"Soldiers of Today and Yesterday"
" Honor,Dignity & Hope "

Saturday Chapel Ministry Center Movie Night partnered with USO allows for laughs and stress-relief

Camp Kandahar Civilians, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors enjoy
movies and snacks every Saturday Night at 1900 with the help of the USO
and Chaplain Helper MSG Farrow.
By Army Chaplain Henry D. McCain


CAMP Kandahar, Afghanistan July 24, 2010 - Movie Night is at the Chapel
Ministry Center on Saturdays at 1900.
 Movies that have been shown for example are to Save a Life, 1776 and
Force 10 to Navarone. Next week's movie will be the classic Casablanca.
Most movies are a good laugh for the crowds that come. A few weeks ago
we want the recently popular Invictus. A 60 inch HDTV also gives the
theater effect.
MSG Farrow is the POC for the Chapel Ministry Center. MSG Farrow stays
and monitors the equipment. Many of the movies are on BLU-RAY thanks to
a donation by a civilian from the LDS service.
     Bonnie and her cohorts from the USO are passionate about this
program. The USO provides refreshments and refreshing conversation. Many
are diehard fans (LTC Riley) of this movie night and maybe that is why
we are watching Diehard IV tonight. Ch Kneemiller and SSG Hoyum laid the
initial groundwork for movie night at the CMC.

That's the philosophy of CMC, it is the social interaction with our
coalition members who enjoy the festive atmosphere provided by the
USO/CMC during the week; as numerous bible studies and other support
organizations meet to strengthen one another every night. We are the
number one place to get spiritually fit and have fun doing it.  It is a
place to come on your days off or if you work the night shift. It is a
place for civilians, all members of all services from all nations
serving in Afghanistan. Everyone is invited to come to the CMC and
Fraise Chapel. We appreciate everyone that is here to support the
mission, no matter what they do or where they are from. Our main focus
is Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen to come out, but we must and
will focus on all of God's children.

Movie Night is making a difference in Soldiers' lives, McCain said,
adding that he wants the program to expand. 20 people were out last
Saturday night.
"I think this should be promoted more," McCain said, "especially to make
our resiliency stronger and make new friendships. To get out of the
barrack rooms and to socialize. Strong units make strong warriors. The
focus should to gain new friends and new experiences, but this can be
circumvented by hours of video games and isolation in your barracks
room. Movie night allows you to possibly find a new friend right here,
right now." 
Henry D. McCain
KAF CHAPLAIN
MAJOR U.S. ARMY


Camp Kandahar Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors Learn Money Skills
By Army Chaplain Henry D. McCain

CAMP Kandahar, Afghanistan July 21, 2010 - Financial prosperity is not
just about money and where it goes. It is a lifestyle choice that
requires knowledge of key financial principles and the ability to delay
the need for gratification. 

Army Chaplain (MAJ) Henry D. McCain leads a class discussion every
Saturday during the "Financial Peace University" program sponsored by
his office at Camp Kandahar, Afghanistan. 

That's the philosophy of the "Financial Peace University" program
offered by the 135th ESC/JSCA/Garrison Chaplain's office here, Army
Chaplain (Maj) Henry D. McCain, the Deputy Region Southern Afghanistan
Chaplain, said. My leaders think this is so important that they have
bought over 200 kits for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen.

The program -- developed by author and nationally syndicated talk-show
host Dave Ramsey, covers all aspects of financial management, including
saving, spending wisely, making shrewd deals with salespeople, insurance
management, investing and donating money to charities. 

"Most financial programs focus are limited," McCain said. "They are
helpful at what they do, but they're not all encompassing. FPU covers
everything to do with money. This will save marriages and create less
divorces. This will also produce less fights and arguments over money." 

Saving money is especially important to Air Force Major Bart Thomas,(
Flight Nurse) as he prepares for retirement. This San Antonio resident
is well on his way to reaching his goal. 


"I have paid off many debts thanks to my deployments," McCain said.
"Every military member should use their deployment to get rid of debts
and save.." 

McCain said. "The students in my class have learned from Dave Ramsey
that they don't need to buy anything on credit to establish good credit,
and they don't need credit at all when they have saved enough cash to
buy anything they need. The program teaches limiting spending when
trying to save money."

Soldiers say they want to learn how to spend wisely. Chaplain Balmer,
Chaplain Asst. Specialist Mitchell, Air Force Major Bart Thomas, and
Chaplain Osborn are also running FPU classes here at Kandahar,
Afghanistan.

Many participants like LTC Martin Riley, MSG Walter Farrow and Chief
Evonne Ackerson have said "Ramsey teaches that we all have that little
kid inside of us as well. We are learning the importance of delayed
gratification --- sleeping on a buying decision before doing it." 

Financial Peace University is making a difference in Soldiers' lives,
McCain said, adding that he wants the program to expand. Another 115
kits are to arrive at Camp Kandahar as of this month. Chaplain McCain
who is featured in the 2010 Army Suicide Prevention Video, also knows
that good financial management skills prevents suicides in the military.

"I think this training should be mandatory for all Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines," McCain said, "especially younger ones who are just
getting started." 

Soldiers attend the "Financial Peace University" program at Camp
Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 17, 2010. The 14-week program has been
running since May 2010. Two classes run on Saturday and one just
finished up on Friday last Month.   
Henry D. McCain
KAF CHAPLAIN
MAJOR U.S. ARMY

Camp Kandahar Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors keep Contact with
their children & extended family members through the United Thru Reading
Program that is supported by the USO and headed up by MSG Farrow.
By Army Chaplain Henry D. McCain


CAMP Kandahar, Afghanistan July 24, 2010 - United through Reading
happens at the Chapel Ministry Center on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Numerous activities are happening such as military members playing
chess, watching the World Cup on AFN HDTV, and making art & crafts items
such as wristbands and key chains sponsored by USO and the RSTs.
Volunteers also show up to disseminate Adopt-the-Platoon supplies that
come in weekly to all of Camp Kandahar which is coordinated by MSG
Farrow. He is the POC for the Chapel Ministry Center. SGT Giddings greet
the Soldiers as they come in for the UTR. MSG Farrow stays overtime to
accommodate those who have waited. RP2 Pitterman has also helped out
with this program
     Bonnie and her cohorts from the USO are passionate about this
program. She just yesterday received photos from a grateful Soldier
showing his kids watching him and reading along with him from his home
back in the States. Ch McCammon loves the program and participates
often. Spec Singer was the Chaplain Assistant who lay the groundwork for
this program.


That's the philosophy of CMC, it is the social interaction with our
coalition members who enjoy the festive atmosphere provided by the
USO/CMC during the times of waiting in line to use the camera room to
read to their children, nieces and nephews. It is a place to come on
your days off or if they are on the night shift. It is a place for
civilians, all members of all services from all nations serving in
Afghanistan. Everyone is invited to come to the CMC. We appreciate
everyone that is here to support the mission, no matter what they do or
where they are from. Our main focus is Soldiers, Sailors, Marine and
Airmen to come out, but we have focus on all of God's children.

"Every military member should use their deployment to keep in contact
with their families." 

Many participants love UTR's impact in their lives "Reading Children's
Books teaches us, that we all have that little kid inside of us as well.
We find the Peter Pan inside of all of us. We can escape the battlefield
or the monotony of the deployment."

UTR is making a difference in Soldiers' lives,
McCain said, adding that he wants the program to expand. 30 people were
out on Wednesday.
"I think this should be promoted more," McCain said, "especially to make
our marriages stronger or our families stronger. Strong families make
strong nations. When the family goes extinct, so does that civilization"
Henry D. McCain 
KAF CHAPLAIN 
MAJOR U.S. ARMY 




Camp Kandahar Soldiers learn ASIST skills By Army Chaplain Henry D.
McCain


CAMP Kandahar, Afghanistan July 14, 15, 2010 - ASIST Training at the CMC
done by Alabama Guard Soldiers.
22 participants were from all over KAF. Chaplain McCain was able
purchase 100 kits. These Soldiers were trained at Kuwait earlier this
year as probationary instructors. After three classes they will be
certified by programmers in Canada.
MSG King and Chief Ackerson were lead instructors for the training.
Soldiers took part in a two-day training class to certify them in a
suicide intervention program called Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
Training. 

In the past, the Army has used knowledge-oriented suicide awareness
training, built around relaying statistical information. In contrast,
ASIST is skills-oriented, teaching people specific actions they can take
that can influence a person at risk of suicide to choose to live long
enough to get help from a qualified, professional caregiver.

ASIST is published by a Canadian company, LivingWorks Education Inc.,
and it is validated by nearly thirty years of study and experience to
increase the willingness and capability of program graduates to
intervene when they become aware of a person showing signs of suicidal
thoughts and plans. 

Chaplain McCain believes ASIST takes service members to a whole new
skill level as far as being able to prevent military brothers and
sisters from taking their own life.

"I think this class gives Soldiers, first line leaders especially, the
confidence and knowledge they need to make a difference when someone in
their unit is not well mentally and emotionally, said McCain. "I can see
how this class could have been very beneficial to me with past
deployments."

Army Regulation 600-63, Army Health Promotion, states that ASIST is the
Army-approved suicide intervention training for "gatekeepers," and goes
on to define gatekeepers as, "individuals who, in the performance of
their assigned duties and responsibilities, provide specific counseling
to Soldiers and Civilians in need." 

The Army values ASIST training so much that - effective April 1, 2010 -
qualified ASIST trainers will be able to add the additional skill
identifier 1S (Suicide Intervention Trainer) to their personnel records.

"We have had problems in recent years with military members taking their
lives," said McCain. "Training programs like ASIST that go step by step
on ways to recognize and intervene when someone is not well mentally are
extremely beneficial in saving lives."

More U.S. soldiers killed themselves last month than in recent Army
history, according to Army statistics released Thursday, confounding
officials trying to reverse the grim trend.

The statistics show that 32 soldiers killed themselves in June, the
highest number in a single month since the Vietnam era. Twenty-one of
them were on active duty while 11 were in the National Guard or Army
Reserve in an inactive status. Seven of those soldiers killed themselves
while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Army numbers.

Additionally on Friday on last week the Army released this newly
improved video.
NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION VIDEO!
Shoulder to Shoulder: "I Will Never Quit on Life," features vignettes
and testimonials of members of the Army Family who received help for
psychological distress or who assisted an individual in need. Designed
to be used as a supplemental resource for the Army-approved suicide
prevention and awareness training model, ACE (Ask, Care, Escort), the
video illustrates how we can work together to keep each other, and our
Army, mentally fit. 
Army Chaplain (MAJ) Henry D. McCain  makes some comments in the new
video. Chaplain McCain who is featured in the 2010 Army Suicide
Prevention Video, also knows that good financial management skills
prevents suicides in the military. MaJ Black who is also here at KAF is
in the video as well.

"I think this training should be mandatory for all Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines," McCain said, "especially younger ones who are just
getting started in the military." 

We also showed the movie To Save A Life (Prevention of Teen Suicide) at
the Saturday Movie Night at the CMC. Chaplain McCain was able to get a
free copy of the movie from the producers and distributors.

There will be more trainings this summer and fall.
Henry D. McCain
KAF CHAPLAIN
MAJOR U.S. ARMY

Thursday Ramp Ceremony- KAF- CNN Reporter---23 April 2010 (UNCLASSIFIED)

Sir, I believe he is reporting on the ramp ceremony for CSM Laborde.

Article follows!

When you're embedded with the military in a place like Afghanistan, you

can spend a lot of time waiting.

And so it was last Thursday. We had been embedded with U.S. and Canadian

forces inside Kandahar City for a week, and we were awaiting a military

flight back to Kabul.

Our transport - a C-130 Hercules - was still two hours away from

arriving, so we settled in at the rather basic "departure lounge" at the

huge Kandahar Air Force base - known to the military as simply "KAF."

After 45 minutes or so, we noticed soldiers drifting from the waiting

area to the outside gate, standing there, looking out.

I wandered over, curious about what was unfolding. A giant transport jet

(I think it was a Galaxy C-5) was parked on the apron, with an MRAP

armored vehicle parked nearby. Speakers and a podium were set up near

the jet.

Soon, troops started to muster and then gather in formation. Commands

were shouted, and, one by one, the units marched towards the plane,

lining up near its yawning rear ramp. I could make out U.S., British,

Australian, Canadian and Dutch uniforms, but I think there were others

as well.

The soldiers kept coming, marching into position.  Soon there were

several hundred, standing in formation and in silence, along with

perhaps 50 civilians.

We were watching a "ramp ceremony," the return of a fallen soldier's

remains back home - in this case, a U.S. service member.

I still don't know who it was or how he or she died, and neither did

most of those standing at attention. They were here out of respect,

solidarity with a comrade.

Ceremonies like this are held any time someone is killed in the theater

of war, be it Afghanistan or Iraq, whether it's one service member or

many.

The aim is to have the remains of the fallen on the way home within 24

hours.

Attendance at these ceremonies is voluntary, and KAF, being a large and

very multi-national base, attracted a large turnout of people, most of

whom would not have known this casualty of war.

In nearly a dozen trips to Iraq and two to Afghanistan, I'd never seen

one in person before.

An American sergeant standing next to me said it was considered an honor

to attend such occasions, no matter the nationality of the fallen.

"Soldiers coming off 16 hour shifts will put on their cleanest uniform

and come," he said. "We've had movie or music stars come here and they

don't get as big a turnout as one soldier going home in a coffin."

An Army chaplain was speaking now. The wind blew across the tarmac and I

couldn't make out the sermon, although I caught the words "going home"

and "sacrifice."  Then he recited "The Lord is my Shepherd."

The early afternoon sun beat down as the MRAP that had been parked off

to the side fired up its engine and slowly drove over. It was then I

could see the U.S. flag-draped casket sticking out the back, turning the

giant armored vehicle into a hearse.

Eight soldiers lifted their fallen comrade off the vehicle, another

soldier in the front and rear to begin the solemn march to the giant

plane's ramp.

Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" as they made their way into the

cavernous belly of the aircraft, the coffin its only cargo. As the ramp

lifted, every soldier was saluting.

As the last of the plane's giant doors clanked shut, "Taps" rang out.

The salutes lowered, commands were shouted, and several hundred soldiers

marched to the edge of the tarmac, were dismissed.  They slowly made

their way back to their jobs, or their bunks.

As the massive planes engines began to roar, our own C-130 began to taxi

over, and we all began to gather our bags in silence

Henry D. McCain

KAF CHAPLAIN

MAJOR U.S. ARMY

Dear Mr and Mrs. Qualls and all staffs, 
Greeting to you in God's grace. 
Thank you for your gracious support for us. You are the awesome troops 
supporters to encourage and care of our troops. 
Your faithful and loving care and support has not only taken care of our 
troops but also made our UMT be able to serve and take care of our 
troops well. I firmly believe that your STY is the right and honorable 
organization in the history of our military. 
Last month, I took my R&R Leave. I went back home in Kentucky. When I 
got back home, I fixed the car, home, AC, and so many things which the 
husband should do. The home without the husband is not good. The AC was 
broken. My wife contacted a AC technician. They came to my home and did 
something which was fine and charged about 500.00$ from my wife. I hate 
those people who cheated the military spouse while the husband is not at 
home. But I found a good another person and fixed it. Praise God. 
Now I just returned back to Iraq. When I got back to Iraq, I found 9 
boxes of baby wipes from you. My assistant got them and handed them out 
to our troops properly and saved the invoice for me. Thank you so much 
for your great support. 
Because of your help, we have could successfully cared and ministered 
our troops in this place. 
You are a great partner of our ministry. 
O God! 
When I got back here, the temperature was 127 degree in our AO and 
everything was dried up. We got sand storms and everything is covered 
with yellow sand. Praise the Lord. 
I miss my home cooked meal and also green grass and tree a lot. 
We are now completing our mission and will redeploy back to our home 
station by the end of August.  
From now on, I have to train our soldiers to prepare their redeployment. 
I will be very busy again. 
But I will still be in separation because my home station is Ft. Bliss 
and my family is at Louisville. 
But I praise God to use me to serve God and His people in need. 
I will serve God and His children in my best. 
I pray and bless you. 
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Qualls! 
I pray for you to make and have every day your happy day. That is the 
most and best blessing in this world that God gave us. Especially I pray 
for Mrs. Qualls and her good health. Also I pray for your son. 
Thank you so much again for your loving support. I will not forget you 
but keep you in my prayer. 
Would you allow me to keep you in connection? 
May God bless you. 
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry) 

From the foxhole
We will be conducting an offensive against Kandahar in the summer to rout out the Taliban.
Nate Self donated some books about his battle with Taliban after his Chinook was shot down in 2002. These were passed to Chaplains throughout the southern region of Afghanistan. It is called Two Wars. I will be briefing Chaplains on Thursday including Chaplains from Netherlands, Canada and Great Britain on Sucide Prevention. We are also purchasing 10,000 dollars worth of Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey to promote financial stability by our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and marines.

Blessings
Ch McCain

Sir, 
Thank you so much for sending us the chaplain's insignia. I will use it and 
comfort our troops with letting them have a faith that God is with them. How 
does your wife doing? Is there any getting better in her treatments? I keep 
praying for your wife. 
Due to our God's divine and special care, our AO got 0 violation even though our 
AO is recognized as the last tough place in Iraq. I really appreciate you for 
your prayer and many blessings. 
Our troops are doing fine. Now the temperature began to go up and up. Yesterday 
it was 87 degree here. From now on we have an another enemy which is the high 
temperature. And so we have to fight against it. But we are strong enough to 
deal with it well. 
I pray for you and your family. 
Be healthy all the time under God's grace. 
May God bless you.  
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry) 

Johnie Lee, 
 
Sorry for the long delay, We have been moving fast without traveling anywhere 
over here! 
I'll go ahead and give you my second post. 
 
We have been running strong as a hospital now for two months.  Mostly we take 
care of Soldiers and Civilian contractors who run one of the best COBs 
imaginable.  Not much action as far as the enemy is concerned but we have been 
able to save a few lives and enrich the life of the average soldier within our 
footprint.  Continue to pray for God's work here as we work through the election 
season and into our current operation of this conflict.  I have been personally 
adapting to my environment well, and continue to pray for our families, that God 
would protect them and take care of them back home. 
 
Thank you so much for what you do. 
 
v/r, 
 
CH Luke Sprinkle 
TF 21 Al Asad, Iraq 

Dear Sir, 
Greeting to you in God's grace. How are you? How is doing your wife? Thank you 
for your support and care of us. 
I am providing the suicide prevention training to our troops repeatedly. 
Yesterday I performed a suicide prevention training and today I have to provide 
it again. The title Suicide itself makes my soul so tired. But I am OK because 
God is with me. 
The update of our situation! 
Here it is a season of monsoon. And so we have rain and it made messy and muddy 
in everywhere and it causes us to trouble to walk around. It is really bad. 
The chaplain is the only non-combatant in the unit. And so I cannot even carry 
any weapon with me all the time. In the battle ground, the chaplain lives 
without any weapon to protect oneself. Isn't it something? 
Our troops are going out for the mission and will stay out there for 4 or 5 days 
in this week and the next week. Some of our teams already got out the wire and 
the others will leave the base soon. During this mission, they will not be able 
to take shower, nor to brush, nor to wash their face, nor to wash their foot, 
nor to change their clothes but to sleep in the tactical vehicle in dirty dust. 
I hope they may have a chance to shave but it is totally depending on the 
situation. Doesn't it sound not-understandable? Smell? Our nose already became 
numb and our eyes already became dull. And so we have no problem with them. That 
is how we are doing here now. At this time, our troops really want to have baby 
wipes because that is the only way to clean their secret areas and feet in the 
least possible way. Graciously I got some and they really appreciate me to let 
them have. Their real needy things at all the time are hygiene items (body wash, 
soap, foot powder, baby wipes, mouth rinse, tooth pastes, gums, air fresher---). 
Last night I participated to two mission briefings. All they were in high alert. 
I prayed for them. Please pray for our troops. 
I pray for you and your wife that God may give you all His serenity in the soul 
and spirit. 
May God bless you.      
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry) 

 
Sir, 
Thank you so much for sending the calendars. Now we got them and handed them out 
to our troops. We have about 100 Ugandan peoples in our FOB. They are also our 
team. I am taking care of them because they do not get any support from their 
country. They wanted to have couple of calendars in the different pictures. I 
allowed them to have two. According to our mission plan, we bring Iraq soldiers 
into our FOB and train them. They come and eat in our DFAC. And so I gave them 
some of Calendars. They were very very happy to have them and repeatedly said to 
us, "Shuk-ran! Shuk-ran!, Thank you." Thank you so much for your support not 
only to take care of our troops but also to enrich our ministry. 
One of our soldiers was shot on his chest and med-evacuated to the rear. And so 
all our communication methods were blocked out. Our soldiers got heavy pressures 
on this time. Even the team to deliver mails and food were stuck here for couple 
days. Now it is reopened and we are able to call and send e-mails to outside. 
I prayed a lot for that soldier. Graciously after the operation, we are reported 
that he would be recovered. Thank God. 
Iraqi's election is on 2010 Feb 07. This month will be very tough to us. Most of 
the AOs in Iraq are pretty quiet but not ours. We are in war literally. We all 
are preparing to react day and night any possible happenings.  
Please pray for us. I am checking everyday that our troops not to be shaken. 
Thanks for your care and support to our soldiers. 
Please pray for us. This month is very critical for us. 
I pray for you and all your team. 
May God bless you. 
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry) 

 
Sir, 
Thank you so much for sending the calendars. Now we got them and handed them out 
to our troops. We have about 100 Ugandan peoples in our FOB. They are also our 
team. I am taking care of them because they do not get any support from their 
country. They wanted to have couple of calendars in the different pictures. I 
allowed them to have two. According to our mission plan, we bring Iraq soldiers 
into our FOB and train them. They come and eat in our DFAC. And so I gave them 
some of Calendars. They were very very happy to have them and repeatedly said to 
us, "Shuk-ran! Shuk-ran!, Thank you." Thank you so much for your support not 
only to take care of our troops but also to enrich our ministry. 
One of our soldiers was shot on his chest and med-evacuated to the rear. And so 
all our communication methods were blocked out. Our soldiers got heavy pressures 
on this time. Even the team to deliver mails and food were stuck here for couple 
days. Now it is reopened and we are able to call and send e-mails to outside. 
I prayed a lot for that soldier. Graciously after the operation, we are reported 
that he would be recovered. Thank God. 
Iraqi's election is on 2010 Feb 07. This month will be very tough to us. Most of 
the AOs in Iraq are pretty quiet but not ours. We are in war literally. We all 
are preparing to react day and night any possible happenings.  
Please pray for us. I am checking everyday that our troops not to be shaken. 
Thanks for your care and support to our soldiers. 
Please pray for us. This month is very critical for us. 
I pray for you and all your team. 
May God bless you. 
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry) 

Dear Sir, 
How are you? 
Thank you so much for sending many calendars to us. At present time, our troops 
are located at 4 FOBs. I handed the calendars more than half. The calendar 
having the pictures of famous place in the world is favored by our soldiers. 
According to the News, the Sunnis are planning to boycott the upcoming election 
in Iraq. It is not a good sign. The boycott will  increase the suspicion and 
tension between the two parties - Sunnis & Shiites. In our own political 
contests in the United States, we accustomed to complaints, charges of fraud, 
and challenges following our elections. A major difference between our elections 
and those in Iraq is that we complain loudly, make accusations, and may file 
legal challenges but we don't plant explosives and send out suicide bombers to 
exact a pound of flesh when our side loses. We are very anxious about the 
situation. 
On this Wednesday, our BN commander signed on the paper that the president 
Obama's order to reduce the number of combat troops in Iraq to 50,000 by August 
would not be affected to our BN and we are currently scheduled to return to our 
home base, Ft. Bliss, in November 2010. And so we talk to one another that 
"Let's forget the date and month." If you can,  please continue to support us. 
If there is anything would be changed, I will report it to you. Please focus on 
hygiene items in your support. Thanks for your loving care to us.  
I am very sick because I have provided suicide prevention training twice every 
day. Here we do not have any big classroom and also our all troops are on the 
mission every day and night. And so whenever any platoon takes a break, I have 
to bring them to the chapel and provide the suicide training. During 2009, 160 
active soldiers killed themselves. During January 2010, 12 active soldiers and 
15 reserve soldiers killed themselves. We are at very stressful situation here. 
And so our commanding leaders are very anxious about our soldiers. The chaplain 
is the main person to train the soldiers in this matter here. I get up at 0530 
and until I go to my bed by 1130, I keep moving and interacting with soldiers. 
Now I am so tried and sick. I guess I spent my energy too much. However, I have 
to provide this suicide prevention training continually. Please pray for me. 
I pray for you and all your family to have a wonderful Lord's Day. 
May God bless you. 
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry) 

Please congratulate MSgt Jeffrey Baxter, 376 EMXG First Sergeant. 

He just was informed by his wg/CC that he was selected as the 17th Training Wing’s (Goodfellow AFB) “2009 First Sergeant of the Year”

—a very tough group of diamond-wearing competitors for sure!

Sir,

Thanks for your warm e-mail.

Last night our troops executed a heavy night mission. Just 5 minute before the

mission briefing, we got a racket attack. We all ran to the bunkers. After the

mission briefing at the evening, I touched and hugged each one of our soldiers

who participated to the mission. Their faces were filled with somewhat anxiety

and uneasiness. When I hugged one of our young soldiers, he asked, with a

shaking voice, me to have my chaplain Velcro patch on my right chest. He told me

if he had it under his armor, he would feel God's presence with him. And so I

took it out and put it under his armor. I did not go to sleep and stayed in the

CP after midnight and prayed for their safety. Our mission was completed by

0200. Praise God! None of our troops got hurt and returned back to the base

safely. I really praise God.

My family is doing fine. All they are full time students. They are busy for

their school. It is good for them.

If it is possible, would you get some chaplain's patch with Velcro?

I brought several extras here. But several soldiers took it as a symbol of God's

presence. If I have more, I may comfort our young shaking soldiers with putting

it under their Armor before the mission.

I pray for you, your family and all your team.

May God bless you.

CH (CPT) Abraham young ki Kim

1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD

FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry)

Johnnie Lee, 
 
Hello from Al Asad Air Base in Iraq!  Just got to here with the 21st Combat 
Support Hospital.  The weather is cool and a breeze accompanies most of our days 
as we are getting set to take over the medical mission.  We spend out days 
studying the practices of our predecessors trying to make them second nature and 
also improving on them.  Soon well finish our training with a massive exercise.  
I am doing well, please pray the ministry here as well as for  the health of our 
patients. 
 
CH Luke Sprinkle 
21st CSH 

Sir, 
Greeting to you in God's grace. 
Have all your beloved had a happy new year? 
Here we are doing fine because of God's great care. 
Our troops are on heavy mission every day and night. It says our AO is the last 
difficult area in Iraq. 
I pray almost 2 hours everyday and ask God to bless our enemy to do poor job 
regarding their mortar attack and rocket attack to our FOB and RKG attack to our 
MREP. 
Amazingly it is happening just like my prayer. 
Whenever enemy threw the RKG since we have succeeded this AO, it rebounded back 
to them. And so we have not gotten any damage nor hurt. Whenever they attacked 
their rocket and mortar since we have succeeded this AO, they all the time 
landed on somewhere outside of the wire. Who and how can this explain properly? 
Praise God. 
Yesterday, we got a rocket attack. Again our good God blessed the enemy to do 
poor job and it landed outside of the wire. 
Thank you so much for the Christmas cards. We got them all and I handed out to 
our soldiers. 
I pray you all to receive many blessings from God this new year. 
May God bless you. 
 
CH (CPT) Abrahamyoung ki Kim 
1-37 AR BN, 1BCT/1AD 
FOB WARRIOR (JSS McHenry), Iraq 

"A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken 
spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)