Iraqi Leaders Thank Vermont Soldiers

WCAX Channel 3 News, Vermont ^ | Thursday, Nov 8, 2007 | Bianca Slota

[ganeshpuri89]

Northfield, Vermont - November 8, 2007

When members of the Vermont National Guard arrived in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, it was one of the most dangerous places in the country. But thanks to the efforts of Task Force Saber and the members of the visiting delegation, Anbar, and its capital city of Ramadi, are some of the safest places in the nation.

"We have seen pictures and share them amongst members of Task Force Saber and the difference of Ramadi today versus what it was when we were there, you can't even tell the difference, you'd think it was another city," says Vt. National Guard Col. Mark Lovejoy.

Part of the turnaround, says the delegation, is a change in the mentality of the people of Anbar. Those people, they say, are no longer tolerant of the violence of Al Qaeda.

"That al-Qaida and the terrorists are people who believe in the theory of death, whereas we believe in the idea of life and building and rebuilding," Anbar Province Governor Mamoon Rashid Al-Alwani explained through a translator.

That rebuilding effort is what allowed the delegation the opportunity to leave Iraq, and visit the United States, and meet with Guard members and Norwich University students who helped make Ramadi safe.

"To the families of the victims of the soldiers in Iraq, I specifically express our appreciation to the state of Vermont," said Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha of Anbar Awakening through a translator.

Guard members and soldiers had the opportunity to speak with the delegation. For them, this visit is an opportunity to see first hand the difference they made-- even from half a world away.

"Back when the new government was new, I didn't really think too much of the Iraqi delegates coming over to the United States, but now I think about it, it's kind of a good think, you know, they're getting out in the world now and establishing themselves again," says Norwich University Cadet Sgt. Richard Sugai.

The delegation says it's confident al-Qaida will not regain any ground in Anbar, and the key to stabilizing the rest of Iraq is participation from all the people of the country.

Bianca Slota - WCAX News

[ganeshpuri89]

Okay, I understand this is not conventional Breaking News fare, but this, an amazing Veteran's Day Weekend story, not only is getting absolutely no coverage from the agenda driven mainstream media (no surprise there) but is being completely ignored by the right-o-sphere (Malkin, Hewitt, Glenn Reynolds, Charles Johnson, Bryan Preston where are you?) and the conservative pundits (NRO, Weekly Standard, syndicated columnists, etc).

These Iraqi leaders aren't just any Iraqi leaders either.

They are from the Anbar tribes that turned on Al-Qaeda and opened the door that Petraeus kicked in.

Without them there would be no Anbar Awakening, no model for the rest of Iraqis to follow. And, and we all know, they are following it. The latest numbers say some 70,000 concerned Iraqi citizens in some 120 groups have now mobilized to confront the savagery of Al-Qaeda and Shiite fundamentalists.

Without our Anbar allies, the door doesn't get opened.

And, not least of all, because of them many more Americans will be returning to their families.

So, please people, email your friends about it. Email The Corner about it. If you have a blog, write about it. If you don't have a blog, leave a comment in blogs you read.

There's a great video at the WCAX website. Maybe someone could grab it and put it on YouTube or Live Leak.

Shaykh Ahmed Abu Risha and the rest of the Anbaris are on the final day of their 10 day visit to the US. Let's create a little buzz to let them know as they thank us, we, in turn, thank them.

There's more here.

[ganeshpuri89]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center, meets a delegation from Al Anbar Province, Iraq, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at the State Department in Washington. From left are, Mayor of Ramadi Lateef Avada, Vice Governor Othman Hummadi, Govenor Mamoon S. Rashid Al-Alwani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Rafe Al Essawi, Secretary of State Rice, Chair of the Iraq Awakening Council Ahmed Besia Ftekan Albrwisha [Shaykh Ahmed Abu Risha], Chairman of the Al-Anbar Provincial Council Abdulsalam Mohammed, and Member of the Al-Anbar Provincial Council Ashour Hamid Salih. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

[fullchroma]

thanks for posting. bump!

[toddlintown]

They look well fed.

[SolidWood]

Arab cuisine is rather fatty. When holding summits and meetings among sheikhs, tribal and religous leaders they regularly devour dozens of grilled lambs because according to their costums you can’t negotiate without an empty stomach.
And they had lots of negotiations and summits in the last time... ;)

On the blog Iraqthemodel.com, some time ago there was an extra article on the significance of lots of food at negotiations there.

[SolidWood]

without=with

[SolidWood]

Found the article:
http://www.wadinet.de/news/iraq/newsarticle.php?id=1829

[Yardstick]

Wow, that is a high-profile delegation of Anbar officials (or as Mark Steyn would say, grandees). Definitely deserves more coverage.

[Just A Nobody]

Great post! Thank you!

[STARWISE]

Wonderful!!

PING~!

[PGalt]

Great post. GRRRREAT news! FYI ping.

[doug from upland]

This is a great story that should indeed be breaking news. God rest the souls of those who gave their lives and Godspeed to all those who have risked their lives and sustained injuries so that others, who were strangers, were given a chance for the greatest gift - FREEDOM.

[Allegra]

My statues are falling
Like feathers of snow
Their voices are calling
In a whispering world
Waiting for the morning glow

Heaven is calling
From a rainy shore
Counting wounded lights falling
Into their dreams
Still searching for an open door

In morning dew
A glorious scene came through
Like war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again

Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again

An arrow of freedom
Is piercing my heart
Breaking chains of emotion
Give a moment to pray
Lost innocence to find its way

Fields of sensation
A cry in the dark
Hope is on the horizon
With a reason to stay
And living for a brand new day

In morning dew
A glorious scene came through
Like war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again

Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again

Salaam Allah alad donia alal'insaan
Ah, ah o ah
Mata nahia behob ou aman
Salaam Allah, Salaam Allah
Salaam Allah alad donia alal'insaan

In morning dew
A glorious scene came through
Like war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again

Pure moments of thought
In the meaning of love
This war is over now
I feel I'm coming home again
To you

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music: Kristian Draude, Patrick Benzner
Lyrics: Kristian Draude, Patrick Benzner, Sarah Brightman
Arabian lyrics: Kareem Al Iraqi, sung by Kadim Al Sahir

[NonValueAdded]

Bernie Sanders must be crushed.

[mickey finn]

The dems must be crushed! How dare these Iraqis actually thank the US.

Vermont, being the communist hippie wacko state that it is, still has a base of very patriotic people who know are willing to serve in the military. I met several of them a couple of years ago when I flew home to NH for the holidays. They were returning home from boot camp for the holidays and I thanked them for serving. Good people!

[hsalaw]

". . . they're getting out in the world now and establishing themselves again," says Norwich University Cadet Sgt. Richard Sugai.

This really is a very good thing. By coming here, putting on Western-style suits, and interacting with and thanking American citizens, these Iraqi leaders have set their eyes on the future, not the past, and are willing to commit to it. We're not the only ones winning in Iraq - the Iraqis are, too.

[freema]

USMC PING

[freema]

USMC PING

[Earthdweller]

Nice...very nice.

[Syncro]

Bump to more great news from Iraq!

[FreeReign]

Okay, I understand this is not conventional Breaking News fare, but this, an amazing Veteran's Day Weekend story, not only is getting absolutely no coverage from the agenda driven mainstream media (no surprise there) but is being completely ignored by the right-o-sphere (Malkin, Hewitt, Glenn Reynolds, Charles Johnson, Bryan Preston where are you?) and the conservative pundits (NRO, Weekly Standard, syndicated columnists, etc).

Yes, this is indeed breaking news. Thanks for posting it.

[omega4179]

Iraqis thank while WA Leftists spit.

[Gum Shoe]

“Vermont, being the communist hippie wacko state that it is, still has a base of very patriotic people...”

So does Maine. Our NG unit had a brief layover in Bangor, Maine on our way to the Middle East in September. We arrived in the middle of the night. It seemed like there were a hundred people lined up at the terminal gates to shake our hands and welcome us to Maine, despite the hour. It was nice. Thank you Maine.

[G8 Diplomat]

Eat THAT Code Pink.

The Iraqis are more pro-America than half of America itself. Maybe we should invite them to come live over here and send the leftoids over to Iraq.

[ganeshpuri89]

Here's are a couple of posts on the Anbar delegation's itinerary and meetings with President Bush, SecState Rice and SecDef Gates.

Anbari Delegation Meets with Bush, Gates, Rice in DC; Ridicule Senator Biden's Partition Bill

Anbar Awakening Head Ahmed Abu Risha, Anbar Government Officials in US for Talks; Meetings with President Bush, SecState Rice, SecDef Gates Likely

[Allegra]

and send the leftoids over to Iraq.

...uh...let's not get hasty. ;-)

[G8 Diplomat]

True. If we sent them over there, they’d screw up the free state we just built!

[Straight Vermonter]

Vermont has lost more soldiers and marines per capita in Iraq than every other state. Say what you will about our politicians but the young people in this state answer the call.

[Straight Vermonter]

every=any

[Hornitos]

These Anbaris come half way around the world to thank the guardsmen of Vermont for their sacrifices, and all you can comment on is their waistlines?

[Combat_Liberalism]

Thanks for that. The same was true of the Civil war. I know lots of good Woodchucks that have taken their more conservative views to Dixie and see plenty of flakes and moonbats moving in from New York.

[MinorityRepublican]

We'll know we won the war when the media is saying nothing about Iraq. Actually we are on our way there. Iraq should be relatively stable by 2009 or 2010. Of course there will always be some bad guys and tribal chiefs who may not be willing to cooperate just like in Afghanistan.

Perhaps with a new President next year, NATO might be willing to send in troops to Iraq to help with the "mop up".

[Straight Vermonter]

I’ll be one of those woodchucks heading south one day. I’ve had enough of people who think and speak like Bernie (spit).

[rdl6989]

Bernie Sanders must be crushed.

That was my first thought.

[mickey finn]

I grew up in southwestern NH and my younger brother lives in the Brattleboro area. He informed me of that statistic recently. He loves living there even though the politics drives him nuts. He and his friends just have to laugh at the loons to keep sane. I am going home over Christmas and can’t wait to see him and the rest of the family.

[toddlintown]

“These Anbaris come half way around the world to thank the guardsmen of Vermont for their sacrifices, and all you can comment on is their waistlines?”

You must be a lot of fun at parties too. Lighten up or move on.

[tomnbeverly]

Greeted as Liberators PING

[tomnbeverly]

Ohh Ohh, what does that idiot Senator Leahy have to say about this Thank You....

Did her reject it yet?

[ganeshpuri89]

LOL

B-roll of sheiks meeting to make plans for bringing the Iraqi government back to the people. Scenes include sheiks speaking with one another and military members, speeches being made to the meeting attendees, sharing a meal and interviews with U.S. and Iraqi military leaders.

Here

[Libloather]

Maybe the first thanks the US has gotten in the WOT?

[lawnguy]

I saw this story on NBC...Not.

[skr]

We should send the leftists to North Korea instead. They can demonstrate against nukes while enjoying the vegetation diet that the civilians barely live off of. And they can admire Dear Pervert at closer range; they seem to have a special place in their hearts for Communist despots.

[Mr. Silverback]

Put me on your Marine Ping list! Happy birthday Marine Corps!

[Mr. Silverback]

Those folks manning the airport in Bangor are (as we say in Maine) "finest kind."

And so are you for serving. Thank you very much.

[Mr. Silverback]

Nothing like Christmas in New England!

[Gene Eric]

Great post!

[freema]

You’re on!

[Hoodat]

Bernie Sanders must be crushed.

Is this statement a speculation of Sanders' emotional state? Or instead is it a bold suggestion of what should be done to Sanders.

[NonValueAdded]

I report, you decide. (and always, always figuratively)

[Valin]

Iraqis thank while WA Leftists spit.

?