Warhorse Pride

our gains, deliberately transition our mis-sion here in theater to 2/2 IN, prepare and redeploy the brigade safely to Fort Carson, find a little more time to contact my Family,

and give as many Soldiers as pos-sible a chance for a breather at the Warhorse Oasis.

In 2012, I would ask each of you to seize every oppor-tunity to take care of each other and

deliberately finish our work here in theater. I wish you all a safe and happy 2012 and

ask that you continue to pray for the families of our fallen and wounded warriors. They are not forgotten.

Serving the Soldiers, Civilians and Families of 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

A New Year’s message from Col. John S. Kolasheski

The 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 Re-hearsal Exercise. Upon returning, we imme-diately 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 to reposition forces to new areas in an effort to maintain pressure on the insurgents while expanding the reach of the Afghan govern-ment into areas that were untenable seven short months ago.

Sadly we bid fare-well to 3-71 CAV and will soon bid farewell to 5-1 CAV as they continue mission under their parent brigade headquarters. We appreciate their contributions and wish them well as they continue to take the fight to the enemies of the Afghan people.

For the coming year, I resolve to take ad-vantage of the enemy “winter lull” to solidify

Issue 84 Dec. 31, 2011

In 2012, I would ask each of you to seize every op-

portunity to take care of each other and deliberately finish our work here in theater.

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 en-ter 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.

Warhorse PridePage 2 Issue 84 Dec. 31, 2011

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 news-letter 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

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:[email protected]

Col. John S. Kolasheski...................2nd BCT CommanderCommand Sgt. Maj. Ralph Delosa..............2nd BCT CSMMaj. Kevin Toner................................................2nd BCT PAOSgt. Seth Barham..................................................PAO NCOICSgt. Ruth Pagan......................................Layout and DesignSgt. April York.........................................Layout and Design

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