Desert Bulls

Red Bull Santa

sends you a

Merry Christmas

dec. 21, 2005

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Found in the field: Large sum of money in unique carrying case with video game. Please identify amount ofmoney, PSP Game, and carrying case and it will be promptly returned. Please contact Lt. Col. WilliamLieder @ Brigade Troops Battalion Bldg 2404.Found in a GSA Van: Raincoat size medium. Please contact 1st Lt. Eric Magistad.

Hooah, Red Bulls! I am Lt. Col. Eric Kerska, your 1/34 Brigade Combat Team OperationsOfficer or S-3. I hold the staffresponsibility for training andoperations. As such, I supervise the CurrentOperations Cell, the plans cell and thetraining cell here at Camp Shelby. Thefunction of CHOPS is to be aware ofand track every operation going onwithin the BCT, which is no small feat. The function of plans is to determinehow we should accomplish missionsassigned to the BCT. There is arguablyno more difficult or thankless job that

than of a planner. I am extremelyfortunate to lead avery talented anddedicated bunch ofSoldiers in the S-3shop. The Soldiers ofthis shop make meproud and make melook good everysingle day. If you ever wonder, howthings got so screwed up – that wouldbe me.

Remember Bataan!

Several 1/34 Brigade CombatTeam Soldiers will be included in the10:35 p.m. Feb. 4 showing of "On theRoad with Jason Davis" on KSTPChannel 5, Minneapolis. Davis' broadcast team visited

Camp Shelby from Dec. 15-17, film-ing and interviewing several BCT Sol-diers training. Davis said this program will be oneof his special ones.

Channel 5 TV program to air Feb. 4

Minnesota Gov. TimPawlenty announced the new“Support Our Troops”license plates during his visitSunday to Camp Shelby.The license plates are nowavailable at all deputyregistrar locations. Suchplates were proposed byPawlenty last year and theywere authorized during the2005 legislative session. The platesfeature a bald eagle in the foregroundagainst an American flag backdrop.They may be displayed on passenger

vehicles, one-ton pickup trucks andrecreational vehicles. Plates with a

disability insigniamay be ordered forpassenger vehicles.Motorcycle plateswill be available inthe spring of 2006.Minnesotans nowhave the opportunityto show their

support of our state’s military membersand veterans by purchasing anddisplaying these license plates.”Governor Pawlenty said. Anyone is

eligible to purchase the Support OurTroops plates. The cost for the newplates is $18.50 ($10 license plate feeand $8.50 filing fee), along with aminimum annual contribution of $30which is tax deductible for people whoitemize on Schedule A of their federaltax forms. The proceeds from platesales will be split between theDepartment of Military Affairs forfinancial support of military families andthe Department of Veteran Affairs forveterans outreach programs, grants toveterans service organizations andrehabilitation programs.

Gov. Pawlenty announces new license plates

Kerska in charge of training and operations

Lt. Col. Eric Kerska

8 seconds

The Desert Bulls is an officialpublication of the 1/34 Brigade Com-bat Team. It is produced by the 1/34BCT Public Affairs Office. This Sol-dier newsletter is in compliance withthe provisions of AR 360-1. Anyquestions, comments, photos, storyideas that you would like to presentshould be forwarded to the 1/34 BCTPublic Affairs Office. E-mail Sgt. 1stClass Clinton Wood atclinton.wood@us.army.mil.

1/34 BCT Commander;Col. David Elicerio1/34 BCT CSM:Command Sgt. Maj.Doug Julin

The Desert Bulls Staff:OIC: Capt. Mark LappegaardEditor:Sgt. 1st Class Clinton WoodBroadcast journalist:Sgt. Kent WestbergPrint journalist:Pfc. Brian D. JesnessFor more informationon the 1/34 BCTgo online to www.redbullweb.com

dec. 21, 2005

Issue 10

Desert Bulls

On the cover: Santa Claus wavesduring the Thanksgiving Parade lastmonth on Forrest Avenue. This is areminder that 1/34 BCT Soldiers willbe on Holiday Exodus until next year.Photo by Pfc. Brian D. Jesness, 1/34 BCT PA.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1943Near the town of Frontolli, Italy

Day in Red Bull history

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On Christmas Day there wasno set schedule, dinner was the bigevent of the day. Even a small

evergreen tree was trimmed and set inthe middle of the area, with a lot oforanges, apples, and nuts around it thatwe had bought with our Companyfunds. The dinner menu was turkey,

potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and adessert. In the afternoon we had asmall USO show visit our Regiment.The cast included Ella Logan, thesinger, and two others.

Did you know that the Army hasnot approved any other company andhas not given them any copyrights tosell the Army Combat Uniform as an“authentic uniform?” This statement came from thediscussion section of a new Web site,NCO Net at https://nconet.bcks.army.mil. Just type this inyour computer and make it a favorite. The discussion went on to say thatright now the Department of the Armyis tracking three companies that areselling ACUs without the Army’spermission. I posted my own discussion topicand less than an hour had three wellthought of replies. Besides allowing noncommissionedofficers to hold professional discussionwith fellow NCOs, this Web site alsowill find answers to your questions; findWeb sites, download software, classesor training aids. Surfing it as I wrote this article, Ialso discovered a NCO Creed audiofile, Convoy Leader powerpoint slides,a how to maintain the M-16 riflehandout and NoncommissionedOfficer in Charge Evaluation ReportGuide and Tips, links to MyRecords,MyPay, MyDAPhoto, MyERB,MyAssignment and MyPromotionFile. This Web site is easy to become amember. Scroll down the left hand sideof the menu and click on become amember. You will be asked for

New Web site for NCOs

information, including a short bio onyourself, your education history, yourwork experience, TheaterDeployments and duty status. The Web site’s vision is to create aplace where NCOs engage inprofessional conversation whichenables knowledge transfer, supportslife-long learning, and transformation forthe betterment of our units and ourprofessional growth.

Foundations for Faith

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“Glory toGod in theh i g h e s t ,and one a r t hpeace topeople onwhom is

favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) So said theheavenly host announcing thatChristmas hadarrived. It sounds similar to the battle cry ofthe 1/34 Brigade Combat Team as weprepare to leave Camp Shelby –“Praise God! We’re outta here!” Andalthough that may be the sentiment ofmany, it is my fervent prayer that eachof us pause during this holiday exodusto reflect on the message of the holidayseason. While the commercialism of

A m e r i c aattempts todistract us andpersuade us thatshopping andspending isreason for theseason, let us notbuy into thatmentality – nopun intended. Letus keep ourbattle focus.Soldiers above allknow what thisseason is about –because it is the cause we havepledged to give our lives for.Peace. Peace in Iraq, peace in ourcountry, peace in our homes, peace inour souls. Take the time with your

Chp (Maj.) Eric Feig

loved ones to consider thecall for peace, and the highprice that has been paid tosecure peace in ourworld. And may the peacewhich passes allunderstanding be yoursthis holiday season,whether you choose tocelebrate Christmas,Hanukkah, Kwanza, orjust sit back and relax.Keep the faith. See you allin January!

CH (Maj.) Feig 134th BSB Chaplain

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Several Soldiers tospend first Christmaswith newborn children

First Christmas

By Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood1/34 BCT PA

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood, 1/34 BCT PAChaplain (1st Lt.) Todd Luken holds a photo of his firstborn,Connor, who was born Dec. 8. Luken is among several 1/34Brigade Combat Team Soldiers who will spend Christmaswith their newborn children.

CAMP SHELBY, Miss., — It willbe a special Christmas for several ofthe 1/34 Brigade CombatTeam Soldiers traininghere for their deploymentin support of OperationIraqi Freedom nextspring. It will be the firstChristmas for them andtheir newborn children.The 1/34 BCT Soldierswere granted a 14-dayHoliday leave. For Chaplain (1st Lt.)Todd Luken of Fridley,Minn., the leave will beextra special. It will be hisfirstborn’s first Christmas.Connor, who weighed 7pounds, was born Dec. 8 This is the second timethat Luken will be able tospend time with Connor.He was able to go homefrom Dec. 8 until Dec.17. “It was just a miracle,very cathartic, Luken, thechaplain for the 1st

Squadron, 167th Cavalrybased in Lincoln , Neb.,said of seeing Connor forthe first time. “Tons of emotions. Hardto explain. I guess it seemed unreal insome senses I can’t believe after thislong he’s finally here"He and his wife were trying for severalyears to have a child.

For Maj. David Munson of New Ulm,Minn., he will also see his seconddaughter, Elsie, for the second time.He saw Elsie for the first time whenshe was two days old, on Nov. 29.His wife who was over her due date,was scheduled to be induced Nov. 29.“We had discussed whether or not Ishould try and make it home for thebirth and we both agreed that she

didn’t need me at the hospital andwould be better for me to arrive in timeto take her home from the hospital inorder to maximize our time together,”he said. “It worked out perfect as Iarrived home at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 29

and my wifew a sreleased at6:30 p.m.”Munson ofHeadquartersa n dHeadquartersCompany, 1/34 Brigade CombatTeam, said the whole situation wassurreal because he was so removedfrom the situation. “I’m so proud ofmy wife for being able to go through

the last couple ofmonths of herpregnancy and takingcare of our 3-year olddaughter without me,”he said.He said since hereturned to the camp,his wife has beensending photographs ofElsie, who weighed 8pounds, 11 ounces atbirth, to him. “I can seethe transformation inElsie’s face already,”he said. “It was moredifficult leaving afterthose six days then itwas to come here inSeptember.That same month iswhen Spc. MarkAndren’s third son,Cole, rolled over twodays after he left for thecamp.His wife said Cole, whowas born June 8, is nowtalking “baby gibberjabber, rolling over andpulling himself onto all

fours and rocking almost a crawl.”Mark’s wife said Mark of Company

First ChristmasContinued on next Page

Elsie Munson

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Submitted photo

Spc. Mark Andren, 134th Brigade Support Battalion, holdshis third son, Cole, who was born June 8. Cole rolled overtwo days after Andren left for Camp Shelby.

It is commonly known that formany people this time of year is oftenthe most stressful and most depressing.Why is that so many of us beatourselves up this time of year withworry when it all is about celebratingthe gift of Jesus to the world? Somestay awake at night with restless mindswhile we should rest peacefullyremembering the Christ childs arrivalon earth.

Indeed God came to earth inhuman form to give us peace. The wordChristmas itself means Christ’s Mass.It is to be a joyful time of gatheringand community where we exchangegifts with one another. Not because we

have great things to give but becauseGod first gave us his best; his Son,Christ Jesus. God’s most perfectcreation was given so that we may liveas His.

On the other hand we are onlyhuman. We seek the approval of ourfellow human beings. Why, becausethey are close at hand. We can touchthem we can feel and hear them. Theyare always there. So it is there attentionwe chase first. But has not Godblessed us with these family and friendswho’s love and affection alreadysurround us. So let us turn our attentionto him. This is every bit as true forthose of us in the military. We all have

family and friends back home that wewill be with in a very short time too. So let us, this Christmas remember,Christ together with our family andfriends. Make it a joyous time. Forour family and friends are a gift fromthe Lord. God is above all. RememberJames 1:18, “Every generous act andevery perfect gift is from above, comingdown from the father of lights; with Himthere is no variation or shadow cast byturning. By His own choice, He gaveus new birth by the message of truthso that we could be the first fruits ofhis creatures.”

Christmas time or is it another Holiday seasonBy Spc. Jeremy Richmann1/133 Chaplain assistant

C, 134th Brigade Support Battalion,will enjoy dressing Cole in MinnesotaVikings outfits and playing games withhim on the floor. “I know Mark’s favorite thing withfamily is Saturday and Sundaymornings of all of us cuddling in bed,we talk, tickle the kids, laugh and justlovingly at each other and enjoy thesweet breath against us,” she said. For Capt. Joshua Simer, he andhis wife Kelly will be looking lovinglyat each other when they will attend theirfirst ultrasound when he is home onleave. Kelly said she learned she waspregnant the day after he left for CampShelby. “Even with the challenges thatare ahead, we are thrilled,” she said. Thrilled also is the best way todescribe these Soldiers and others inthe same situation when they go homefor Christmas.

First ChristmasContinued from Page 5

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PRELIMINARY LOSS REPORT 0580 ROLLOVER CLAIMS 1 LIFE — ACCIDENT A 42nd Infantry Division Soldier was killed on 22 May 2005 at 1440 local in Kirkuk, Iraq. The 45 year-old NCO(SGT) was performing turret gunner duties in an M1114 HMMWV when the driver swerved to avoid a civilianvehicle. The HMMWV rolled two times, crushing the NCO. Including this accident, there were 39 Class A-C Army HMMWV accidents from the start of FY05 to 22 May 2005,resulting in 24 Soldier deaths. Of the 39 accidents, 18 involved rollovers and 20 of the 24 fatalities occurred in arollover. Don’t let this happen in your formation. Consider these actions to prevent rollover incidents:

� Ensure Soldiers are familiar with the situations that cause rollovers and their individual responsibilities. Consult the Battle Drill Card for the Up Armored HMMWV.

� Train drivers in evasive and braking maneuvers by implementing and resourcing a program such as theAdvanced Skills Driver Training at your location.

� Soldiers must be trained in local area hazards (e.g., operating M1114 HMMWVs at speeds appropriate forroad conditions they will encounter)

� Ensure personnel within the vehicle communicate local area hazards to one another

IN OUR SIGHTS

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Photo by Capt. Paul Rickert, 1-125 FA UPAR

These Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 125th FieldArtillery clear stairs during their Military on Urban Ter-rain Site training

Photo by Pfc. Brian D. Jesness, 1/34 BCT PA

Capt. Scott Rohweder, 2nd Battalion, 136th CombinedArms Battalion, discussed the Squad Live Fire Exer-cise with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty Sunday dur-ing Pawlenty's visit.

Photo by Pfc. Brian D. Jesness, 1/34 BCT PA

Brig. Gen. Jon Trost, assistant adju-tant general of the Minnesota Na-tional Guard, congratulates Spc.Katie Weidell after he presented hiscoin to her Sunday for facilitating sixseparate video teleconferences forher battalion, 1-34 Brigade TroopsBattalion.

Photo by Sgt. Kent Westberg, , 1/34 BCT PA

Camp Shelby's Medevac team par-ticipated in a 9-line Medevac exer-cise on one of the camp's rangeslast week.