Oct 18, 2004 — Hundreds of soldiers from northern New York are serving on the front lines in Iraq. For many, the dangers and the moral dilemmas of war are eased by faith. But they're also living and fighting in a place where religion is a flashpoint for violence and hatred. In his latest audio diary, Major Eric Olsen -- an army chaplain from Saranac Lake -- talks with reservists in Iraq about hope and spiritual belief in a time of conflict.  Go to full article

Sep 23, 2004 — National Guard and Reserve soldiers are in greater demand this fall. After eight months of declining mobilizations, the Department of Defense is once again boosting the number of reservists on active duty. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Jul 05, 2004 — Over the last four months, New York's National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq have faced deadly rocket and mortar strikes. The attacks have tapered off in recent weeks, in part because of a campaign to hit back at insurgents. As our Iraq audio diary series continues, Army Chaplain Major Eric Olsen spends a night with a mortar crew hunting enemy attackers on the perimeter of an Army base north of Bagdad called Camp Orion.  Go to full article

Jun 18, 2004 — National guard soldiers from Plattsburgh and Chazy Lake were injured Wednesday in Iraq, when a rocket struck an Army base north of Bagdad. One of the soldiers has been medevac'd to Germany with a serious eye wound. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jun 17, 2004 — A deadly rocket attack hit an Army base on Wednesday that provides logistical support to New York reservists serving in Iraq. Three soldiers died at the base known as "Anaconda". The military hasn't released names pending notification of families. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Mar 29, 2004 — Hundreds of National Guard and Reserve soldiers from New York and Vermont are deployed in Iraq. For the next year, they'll serve alongside regular Army units, patrolling neighborhoods, doing reconstruction work, and fighting insurgents. In the coming weeks, Major Eric Olsen -- a chaplain from Saranac Lake -- will be sharing his audio diary, trying to give some sense of his daily experience. This morning, the journey begins at Fort Drum's Wheeler Sack Air Field, where the 2nd of the 108th Infantry battalion gathered in late February for their flight overseas.

Next Monday, Major Olsen's audio diary continues from Kuwait.  Go to full article