Posted on 09/29/2007 3:35:59 PM PDT by Bahbah
Spitting on the Marines [Michael Ledeen]
Here is an e-mail from a Marine chaplain recently returned from Iraq. The story speaks for itself—lousy treatment of our troops at our own airports. He writes about Oakland, and while checking around I find that this is a common experience. I hope that one of our leaders will find a way to put an end to such behavior.
Marines and Soldiers Returning from Iraq not allowed
into Oakland terminal
On September 27th 204 Marines and soldiers who were
returning from Iraq were not allowed into the
passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport.
Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from
the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were
located.
This was the last scheduled stop for fuel and food
prior to flying to Hawaii where both were based. The
trip started in Kuwait on September 26th with a
rigorous search of checked and carry on baggage by US
Customs. All baggage was x-rayed with a "backscatter"
machine AND each bag was completely emptied and hand
searched. After being searched, checked bags were
marked and immediately placed in a secure container.
Carry on bags were then x rayed again to ensure no
contraband items were taken on the plane. While
waiting for the bus to the airport, all personnel were
in quarantined in a fenced area and were not allowed
to leave.
The first stop for fuel/food and crew change was in
Leipzig Germany. Troops exited the aircraft and took
a bus to a reception area in the terminal, where there
was a convenience store, phones, Internet and
restrooms. As we excited the bus we were given a
re-boarding pass. Three troops remained on the plane
with the rifles and pistols. There was no ammunition
on the plane and the bolts of the rifles had been
removed. After about 2 hours troops re-boarded the
plane and flew to JFK in NY.
At JFK the procedure was similar to Germany, 3 troops
stayed on the plane to guard weapons while the rest
deplaned. At the gate we were each given a
re-boarding pass and spent about 1.5 hours in the
terminal, at which time we re-boarded and flew to
Oakland.
As we came in for the final approach to Oakland a
Lieutenant who served in Afghanistan with the same
unit in 2006 mentioned how when they landed in Oakland
they were not allowed in the terminal. He said, "they
made us get out by the FED EX building and we had to
sit out there for 3 hours". He also indicated he was
almost arrested by the TSA for getting belligerent
about them not letting the Marines into the terminal.
Well the same thing happened again. This time we did
not park by the FED EX building, instead we were
offloaded near the grass that separates the active
runway from the taxi ramp, about 400 yards from the
terminal. When we inquired why they wouldn't allow us
in the airport they gave us some lame excuse that we
hadn't been screened by TSA. While true, the
screening which we did have was much more thorough
than any TSA search and was done by US Customs.
Additionally, JFK didn't seem to have a problem with
our entering their terminal, nor did security in
Germany.
It felt like being spit on. Every Marine and soldier
felt the message loud and clear, "YOU ARE NOT WELCOME
IN OAKLAND!"
Chaplain Brandon Harding
1ST BN 3D MARINES
Dear Oakland California:
Due to this incident I no longer consider your city to be part of the United States. I hold your neighbor to the west, the City of San Fransisco, in the same regard. You are part of a separate nation which is an enemy of the United States.
.
I used to live not too far from Oaland.
The WWII carrier Hornet is now retired and moored in Alameda (Oakland’s port). The city will not allow signs to be put up telling tourists where the Hornet is located because that would be supporting the military.
I have reached the point where I believe that patriotic Americans have nothing in common with liberals. I am beginning to believe that splitting the country into two nations is not the worst possible outcome.
Disgusting.
I have heard the same thing from travelers through Atlanta. It does my heart good.
I do wish the media would talk about this. I live in a liberal state but our troops are greeted with open arms here. A lot of the Maine troop greeters are about as antiwar as you can get but they still believe that our troops should be thanked for their service. The city of Oakland has proved themselves petty, small, and narrow minded. The American people should be allowed to see the real face of the so called peace loving people.
This should have been anticipated. Oakland is OaklandSSR. It is one of the more anti-American spots on the planet.
True. I taught school there a long time ago. It was a lost city even then.
No, just truth in advertising, here I am thinking soldiers are being spit on, and it seems not to be the case. Problem?
Your issue is mis-leading. What is your real issue?
God bless you.
JJ
I have had the pleasure of returning to the States via Bangor.
You all do some wonderful work.
It is appreciated.
JJ
Northern CA is a writeoff. No hope of changing that armpit of left wing rads.
WE have a few FReepers from that area and give them credit for dealing with the area.
I live in San Diego which is the largest area for Navy and Marines.
Many businesses and orgs. do so much for them including our sports teams, especially the Padres.
When the Marine hymn is played, everyone stands.
With their long time attitude for the military, our military men and women should not be subject to the Bay area
Frisco is so far out that there are both gays and straights in my neighborhood who moved from Frisco to here as they are fed up with the extreme of that area.
Do not compare actions with other actions
That's what the lefties do. Capiche!
FWIW, the shortest flight from Kuwait to Hawaii doesn't pass anywhere near Oakland.
I'm just saying.
LOL...HE will help you with that. I feel exactly the same.
Thank you for that information. I don’t want to get all twisted up about things that don’t warrant attention.
Any slight to our military gets my attention, but we don’t have to be in the business of making things up.
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.