Issue 84 Dec. 31, 2011
Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
A New Year’s message from Col. John S. Kolasheski
T
he past 12 months have certainly been exciting for the Warhorse Team and we’ve come a long way. In February we challenged ourselves and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana during our Mission Rehearsal Exercise. Upon returning, we immediately began packing and shipping our gear. Simultaneously, Soldiers continued training individual and collective warrior skills. Receiving orders to deploy one month earlier than expected showed the brigade’s agility by preparing while giving Soldiers much deserved leave. The past seven months in Afghanistan while difficult have been successful. Thanks to the efforts of Raider Brigade in summer/ fall 2010 and the work of CTF Warhorse, the summer 2011 “fighting season” was less vio-
lent than we anticipated. This has allowed us our gains, deliberately transition our misto reposition forces to new areas in an effort sion here in theater to 2/2 IN, prepare and to maintain pressure on the insurgents while redeploy the brigade safely to Fort Carson, expanding the reach of the Afghan governfind a little more time to contact my Family, ment into areas that and give as many n 2012, I would ask each were untenable seven Soldiers as posshort months ago. sible a chance for of you to seize every opSadly we bid farea breather at the well to 3-71 CAV and portunity to take care of each Warhorse Oasis. will soon bid farewell other and deliberately finish In 2012, I would to 5-1 CAV as they ask each of you to our work here in theater. continue mission seize every opporunder their parent tunity to take care brigade headquarters. of each other and We appreciate their contributions and wish deliberately finish our work here in theater. them well as they continue to take the fight to I wish you all a safe and happy 2012 and the enemies of the Afghan people. ask that you continue to pray for the families For the coming year, I resolve to take adof our fallen and wounded warriors. They vantage of the enemy “winter lull” to solidify are not forgotten.
I
New Year traditions from around the world • Afghanistan uses the lunar (moon) instead of the solar (sun) based calendar. Our March 20th, 2012 is the new year for Afghanistan and will celebrate the start of year 1391. • In Britain, “First Footing” is observed. A family will have good luck and prosperity if a tall, dark and good-looking man is the first person to enter the front door. • In Spain, people eat a grape with each chime of the clock, thus brining good luck for the coming 12 months • In Denmark, families save old dishes throughout the year to throw at the entrances of homes on New Year’s Eve. It is believed the more broken dishes at your door the more friends you have.
• In the U.S., Southerners eat black-eyed peas to attract both general good luck and financial good fortune. • For African Americans, New Year’s Day holds special significance because on Jan. 1, 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves, was read in Boston. • It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. • Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year’s Eve is believed to have originated in ancient times, when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck.
Page 2
Warhorse Pride Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSM Maj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAO Sgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOIC Sgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and Design Sgt. April York.........................................Layout and Design
Warhorse Pride
The Warhorse Pride is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Warhorse Pide is an Army-funded newsletter authorized under provision of AR 360-1. Contents of the Warhorse Pride are not necessarily the view of, nor endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry Division. All editorial content of The Warhorse Pride is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public
Issue 84 Dec. 31, 2011
Affairs Office. The Warhorse Pride welcomes articles, commentary and photos from readers. The Warhorse Pride reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication. All issues of The Warhorse Pride can be viewed online from your home computer at www.facebook. com/2bct4id Submissions should be e-mailed to the editor: seth.barham@afghan.swa.army.mil