Another that came across the transom whilst I was away. …

I first met Brian Sullivan back in 1996 or ’97 when he showed up unannounced at the paper to announce that he was running for a seat in the state Legislature. In my past life as political editor here I got to meet a lot of people like that, and I can say without fear of being corrected that he is the only one who actually went on to be elected.

The University Place native served two terms in the state House representing the 29th District from

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Another installment from Lt. Col. Matt Green arrived while I was away.

A narrow sidewalk extends for about 15 meters from the street to the door of a small health clinic that is just beginning to show signs of life. Either side is flanked by fruit trees providing welcome shade in what is shaping up to be one of the first hot days of the year. Together with the front gate, the trees block the view to the neighborhood outside. You could almost forget you were in the heart of the killing fields three short months ago.

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The 1016th Quartermaster Company is due in at McChord Air Force Base this morning after nearly a year in Iraq. The company is based in Pocatello, Idaho, but about half its 160 or so soldiers are from Washington, with most of them from the Puget Sound area.

The 1016th survived a close call with the dreaded deployment extension. Counting the time the soldiers spent in training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the time they’ll spend demobilizing at Fort Lewis, they’ll have spent close to 16 months on active duty.

They tell it all in their own

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Back next week. See you then.

General Officer Management Office put out word Friday that President Bush has nominated Maj. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., for a third star and assignment as the commanding general at I Corps and Fort Lewis.

Jacoby is currently serving as the commanding general, U.S. Army Alaska, and deputy commander, U.S. Alaskan Command, at Fort Richardson.

He’ll succeed Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik, who is leaving to take over the Multi-National Security Transitation Command-Iraq. The change of command ceremony at Fort Lewis is scheduled for April 29 — CORRECTION: The ceremony is Monday,

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Careful followers of the Fort Lewis Stryker brigade story will probably recognize the 3rd Brigade officer who authored this anonymous testimonial on the Soldiers for the Truth web site.

The Army still hasn’t put anything out confirming that the 3rd Brigade Strykers will be extended in Iraq. But General Dynamics evidently thinks it’s a done deal.

Per a company press release Tuesday:

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $16 million contract modification for repairs on Stryker combat vehicles. The repairs are needed to support the Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment extension (emphasis added) of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, headquartered at

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Another letter home from Lt. Col. Matt Green. (You can read previous posts here and here.)

The noise of the engine rumbles steadily as we creep along. In spite of the decibels constantly bombarding the senses, the night seems quiet. The headset helps muffle some of the noise. I suppose the near total darkness tricks ears and brain into assuming it is quiet. We have been patrolling for several hours, rolling at a slow and deliberate pace through each of the varied neighborhoods in our sector. It is small relative to other sectors, but has more diversity than most. From the richest to poorest, oldest to newest, the area provides a wide range of possibilities and pitfalls.

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