“Dragon” Brigade celebrates Thanksgiving

SALAH AD DIN - As many back home celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones, the spirit and meaning of the holiday was not lost in Iraq among Soldiers with the 4th IBCT, 1st ID.

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"Dragon" bde Soldiers located on various forward operating and patrol bases throughout Salah ad-Din Prov., celebrated Thanksgiving with a simple dinner and some games. Col. Henry Arnold, III, and Lt. Col. Michael Lawson, the Dragon bde cmdr and dep. cmdr, decided to spend the holiday visiting Soldiers throughout the prov. In Bayji, Soldiers with the 2nd Bn, 16th Inf Regt, 4th IBCT enjoyed a good meal and appreciated the visit of the bde's dep. cmdr. "An opportunity to go and visit with the Soldiers to just say 'hi' to them and 'thanks' for a job well done, is something I take very seriously," said Lt. Col. Lawson. "To spend time with the Soldiers is a big deal for me. I get to see their smiling faces; they get to relax and have fun or play some football." "It shows the guys that their chain of command does support them, and it's a good morale booster," said 1st Sgt. Jerry Dodson, top NCO with Co C, 2-16 Inf. "It reminds them that they haven't been forgotten … that someone does care that they're out here." "I think it's pretty awesome," said Spc. Bradley Baldwin, an infantryman with HHC, 2-16 Inf., "when the leadership takes their time to come and check on Soldiers and check on morale. It shows that they're willing to get in there with their Soldiers at the same time, and go through all of the same hardships - it means a lot." As many had a lot to be thankful for, several Soldiers of the "Ranger" bn said that they were thankful for still having each other. "I'm thankful for a good co., good Soldiers and a great group of guys," said Sgt. Christopher Dumont, a squad leader with Co. C, 2-16 Inf. "I can't really ask for more right now." "The most important thing is knowing that we're here, all of us are still here," said Staff Sgt. Douglas Saunders, a TF medic with Co. C, 2-16 Inf. "That's very important, and that's what I have to be thankful for." "I'm very thankful for the support back home from all the families, especially from my wife and kids," said Staff Sgt. Petero Taufago, of Pago Pago, American Samoa and a squad leader with Co. C, 2-16 Inf. "For that, I'm very thankful." "I'm definitely thankful for my wife and my kids," said Spc. Baldwin. "I got engaged to my wife on Thanksgiving and the holiday is real close to 2 of my kids' birthdays. So, it's a pretty nice holiday…I've a lot of good memories."

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