I posted this story today over at the MilBlog that I write for, A Soldier's Mind.  I felt that it needed to be posted here as well, just to remind us.

FOB Warhorse is located in Baqubah, Iraq, in the heart of Diyala province.  Diyala province has recently been beseiged with increasing violence, since the beginning of the surge in Baghdad.  Insurgents have fled Baghdad and taken up residence in the Diyala River Valley.  Diyala province is located between Baghdad and the Iranian border.  The troops there not only have to deal with what's coming into their area from Baghdad, but also what's being brought across the border from Iran.  Currently, FOB Warhorse is home to Marty's unit, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, and has been since early October 2006, when they took over operations from 4th Infantry Division in the region.  Recently 3,000 additional troops have been moved into Diyala province to stem the violence from the insurgents.  Troops there are having successes everyday, the citizens of the region are cooperating and working with our Troops.  But, that hasn't came without a price.  That price, the loss of the lives of some of our Troops.

There's a very special place on FOB Warhorse.  A place that is very sacred to the Troops who are there, those who've been there before and those who will come in the future.  That sacred place is the memorial that has been erected to honor the fallen troops who were deployed to FOB Warhorse.  Each division who has been at FOB Warhorse has panels dedicated to their fallen warriors.  The grass around the memorial is well maintained, kept watered and no one is allowed to walk on it.  It is a place where the troops can come and mourn their dead, pay their respects to their fallen brothers and sisters, pause and reflect a moment about those who gave their all in the name of Freedom. 

Marty shared about the memorial while he was home on leave.  He shared how 1st Cavalry Divisions Fallen Warriors have taken their place on the panels of the memorial.  3rd Brigade has taken some heavy losses, since they've been at FOB Warhorse.  The names of their fallen have filled up 2 panels and part of a 3rd.  I'd like to share some of the photos that Marty brought back with him. 

I hope that everyone will take some time to think about the sacrifices that these men and women have given for our Country.  To honor them and be thankful for the things that they're willing to do for each of us, for our Country and for others in other countries, who don't have the freedoms that we tend to take for granted here.  Remember... Freedom Isn't Free.