Posted on 02/13/2006 10:28:55 PM PST by Critical Bill
In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful
To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall’ Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.
To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.
To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.
Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi’s followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.
I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.
The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.
God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.
Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven’t the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.
NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID AL-JIBOURI Mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Ninewa, Iraq
I'm intrigued. How can we know this is true?
Hope it true. Ping for later
Absolutely awesome. Thanks for posting this.
Faith?
I take your point but we know that the event described is true. What is there to gain in lying about this. The poster could easily have said it came from an un-named family living there rather than giving the name of a senior official.
Either way we know the the outcome of the battle for Fallujah regardless of wether or not this letter was sent and the event praised.
This was posted earlier and is from the Mudville Gazette. One of the comments posted to the letter said that a General Lynch quoted from the letter recently at a press briefing and it was for real. But it couldn't hurt to see something more official. Maybe our "press" will verify it...hahaha
If it's from Greyhawk, you can bet the farm on it. It's real if he says it is.
This brought tears to my eyes.
That seems to be a letter by the same person, but addressed to Gen Casey instead of the 3rd ACR and although written in obviously the same style, is a bit different.
Should be carved in stone, imo.
Different letter. I like the one at your link even better.
ping
Thanks for putting the huge "God Bless America!" lump in my throat...damn eyes watering...can't see the computer...
Amen. Our heroes are our children who fight for freedom in foreign lands and offer opressed people the blessings we take for granted.
We can't have this kind of stuff getting out to the public. Why, they might wonder why the MSM won't publish it. Can't have that. The Iraqis hate the US invaders. The NY Slimes sez so. Get it?
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