For the Old Guard, a Renewed Mission (Unknown Soldier guards deployed)

[kskiska]

Unit to Swap Ceremony for Combat

For the U.S. Army's Old Guard, the war in Iraq has been one of ceremony: escorting the caskets of fallen soldiers as they arrive at Dover Air Force Base, serving at dozens of burials at Arlington National Cemetery, standing watch over the Tomb of the Unknowns.

In coming days, for the first time since the Vietnam War, a company of soldiers from this prestigious ceremonial unit will join the battle overseas, deploying to the Horn of Africa for the fight against terrorism.

Strained by combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as commitments in South Korea and the Balkans, the Army has ordered soldiers from the unit's Bravo Company to put their dress blues in the closet and don desert camouflage battle fatigues.

(snip)

For some soldiers, it will be a relief to miss funeral details at Arlington. The steady stream of casualties from Iraq that have been buried at Arlington this year has been difficult emotionally.

"Sometimes, something will get to you, especially if they were younger than you," said Spec. Travis Steele, 23.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57732-2003Dec11.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. see how the

Army is truly strained. We we now weaker not stronger. Thanks Bush!

[JackSwift]

2. Iraq was a war of oil and Bush family revenge against Hussein

and they have weakened us in our fight against terrorists.

[wellst0nev0ter]

3. And The Horse Finally Crosses The Finish Line

A month ago:

Sending the Guard
By MICHAEL R. GORDON

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 - The United States Army's Old Guard is best known for its ceremonial duties. Its soldiers stand vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery and serve in color guards for visiting dignitaries.

But with the Army stretched thin by duties in Iraq and Afghanistan, some of the Guard's troops were recently assigned to a new and unexpected mission. The Guard's B Company, Pentagon officials said, will join the more than 100,000 new troops being dispatched to carry out missions for the United States Central Command.

The Old Guard, formally the Third Infantry Regiment, will not say where its contingent of 130 or so soldiers is going, but Pentagon officials say the current plan is to send B Company to Djibouti, the tiny East African nation strategically situated on the Horn of Africa, across the strait from Yemen, and a location where the United States has established a base to respond to terrorist threats.

It is the first time that a unit from the Old Guard will be deployed abroad since the Vietnam War, and it underscores the lengths that the Pentagon has had to go to find fresh troops.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/07/international/worldspecial3/07CND-GORDON.html?pagewanted=print&position=

Not saying the Scew York Times is any better, it just goes to show you that with information like this being reported months apart at a time, why do the press corps even bother?