Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Houston Chronicle
December 21, 2006
Mission in Iraq is named for the tiny community that aided troops
By John W. Gonzalez
On a sweltering day in late May, the tiny East Texas community of Etoile opened its arms when a tour bus loaded with U.S. Army troops from Fort Hood broke down in the Angelina National Forest near Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
About 40 combat-ready soldiers from the "Warhorse Battalion," heading to Iraq after grueling training at Fort Polk, lounged in the little town's school, mingled with inquisitive students and devoured a spaghetti dinner whipped up by the volunteer fire department.
Now the 1st Cavalry Division soldiers have honored the town with "Operation Etoile," which converted an enemy-infested area in Iraq into open space.
Officials in Etoile thought they had already been thanked a few weeks after the gesture, when two officers returned with certificates of appreciation for the school and Fire Department.
But then came word that the battalion had given a special name to one of its recent combat missions - to transform an area that was a haven for anti-coalition elements who were planting roadside bombs and launching attacks on passing Iraqi and U.S. troops.
A news report from the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team said the "Warhorse" soldiers, aided by engineers with nine bulldozers, removed dirt mounds and brush that provided cover to the attackers, and a lookout tower was destroyed. In their place, a soccer field took shape, and while the work was under way, villagers were given clothes and toys by U.S. troops - all in the name of the people of Etoile.
"The community's help was not forgotten," said the dispatch from Capt. Gregory Stopyra in Baqouba, Iraq. "The Warhorse leadership decided upon the name of `Etoile' for this operation. This French word for `star' now represents a tremendous success for the Warhorse Battalion."
The belated kudos were a pleasant surprise in unincorporated Etoile, with a double-digit population and about 140 students in its K-8 school. Townfolk hadn't heard from the troops since their commanders returned in June with the appreciation certificates, but they hadn't been forgotten.
"Of course, that was a big thing for our kids because they were in full gear with weapons, just coming back from their maneuvers," Etoile Superintendent Andy Trekell said.
"The guys were just so cordial and good with the kids. They let the kids look at their equipment and answered a thousand questions," he said.
School buses had ferried the troops from their broken bus to the air-conditioned school cafeteria, where they relaxed and ate before being picked up by a replacement bus from Houston.
"We've got our little junior-high girls, and these guys were all young men. Of course, they (girls) were on point and having a good time with that," Trekell said. "We had a ball."
December 21, 2006
Mission in Iraq is named for the tiny community that aided troops
By John W. Gonzalez
On a sweltering day in late May, the tiny East Texas community of Etoile opened its arms when a tour bus loaded with U.S. Army troops from Fort Hood broke down in the Angelina National Forest near Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
About 40 combat-ready soldiers from the "Warhorse Battalion," heading to Iraq after grueling training at Fort Polk, lounged in the little town's school, mingled with inquisitive students and devoured a spaghetti dinner whipped up by the volunteer fire department.
Now the 1st Cavalry Division soldiers have honored the town with "Operation Etoile," which converted an enemy-infested area in Iraq into open space.
Officials in Etoile thought they had already been thanked a few weeks after the gesture, when two officers returned with certificates of appreciation for the school and Fire Department.
But then came word that the battalion had given a special name to one of its recent combat missions - to transform an area that was a haven for anti-coalition elements who were planting roadside bombs and launching attacks on passing Iraqi and U.S. troops.
A news report from the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team said the "Warhorse" soldiers, aided by engineers with nine bulldozers, removed dirt mounds and brush that provided cover to the attackers, and a lookout tower was destroyed. In their place, a soccer field took shape, and while the work was under way, villagers were given clothes and toys by U.S. troops - all in the name of the people of Etoile.
"The community's help was not forgotten," said the dispatch from Capt. Gregory Stopyra in Baqouba, Iraq. "The Warhorse leadership decided upon the name of `Etoile' for this operation. This French word for `star' now represents a tremendous success for the Warhorse Battalion."
The belated kudos were a pleasant surprise in unincorporated Etoile, with a double-digit population and about 140 students in its K-8 school. Townfolk hadn't heard from the troops since their commanders returned in June with the appreciation certificates, but they hadn't been forgotten.
"Of course, that was a big thing for our kids because they were in full gear with weapons, just coming back from their maneuvers," Etoile Superintendent Andy Trekell said.
"The guys were just so cordial and good with the kids. They let the kids look at their equipment and answered a thousand questions," he said.
School buses had ferried the troops from their broken bus to the air-conditioned school cafeteria, where they relaxed and ate before being picked up by a replacement bus from Houston.
"We've got our little junior-high girls, and these guys were all young men. Of course, they (girls) were on point and having a good time with that," Trekell said. "We had a ball."