Five years ago, James Howard, veteran Radio Morning Show Host serving the Chattanooga metro and surrounding areas, embarked on his first goodwill mission to Iraq.

He chose to spend Christmas with Mike Battery Rear that included men from Chattanooga and surrounding areas serving in Fallujah. He wanted to bring “a piece of Chattanooga, a piece of home to the warfront in Iraq for our local troops serving there.”

In November, 2005, and December, 2007, with the same mission in mind, Mr. Howard returned to the region. This Sunday, he will leave for Iraq once again, taking “a piece of home” to 252nd Military Police Company, Tn. Army National Guard, and just like the last two times, he’s doing it by choice.

With the constant reports of death
and danger that encompass the region, some may ask why.

“The two biggest reasons that stick out in my mind is one, for Chattanoogans to know, to be aware that we have local troops - a soldier that could be your next door neighbor - fighting over there in the toughest parts of Iraq. It’s important for our community and for Chattanooga to be thinking and praying for our troops over there in Iraq.

"Of course we have troops from all over the country serving, but this is specifically for the troops that are fighting for our freedom from Chattanooga and the surrounding region as well as from all across the entire state of Tennessee. The second reason is simply to bring a little piece of home to these local soldiers on the warfront in Iraq,” said Mr. Howard.

According to his wife, Christy, she, along with their families, are very supportive of him as well. “Just knowing James’ heart...his heart
for the military, for the country, for wanting to support the local
troops and wanting them to know that people are behind them whether they’re for the war or not, and that the troops have the support of the people back home, that’s what matters. It’s also a morale booster and to remind them why they are there.”

Mr. Howard is a father of two girls, Gracie, nine, Lucy, one, and says he
understands the dangers going into this and that he does not take his
responsibilities lightly.

“I believe 100 percent in what I’m doing because I’m a father, I’m a
husband and I wouldn’t be risking my life 7,500 miles away from home
just to do this,just to do it. I truly believe - starting with the
very first trip - that it made a difference in the lives of those
marines, soldiers and family members.

"Being 7,500 miles away from their parents and even though they can call them every once in a while, there’s something about a hometown radio/TV guy that goes over there - someone who’s a normal citizen - eating Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with them.

"Through my position in the local media, I am able to report back what these soldiers are doing on a daily basis so that everybody in the area can hear and remember to be praying for those soldiers and for this war.”

There are over 170 men and women serving in Iraq from across the
entire state of Tennessee. You can hear reports from Mr. Howard during the next two weeks by watching News 12 This Morning.

He will be at a location outside of
Baghdad, Iraq with the 252nd MP Company Tennessee Army National Guard
out of Cleveland, which includes men and women serving from the entire
state of Tennessee. His reports will reach across the entire state through media outlets in the Knoxville, Nashville, Jackson and Memphis areas.

Mr. Howard has also authored a children’s book titled, “What’s Iraq Like, Daddy?” that will be passed out to the children of the men and women
of the 252nd MP Company Tennessee Army National Guard prior to his
departure.

Mr. Howard will fly out on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. from the Chattanooga Airport. The public is invited to show their support and
see him off on the date of his departure. He is scheduled to return
Sunday, Dec. 20, arriving at the Chattanooga Airport.

To show support for local soldiers, a banner courtesy of Benchmark Therapy, that he will personally deliver in Iraq, will be available for signing at Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tn., between the hours of 10 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.

For more information or to contact Mr. Howard, call 423 584-3040, or you can email him at newssports@wdefradio.com.