10 posts tagged “iraq”
My dear friend kev is off to Iraq tomorrow. Twelve months without kev. Not fun to think about.
Be safe buddy and never forget how much I love and respect you. Can't wait to share more great times and create lots more wonderful memories.
The espresso machine is packed and ready for shipment once I get that address. LOL
The largest deployment of Wisconsin National Guard since WWII
From the Pentagon Channel:
I'll miss you kev. Be careful. I love you!
A friend of mine sent me the following email and photos from someone "Boots on the Ground" in Iraq on election day 31 January 2009:
Subject: Iraq election 31 Jan, from someone who is there
A friend of mine whose in-law relative is (Soldier's name deleted) sent this. I
thought you'd like to see it. His wife is also active duty, a Major in the
JAG corp. Both were deployed simultaneously at the beginning of this tour.
Four young daughters went home to grandparents...
Dear Family and Friends,
I just wanted to send a quick note about some good news that happened herein Iraq last Saturday, the 31st of January. On that day, the Iraqi peoplevoted in their first ever provincial elections since our invasion in ¹03.
This was the equivalent of our state elections.
The lack of violence on that day was nothing short of stunning. It was evenmore remarkable because the Iraqi security forces were truly in the lead, and executed their jobs very well.
Our forces coached them through the planning, as staff work is still new tothem, but the execution was all theirs. We helped them design the protective barriers around their polling sites, but they built them. We had
minimal combat troops out on the streets, and were forbidden from coming closer than 100 meters from the polling sites on Election Day.
Not only were we impressed, but so was the State Department and independent observers. Was the election perfect? Probably not, but it was credible. And that¹s what this country needs right now.
Having personally witnessed the violence and chaos of 2006, last Saturday left me speechless. To the Army, seeing this fills us with the pride only a parent can relate to. It has taken very close to six years and immeasurable
sacrifice by the Iraqis, their families, Americans and their families to ensure the success of a day like Saturday. Voting is the first step; those of us here know that the true test will arrive in the coming days, weeks and
years to continue the momentum of peaceful democracy. While on the street, it may have seemed like any other day; I will never forget it and am proud to have been here.
This year Iraq has two more elections. One will be for local (town) governments and the last will be a second national election. So we¹re not out of the woods; but for the first time, we can see the right trail.
Thank you all for your support. I don¹t thank any of you near enough. I and my troops do not take your thoughts and prayers (and goodies!) for granted. I had the pleasure of passing through the Atlanta airport in uniform last December. I was stunned by how many ³thanks for serving² and handshakes I received from strangers. I had assumed by now that the general public would have grown inured to seeing troops walking around in public spaces. I was wrong. It is truly heartwarming and it does make a difference.
I¹m including some picture from Election Day to give you a better feel. Please pass this email on to those who might be interested.
Take care,
(Soldier's name deleted) since I wasn't able to ask personally ask him for permission
For all the libtards, a$$hats and whiny Americans who don't support our troops and call them killers...take a gander at this video.
And for all those who love our country and support the awesome men and women of our Armed Forces - this video speaks for itself and confirms that our Warriors are well trained and believe that what they are doing is for the good of the Iraqis.
I won't give it all away but how interesting it was to hear that the Iraqis were giving directions to our Soldiers as to where the perps had run to hide. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....and they don't want us there?
"Doc" Tschiderer - a man I'd love to meet one day.
WOW! This gave me chills and weepy eyes! God Bless our military - ALL of them!
Take a minute to read this and then please explain to me about why I keep hearing that the war in Iraq is lost; that progress is stagnant; that the lives of all of those lost was for naught.
I received a rare email today from a friend of mine who is a Marine and who recently volunteered to return to Iraq. I'd like to share a part of it with you:
So we got a break from the 110 temps. Last night a kick in the butt sandstorm hit and visibility was slim. The enemy is frustrated and can't stand that every time they turn around there is a Marine there. We thwarted a complex ambush last week as we patrolled with the Iraqi's. They are getting stronger by the day and before you know it, they will ask us to leave. They have become so much stronger since my last deployment here it would truly astonish you. We had a young Marine get informed that he is now a dad. Proud and a bit different now that he knows he is a dad shows the true caliber of these studs overhear. They too should make you proud.
They continue to put in long days, bear the difficult environment and continue to accomplish the mission. All are in good spirits because they see first hand the difference they are making. I bet you haven't heard any crap story's on the news lately have ya?? Nope because all of the armed forces are kicking butt here. Thank you for all of our support and although you may not hear it in the news, you should be proud to be an American, by witnessing these Marines kick butt, I know I am. Semper Fi-Time for a cigar.
Just as I seem to stay annoyed with the media for not reporting about Afghanistan OR reporting via sensational methods, I stay as annoyed with the media for refusing to report ALL of the news out of Iraq. It's always nice to get the news "from the horses mouth." I'm sure the naysayers will discount this first hand report. But I know this Marine. He has little access to email and, more importantly, NO TIME to write stories like the one above unless it's the TRUTH. Furthermore he's definitely not the type to report anything other than the truth.
I stumbled across this video today and wanted to share. Not only does it show one happy little boy and his family but it shows that the Iraqis ARE stepping up to do the right thing. I couldn't help but wonder when watching the video how much the training of US and Coalition Forces made a difference in the way this all worked out.
Tissue alert when the young boy is in the vehicle with the Iraqi Forces and talking with, I assume, his family. He sure seems to be a brave young man.
