 | Sgt. Nicolas Thornbro graduated from Marion High School, Marion, Kansas in 1997. He joined the United States Army immediately following graduation. He was deployed in February 2004 and is currently serving with the 1st Infantry Division’s Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment in Iraq. His home station is with the 1/18th in Schweinfert, Germany. Thornbro has received numerous awards, ribbons and medals including the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Achievement Award, the National Defense Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Assault Badge (wings), the Parachutes Badge (airborne wings), the Expert Infantrymans Badge, and the rarely given Gold German Proficiency Badge. Nicolas’s training includes several advanced programs at Ft. Benning, Ft. Campbell and Ft. Bragg. Sgt. Thornbro and his wife, Karen, have 5 children, including the newest member... a baby boy born this past July. You may contact Sgt. thornbro by mail at: Sgt. Nicolas J. Thornbro, HHC TF 1/18 IN, 2 BCT 1 IN DIV FWD, FOB Danger, APO AE. |
Defending America
2004-07-01 10:05:00
The ‘Sunni Triangle’
ANSWER: There are probably lots of places one can find an answer to this question. One of the best might be an answer given by a group called 'Human Rights Watch'. It certainly parallels what all soldiers are taught during their training. An occupying power is responsible for respecting the fundamental human rights of the population under its authority. All persons shall be treated humanely and without discrimination. This includes respecting family honor and rights, the lives of persons, and private property, as well as religious and customary beliefs and practice. Women shall be especially protected against any attack, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution, or any form of indecent assault. Everyone shall be treated with the same consideration by the occupying power without any adverse distinction based, in particular, on race, religion or political opinion. Private property may not be confiscated. However, an occupying power may take such measures of control and security as may be necessary as a result of the war.An occupying power is specifically prohibited from carrying out reprisals and collective penalties against persons or their property and from taking hostages. In general, no one can be punished for acts for which he or she has not personally committed. All parties to a conflict are required to provide information on prisoners of war and "protected persons" (civilian nationals) in their custody. The occupying power is prohibited from forcibly transferring protected persons outside of the occupied territory for whatever reason. Foreign nationals in the occupied territory are generally protected by international humanitarian law, especially when they do not come under the protection of their own diplomatic representatives.The Fourth Geneva Convention permits the internment or assigned residence of protected persons for "imperative reasons of security." This must be carried out in accordance with a regular procedure permissible under international law and allow for the right of appeal and for review by a competent body at least every six months. The Fourth Geneva Convention provides detailed regulations for the humane treatment of internees.
