BattleHard The Bear
       
        Our class has been in writing to Captain Joseph Scott Brannon of the 101st Airborne which is currently stationed in Baghdad Iraq. Captain Brannon is a 1989 graduate of Boaz High School. Captain Brannon is serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. Our class has sent him and the 150 men in his company many items including a book that the students made entitled "I Believe a Hero is...", letters to the soldiers, Christmas ornaments, and a class mascot which was given the name Battle Hard Bear by the men of the 101st Airborne. These soldiers will be taking the bear on their many adventures while they are serving in Iraq. Please check back often and see what new adventures Battle Hard The Bear has been on. These adventures will be updated when the 101st Airborne soldiers have time to send the latest pictures to our class. Please keep Captain Brannon and his company in your prayers.
   
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6        
 
 

Week 1
 
 
  Hi Kids,
Well I made it to Baghdad, Iraq; the ride in the box was scary.  It  was dark and the postman kept throwing me around, but I finally made it.  I  made it to my company at FOB Prosperity late at night and meet my  comrades.  I have sent some pictures today on email to show you what I have  been up to.
   
 
I first got smoked and had to do like 500 pushups because I was out of uniform. I had the tag piecing in my ear and it was dangling and SFC Conn did not like it so he made me take it off.

 
     
 
Then I had to receive some training to get me up to speed with everyone else.  SPC Hamler taught me some room clearing techniques.  We  went over and over how to enter and clear a room.

 
     
 
Then I meet SGT Scott who taught me how to drive a Hummvee.  It was exciting but I did have a little accident, but no big problem everyone has a accident now and again.

 
     
 
Here I am driving. It was hard to do since I am too short and couldn't reach the pedals so SGT Scott worked the brakes and gas and I turned the steering wheel.

 
     
 
Here is the damage to the Hummvee.  The Company Commander was mad at first, but he didn't make me pay for the damages. The 1SG said I could have another chance.

 
     
 
The 1SG let me drive a different Humvee with a big bumper on it so in case I had another accident it would not hurt the truck.

 
     
 
After my first day I was very tired so LT Perperis let me sleep with him since it was my first night away from home. He is very nice.

 
     
 
The next day I had to pull security in one of the towers. It was fun because I got to use a Machine Gun.  SGT Devries showed me how to do it. 

 
     
 
I also putted guard with SPC Olson. He was nice and shared some lunch with me.

 
     
 
That night LT Jackson let me watch a movie with him. We watched "Chicken Little". It was good.  

 
     
 
SFC Conn Caught me in the candy Jar.

 
     
 
Anyway I have to go I got in trouble for sneaking candy out of the candy jar and SFC Conn is not happy with me.  He has been trying to get me in shape.  Running is tough over here. Well I will keep in touch and talk to you all later. I miss you guys a lot.  Hope to see you soon.
 
Love
Private BattleHard Bear
Baghdad, Iraq

  Week 2
   
   
 

 
   
 

Hello Kids,

Wow! Another week in lovely Baghdad, Iraq; the guys call it Paradise, of course they are being facetious.  (That’s a big word I learned from the guys, it means funny) I have had to do so many pushups everyday for being caught in the candy jar.  This week I began to receive all of my equipment for the company and I have done a lot of training getting ready to go on missions.

 
  The first thing I got issued was my IBA (Individual Body Armor).  It is a bullet proof vest. It is very heavy and they are still trying to find one in XXXXXXXXXXXXXSmall.  LT Jackson is working on making me one with some cool Knee Pads.
     
 
SGT Elliott showed me how to be an RTO (Radio Telephone Operator).  You have to talk a lot and sometimes you even get yelled at for doing it wrong.  It was hard at first pushing the talk button, but all the pushups are making me stronger.

 
     
  SGT Elliott let me drive the Gator too.  Its like a mix between a four wheeler and a golf cart.  We had to steal it and try not to get caught by the XO.  He doesn't like people driving it and breaking it.
     
 
I went with 3rd Platoon to train again.  This is the picture I took with the Squad.

 
     
 
When I get free time LT Jackson lets me play solitaire on his computer.

 
     
 
Most of the time I am so tired that I just snuggle with LT Perperis and try and get some rest.

 
     
 
We are getting ready for our next mission so LT Jackson let me help with the Backbrief to the Company Commander. I think he just needed a second opinion on his plan.

 
     
 
I also got issued a cool knife, and remember you should never play with knives.

 
     
 
And I got my M4 Carbine Rifle (My Gun) and it has all kinds of gadgets on it. Its has optics and lasers like in the Movie "Star Wars".  Some days it is very dusty here so I have to keep my weapon clean.

 
     
 
LT Jackson let me plan the route for the mission too.  We had to go across a river; it's name is the "Tigris River".  It is very long and looks like a snake on the map.

 
     
  I got some PVS-14 Night Vision Goggles too.  These allow me to see at night when it is dark.  Sometimes I like to wear them in the tent because it is dark here that way I can see everything.
     
 
The ACH (Army Combat Helmet) is too big so they are looking for a smaller one.

 
     
     
 

The Iraqi Elections went pretty good and it was exciting to see all the people going to vote.  It made me think about how really lucky we are to live in the United States of America.  Well , we are getting ready to move so I will write you again when we get to our new location.  We are leaving Baghdad and going North. I miss you guys a lot, but the guys are taking care of me.  Talk to you soon.

 

Sincerely,

Private BattleHard Bear

Week 3
 
 

 
 
 
KIDS,
Hi, Week 3 wasn't slow as we began to get ready to move, wow, there is lots of work to do to get ready to move north out of Baghdad, Iraq.  I am now becoming one of the guys.
 

 
The Operation order are very detailed and exciting and I have begun to go on patrols with the guys.

 
     
 
The 1SG let me be the Guideon Bearer.  The Guideon is the Company's flag that goes wherever they go and when I hold it up high; the guys all know where to come to.

 
     
 
Also, this week I learned how to shoot the M9 Pistol

 
     
  I had to learn how to make coffee too for the Company Commander.  He gets grumpy when he doesn't get his daily dose coffee
     
 
It was a long walk to the chow hall so the guys always give me a ride.

 
     
 
SPC Greytek taught me how to play the Xbox. It was lots of fun.

 
     
  LT Call took me to the Iraqi movie store to pick out a movie.
     
 
I bought Madagascar; it was great! Well I will talk to you soon.
Love
Private BattleHard Bear

 
     
 
     
  Week 4
     
     
     
     
 
Hello Kids,
We began our move out of Baghdad, Iraq today and we are moving north. I am kind of scared to ride on an Airplane, but SGT Elliott said I could ride with him so he took care of me.
 
I rode in his pocket the whole way.

 
     
 
We made an over night stay at Baghdad International Airport

 
     
 
I was very tired that night and I fell asleep with LT Perperis again.

 
     
 
During my travels I meet Yoda and he gave me and a little Ewok a class on how to be a Jedi.

 
     
 
We also got to ride on a bus; it was like going to school.

 
     
 
Except the seat was a little too big for me and it didn't have any seatbelts. You should always wear your seatbelt.

 
     
 

   Then we got on a big Airplane, it was exciting. Well got to go, it's almost Christmas and I can't wait till see what gifts Santa brings.  Talk to yall soon.

 

Love,
Private BattleHard Bear

 
     
 
     
  Week 5
     
     
     
     
 
Merry Christmas Kids,
We have moved and now we are living in Samarra, Iraq. It is a lot different here. I got all my ornaments, letters and pictures.  They are Great!
 
Here I am with all my pictures.

 
     
 
Also, I got lots and lots of candy canes to hang on the tree.

 
     
 
and we wrapped lots and lots of gifts.

 
     
 
I decorated a Christmas Tree and we wrapped more presents.

 
     
 
Also, the guys let me put the star on top.

 
     
 
I was so excited that I slept in my stocking on Christmas Eve, and tried to wait up on Santa Clause, but I fell asleep.

 
     
 
Santa brought me some sun glasses.
Well it is very busy here and we are still trying to get settled and we are still in the process of moving.  Hopefully we will get settled and I will get some rest so I can talk more to you. 
I miss you guys a lot.
 
Love
Private BattleHard Bear

 
     
 
     
  Week 6
     
     
     
  Hello Kids and Happy New Year
     
 
Here I am chilling with CPT Brannon.

 
     
 
I got to watch a movie with LT Perperis and Lt Call

 
     
 
It has been very busy here so I stay thirsty because the XO makes me work really hard. 

 
     
 
The XO showed me the Company's Sword.

 
     
 
I have been trying to read all your letters and stuff, but it is hard to write everyone back so I am sorry.

 
     
 
I worked real late the other night because it is so busy here and I fell asleep at the computer.

 
     
  Here I am posing with the sword.
     
 
Well, it is never ending here with all the work to do but I am trying to keep up.  I will continue to try to write, but it probably will be every other week due to how busy we are.  We will continue to try and stay safe.  Thanks for supporting us.
 
Love
Private BattleHard Bear
 
     
     
   
     

 

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