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Shout-outs keep families in touch
jp shoutout
Staff Sgt. Timothy Eye, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. chaplain assistant, sends a video greeting to his wife Jennifer and two children Kyle and Sabrena - photo by U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq — Family members of deployed servicemembers will now have a new way to see their loved ones each week.
Despite being separated by an ocean and thousands of miles, friends and loved ones will be able to see videos of their servicemembers on the Internet.
The Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System center in Atlanta, a civilian based enterprise that transmits armed services news to media outlets, offers shout-outs as one of their products.
“It gives soldiers a chance to send a message home, show family members how they look and how they are doing,” said Spc. Randall Townsend, with the 302nd Mobile Public Affairs detachment out of California.
Townsend, who records the shout-outs, said it’s also a good opportunity to see the environment where the soldiers are staying. Townsend is currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and plans to record soldiers all around the forward operating and patrol bases.
“I just wanted to say hi to the folks back home; my mom, dad, son, daughters and girlfriend,” said Capt. Shane Williams, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT commander. “I think this is a great way for soldiers) to keep their loved ones informed and a chance to be on TV.”
Currently, the brigade has plans to film 10-15 soldiers every Sunday. The video will then be uploaded onto the DVIDS homepage on Mondays.
All the Task Force Marne brigades conduct their versions of shout-outs. Third Infantry Division brigades are currently shooting “Thank You” greetings to show the Columbus and Savannah, areas that soldiers appreciate their support.
Besides shout-outs to family members, soldiers are also encouraged to do to interviews with their hometown news outlets.
“Anytime family members see you, well it is a good thing,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Eye, chaplain assistant, who sent a shout-out to his wife Jennifer and children Kyle and Sabrena. “It allows me to let them know I think and care about them.”
Families can view the video of their soldier by logging onto the Internet at: www.dvidshub.net

Stabinsky is a writer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
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