Affected families hear from 1st AD

While the Cheneys were being grilled by 3rd grade students of U.S. soldiers at Yongsan Army Base, Seoul, the spouses of the 1AD were meeting with a Brig. General to get details on Bush's reneging on his promise of a limited 365 day tour of Iraq.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=21654

Families of 1st Armored Division soldiers got a shock this week when they learned their loved ones would be staying in Iraq for at least three more months instead of returning home.

Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling, the 1st AD’s deputy commander, flew back to Germany from Iraq to face the spouses during town meetings Friday at Hanau, Friedberg and Giessen. The meetings were closed to the press.

“We’re trying to convey that the commanders in Iraq are very interested in the welfare of the family members here in Germany,” Hertling said. “We want them to get the most up-to-date information on not only what’s happening in Iraq but also how well are being supported down there.”

Hertling said in a telephone interview that the Giessen meeting was 30 minutes of briefing followed by 2½ hours of questions. Meetings also are scheduled for Monday in Wiesbaden and Baumholder.