DVD RELEASE DATE - BAKER BOYS: INSIDE THE SURGE

Greetings everyone. I got this email today announcing the upcoming release of the Baker Boys: Inside The Surge and I wanted to share.

At last!

It's been a long time coming, but I am very excited to alert the Baker Boys extended family that the entire documentary series is finally becoming available on DVD. There are two release dates -- on January 4th, it begins a two month exclusive run at over 600 AAFES stores at military bases around the world. Then, on March 15th, the DVD becomes available to the general public at all the places you normally shop for DVDs, such as Amazon, Netflix, Walmart, etc.


As each of these dates approaches, there will be promotional events surrounding the film's release. Among them is a premiere screening at Fort Benning, GA on Saturday, January 8th. More details to come on that event as it takes shape, and on others as they follow.


Please share the news about the release, have friends register at the www.bakerboysmovie.com website for more information, and help us to make sure the movie is as widely viewed and discussed as possible. This is our opportunity to put the movie to work to help inform people about the choices and sacrifices that every soldier makes when he or she boards a plane to go serve our country in some other part of the world.


Thank you for your support and participation... and patience!


Best,

Kern Konwiser

At Home...At Last!

Safe at home...at last! It was such a thrill to get that much awaited phone call last night that Nick was back on American soil. We laughed that the last two deployments, he was first in and last out. I told him they just like him so much over there that they can't get enough of him and they definitely don't want to let him go. After a slight delay in Kuwait, Nick arrived home safely last night. Praise be to God!

Welcome Home and thanks for your dedicated service!

Transfer of Authority

It's starting to feel like reality...they're COMING HOME! Praise be to God! Many have already arrived but as normal, Nick was chosen to "turn the lights" out. The nervous butterflies are back and the wait is on.

The Squadron colors are cased during the Tranfer of Autohority ceremony at COB Delta, Iraq. The ceremony marked the offical transfer of authority for the battle space from 3-1 Cavalry and elements of 3AAB to the Seconad Squadron of the 3ACR.

Click here to watch ceremony

A Final Mission With Lasting Impact

Capt. Andrew Hubbard, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, smiles as shoes donated by Brookstone School in Columbus, Ga., are distributed to Iraqi children in Babil province, Sept. 16. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Johnathan Roland)

Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs
Story by Pfc. Erik Anderson


BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq – As soldiers of the 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division prepared to leave the five provinces in southern Iraq they have been responsible for, there was still one last mission to complete.

In coordination with supporters at Brookstone School in Columbus, Ga., Phenix City, Ala., and Fort Benning, Ga., the soldiers dropped off donated shoes to the children of Iraq.

“There is nothing better than seeing the look on a child’s face when you give them something they need,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan Roland, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment. “Even though we don’t speak the same language, you can see the excitement.”

The project, in coordination with the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team, started with a modest goal.

“It is an idea based on the partnership between Brookstone School and two local Iraqi schools,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Boston, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd AAB. “When we started, Cindy Sparks [Brookstone School] estimated 50 to 70 pairs of shoes would be donated, but through the efforts of our supporters in the tri-city area and Brookstone School, nearly 1,000 pairs of shoes were donated.”

During this deployment, 3rd AAB executed an advise and assist mission while working closely with the Iraqi people.

“For the brigade, it is another example of our enduring partnership,” said Boston. “This project takes it one step further; it shows the enduring partnership that exists between Americans and Iraqis.”

The partnership started by the 3rd AAB will continue with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

“The children of Iraq are the future,” said Boston. “Our commitment begins with them.”

3rd Brigade Soldiers Return to Fort Benning From Iraq

About 300 soldiers return home from Iraq
By LARRY GIERER

Spc. Xavier Valles was greeted by a dozen balloons. Spc. Chana Patterson was greeted by about a dozen relatives.

The two were among approximately 300 U.S. soldiers returning to Fort Benning from Iraq Tuesday evening.

They are members of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, that has been deployed for a year.

Six hundred members returned in August. Two more groups are expected to fly into Lawson Army Airfield by the end of this week bringing the September total to 750.

“It’s great to be back,” said Valles, whose wife, Joalice, and two young children greeted him.

“I made sure to get some Boston Red Sox balloons,” Joalice Valles said. “He’s from Boston.”

The time away has been difficult. The couple’s youngest child was 6 weeks old when he left.

“This is very emotional,” she said.

Patterson of Tuskegee, Ala., was overwhelmed to see her large welcoming committee in Freedom Hall.

“My mother, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces,” she said. “Super.”

Fidel DeJesus of New York began cheering before his daughter, Spc. Rebecca DeJesus, entered the room. The Puerto Rican native, a small American flag sticking out from his cap, pumped his fist into the air when he saw his daughter depart the airplane.

“I’ve been this nervous for a year,” he said, holding his hands wide apart. “Now, I’m this nervous,” he said, bringing his hands practically together.

DeJesus, his wife, Libia, and daughter, Teresa, made the 20-hour drive from New York to greet Rebecca.

“We’re all very proud. She is serving her country and that’s what she wants to do,” Dejesus said. “Rebecca came home for a short visit six months ago but my mother had passed and I didn’t get to see her. It’s been a very long year.”