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Tuesday, May 26, 2009 4:58 PM Elm City soldier part of Iraq security detail By Sgt. Mary Phillips | Special to The Times BAGHDAD -- While Americans back home spent this Memorial Day remembering those who have given their lives for the cause of freedom, one Elm City man was doing his best to continue that long line of service. Pfc. Robert Kubas, a gunner for the personal security detail for the battalion commander of the 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division -- Baghdad, is deployed at Forward Operating Base Falcon in Iraq. "I felt like I had to give back to my country," said Kubas of why he joined the National Guard in February 2008. Kubas enlisted in the National Guard as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist, but most of his time on active orders has been spent training with the personal security detail, known in the military as a PSD. "I signed up to be on the PSD as soon as I heard they were forming a team," Kubas said. Soldiers interested in being part of the PSD were interviewed by Command Sgt. Maj. John Cole and Maj. Richard Glancy, both from the battalion's headquarters and headquarters company. "We know each other, and we've been working together long enough that we trust in each other and our leadership's decisions," Kubas said. During the brigade's mobilization at Camp Shelby, Miss., members of the PSD conducted training specific to their job, in addition to those skills and tasks being taught to the rest of the brigade's soldiers. Conducted in a mock Iraqi village, PSD soldiers focused mostly on protecting their charge, called their principal. "It just made things more real, and it made you realize that things are going to be out of your control," Kubas said. "That's really all the training is, it just allows you to realize that it's going to be hectic and you can rely on your training and your drills." While training and protection duties take up most of his time now, Kubas plans on taking online classes in his downtime. He already makes time to keep in contact with his parents, Tamsie and Jim Kubas, and his friends from home through e-mail and the Internet. "My grandma is taking a computer class at her church so she can e-mail me too," Kubas said. Kubas said strong family ties led him to enlist. "My dad served in the active Army for three years," Kubas said. "And I just felt it's one of those things you should do." |
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Remember Thanks said...
All I had to do was copy and paste,and this article came up. This is why the four way stop was put up at Lake Wilson Road, and London Church Road. My sympathy goes out to the Winstead Family. I hope some of the comments left by individuals about this young man after the delayed since is incorrect. Do we have to worry about him having military training, and coming back to the states.
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I knew that face said...All I had to do was copy and paste,and this article came up. This is why the four way stop was put up at Lake Wilson Road, and London Church Road. My sympathy goes out to the Winstead Family. I hope some of the comments left by individuals about this young man after the delayed since is incorrect. Do we have to worry about him having military training, and coming back to the states.
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Yes, this is the same young man. I hope he can get it together in the Army.
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:05 AM
tarheel02 i find it funny that you can speak about something you don't know anything about i highly advise that you keep your mouth shut and continue doing what you do best which is hiding behind your computer unless your serving our country give thanks to the boy and shut up
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 8:32 AM
i think that everone that doesnt really know anything about what happend that day should keep there mouth shut i don.t see you across the sea.s honoring our country only ridicouling and hiding behind your computer coward
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Anyone can have an accident and I have seen tempers on almost everyone flare. What happened was sad, but let us give credit where credit is due. Also, I wish The Wilson Times would do more military personell stories.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:13 PM
