1. LONGRIFLEs WEEKLY
A publication of the 2/138th FAR
Commander’s Corner HOA deployment is home for
Veteran’s Day. You are now counted in the
ranks of veterans that have served during this Soldier
wartime overseas. Congratulations and
DJIBOUTI - Most
thank you!
Soldiers from the 2/138th
When I think of veterans I usually do not Field Artillery Regiment
think of the here and now , but reflect on the have been born and
ones I knew as a kid or as a young Soldier early in my career.
I listened to their stories and thought what that must have raised in Kentucky.
been like. Some of my classmate’s fathers served in WWII. Others are from states
Pam Verville’s dad was assigned to the USS Downes at Pearl such as Indiana, Florida
Harbor on December 7, 1941. Grant Felice’s dad went ashore and New York. But one
at Anzio, my uncle Frank was an RTO in Okinawa. bright, young soldier in
particular calls Africa his
From my firefighting career, I think about Tommy Faw, a
home.
Marine cannoneer; Larry Grimes, a Cobra gunship mechanic
in the 101st; Reno Day, a dog handler who openly admitted
he “cried like a baby” when he had to leave his dog behind in Pfc. Ismaila Pam, a
Vietnam. Harry Gilbert was a young infantryman in Grenada, Automated Logistical
Mike Bailey jumped into Panama and served in Desert Storm, Supply Specialist for the
both with the 82nd. 2138th Forward
I think about the boys from Bardstown, CSM(R) Jim Supplee, Support Company (FSC) of Louisville, KY, was born in
1SG(R) Pat Simpson and those that served in the battalion Mauritania, Africa, and grew up in Senegal.
during Vietnam. These people were and are my mentors and
friends. “Growing up in Africa was a good life.” said Pam, “Everyone
in the area is your family, you own most everything that
So Longrifles, as we do our part, what will be your story?
Thanks and Happy Veteran’s Day! you have to include your home, and electric was very
cheap.”
When asked how he ended up in the United States from such
CSM Thoughts a far away continent, Pam said that his father lived in the
United States for about 18 years. His father decided to stay in
Someone once said that ‘the future depends Louisville, Kentucky, because he had many friends in the area
on what we do today’. Those words hold very and he enjoyed the American lifestyle. He settled down and
true here in the Horn of Africa as we have decided to bring his family to him from Africa.
completed our first month of the deployment
with several more to go.
By the young age of 18, Pam had already completed high
It’s easy to get complacent once you’ve gotten into your routine school and two years of college in Senegal before moving to
here. So don’t. It’s when we start to take things for granted Kentucky. Although he could speak three languages, Wolof,
that accidents happen. Don’t forget ‘Safety First!’. Fulani and French and could read and write Arabic he didn’t
know English. Upon his arrival in Kentucky, he had to go
Soldiers of the 2/138th FAR are singled out by members of all
the other branches for doing great things here every day. This back to high school to learn the language, which brought his
is what we mean by ‘living the standard.’ total to four languages that he is able to speak.
Let’s continue doing great work, because the future of Djibouti, Shortly after his arrival to Louisville, Pam started working
Camp Lemonnier, and our reputation as Kentucky Soldiers is in the same restaurant as his father as a bus boy. He recalls
made today, but will last a lifetime.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >

2. HOA DEPLOYMENT CONTINUED FROM P. 1 > > > MWR Schedule
while on breaks he could see through the small window
looking into the kitchen how hard his father worked to be • Nov. 10- Kempinski Overnight Cost: E1-E6 $130, E7 &
able to provide for his family. Above $150
• Nov. 11- Whale Shark & Reef Diving 0730-1830 (See
At that point Pam decided that he was going to find another MWR Calender for prices)
trade to be able to help his father. He decided to join the • Nov. 12 - Wildlife Preservation 1600-1800 Cost: $8
Kentucky National Guard which enabled him to get a steady • Nov. 13 - Kokeb Ethiopian Dinner, Dance Show & Cof-
paycheck as well as be close to home. fee Ceremony 1830-2230 Cost: $30
• Nov. 14 - Cultures Restaurant Sushi Night 1830-2300
When asked how his family felt about him joining the Cost: E1-E6 $27, E7 & Above $31
military, he said his father is very proud of him and what he • Nov 15 - Dinner at the Kempinski 1800-2230 Cost: E1-
is doing although his mother isn’t too happy about it. She E6 $32, E7 & Above $37
worries about his deployment. Pam stated that it doesn’t
bother him and he wants to continue to serve because it is
something that he loves dearly.
Chaplain Reflections
Pam has family who still reside in Africa, to include his
Grandfather, Aunts, Uncles and even an older brother. If As Americans we have the privilege of voting
he gets the chance, he would love to be able to visit and see every day with our life. When the election
them while on his deployment. is over the hard work begins, taking up the
mandate of freedom and living like it makes a difference. In
With his unit in Africa, Pam is looking forward to all the a few days we will be remembering men and women who
possibilities that lie ahead. fulfilled the mandate of freedom with selfless sacrifice. We
“It’s very exciting, because we are going for peacekeeping call them Veterans. Some have voted for freedom with their
and not war,” he said with a smile. very life. Will there vote count? Will it matter? Perhaps it
depends on what we do today and everyday with the freedoms
offered to us on their altar of their sacrifice.
Soldier to Soldier Our national ethic, grounded deeply in religious roots, calls
us to service, duty, and generosity. Let us vote today and
• Any Soldier interested in getting their official or everyday by serving our families, our communities, and our
civilian passports, contact your battery Admin NCO nation, trusting God to supply us with wisdom, strength, and
• The UK vs. Duke game will be shown on the big provision to carry on freedom for our children’s children!
screen at 11 Degrees at 0530 on Wednesday, 14 Nov
-Chaplain Mark East
SSG T’s Pre-season CBB Top 3
1 Indiana Hoosiers: IU has four double-digit scorers, a great recruiting class, and key role players from
a team that reached the Sweet 16 and went 27-9 overall. They also gave eventual National Champion
Kentucky 1 of its only 2 losses on the season.
2 Louisville Cardinals: Rick Pitino has taken two teams of Cards into the Final Four, and his 2012-13
batch is by far his most experienced and talented team in the ‘Ville yet. Point guard Peyton Siva, forward
Chane Behanan, center Gorgui Dieng, Wayne Blackshear, Mike Marra and Kevin Ware are all outstanding.
The Cards will be too.
3 Kentucky Wildcats: John Calipari and the Wildcats literally start from scratch. Last year Lamb, Miller,
and Jones were returning starters and they gave the Cats a little more ‘umph’ down the stretch. No
returning starters this year but…. Each season with Calipari in Lexington the Cats have earned a No. 1 seed
and reached the Final Four twice, missing it his first season when W.Virginia upset the Cats in the Elite 8.
Longrifles Weekly Volume 1, Issue 4
Page 2 November 9, 2012