Posted on 12/08/2006 9:45:41 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Rumsfeld bids farewell to Pentagon
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 10 minutes ago
Leaving office, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld bade a sometimes emotional farewell Friday, saying the single worst day of his nearly six years there was when he learned of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse in Iraq.
Rumsfeld choked up briefly while recalling a woman in Alaska giving him a bracelet last August as a reminder of the sacrifices by soldiers of the Army's 172nd Stryker Brigade, who whose year-long tour in Iraq was extended by four months to help try to quell sectarian violence in Baghdad. Showing it still on his wrist, Rumsfeld recalled that he told the woman he would wear the green bracelet until the 172nd came home.
He spoke at length about his concern that the United States not let Iraq and Afghanistan collapse.
"We have every chance in the world of succeeding in both those countries, but only if we have the patience and only if we have the staying power," he said. Asked about the bipartisan Iraq Study Group's recommendations for a change in approach to the Iraq war, Rumsfeld said none of the suggestions were new.
"I can't think of a thing that anyone's thought of that General (Peter) Pace and General (John) Abizaid and those folks have not been working on and analyzing and studying and adjusting to over time," he said, referring to the top two generals overseeing the Iraq war. He said the Pentagon had sent its advice to the White House on possible new approaches.
In a question-and-answer session, he was asked what were his best day and his worst day.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Thank you Mr. Rumsfeld! I am grateful for your service to this Nation and for the sacrifices that you and your family have made for it. Thank you Ser!
Danae
No matter what else someone might think of him, the man is a patriot.
Donald Rumsfield is an American Hero in my book! Rummy, I will miss your leadership, style, and good humor. Go forward with honor.
CNN was the only news channel to cover it live, but they broke away as a soldier was praising Rumsfeld.
What a typically damning with faint praise report by AP's Burns.
"With a couple of dozen troops from each military service and a few civilian Pentagon employees seated behind him"
"Mr. Rumsfeld spoke to an audience of several hundred people."
Actually, I watched.
"couple of dozen" & "several hundred" does not AT ALL describe the event.
Everyone there (less the press corps) were wildly enthusiastic and appreciative of Rummy. His comments during the Q&A's were engaging, insightful, and funny.
Watch it then read Burns' report and see if I'm right.
I've always thought a lot of Mr.Rumsfeld, as I think we all do. I'd rather have had him at the podium poking at those media weasels than any other person. The only puzzlement I've had all this time is that he has a place near Taos NM. Could you ever see him mixing with the loons in that town?
I can't stand how the democrats (empowered by recent election) must be gloading about this.
Mr Rumsfeld, you sir are a 4 letter word in my household
H E R O.
Thank you.
I second that.
I second that.
Goes double here.
A Truly GREAT Leader and Secretary of Defense!!!! He will be sorely missed and may God Bless him and Our Country.
A Truly GREAT Leader and Secretary of Defense!!!! He will be sorely missed and may God Bless him and Our Country.
I wish he hadn't wept on the way out. It's important to maintain some dignity.
I miss him already.
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