HHC/1-506 IN Commander's Letter to the Company

My first experience with the Currahees occurred on a crisp autumn night in October 2003. I had just arrived in South Korea and was riding the "Free" bus from Camp Casey to Camp Greaves to join the 1-506th Infantry. When the people I was with at Camp Casey heard that I was going to Camp Greaves they shook their heads as if to say "I'm sorry," leaving me to wonder what they knew that I didn't. I was the only passenger on the bus when it arrived at the checkpoint at Unification Bridge. The extensive defensive emplacements and concertina wire were impressive and foreboding. A lonely guard shack was the only sign of civilization. The door on the bus snapped open and a smartly dressed U.S. Soldier came on the bus, rendered a crisp salute and bellowed, "Stands Alone, Sir!" When I heard the confidence and pride in his voice, with such an appropriate greeting, at that lonely outpost on freedom's frontier, I knew that I had come to a special place.

I found that the Currahees, and more specifically you -- the men of Hellcat Company -- played hard, worked harder, and approached every mission with a level of urgency, professionalism and attention to detail that I had never before seen. When the orders were initially received for our deployment to Iraq, there was some shock. We couldn't believe that we were being taken off of the Korean DMZ, the most heavily fortified border in the world, to be sent to Iraq. Many of us thought, "I haven't seen my family in 6..12..18 months because I've been defending South Korea, and now I am going to be gone another 12 months, fighting in Iraq?" But we were resilient, and after the initial shock of the news wore off, we attacked the tasks of moving equipment, training for the deployment and closing Camp Greaves in the same manner that we approached every other mission. That mission-focused approach has carried over into our actions in Iraq and has served us well.

The media of the world say that the insurgency is as strong as ever. I don't think they have been to Habbaniyah, and I don't think they have talked to any Currahees! During our time here we have eliminated enemy caches, discovered enemy safe-houses, captured enemy combatants and generally made it more difficult for criminals and terrorists to operate in our area. Ask the medics who treat the wounded. Ask the mechanics who fix the mangled vehicles. Ask the NOTRI guards who process the detainees. Ask the Iraqis who work on camp and those who run the Peace & Rest Restaurant. We have all seen the changes that have occurred in our area of operations during the time that we have been here. We know what we have accomplished. We have left our mark on Habbaniyah, Iraq, and it has left its mark on us.

I return home with a renewed appreciation for what we have in the United States. After seeing the instability in Iraq destroy this country, I will never again take for granted the peace and stability that allows us to build our country. We have all lost friends here and have seen buddies go home with life changing injuries. When I see the courage and motivation displayed by you and the Iraqis who fight to establish their society, I am reminded that freedom is not free, and that men and women throughout history have paid the price for what we now have in the United States. Everyone who has served with us here in Iraq, has paid a price for freedom, some more dearly than others. Every one of you can proudly proclaim that you served with Hellcat Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry and look back with pride at what we have accomplished. I thank you for what you do.

By the time we leave Iraq, we will be the most experienced, best trained unit in the United States Army. This is undoubtedly the best unit with whom I have served, and I am proud to have served with you. Remember our fallen comrades. "Stands Alone!"