Vol. II, Issue 71 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story September 15, 2008

Victory Times

Weight control,

Page 8

Protective equipment,

Page 6

Ramadan, 

Page 3

Photo by Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord, 13th Public Affairs Detachment

9/11 Rememberance Ceremony,

See Pages 4-5

Servicemembers and civilians pray during the invocation at the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at Al Faw Palace Sept. 11. 
Commentary

MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III 

MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Col. Billy J. Buckner 

MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka

MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

Editor: Spc. Samuel J. Phillips, Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord

Staff: Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, Pfc. Eric 

J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

The Victory Times welcomes columns, 

commentaries, articles and letters from our 

readers. Send submissions or comments to 

joy.pariante@iraq.centcom.mil. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for security, 

accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.

The Victory Times is an authorized 

publication for members of the Department 

of Defense. Contents of this electronic 

publication are not necessarily the official 

views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The 

editorial content of this publication is the 

responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of 

Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Page 2 Victory Times September 15, 2008

Chaplain’s Corner

Despite lives we live, we are deliverable to God

By Chaplain Bill Rohrer

39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

See CHAPLAIN, Page 3

What do you do to relax while deployed?

“Taking college classes “Centering my mind.” “Salsa Night.” “Watching movies.” 

online.”

Petty Officer 1st Class 

Fred Villarreal, 

Force Decimating Element, 

Multi-National Corps 

- Iraq

Chief Warrant Officer 

Toni Jackson, Deputy G1, 

11th Military Police Brigade

Lou Kuremera, Post 

Exchange guard, 

EOD Technologies

Sgt. Michael Case, 

drummer, 

10th Mountain Division 

Victory Voices : 

Some of you may know 

that I was involved in a “vehicle” accident and was rushed 

to Germany for treatment. 

For several months my face 

looked like Rocky Balboas’s. 

Then, when I was about to be 

released from the hospital, my 

mother passed away. Before I left 

for emergency leave, I mailed a 

box back home. What a surprise 

when it arrived while I was home. 

I had packed it well, but it barely 

looked like the same box. 

 The paper was torn, the innards 

were bulging out and the label 

was hanging on by a thread. But 

clearly hammered on the top was 

a stamp which read, “damaged in 

transit but deliverable.” I thought 

that box was a lot like me.

 I wondered how many other 

lives started out so beautiful 

but were damaged along the 

way. We should be marked, 

“Fragile. Handle With Care,” 

yet we have been crushed in 

the vice grip of personal pain. 

 We have been body-slammed 

from every side, often we have 

become unraveled, unglued, 

undone and torn apart. And 

those are often the good days.

 But, I also thought that even 

though I have been damaged, I 

am deliverable. Some day I will 

be home with God. Life can be 

scary, no question about it. I have 

had some very dark days and I am 

sure you have too. Sometimes we 

wish we could hit fast forward and 
September 15, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

News

Muslims purify body, soul during Ramadan

Story by

Spc. Samuel J. Phillips

MNC-I PAO

CHAPLAIN from, Page 2

This month Muslims 

will be fasting. After a 

small pre-dawn meal 

called Suhoor and the Fajr 

prayer, Muslims do not 

eat or drink anything until 

after the fourth prayer 

of the day, Maghrib, 

and the sun has set.

According to www.bbc.

co.uk, Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance 

that takes place during 

the ninth month of the 

Islamic calendar; believed 

to be the month in which 

the Qur’an was revealed 

to Prophet Muhammad. 

During this month not 

only do Muslims fast 

during the hours of daylight, they also put more 

effort into the teachings 

of Islam and avoid obscene and blasphemous 

sights and sounds. Sexual 

thoughts and activities 

are also forbidden during fasting hours.

“The true goal of 

abstinence in Ramadan is 

overcoming the destructive behavior in our life,” 

said Chaplain Ibraheem 

Raheem, Iraq Assistance 

Group chaplain, MultiNational Corps -- Iraq.

“The practice of abstaining from food and 

water is supposed to act 

as a portal that connects 

our bodies and minds to 

our souls,” Raheem said. 

The expression ‘”the 

body is a temple of the 

spirit” sheds light on this 

idea, Raheem said. As 

Muslims take less additives, preservatives and 

pollutants into their bodies 

they are purifying their 

“temple.” By abstaining 

from destructive behavior 

and studying the Qur’an 

they are simultaneously 

purifying the soul.

Through these actions 

Muslims seek a raised level 

of closeness with God Almighty. Properly observing 

the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling 

of peace and calm. It also 

allows the practice of selfdiscipline, sacrifice and 

skip the crummy times, but there is 

a wonderful truth that sustains us as 

we move forward on the wild ride. 

We will be claimed by our Master at the end of our trip. We may 

not look like the package we once 

were, but God always recognizes 

what belongs to Him. Isaiah 43: 1 

says, “This is what the Lord says 

-- He who created you, He who 

formed you, ‘Fear not, for I have 

redeemed you; I have summoned 

you by name; you are mine.’”

We are His. That is sweet comfort. If you are slammed, crushed, 

broken, undone, unraveled and 

sympathy, and is intended 

to make Muslims more 

generous and charitable.

This month is vary 

important to Muslims, and 

servicemembers on Victory 

Base Complex should have 

respect for their beliefs. 

“Recognize and support 

those that are participating in the fast by avoiding deliberate eating and 

drinking around them,” 

Raheem said. “Also allow 

for changes in schedules 

that accommodate the 

early and evening meals.”

Ramadan began 

Sept. 1 and will last 

through Sept. 30.

Courtesy photo

ripped beyond recognition, remember that God’s mark is upon 

the believer and His mark is bold 

and sure. You may be damaged 

goods, but you are deliverable. 

You will reach your final destination. You will be claimed. You 

will be His once and for all.
Page 4 Victory Times

PATRIO

Servicemembers, civilians come tog

Story and photos by Spc.Christopher M. Gaylord

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Servicemembers and civilians gathered Sept. 11 to reflect 

on the events of September 11, 2001, during a remembrance 

ceremony at Al Faw Palace.

Several military members who experienced the tragedy 

first hand were present to pay tribute to their country’s 

strength during crisis, to include Col. John Lenk, C1 ASAD 

director, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, who shared his recollection.

 “This tour of duty is very personal to me because I am 

one of the many survivors of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon that dreadful day,” Lenk said. “Much of the world 

and the United States has forgotten why U.S. and Coalition 

forces are fighting in Iraq, but I will not forget.”

The ceremony was especially meaningful to the deployed 

troops fighting for the very freedom the Sept. 11 attacks 

sought to jeopardize. 

“It motivates them to keep fighting for our nation, bePresidential proclamation

September 11, 2001, was etched into America’s memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the 

memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend 

our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the 

heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their 

lives so others might survive. 

Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by terrorists to the safety of the American people and worked 

to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists abroad. We 

are confronting terrorism by advancing freedom, liberty, 

and prosperity as an alternative to the ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Nation pays tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform serving around the 

world and the devoted members of our law enforcement, 

public safety, and intelligence communities at home who 

work night and day to protect us from harm and preserve 

the freedom of this great Nation. 

Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to the challenge, united in prayer, and responded with extraordinary acts of courage, with some giving their lives for the 

country they loved. On Patriot Day, we remember all 

those who were taken from us in an instant and seek their 

lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world. We 

must not allow our resolve to be weakened by the passage 

of time. We will meet the test that history has given us 

and continue to fight to rid the world of terrorism and 

promote liberty around the globe. 

I call upon the Governors of the United States and the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag 

be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the 

people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with 

appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance 

services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes 

on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning 

at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent 

Americans and people from around the world who lost 

their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 

11, 2001. Servicemembers and civilians sing “America the Beautiful” together Sept. 

flected on the events of September 11, 2001. 
Page 5

OT DAY

September 15, 2008

ether to remember Sept. 11 events

cause I know they don’t want to see this happen again in our 

home,” said Staff Sgt. Lesly Torres, non-commissioned officer in charge, Chaplain office, MNC-I, who took the lead 

in organizing the ceremony. “It hurts, but at the same time it 

gives them the strength to keep on fighting because so many 

people lost their lives.”

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, MNCI and guest speaker at the ceremony, offered heartfelt words 

on the attacks of Sept. 11 and the resiliency of the U.S. in 

the face of adversity.

“Not only did our country unite as one, but the entire 

free world united against terrorism,” Austin said. “I see that 

the American spirit is as alive today as it was seven years 

ago, and I remain grateful for the sacrifices of our coalition 

brothers and sisters.”

Though the reminiscence was difficult for many, it reminded troops exactly what they’re fighting for: freedom.

“It gave me the reason why I’m here,” Torres said. “It just 

gave me the strength to keep on going. I hope everybody 

who came out knows that it was an honor for me to put this 

ceremony together for them.” 

A civilian firefighter deployed in support of Operation Iraqi 

Freedom prays during the invocation of a Sept. 11, 2001 remembrance ceremony at Al Faw Palace Sept. 11.

. 11 during a remembrance ceremony at Al Faw Palace in which they rePage 6 Victory Times September 15, 2008

Features

Interview and photo by 

Cpl. Frances L. Goch

Private 1st Class 

Michael Barcellos

Unit: Multi-National 

Corps - Iraq

Job Title: Medic

Age: 21

Time in Service: 

18 months

Hobbies: “Video 

games and college.”

Family: “Mother, Ann 

Parkins, father, Carl 

Barcellos, 4 brothers 

and 2 sisters.”

Person you most 

admire: “Father.”

Why you joined: 

“I joined the Army to 

shake things up a bit.”

If you weren’t in the 

military you would be: 

“Working an oilfield 

job in Oklahoma.”

One thing you’d 

change about the 

Army: “670-1 policy 

of growing goatees.”

One thing you’d never 

change about the 

Army: “Days off.”

Unusual fact about 

you: “I am usually 

great at video games.”

Something you wish 

everyone would 

do: “Their jobs.”

Words of wisdom: 

By Jesse Martin

Corps Safety Office

Get to know a Soldier...

MNC-I PAO

Protective equipment reduces injury

“‘Vision without 

action is a daydream; 

action without vision 

is a nightmare’, 

Japanese proverb.”

Goals: “Become a 

physician assistant 

or a doctor.”

Best thing about being 

deployed: “Time to 

get schooling done 

and overpay bills.”

Best Boot Camp 

memory: “Shooting my 

Drill with a paintball gun.”

In this theater of operation we 

have to especially cognizant of 

safety. 

There are numerous injuries 

that can be avoided by wearing 

the proper personal protective 

equipment. 

All civilian and military personnel should wear personal protective equipment whenever require to perform their work. This 

may involve the wearing of hard 

hats, safety glasses, reflective 

vests, face shields, work gloves, 

fall protection harnesses, steel 

toed boots and other protective 

clothing. 

These standards were established by the Occupational Safety 

& Health Administration, a subagency of the U.S. Department 

of Labor. Military unique occupations and environments should 

use the most stringent rules and 

guidelines. 

 Since the early 1980s, the federal government put laws in place 

requiring that employers provide 

PPE and safety training for all 

workers. This includes job hazard 

analysis, composite risk management, emergency action procedures and first aid. 

Whatever the work setting is, 

safety should be first and foremost.

Leaders, managers, supervisors and individuals must know 

what PPE is required for any job 

prior to performing those duties. 

Always read the warning labels on 

equipment and chemical products. 

Ensure the safety procedures and 

protocols are strictly followed to 

minimize the risk of injury. The 

life you save may be your own.

 There are many classes available online through the U.S. Army 

Combat Readiness Center website 

at www.crc.army.mil and at the 

OSHA web site at www.oshatrain.

gov. Take advantage of free training and pass the word around.
September 15, 2008 Victory Times Page 7

Community

Coalition Cafe

Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner 5 - 8 p.m.

Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Sports Oasis

Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner 5 - 9 p.m.

Education Center

8 a.m.-midnight

Camp Liberty Post Exchange

8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fitness Center

Open 24 Hours

Victory Main Post Office

Monday-Sunday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

MNC-I STB Mailroom

9 a.m. - noon

5 - 7 p.m.

Al Faw Palace Post Office

Wednesday and Sunday

1-6 p.m.

Golby Troop Medical Clinic

Sick Call

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon

Dental Sick Call

Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Mental Health Clinic

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - noon

Post-Deployment Health Briefings

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m.

Pharmacy

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon; 

1 - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon

Legal Assistance/Claims

Saturday-Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Operating Hours

Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31)

Thursday

7:30 p.m......... Latter Day Saints Seminary

Friday

6:30 p.m..............Jewish Shabbat Service

Saturday

11 a.m...Seventh Day Adventist Service

8 p.m. Catholic Mass

Sunday

7 a.m............. Liturgical Protestant Service

2 p.m................. Latter Day Saints Service

4 p.m............... Epicopal/Lutheran Service

Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F)

Tuesday

7:30 p.m............ Latter Day Saints Service

Wednesday

7 p.m...............................Men’s Fellowship

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

11:30 p.m............... Roman Catholic Mass

Friday

1 p.m..................... Muslim Prayer Service

8 p.m......................... Women’s Fellowship

Sunday

8 a.m................ Eastern Orthodox Service

10 a.m.............. Protestant Sunday School

3 p.m...................Church of Christ Service

7:30 p.m............ Latter Day Saints Service

Hope Chapel (Bldg 24B)

Monday

12 p.m........... Charismatic Prayer Meeting

Sunday

8:30 a.m...... Collective Protestant Service

10 a.m.................... Roman Catholic Mass

12 p.m............................... Gospel Service

6:30 p.m............. Contemporary Protestant 

Service

Warrior Chapel (Camp Liberty)

Friday

6:30 p.m.............Victory Base Open Circle

Worship Hours

AFN 

Freedom Radio All stations are FM

Do you have an announcement about an event of interest to the Camp Victory community? 

Contact Spc. Samuel J. Phillips at samuel.phillips1@iraq.centcom.mil with the information. 

Information for community announcements needs to submitted at least two weeks prior to the 

event to allow for timely publication.

Announcements

Camp Victory Bible Studies

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.

Women’s Bible 

Study 7 p.m.

Bldg 24F;

Gospel Protestant 

Bible Study

 7 p.m. Hope 

Chapel

Women’s Bible 

Study 7 p.m. Bldg 24F

7:30 p.m. 

Purpose Driven 

Life Bible Study 

(Victory Mayor’s 

Cell, Black Forge 

Conference Room)

Young Adult

Bible Study

5:30 p.m.

Hope

Chapel

Men’s Bible Study

7 p.m. Victory 

Chapel;

Spanish Bible 

Study 7 p.m. Bldg 24F 7:30 Book of Mat- thew Bible Study 

(Victory Mayor’s 

Cell, Black Forge 

Conference Room)

Foundations 

Bible Study, 

Mini Chapel 

6:30 p.m.

SeventhDay

Adventist

10 a.m.

Victory

Chapel

Airforce birthday celebration

The 61st birthday of the Airforce will be 

celebrated from Sept. 15-20 to include multiple activities open to anyone on VBC. The 

AFCENT band will perform at the Oasis 

DFAC from 1130 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and the 

Victory MWR Stage from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

Sept. 12. The band will also play at the Sather DFAC from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. and at the 

Sather recreational tent from 8 p.m. - 8:30 

p.m. Sept. 16. The Airforce birthday will be 

celebrated at 10:45 a.m. Sept. 17 at Al Faw 

Palace. There will be an Airforce 10k run 

at Sather Air Base Sept. 20. Showtime for 

the run is 5:30 a.m. and starting time is 6:30 

a.m. For more information, contact Capt. 

David Kim, 822-7556.

9/11 Memorial 5k Run

A September 11th Memorial 5k Run 

will be held Sept. 21 beginning at Victory 

Main Stage. Registration is from 5:30 a.m.-

6:15 a.m. The run will start at 6:30 a.m. For 

more information, contact Capt. Wilem 

Wong, 485-4516.

Story ideas for Victory Times

Do you know of a good story on Camp 

Victory that you think should be covered 

for the Victory Times? Please submit your 

ideas to Staff. Sgt. Joy Pariante at joy.pariante@iraq.centcom.mil. Please include any 

interesting facts about the topic and point of 

contact information.

R&R Briefings

Reunion and Suicide Intervention Briefings are at the Victory Chapel, Monday at 

3 p.m., Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., Saturday 

at 3 p.m. All servicemembers who are going on leave or redeploying must attend this 

briefing.

The Corps Report

Al Asad ...... 107.3

Ali Base ..... 107.3

Ar Ramadi.. 107.3

Baghdad .... 107.3

Balad ......... 107.3

Fallujah...... 105.1

Kirkuk......... 107.3

Kirkush....... 107.3

Mosul......... 105.1

Q-West ........ 93.3

Taji ............. 107.3

Tal Afar....... 107.3

Taqqadum.. 107.3

Tikrit........... 100.1

The “Corps Report” is a 15 minute monthly television newscast highlighting the stories and events 

happening in the Multi-National Corps-Iraq area of operations. The program airs Sunday at 8:15 pm and 

Monday at 11:15 a.m. on the Pentagon Channel here in Baghdad. The August edition of the newscast will 

feature stories on Hope Chapel at Camp Victory, Logistics Training Advisory Teams at Taji and the Guam 

Liberation Celebration Day at Camp Victory to name just a few. Be sure and catch the latest edition of 

“The Corps Report” and contact the broadcast team here at MNC-I if you have a story idea. (822-8719).

MNC-I Chaplain’s Office:

822-7358
Page 8 Victory Times September 15, 2008

Feature

Story by Spc.Christopher M. Gaylord

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Weight control paramount to mission readiness

One of the most serious risks deployed servicemembers face isn’t even combat-related. It’s actually 

health-related, and surprisingly, very easy to prevent. 

Spending anywhere between six and 15 

months in Iraq and enduring its 130-degree summer days, a deployed military member is the last 

person you would expect to see overweight, but 

it can happen. In fact, it happens too often.

Weight control is an issue that can effect overall mission readiness, should a troop become too overweight 

and out of shape to perform necessary wartime tasks.

“Being overweight can decrease a troop’s endurance and make him more susceptible to injuries that can decrease a unit’s overall readiness posture,” said Lt. Col. Martha Davis, 

dietician, 115th Combat Support Hospital. 

Weight gain also increases the chance of health risks 

such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, joint problems and diabetes, Davis said. Military studies conducted have shown that unhealthy eating patterns and 

being overweight can contribute to the beginnings of 

coronary heart disease and cancer as early as age 18.

Such health risks are frightening, yet troops 

are still gaining weight while deployed. 

“Food is readily available in theater,” Davis 

said. “Food is everywhere you look. It is comfort 

to many servicemembers. When they are stressed, 

bored, lonely or homesick, they turn to food.” 

“Studies conducted have shown that the average servicemember will gain 10 pounds 

during deployment,” Davis said.

Though being overweight is a serious problem that can have dire effects on the health and 

readiness of servicemembers, combating it and 

keeping your weight in check is fairly simple.

Since the food you put in your body largely determines your health, the way to a healthy weight 

and lifestyle starts with eating right. “A variety 

of carbohydrates, protein and fat should all be included in any healthy eating plan,” Davis said.

Some simple guidelines that can lead to success 

include choosing baked items over fried ones, reading food labels for hidden calories and fat, reducing 

portion sizes, replacing soda, fruit juices and punches 

with water, skim milk or diet soda, and limiting items 

such as whole milk, condiments, cheese and fried 

foods, which can contain hidden fat calories, Davis 

said. Also steer clear of supplement use and fast foods.

Healthy eating is vital to any weight-loss plan, 

but just as important is consistent exercise. Regular 

exercise is a must for weight loss and will burn calories, curb your appetite, reduce tension, stress and 

depression, and increase lean body mass, Davis said. 

Strive for five times per week of at least 30 minutes 

of a combination of aerobic activity and strength 

training. “Choose something fun,” Davis said. “You 

are more likely to stick with it if it is fun and you 

like it.”Servicemembers facing weight control issues have many avenues for seeking help.“There are 

many people concerned about the health and wellbeing of our deployed population,” Davis said. “You 

can seek advice from your troop medical clinic, 

primary care providers and a registered dietician.”

Davis is the only registered dietician on Victory Base Complex, but gives monthly classes at 

the Riva Ridge and Stryker TMCs. Units can also 

call and set up private sessions with Davis.

It’s up to the servicemember where he wants 

to take his career in the military, but no matter what he chooses, improvised explosive devices, and indirect and small arms fire aren’t 

the only concerns while deployed. A healthy 

lifestyle is paramount to mission success.

Photo illustration by Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord