Iraq Update

E-mail from Iraq | 6/25/04 | Bruce In Iraq

[OneLoyalAmerican]

I'm here with the Marines at Fallujah. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm at the internet cafe and we only get 30 minutes time.

We had a mortar round land here this morning. One marine injured and one flown out for surgery. People here are great. I wish all Americans were as cool as these Marines. OOHRAH!

We fly out to Al Ramadi tonight and then to Al Asad. I guess you heard about the turnover. It caught the bad guys off guard by doing it 2 days early. There is really no more activity than usual, but you can never afford to let your guard down for a minute.

It's still hot as hell, so you are drinking water constantly. You remember when you were in Bahrain how hot it can get. The flak vests and helmets make it worse. I like to fly with the doors wide open so you get the wind in your face.

Well the clock is ticking so I better get off so a young Marine can get on line to his family. Talk to you soon

Your friend Bruce

[stand watie]

!!!!!!

Frank A. M________________, (my roomie) is on the staff at the PALACE in b'dadh.

he says that what is being reported here is BRAVO SIERRA of the most pernicious kind.

S______ talked to him just about an hour ago. nothing has changed!

free dixie,sw

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump and hugs!

[Justa]

The flags are being flown at half staff for President Reagan, not for some ceremony. Slanted, innaccurate reporting as usual.

[Valin]

From the Greenside (a Marine blog
http://www.thegreenside.com/story.asp?ContentID=9366
Jun 2, 04
(snip)
As far as Falluja goes, we have not been allowed to get back in there with any real numbers yet. Initially, it was confounding. However, a very interesting dynamic has developed. Since we have stayed out of Falluja and focused elsewhere, the mujahadeen have had their run of the town. As they have had no one to fight, they have turned their criminal instincts on the citizens. The clerics who once were whipping these idiots into a suicidal frenzy are now having to issue Fatwas (holy decrees) admonishing the muj for extortion, rape, murder and kidnapping. It is unfortunate for the "innocent people" of Falluja but the mujahadeen have betrayed themselves as the thugs that they are by brutalizing the civilians. There are, in fact, reports of rape, etc from inside the town.

While the muj are thugging away inside the town, we are about 1/2 mile away paying claims, entering into dialogue and contracting jobs. The citizens come outside the city for work and money and are treated like human beings. They go back inside and enter a lawless hell. In short, the muj have done more to show the people what hypocrites they are in a few short weeks than we could have hoped for in a year. The result is more and more targetable intelligence. If we are given the green light, we can really go to town on these guys (no pun intended). However, as much as we would like to do just that, the optimal solution is to empower the Iraqis to take care of it themselves. That is precisely what we are doing.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

June 30, 2004

Bruce:

Hope this finds you in good spirits. Naturally, we’re pleased President Bush outfoxed the Islaminazi’s and the international socialist/communist axis of evil. Today when I FReeped the NOAC rally in Cleveland, the socialist “good ship lollypop,” had no hot air for her tattered sails.

One mope was so worried; he approached me to ask I was working for the Department of Homeland Security, LOL! Then the lefty suggested I should see… “…the movie.”


Told him I’m and adult, regularly read news, and understand Fahrenheit 911 is as close to a documentary; as the Wizard of Oz is to a climatic study. Then I asked Mr. Lefty if he was ready for Iran, since the evidence is beginning to show Iran played a role in the September 11 attack. He retorted what about “Saudi Arabia.” I replied yes, Saudi that would be good place to start a democracy too. ROFL!


Again your e-mail is well received, and folks are anxious for pictures. Understand bandwidth is narrow it could take an hour to transmit one photograph. Send ‘em, I’ll post ‘em. ;^9


This email was posted here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1162465/posts?
for the world to see.

With comments for our favorite “imbedded contractor,” as he works with America’s finest; to improve the lives of the long oppressed Iraqi people, inshallah.

--
Thanks for the post and like the others tell them all that my Prayers and thoughts for them all are constantly INCOMING.
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Bump, for Bruce and his loyal Eagle brother.
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Please tell Bruce that we have Pastors, Veterans, Mothers - patriots across America working to get the word out about the importance of voting this election year.
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Joining so many others in prayer daily for the troops. Count on it, and no matter the nonsense in the news - we're finding the truth, and passing it on.
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It is so nice to read words from the front and the positive impact they are making.
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Caught the badguys off guard, love it.
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Good luck to Bruce.
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GET THE REAL NEWS FROM IRAQ PING!
OneLoyalAmerican : Thanks Chief for the update!
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Thank you Bruce......
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This is more good news for this Mom waiting on word from Marine son.
Thanks
Semper Fi
Marine wife/mom nanna of6
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Please add me to your 'PING' list for any further emails from this guy. Thanks.
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Thanks, OLA, for the ping to Bruce's update. And thank YOU for your service to America.
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A big bump for Bruce!
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Prayers going up for all of you over there. My son is considering the Marine Corps. You guys are awesome.
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This Bruce guy has been promising us pictures for weeks. What's up with that or is he just a tease?
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Thanks for the ping. Everyone needs to be alert now.
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Great Post. Love to see the observations from the person on site, not spun, filtered, slanted or viewed througha prism.
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Please continue to protect our military, O God our King, and all who are there for the benefit of the people of Iraq!
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!!!!!!
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Frank A. M. (my roomie) is on the staff at the PALACE in b'dadh.
He says that what is being reported here is BRAVO SIERRA of the most pernicious kind.
Talked to him just about an hour ago, nothing has changed!
--
Bump and hugs!
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REUTERS/Nikola Solic U.S. Army troops of the 1st Cavalry division's 2nd Battalion arrive for a dawn ceremony in which the Iraqi flag was raised for the first time, and U.S. flag lowered to half staff, at a base in south eastern Baghdad June 29, 2004. The battalion shares the base with Iraq's National Guard. The United States handed over sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government on Monday, formally ending a 14-month occupation two days earlier than expected to try to forestall guerrilla attacks.
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The flags are being flown at half staff for President Reagan, not for some ceremony. Slanted, inaccurate reporting as usual.
--
From the Greenside (a Marine blog
http://www.thegreenside.com/story.asp?ContentID=9366
Jun 2, 04
(snip)
As far as Falluja goes, we have not been allowed to get back in there with any real numbers yet. Initially, it was confounding. However, a very interesting dynamic has developed. Since we have stayed out of Falluja and focused elsewhere, the mujahadeen have had their run of the town. As they have had no one to fight, they have turned their criminal instincts on the citizens. The clerics who once were whipping these idiots into a suicidal frenzy are now having to issue Fatwas (holy decrees) admonishing the muj for extortion, rape, murder and kidnapping. It is unfortunate for the "innocent people" of Falluja but the mujahadeen have betrayed themselves as the thugs that they are by brutalizing the civilians. There are, in fact, reports of rape, etc from inside the town.

While the muj are thugging away inside the town, we are about 1/2 mile away paying claims, entering into dialogue and contracting jobs. The citizens come outside the city for work and money and are treated like human beings. They go back inside and enter a lawless hell. In short, the muj have done more to show the people what hypocrites they are in a few short weeks than we could have hoped for in a year. The result is more and more targetable intelligence. If we are given the green light, we can really go to town on these guys (no pun intended). However, as much as we would like to do just that, the optimal solution is to empower the Iraqis to take care of it themselves. That is precisely what we are doing.
--
Be safe, God Bless, and let Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children know we’re 100% behind them. OORAHH!

Your Eagle brother,
Joe

[SAMWolf]

Bump

[Fawnn]

Bump!

Thanks, Tonk!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Hey Chief
I can FReep tonight with peace of mind!
ALL AOPS entries for Station Coos Bay
for Jan 1-June 30 FINISHED today and on time!

[VOA]

A U.S. Army soldier and members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, (ICDC), ride on
top of an armored vehicle following a joint patrol through the streets of of
Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 29, 2004

When this chapter on The War On Terror is closed, I hope the USA can strike some
medals for the Iraqis who had the courage to join the ICDC (and other
units)...and for the ones who've gotten killed in the line of duty.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Guns:
Bet your shipmates are pretty happy you help them out with AOPS entries.
Semper Paratus,
OLA

[OneLoyalAmerican]

When this chapter on The War On Terror is closed, I hope the USA can strike some medals for the Iraqis who had the courage to join the ICDC (and other units)...and for the ones who've gotten killed in the line of duty.

Excellent point! Something you'll never see on the chest of a Frenchman.

[smokeyb]

Thanks for the ping.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I'm a Coast Guard AOPS physics major
Coast Guard physics = 1 boat with 2 different crews at SAME time
OR
2 boats out with only one entry
OR
Boat goes out BUT never come back in
LOL

[VOA]

Excellent point! Something you'll never see on the chest of a Frenchman.

H-ll, the French (well, at least the politicians) won't send peacekeepers
to help with the elections (in Iraq, I think I heard on the news).

I don't know the current number, but I think I heard a few months ago that something
like nearly 700 Iraqis had died while serving in the ICDC or similar functions.

I don't care if some are serving just to cope with the current unemployment situation...
they deserve recognition when things have settled down (and the "dead-enders" are either
dead or holed up in caves in some other region).

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Thanks OneLoyalAmerican and Bruce you to Tonk

God Bless you guys and Our Troops

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[sneakers]

Thanks for pinging me OLA!

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Thanks for the ping and writing those words of truth and support.

[sns5151]

Way to go guys!

This weekend,

My family will not only be celebrating Our Country's day of independence,

prayers of thanks and joyous celebrations for the people of Iraq

and the Coalition of the Willing,
will be honored at our table all weekend long

with flags on high.



Attention: It's 9:00 p.m.

Do you know where your patriotic support lies?

Remember the Red-White-Blue
these colors never run.

So, Let Freedom Ring!



Semper Fi,

Marine wife/mom nanna of6