Please Freepmail me to be added to the Ollie North ping list.
Posted on 10/18/2012 5:01:04 PM PDT by jazusamo
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — "Don't either of them even know we're still fighting over here?" That question was posed by one of the U.S. Marines with whom we have been keeping company in southwestern Afghanistan. His query followed this week's presidential debate at Hofstra University, during which the word "Afghanistan" was uttered only once during the 90-minute exchange between the two men bidding to be commander in chief.
Last year when we were in this part of Helmand province, there were four Marine battalions providing security and mentoring Afghan soldiers and police. Now there is just one — 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment — the last Fleet Marine Force unit in which I served. I admit to bias in favor of these young Marines, with whom I share a special bond.
Since our two-man Fox News team arrived last month, Chuck Holton and I have traveled much of the same ground we covered on previous trips when we were reporting on Americans and our allies in this long war. On this trip, we have interviewed and listened to, documented and hiked many miles with nearly 700 of the 68,000 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen and Marines remaining in Afghanistan.
We also have spoken with hundreds of American contractor personnel — more than on any of our previous trips. That's because there are so many required to implement the Obama administration's "exit strategy." In a surreal exercise of political and financial accounting, we now have civilians performing essential tasks that U.S. military personnel used to carry out before the "Obama drawdown" began in the midst of this year's "fighting season." Seeing as civilian contractors do not count in the military end-strength numbers, the White House and Pentagon can show they are "ending operations in Afghanistan on schedule."
(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...
Much appreciated, Huldah!
Please Freepmail me to be added to the Ollie North ping list.
They are inspiring. God bless those who serve!
They are too valuable to our country. That country DOES NOT DESERVE THEM.......Bring them home!
The price we are paying today, and will pay for time yet to come, was the result of Carter's retreat from Iran, and later retreats.
Well, I can update my prayer book, however, the 3/8 are not alone...
“The people of Sangin also saw great strides in their local government. Earlier this year, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, witnessed the first election of a district security council.
Bradney said the council works with the governor and relays the needs and wants of the Afghan people.
Now 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, passes the torch to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. The new battalion will continue strengthening the ANSF and supporting the Sangin Government.
The Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, will return home after months of giving everything they had to the people of Afghanistan. They needed to come and do things the right way, and they leave with their heads high and in the capable hands of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines.”
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/10/11/marines-help-afghan-national-security-forces.html
Luv you guys...
Much appreciated, 1-7.
Semper Fi.
What job? What is the goal? How can they win something if nobody knows what the hell winning is? This is nuts! Bring them home now.
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.