LV woman’s son a combat medic
Thursday, April 22, 2004 | 8:44 a.m.
The son of a Las Vegas woman is changing lives in at least one town in Iraq for the better, according to Army officials.
Army Pfc. Dante Rackley, son of Quay Reed of Las Vegas, is a member of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The unit is charged with keeping the peace and protecting the lives, property and new-found freedom of residents of Kirkuk and its surrounding communities.
The 2nd Battalion serves a dual role that has soldiers working door-to-door and face-to-face with the people of Kirkuk as a local police force, while providing protection for the city in the form of Howitzer cannons.
"I'm a combat medic with this field artillery unit," Rackley said. "I ensure all of the soldiers get the medical treatment they need when they're sick or wounded. My fellow soldiers depend on me to keep them healthy so they can accomplish the mission."
Centered in northern Iraq, Kirkuk is the focal point of Iraq's oil industry. This area is considered a cultural hotbed because of the population mix of Turkomans, Kurds and Arabs.
"We're protecting the Iraqis here as they try to rebuild their country," he said. "We go on patrols in the city, conduct raids on suspects' homes to look for illegal arms or signs of criminal activity, assist the local Iraqi police and let the people know we're here to help them."
Rackley knows that for the Iraqis who desire peace and for the American soldiers protecting them, there is much work ahead. The intensity of the mission has this soldier looking forward to returning to the simpler things from life back at home.
"When I get back, I'm going to go see my mom," he said. "I want my family to know that I love and miss them. I also want them to know that they don't need to worry about me -- I'm fine and I'll see them soon."
Rackley is proud of his role in Operation Iraqi Freedom and vows to do whatever is necessary to maintain stability in this region and give the Iraqis the chance to create a free society.
In brief
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Police arrest 2 more in fatal shooting of Metro officer
- Illness theory gaining ground for gambling addiction
- At CityCenter, it’s not your usual uniforms for workers
- Rebels wake up Sunday with top RPI
- Ex-ACORN official gets probation for voter registration plan
- Carl Icahn offers $156 million for Fontainebleau, outbids Penn National
- UFC 106 walk-in music: Griffin changes his tune, secures win over Ortiz
- Woman dies in house fire in western valley
- Despite economy, swank of lawmaker’s fundraisers not in recession
- Vegas-based Majestic Star Casino seeks bankruptcy
Blogs
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond within reach of Dancing With the Stars victory
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Doug Hampton's 15 minutes go national: "Nightline" transcript (4 Comments)
Elsewhere
Spike TV confirms Kimbo on TUF Finale (1 Comment)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
DWTS Finale: Top three couples perform three dances
High School Sports Scene
How Gorman saved the school district thousands
Politics: Ralston's Flash
GOP consultants Rogich, Ernaut back Democratic AG's re-election (4 Comments)
Audio: Ex-Gov. Bob List accuses Harry Reid of "abuse of power" on health care (1 Comment)
Calendar »
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
- 28 Sat
-
Thanks-Spinning with Z-Trip at Moon
Moon Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Food Drive at Coyote Ugly
Coyote Ugly | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Surfer Blood with ACoSA at Beauty Bar
Beauty Bar | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Ladies night at Feelgoods
Feelgoods
-
Canned food drive at Pure
PURE | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati












