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Winter Storms: Car & Home Safety Tips

January 1, 2009 in Features, General Articles, Goverment, Holiday Posts, Human Interest, Military, Uncategorized by A Semo.net User

Provided by the Butler County Health Department

Winterizing a car includes checking: the ignition, cooling, fuel and exhaust systems, battery, lights, tires, heater, brakes, wipers, defroster and oil. Before a winter storm hits your area, fill up your car’s gas tank. A car survival kit consists of: flashlight, windshield scraper, paper towels, extra clothes, blankets, matches and candles, booster cables, a compass, maps, sand, chains and high calorie non-perishable food. Defensive Driving and Travel smart! Pump your breaks to stop on ice or snow. Plan your trip and let someone know your travel plans, route and estimated arrival time. Do NOT leave your car unless you see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Once a storm is over, you may need to leave the car to get help. Follow the road if possible. If you need to walk across open country, orient your route toward distant landmarks to maintain your sense of direction.
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Update from Iraq: Local Gifts Help Extend Message of Peace

October 21, 2008 in General Articles, Human Interest, Military by Brian Becker

This is a communication from MSG Jeffrey Pennington, currently stationed at Patrol Base Kaufman, Samarra, Iraq:

Since I last made a post we have experienced a lull in enemy activity, at least in our area. However we have had many of the soldiers in my unit begin to take their mid-tour leave which leaves everyone else stretched thin to pick up the slack. I myself have had to do the job of 2 people for 16-18 hour days 7 days a week for quite some time. I will never place blame on anyone who has the opportunity to go home on R&R for a couple weeks as it is well-deserved for the soldiers here and I’m certain their families appreciate it very much.

me-and-ssg-vassalli-before-the-eid-al-fitr-patrol.JPGUntil you actually experience war, it’s hard to describe what the emotional and physical aspect of living with 24/7 heightened situational awareness does to a person. In a nutshell, it drains the life out of you and appears to take a few years off the end of your life. With this tour things are looking much better for the war effort…I still look in a mirror everyday and see new gray. Maybe some of it is that I’m no spring chicken anymore and I don’t bounce back with as much vigor as a 25-year old.

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A “Thank You” to Patrol Base Kaufman!

August 30, 2008 in Features, General Articles, Military by Toni Thompson

It’s true, we’re being buffeted on all sides by the high cost of fuel, and by all the other prices that have shot into the stratosphere because of it. But it’s like they say: Whenever you’re having a perfectly hideous time of it, one of the best things you can do to regain a sense of contentment and balance is this…Find somebody out there that you can help, then focus on making that happen!

And, too, it is written (and you know, if it’s not actually written, then somebody ought to take this down right away):

Times may be hard,
the future may look rough;
but for a soldier in the field
anyone can score
a few Oreos with Double Stuff!

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Update from Iraq: For Al Qaeda, Nowhere to Hide in Samarra

August 28, 2008 in Features, General Articles, Military by Toni Thompson

This is a communication from MSG Jeffrey Pennington, currently stationed at Patrol Base Kaufman, Samarra, Iraq: 

Enemy activity here is starting to increase as we push Al Qaeda further out of the city. As their backs are against the wall, and they have few if any places to hide, more frequent battles have been taking place. One such battle [recently] claimed the life of a U.S. soldier in the unit that operates in Samarra with us.

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