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108th Armor responds to attack on polling place

10/17/05
Staff reports


BAGHDAD — In the run up to the vote on Iraq's constitution, members of the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment responded to a terrorist mortar attack on a polling site by returning fire to drive the terrorists away.

A patrol from the Calhoun-based National Guard unit was in south Baghdad Thursday when the attack occurred, according to military officials.

Soldiers in the 108th Armor also provided medical care to two Iraqi civilians, including one child, who sustained minor injuries when the terrorist rounds detonated.

The patrol treated both civilians’ wounds at the scene.

“I am not surprised that the terrorists would target the innocent people of Iraq,” said Maj. Liston Edge, an operations officer for the 48th Brigade Combat Team. “I am just proud that we are able to provide support to their security forces in such an efficient way.”

Soldier from LaFayette injured by bomb in Iraq

09/02/05
Nathan Frick


A local soldier serving with the Georgia National Guard in Iraq was injured in combat by a roadside bomb and is in serious but stable condition, according to family members.

Sgt. 1st Class Andrew "Andy" Gideon, 40, of LaFayette, was riding in the lead Humvee of a convoy when it was struck by an improvised explosive device.

The exact date of the explosion has not been released by the Army, but family members say the incident apparently occurred around Aug. 28-29.

The explosion also injured the driver of the Humvee that Gideon was riding in.

Gideon’s father, Raymond Gideon, also of LaFayette, said his son has been transferred to Landspool Medical Center in Germany for treatment and recovery.

His son has shrapnel in his chest, neck, and back, Raymond said. The family was told Andy could be there three to six days before coming back to an U.S. hospital

Andy Gideon is a part of the 48th Brigade 108th Armored 3rd division from Calhoun serving in Iraq. He was as a trooper first class with Georgia State Patrol Post 41 in LaFayette before being called up by the Army in October.

This was Gideon’s first tour of duty in Iraq.

Gideon has been with the brigade in Iraq since May. The brigade has more than 2,700 members from across the state.

Gideon has two stepchildren, one brother and parents who live in LaFayette.

His wife, Evelyn Brown Gideon, and all the family members thank everyone for their concern, thoughts, and prayers.