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Santa Delivers to Baqubah

By Maj. Raul E. Marquez  

Today began like every other day; Soldiers woke up, took care of their personal hygiene, conducted their shift change brief, and went to eat breakfast or began working.

Sgt 1st Class David D. McDaniels, Task Force Blue first sergeant, woke up early Christmas day to deliver care packages sent by "Soldiers Angels" and the Redwood, Calif., Civil Air Patrol, to the Soldiers assigned to TF Blue at the Governance Center in Baqubah, Iraq. TF Blue is in charge of training and equipping the Iraqi Police. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Raul E. Marquez, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

But this was no ordinary day, and the Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, assigned to Task Force Blue at the Governance Center in Baqubah, Iraq, knew that. Today is Christmas, and by the looks of it, Santa did not get shot on his way to the GC!

"We got presents from family, friends, and new friends now," said Capt. Jason K. Lindegren, supply officer for Task Force Blue, and a native of Alvada, Colo. "I also got a little Soldier figurine that will go with me in every mission from my children; I got gloves that are fire retardant that I can wear on missions; I even got a little Soldier ducky from my in-laws."

Capt. John Baumann, assistant operations officer for Task Force Blue, a native of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Lindegren's roommate, said his family sent him sheets for his bed, and his aunt and uncle from Guam sent him gifts and snacks.

Lindegren and Baumann were not the exception this Christmas at the GC. Every Soldier assigned to the GC received a care package sent through an organization called Soldiers Angels, by the Redwood, Calif., Civil Air Patrol, and delivered earlier this morning by Sgt 1st Class David D. McDaniels, Task Force Blue first sergeant, and a native of Spokane, Wash.

Task Force Blue leadership serves lunch to Soldiers during their Christmas meal at the Governance Center in Baqubah, Iraq. TF Blue is in charge of training and equipping the Iraqi Police. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Raul E. Marquez, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

McDaniels spread Christmas cheer not only to the Soldiers at the GC, but also to the Iraqi Army Soldiers and Police officers working at the numerous checkpoints guarding the GC.

He said he delivered some thermoses with tea to the IA and IP officers who have been roughing it up to keep the GC safe.

McDaniels, whose family is currently spending Christmas in Disney, Fla., said that under the circumstances, this is the place he would rather spend such an important day - with his Task Force Blue family.

According to McDaniels, this Christmas is different than his prior deployments because he is assigned to a small compound with such a small amount of personnel rather than a larger base.

He said being here has also allowed him to get closer to every Soldier, since they have to do everything themselves, even during Christmas, unlike on a big Forward Operating Base, where the Morale Welfare and Recreation personnel take care of all the days activities.

"As the Task Force first sergeant, it is my job to try to make this day a special date for the Soldiers," he said. "To make sure they are not messed with, that they are allowed to do what they want to do. If they want to come and play volley ball, they can do it - they don't have to though."

As part of today's festivities, the dining facility prepared a feast for the Soldiers here; there was turkey, roast beef, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing - all the food and fixings the Soldiers are accustomed to eating at home, but this time served by the officers and NCOs of Task Force Blue.

Soldiers and workers of Task Force Blue enjoy a friendly game of volley ball after their holiday meal at the Governance Center in Baqubah, Iraq, Dec. 25. TF Blue is in charge of training and equipping the Iraqi Police. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Raul E. Marquez, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Additionally, the movie "A Christmas Story," was playing throughout the meal.

"It was really good to have the leadership working together to serve and make this a special day for the Soldiers," said Sgt. Alvin Ponce de Leon, supply sergeant for Task Force Blue, and a native of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. "It's not like the type of Christmas I usually celebrate at home with my wife and kids, but it is still a good Christmas."

Ponce de Leon's Christmas presents from his parents and his wife included typical "Puerto Rican" products, candy, and good coffee.

As expressed by most of the Soldiers assigned to the Governance Center - while it wasn't Christmas at home, this was a good Christmas with their Army family.

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