Since deploying to Contingency Operating Base (COB) Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq in March 2009, the American Red Cross – Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) team “4:18 to Tikrit” has made some major accomplishments during the four and half months while deployed.

Some people have asked the question “why 4:18 to Tikrit?” Each time a team deploys they come together at National Headquarters in Washington, DC to attend briefings and begin Team Building to get to know each other and start to work as a team. Our original team was made up of four SAF members. We were going to be the 18th team to deploy to Tikrit. Using the movie theme “3:10 to Yuma” we agreed to name our team “4:18 to Tikrit”.

We have handled over 2,900 emergency communication messages, distributed over 9,000 lbs of Starbucks Coffee donated, hosted a monthly birthday event for four months (April-July), a “Pool Party for Boe” the combat stress dog of the 47th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), and supported National Nurses Week sponsored by the 47th CSH, two Health Fairs sponsored by the 325th Brigade Support Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division, and the Community Service Project (Kid’s Day for Tikrit Orphanage) hosted by the Special Troops Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division.

To add to all of the above we have manned a canteen operation to offer the military and civilian personnel serving on COB Speicher a place to get away from the daily grind. In the canteen there are TV/DVDs to watch with fresh baked bread on a couple of nights during the week and of course some fresh Starbucks Coffee to drink. Thanks to the “Sons of the American Legion” of Maine the team distributed over 1200 movies collected to Red Cross and Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) centers located throughout Iraq.

Our experiences will be memorable and hearing from service members and civilians who approach us and tell us “Thanks, for what you do” and the American Red Cross for being here for them.

“4:18 to Tikrit” recognizes that we couldn’t have done this job alone and have recognized over 120 military service members by presenting them with American Red Cross certificates of appreciation in recognition of their selfless service to the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. These were individuals who assisted us with delivery of ECMs and volunteering to help in distributing items and supporting our events during the past four and half months.

With just one week to go the we are crossing fingers and praying for good weather so that Team 19 makes it in on time and has a smooth transition.

We want to say thanks to all of our National Headquarters Staff, Service to the Armed Forces Department and the American Public who have supported us during this deployment in 2009. All of you put the meaning in the phrase “American Red Cross, we’re here when you need us most”. It goes without saying “Together we can change a Life!”

As team leader I would like to especially thank my wife Lorraine for her love and support during this deployment. I am looking forward to getting back home to Heidelberg, Germany.

Sincerely,

Peter Buttner

Team Leader, “4:18 to Tikrit”

Filed under: SAF