Dear Editor,

I just received the January 2007 196th Light Infantry Brigade Association newsletter that my wife forwarded to me. I want you to know that today I am wearing my 196th LIB combat patch on my ACU's. So far, I am the only person that I have seen in Iraq wearing it. At times I also wear my Americal patch and there are three of us here at Camp Victory that proudly wear it.

I joinded the Army in 1969 and served with the Americal Division Band from June 1971 until the division stood down. After the division stood down, the Division Band became the 196th Light Infantry Brigade Band (the only brigade in Vietnam to have it's own band).

After returning from Vietnam, I transferred to the Army Reserve, where I was commissioned in 1977. I served in the reserve until I transferred to the Retired Reserve in January 1997, after having been activated for Operation Desert Storm.

I was recalled to active duty for 18 months the 30th of July 2006 and I currently serve as the Deputy Corps Transportation Officer for Multi-National Corps - Iraq at Camp Victory in Baghdad.

I will turn 60 years old during my time in Iraq. I enjoy receiving the newsletters and will try to even write something for it. I would love to attend the reunion, but it is being held shortly after my R&R leave and I will be back in Baghdad at the time of the reunion.

I have visited the Brigade Headquarters in Hawaii and hope to do so soon after I return to retired status.

I hope everyone has a great time at the reunion.

Regards,

LTC Emory (Bob) Clifton

EMORY R. CLIFTON
LTC, TC
Deputy Corps Transportation Officer
Multi-National Corps-Iraq
Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq
APO, AE 09342

DSN (318) 822-2485
bob.clifton@us.army.mil
emory.clifton@us.army.smil.mil