimes

send a great plan crashing down in flames. The Battle at

Ap Boc shall go down in history as such a travesty. In the

first place, the VC knew every movement the ARVN were

making as they were monitoring them on “captured” or

purchased, American radios. The ARVN troops did not

practice commo security , so it was very easy for their foe

to checkmate their every move, when and if they made a

move.
 At this point it could probably be said that the VC were entrenched

on dispersive ground - fighting in their own territory, and the

ARVN soldiers were approaching on desperate ground - ground

on which they could only be saved from destruction by fighting

without delay and fighting hard. They chose to do neither. What

they did was to inform the VC of their every movement and then

as the VC began to pour murderous fire into their units they also

began to panic and fall into complete confusion.

The first groups to be routed were the civil guards. They marched

right into a Viet Cong ambush and were cut to pieces. They

retreated and took cover, firing their weapons into their own

retreating comrades in the confusion. The second civil guard

battalion advanced to assist the first. They also ran into heavy

resistance. The civil guard commander then set up a defensive

perimeter and radioed HQ to send up the reserve companies.

Since the VC continued to monitor the ARVN communications,

they knew immediately that reinforcements were on their way.

The reserve companies were being flown in on H-21’s piloted by

Americans. The VC opened fire on them resulting in the

destruction of five helicopters and inflicting heavy damage on

many others. In order to prevent the ARVN infantry from being

over run, Lt. Vol. Vann ordered the American personnel carriers

to get into the battle and drive the VC back. As they advanced

on the enemy, the VC poured heavy fire into the advancing APCs.

Many of the APCs halted their advance and hid behind the downed

choppers, firing their weapons into the sky. The Viet Cong had

stopped the ARVN advance right in its tracks. They had

completely routed a force that was superior to them in manpower and weapons. The ARVN simply froze in place and allowed

the VC to remove themselves from the battlefield at nightfall.

They simply vanished into the night with their dead and wounded.

These so called “pajama clad” guerillas had successfully shot

down five helicopters, killed over eighty soldiers and wounded an

additional one hundred. Three American “advisors” were killed

and another eight wounded.

Sun-Tzu wrote in his famous observations of warfare, “The

Principles of Warfare” - “Generally the one who first occupies

the battlefield awaiting the enemy is at ease;

the one who comes later and rushes into battle

is fatigued.Therefore those skilled in warfare

move the enemy, and are not moved by the

enemy. The ARVN troops, who were on the

attack, may not have been fatigued but they

were certainly not highly motivated. On that

fateful day the Viet Cong proved true the axiom

that “though the enemy is many, he can be

prevented from doing battle. Therefore, know

the enemy’s plans and calculate their strengths

and weaknesses.”

By: Sgt John Cervone

Sun Tzu was born into minor nobility in what

is now Shandong, a part of China north of

Shanghai that became famous for

Confucius. Sun Tzu was given a good

education and like Machiavelli, he wrote a

military treatise in order to get noticed and

hired by royalty. Sun Wu expanded his 13

chapter Art of War into 82 chapters and

trained an army. Eventually he broke the

peace by invading the southern state of

Yue. Even though his troops were usually

outnumbered he was always victorious.

Some considered his death to be another of his deceptions.

Many believe that if we are to win the war against terrorism, we

must, as Sun Tzu in “The Art of War” wrote, “Understand the

enemy.” And we must, all of us, Americans, Europeans, Arabs,

Asians, Muslims and non-Muslims, unite against it. It is up to

all of us to create the conditions that will make this essential

unity possible.

Know Your Enemy

Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence, the

second son of Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli and

his wife Bartolommea di Stefano Nelli. His father

was a lawyer of some repute and belonged to an

impoverished branch of an influential old

Florentine family. Machiavelli served the Republic

of Florence after the expulsion of the Medici in

1494, travelling to European courts in France,

Germany, as well as other Italian city-states on diplomatic

missions. During this time he would draw influence for his work

The Prince, from the European leaders he met. In 1500 he was

sent to France to obtain terms from Louis XII for continuing

the war against Pisa. Louis XII was also the king who committed

the five capital errors in statecraft summarized in The Prince,

and was consequently driven out of Italy. When Pope Julius II

restored the Medicis to power in 1512, Machiavelli’s name was

found on a list of 20 persons supposedly involved in a conspiracy

to oppose Medici rule, including co-conspirator and disputed

friend Giovani Battaini. He was briefly imprisoned, and tortured,

in the Bargello in Florence. It is likely he had no part in the plot,

and maintained his innocence throughout. When Pope Leo X

became pontiff in 1513, himself a member of the Medici family,

he secured the release of Machiavelli and sent him into exile.

Machiavelli returned to Sant’Andrea in Percussina, where he

devoted himself to literature. He died in Florence in 1527 and

his resting place is unknown as well as the tombs of his

conspirators friends and family, however a symbolic tomb in

his honor can be found at the Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze.

,
RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD

“LEAPFEST 2006”

INTERNATIONAL PARACHUTE COMPETITION

SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST 2006

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

anyone seen sgt

cervone today?
RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD

OPEN HOUSE & AIR SHOW

24-25 JUNE 2006

Featuring:

USAF Thunderbirds

Sean Tucker

Mike Mancuso

Frank Ryder

Shockwave Jet Truck

Combined Arms Demo

Black Daggers Parachute Team

Mat Chapman

Ed Hamil

Chuck Lischer

Military Equipment Displays from the RI National Guard

Gates open at 9:00 AM both days

Show runs from 10:00 AM till 4:30 PM

No Pets & No Coolers!

Admission is Free!

All is General Admission! There is no Prefered/VIP seating!

$10 Parking Donation directly supports the Hasbro Childrens Hospital
SAYING SO LONG TO A GOOD FRIEND

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

 And never thought upon,”

Lt. Colonel Albert Guarnieri Jr. retired this past

winter from the Rhode Island Army National

Guard. He served his country for over 37 years

as an enlisted soldier and an officer. Lt. Colonel

Guarnieri possessed two unique traits that he

brought to the National Guard. He was a combat

veteran of the Viet Nam War and he had the

combat badge to prove it. When he retired, that

left very few of us that can make the claim, as to having

been a Viet Nam Veteran. I’m not even sure how many of

us are left. He also had a sense of humor and was not

afraid to make people laugh and did not mind making

sport of himself. He was a confident man in both his inner

being and his accomplishments. He never took himself

too seriously but he did his job and did it well. Back in

2001, during an exercise at Fort Drum, I had the pleasure

of meeting him for the first time. I needed his assistance

in a matter of international relations. After making me

laugh for about five minutes, he began to set up a portfolio of the actions I should take and began to put into place

the tools that I would need to succeed. That’s what I will

remember about the LTC. He could make people laugh

and at the same time accomplish the mission. He will be

missed for both his knowledge and his personality. We

could use more laughter in this world and he was able to

supply us with it.

By: Sgt. John Cervone
By Sgt. Susan Redwine

159th CAB PAO

Few Soldiers can claim to have a career spanning 38 years, but

one pilot on the LSA not only has those bragging rights, but can

also say he finished his career where he started it.

Chief Warrant Officer Michael Alford began his military career as

a pilot in Vietnam with Company A, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation

Regiment in 1967, and recently was able to fly with the very

same company in Iraq. Alford arrived in Iraq last year with his

National Guard unit, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment.,

from Rhode Island, and has been flying UH-60 Blackhawk

missions. Alford said the veterans of Company A form a very

active network. He learned through Internet correspondence his

old unit, nicknamed the Comancheros, would deploy to Iraq to

the very same base as his current National Guard unit. After

that, it was just a matter of touching base with his former unit to

arrange a mission and come full-circle in his military

career.“Before they even arrived in country, I had been e-mailing

back and forth,” Alford said. “So I had a good idea when they

arrived in country and what they were going to do. I sort of forced myself on them after that. “One of my first

rides was with the Comancheros,” he said. “I wanted one of my last flights to be with them. I don’t plan on

coming back again.” The unique nature of Alford’s mission also made an impression on current Comancheros.

“To see something like this come about and materialize is one of the most motivating things that I could have

for my Soldiers and myself,” said 1st Lt. Robert Massey, a Company A platoon leader. Alford, who works fulltime for the Social Security Administration and lives in Framingham, Mass., said he left the military after his

tour in Vietnam, but joined the National Guard in 1988 because he missed flying and the camaraderie of fellow

Soldiers. Current members of Company A are aware of the unique pride that keeps their unit together and

eagerly point out that they can trace their lineage back to Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Joshua D. Havill, a

Blackhawk pilot for Company A, said in his 12 years of service, he never had a unit patch until he became a

Comanchero and said it as an example of how to establish unit pride. The unit develops a new patch for each

deployment or mission. For Alford’s last mission, he was able to put on the Comanchero’s latest patch and

gave his crew souvenir patches with the design he wore in Vietnam. “The standard for earning that patch is

being fully-mission qualified,” Alford said. “But you also have to be one of the guys, too. You have to earn it from

your peers.” Part of the bond the unit shares comes from the Soldier lifestyle. “You’re away from home and 24-

7 you’re around each other,” Massey said. “This is your family. You depend on each other. “It’s the people that

make the camaraderie, that’s where the tradition lies,” he said. “The people that have come and gone from this

unit ... people that are motivated and excited to do the job make it fun.” This enthusiasm is apparent in the

unit’s Soldiers. “I think I’m blessed,” said Pfc. Richard Montgomery, Blackhawk crew chief for Company A.

“There’s no other place I want to go. The people here are really wonderful and

there are rich traditions. It sounds kind of corny, but I like it. It’s a lot of fun, I

love flying with these guys.” Montgomery, who also flew with Alford during the

mission, said Alford was very down-to-earth and answered the many

questions posed to him. Alford also said he was able to mentor the current

Comancheros because of his experiences in both Iraq and Vietnam. “You

have to keep in mind that you can get shot at and die any day,” he said. “You

can’t get complacent. You have to keep it in your head all the time.” “I had a

lot of questions for him,” Montgomery said. “He told me everything I wanted

to know.” Montgomery said he was able to ask about Alford’s experiences in

Vietnam, how many flight hours he’s logged, the types of aircraft he’s flown

and even his family. “Knowledge drips off the guy,” Havill concurred. Alford

said he enjoyed the flight he took with the Comancheros here. “It was great. I

loved it. It was fantastic.” Alford will be redeploying to the United States in

December.

Going full circle.

Soldier concludes Iraq tour with

 same unit from Vietnam
Language Means Very Little

Georgia’s soldiers are learning the art of “cawfee” talk in Iraq.Yes, “cawfee.” As in

how the Yankees in their unit pronounce coffee. Add “dawgs” for dogs and “bettuh”

for better. Then throw in some Northern phrases like “wicked bad,” which means

really good, and that is enough to make the Georgians’ heads spin. National Guard

soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment of Rhode Island, are

serving in the 48th Brigade Combat Team, with scores of Southerners. After

fighting alongside the Southerners for months in Iraq, some Rhode Islanders find

the culture clash has become a source of much good-natured bantering. Some of

the Southerners have started dropping their r’s like New Yorkers. Others do it just to tease each

other. Sgt. Jesse Bowling of Lumber City, Georgia, smiled when he spotted one of his Rhode Island

buddies, Spc. Gregory Carter, wandering around piles of auto parts at the motor pool recently.

“Cawter!” Bowling shouted. “Did you find some pawts?” “When he first said ‘pawts,’ “ Bowling

explained, “we said, “Are you going to do some cooking?” The Northerners also say they have

trouble understanding their counterparts from the South. The Georgians greet them with “y’all” and

pronounce “pens” as “pins.” Carter laughed as he talked about how he heard a Georgian use a

made-up word. “I learned a new word from these guys, ‘The onliest thing you got to worry about.’ “

Carter said, imitating his friend. Despite their occasional communication problems, the soldiers

appear to get along well — even when they talk about the Civil War. On the night before

Thanksgiving, a few of them were excitedly discussing the war at Camp Korean Village, a small

U.S. military outpost near the Jordanian border. First Lt. Jeff Ahern of Johnston, R.I., proudly talked

about how he plays a Union soldier in Civil War battle re-enactments. Sitting across from Ahern,

Capt. William Bailey of Milledgeville said he played a Confederate soldier once. These soldiers may

tease each other in their off time but when it’s time to take care of business, they move as one

cohesive unit and one mindset. They watch each others backs and it does not matter how they

pronounce that statement. Soldiers look out for one another, it’s always been that way and it will

always be that way. By: Sgt. J Cervone

SOD-G Team Member

Deployed To Nairobi

LTC Richard Keene (center),

of the SOD-G, is pictured here

with members of the Nairobi

Fire Department. These

fireman, and the truck in the

background, responded to

the U.S. Embassy bombing

in 1998. LTC Keene is curr-

-ently deployed to the Horn

of Africa.

Special Forces

Soldiers

Return Home

On Friday, January 20, 2006,

thirty five members of Company

A, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special

Forces Group (Airborne),

Rhode Island Army National

Guard, returned home to Rhode

Island. They were coming home

after having been deployed to

SouthWest Asia for one year.
Don’t be so upset Chief -

See, I’m perfectly all right.

I need two volunteers, who don’t

owe me money, Cervone, you’re not

one of them, to go on a perfectly

safe mission.

 29

“ ONLY COMEDY CAN

TRULY EPITOMIZE REALITY”

Put down

that equipment and

stand at

attention,

soldier.

How long

have you

been in the

Army?

You’re not

authorized

combat pay

because technically, you’re

not supposed

to fight.
OCEAN STATE GUARDIAN

SPRING 2006

OCEAN STATE GUARDIAN IS AN AUTHORIZED MAGAZINE PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE RHODE ISLAND

NATIONAL GUARD. CONTENTS OF THE GUARDIAN ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OFFICIAL VIEW OF THE

U.S.GOVERNMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR THE RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD.

OCEAN STATE GUARDIAN

SPRING 2006