Iraq War – Camp Victory
We are quite used to hearing about deployment from the United States to places like Iraq and Kuwait especially over the last decade or so. What I want to relate to you in this article is the importance of understanding redeployment and the enormous amount of planning and work that goes into it.
Camp Victory -2004
Back in 2004 this small little Camp about 70km north of the city of Kuwait which would take you about 45 minutes to drive, and incidentally you would be taking your life in your hands to drive the highway to get there. I will now go on record to say the the Kuwaiti drivers at that time were the worst in the world that I came across. It was a normal sighting when heading out to any of the camps I worked in to arrive upon an accident. When we refer to an accident in the US or Europe we think of a fender bender, no not in Kuwait this was usually fatal for someone. I now believe its much better as the authorities have introduced a speed limit and hopefully have saved many lives.
The Camp itself had a constantly changing population ranging from at least 600 to 15,000 troops along with equipment and vehicles. This one square mile of camp set in the desert North of Kuwait and about one hour South of the Iraqi border became a hive of activity and of joy. This camp was where the troops arrived in from Iraq along with their equipment and they now knew they were on their way home and away from the perils of war. Here they would purchase their military rings, have them designed with their deployment details from Operation Iraqi Freedom dated like this example OIF 2004-2006.
Camp Victory – Military Rings
It’s not the most picturesque place in Kuwait but for many soldiers on the return journey back to the United States and their families it probably seemed like heaven, here they would receive a well earned rest in a safe environment after having served in one of the most hostile regions of the Middle East namely Iraq. The responsibilities of the camp was to provide security, billeting, food services and various other logistical services that you would expect.
Camp Victory – Redeployment.
The redeployment of a unit or brigade does not happen overnight, in actual fact it can take anywhere from 15 – 25 days to go through the process. Equipment has to go through a cleaning and sterilizing process before it can be loaded on the ships for the long journey home. You will see soldiers who haven’t had a moment to realize what they have been through until now, some have lost their comrades and you or I can’t even begin to imagine what these fine young men and women have gone through but you can see it in their eyes.
Tonight think of them and say a prayer and thank them for our gift of freedom. Remember someone died for it!
Fallujah
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq it has been quite difficult to pin point exactly which area was more dangerous than the next.
So here is a link that you should look at to give you some idea of what our brave soldiers go through on practically a daily basis;
I have spent time in Iraq and Kuwait and have witnessed first hand the terror of hearing those words ( incoming – incoming) that was the signal everyone hear on the base when we were under fire. On hearing these few words echoed around the base we had to run for shelter to the concrete bunkers that were strategically located throughout the base and wait there until we heard the words (all clear) echoed throughout the base.
History of Fallujah
In 2003 the US led the coalition forces in Iraq and just after that time Fallujahbecame one of the areas that became not so dangerous. It was home to a resort called Dreamland which was used by the Ba’athist congregation of the area. The area was plagued by looters after the defeat of Saddam Hussein, they went after and targeted government buildings and anything else that represented the former establishment.
Fallujah Abu Ghraib Prison.
Fallujah will always be remembered for the notorious Abu Ghraib prison that was used to intern members of society the were against or spoke out about the dictator Saddam.
Fallujah the Curfew
A curfew imposed by the US in April 2003 was defied by a select group of the local population when they grouped outside a local school. The American 82nd Airborne was guarding the building, when the curfew was defied, the troops in an act of defense opened fire and killed seventeen civilians and wounded another seventy approximately.
Four contractors were dragged from their vehicle in 2004 beaten to death and then were set alight. They were Scott Helvenston, Jerry Zovko, Wesley Batalona and Michael Teague. This dreadful act was photographed and shown by news broadcasters around the world causing untold pain to the families of these men. Remember them in your prayers today.
Commemorate Your Deployment
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Never Forget
Sample Images for Rings
Never Forget
Coast Guard Rings
The United States Coast Guard is probably quite similar to other Coast Guards around the world in so far as that their main purpose is to protect the environment, the public and of course the economy and security on the nation. It has jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters and in wartime will work under the Department of the Navy but in peace time it works under the Department of Homeland Security.
The Coast Guard patrols the sea around our nation but also the inland waterways which may be at risk from narcotics dealers and other undesirables.
Coast Guard Ring
The Coast Guard ring is very similar to all the other military rings in that they can be customized with all the personal and military details of the member.
Quite a few of the Coast Guard personnel have served in overseas campaigns and they like to wear the coast guard ring to reflect this.
Coast Guard Ring and the Motto;
Like all other departments of the Armed Forces that have mottos the Coast Guard is no different. Their motto is “Semper Paratus” which is the Latin for “Always Prepared” and we are sure glad that we have them to protect us from evil. The Coast Guards roots stem back to August the fourth 1790 when Alexander Hamilton established it under the Dept of the Treasury and was actually the only Navy Force that the United States had until the re-establishing on the US. Navy in 1798.
One of their functions in that time was to address the situation with regard to piracy which was wreaking havoc on the high seas and to assist and other vessel that might be in any difficulty.
They are often referred to as the 1st Fleet but this is only an informal way of referring to them as they were in essence the only protection during the years from 1790 to 1798 for our coastline and other sea going vessels.
Modern Coast Guard Ring
In 1915 or around that time the merging of United States Life Saving Service and that of the Revenue Cutter Service formed the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard are not just a docile department, they have taking part in conflicts and campaigns like the War of 1812, the American Civil War and World War Two where they operated under the US Navy.
Coast Guard Ring Ethos;
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I am America’s maritime guardian.
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I serve the citizens of the United States.
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I will protect them.
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I will defend them.
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I will save them.
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I am their shield.
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For them I am Semper Paratus –“Always Prepared”
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I live the Coast Guard core Values
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I am a Guardian.
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We are the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Ensign
Coast Guard Ensign is sixteen vertical stripes alternate white and red and the union of the ensign is the arms of the United States in dark blue on a white field. The sixteen stripes represent the number of states in the United States of America at the time which was 1799. For more information check back with us from time to time. Order a beautiful ring by clicking on our shop.
Coast Guard Ring Designs
Military Service Rings
From the time you entered the service of your country you have been filled with an element of pride from day one. Those hard days spent training for the years ahead, and lets be honest there were sometimes during that training when the drill instructor with his shouting and roaring probably made you question why the hell you were there.
Quite a lot of us in the military are there because its tradition, our fathers, brothers and relatives were in the service and probably fought in some campaign that we now read about in the history books. We probably look in some shadowbox and find the military service rings that were once worn by these brave soldiers.
Army Rings
A very popular range in military service rings is the Army Ring as this particular ring can be customized for almost all departments of the Army. The present campaigns that the military is involved in can be represented by the images and emblems that are available from the selected range. Going back to earlier conflicts like the 1st World War and indeed the 2nd World War there are side emblems and text available for the customization of these military service rings.
Air Force Rings
This very capable department of the armed forces is a group of highly trained men and women that fly some of the fastest and expensive planes in the world today. They have been instrumental in the defeat of tyrants both in this century and indeed the last. They fly planes from bases here in the United States and airbases in host countries around the world. I have been lucky enough to have sailed with the US Navy and observed with awe this skilled pilots land on carriers out in the ocean and also delighted of offer a fine selection of military service rings for this department.
Navy Service Rings
Patrolling the oceans and seas of the world and staying away from family and friends for periods of over six months or more we have a wonderful selection in the military service rings range for all Navy personnel to choose from
Marine Corps Service Rings
A tough and well trained group of men that make up the backbone of any military and are in the midst of battle wherever there is one. Trained in places like Camp Lejune, North Carolina and Camp Pendleton, California these men are capable of surviving for weeks on end relying on the most basic needs of humans and will still get the job done. The range of images and emblems from the military service rings range will allow you to create the perfect Marine Ring.
Coast Guard Service Rings
They patrol our seas and keep those bad guys away from our shores both day and night. Choose your military service rings from our selection.
Military Friendships
In our early development years probably one of the first memories we have is that of becoming friends with some fictitious person and actually moving into their world for a time, because we felt so safe and comfortable there. And yes, we would only move out of there sometimes because of a question from one of our parents enquiring as to whether we were away with the fairies or not.
As we progressed and moved on to school we only felt comfortable in that environment when we became friends with some others in the class and moved on to have friends with the opposite sex. Those were the days not a care in the world and sometimes life long friendships was developed.
Military Friendships Are Very Healthy.
Ft. Knocks - Kentucky
I remember one of the most heart touching displays of friendships was when I was working in Iraq, I was promoting military rings there for the troops, well actually the deployment ring which was quite new at the time. I was at our display when to young soldiers stopped by enquiring as to what was going on; we shall refer to them as Jason and Damien. I gave them a presentation on the rings and how they could purchase one. Both of the soldiers decide that they would like to purchase a ring but one of them, Damien was getting married and could not fit it into his budget. His friend was writing up the paperwork for his order when Damien said he would he would wait for him in the Post Exchange. Before Damien strolled away, Jason enquired as to what size his wedding ring was going to be, he said it was size eleven and his girlfriend had already had it back home.
Military Rings Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers
We continued on doing the paper work for Jason and when he had finished I gave him his receipt and thanked him for his order. I was getting ready to say goodbye, when he stopped me and said, I’m not finished, I now want you to get an order form and I want to make another order for this special deployment military ring, for Damien. I’m doing this because he has been my best friend since high school and right through the military. We have fought side by side in Iraq and he saved my life, so this little ring is going to be my surprise wedding gift to him and I’m sure that when we both go our separate ways that this little military ring will make us both realize that we are truly a little band of brothers and friends.
Military Rings used as Wedding Rings
For members of the armed forces it’s not always so easy to go shopping for the big day especially if you are away on deployment or seperated by states or countries from your loved one. It’s not surprising then the amount of people that are turning their attention to military rings for the engagement rings and wedding bands. You can have both family names on both rings and the wedding date plus many other details engraved. The amount of options over and above conventional rings are many and the cost is very much less, so let your wedding gift to each other be, a custom military ring with a complimentary pendant also.
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Infantry Rings
When we think of the infantry, one of the first things that come to mind is the ” Big Red One” a lovely big red letter on a green background and it sure indicates that you are looking at the symbol or emblem of the 1st Infantry Brigade a historic and brave division and one of the oldest in the United States Army formed way back in 1917.
This is one military ring of all the infantry rings that service members are proud to wear or receive as a gift.
The 1st Infantry Division.
The 1st Infantry Division is headquartered in Fort Reilly, Kansas along with the 24th Infantry Div. and this state is bordered to the East by Missouri, West by Colorado, North by Nebraska and south by Oklahoma a very beautiful state with wonderful coloredwheat fields and majestic windmills.
Besides the 1st Infantry Div we must never forget all the other divisions that can also have their infantry rings custom made to commemorate their contridutions to deployments and involvement in actions around the world.
The 4th Infantry Division.
They are the 4th Infantry Division, the 5th Infantry Division, the 6th Infantry Division, the 7th Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division, the 25th Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Division, 84th InfantryDivision, 2nd Infantry Division Regiment and the 10th Mountain Division
Put any of these very beautiful and historic emblems on the side of a ring with possibly an Operation Iraqi Freedom or an Operation Enduring Freedom emblem on the other side, with dates of your deployment or service years, your family name, and you will have just created a miltary ring that one day will be one of the most treasured infantry rings and a true family heirloom.
Remember your that every day you served defending our freedom you played a part in the history of the world.
