Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Four soldiers hitch a deluxe ride home with Gates
Washington Post ^ | December 10, 2010 | Craig Whitlock

Posted on 12/10/2010 6:36:24 PM PST by Pan_Yan

Four U.S. soldiers going home on leave from Afghanistan hitched a sweet ride out of the war zone Thursday by snagging seats on a special flight: the 747 Boeing aircraft that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates uses to crisscross the globe.

...

For instance, married couple had been deployed to Kandahar, the traditional heartland of the Taliban. Husband and wife each hold the rank of Sgt. First Class and have spent at least 14 years in the armed forces. They have deployed four times during their careers: to Kosovo, twice to Iraq and now Afghanistan. They're headed to Texas to see their kids, ages 5, 4 and 2, who are being cared for by a relative while Mom and Dad are serving in Afghanistan.

...

Besides grabbing a seat with secretary of defense, the soldiers got another treat during a stopover Thursday night in Abu Dhabi, where Gates's traveling party stayed at the Emirates Palace Hotel, a five-star temple of marble, beachfront and sky-high prices. The soldiers didn't have to pay for their rooms, but they did snap plenty of pictures of the splendiferous building and grounds.

(Excerpt) Read more at voices.washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; army; gates

1 posted on 12/10/2010 6:36:31 PM PST by Pan_Yan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

Kool!


2 posted on 12/10/2010 6:47:06 PM PST by doc1019 (Martyrdom is a great thing, until it is your turn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

NOT to be confused with a ‘Slow Ride...’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCNcgoyG_0

Did you need me to link even MORE videos/songs/fun stuff for your kids? :)

Reminder:

Badger!Badger!Badger!
Who Loves The Chocolate?
Cat! I’m a Kitty Cat!

Merry Christmas, FRiend! :)


3 posted on 12/10/2010 6:51:32 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I love Foghat!

Your video collection, however, is another thing entirely. My daughter still does that little dance occasionally just to see me cringe.

Merry Christmas to you too, FRiend.


4 posted on 12/10/2010 6:55:12 PM PST by Pan_Yan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

You can NEVER stop the Kitty Cat. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt4zvJNXbdI

Lets spread the love, shall we? LOL!


5 posted on 12/10/2010 6:58:42 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

And...who can’t help but LOVE Foghat? I mean, the name ALONE was golden, LOL!

Take It Easy,

Me :)


6 posted on 12/10/2010 7:05:34 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan
Patton was visiting a hospital in Africa and talked to a
soldier who had gotten a “million dollar wound” and was
being sent home. He told Patton that he was disappointed
because he had wanted to see some of the continent. Patton
had his personal pilot take him on a quick tour before he
shipped out.
7 posted on 12/10/2010 7:23:15 PM PST by CrazyIvan (What's "My Struggle" in Kenyan?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

US Government aircraft has empty seats? Fill them with US soldiers. What’s the fuss about?


8 posted on 12/10/2010 7:28:07 PM PST by B4Ranch (Do NOT remain seated until this ride comes to a full and complete stop! We're going the wrong way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

Schweet. the Emirates Palace looks like a nice place. :-)


9 posted on 12/10/2010 8:18:22 PM PST by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: B4Ranch

I wonder if he asked them their honest opinion on DADT?


10 posted on 12/11/2010 5:31:43 AM PST by panthermom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: panthermom

If I’d been there I would have told him. LOL

Sir, life is hard enough out here. We don’t need any queers in our quarters to add to the stress.


11 posted on 12/11/2010 7:44:25 AM PST by B4Ranch (Do NOT remain seated until this ride comes to a full and complete stop! We're going the wrong way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Pan_Yan

Anyone wondering why the SEcDef needs a 747 to criss-cross the globe?


12 posted on 12/13/2010 10:24:16 AM PST by bt_dooftlook (Democrats - the party of Amnesty, Abortion, and Adolescence)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bt_dooftlook
Anyone wondering why the SEcDef needs a 747 to criss-cross the globe?

My guess would be that he not only has to lug around a press corps, but enough staff to be in charge of two wars simultaneously as well as troops and ships flung across the globe. Now why Zer0 needs a 747 I don't know.

13 posted on 12/13/2010 10:30:47 AM PST by Pan_Yan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson