Top U.S. official in Iraq misses taste of the Valley

The Monitor ^ | December 24, 2003 | Travis M. Whitehead

[SwinneySwitch]

RIO GRANDE CITY — Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez is really missing his mom’s tamales. While his mother is sitting down today with his brothers and sisters for Christmas dinner, the top U.S. commander in Iraq is battling insurgents in a country brutalized for decades by Saddam Hussein.

However, the general, who was born and raised in Rio Grande City, on Tuesday evening said there is still room for celebration. “We have a whole bunch of entertainers that are visiting us,” Sanchez said from Iraq during a telephone interview with The Monitor. “David Letterman and a bunch of others across the whole country are performing for soldiers, airmen, Marines,” he said. “And of course we have the normal Christmas concert, and the religious aspects with the chaplains.”

But Sanchez’s wife and four children cannot be there with him this Christmas, so it’s just not the same, he said. He especially misses the Christmas traditions his family has established over the years. “Last night I was talking to my wife and she said, ‘It’s not Christmas because Dad is not home cooking,’” he said with a laugh. “I make pan de polvo. My mother-in-law taught me how to bake it.” The general’s wife and their two sons live in Germany, and his two daughters live in other parts of Texas.

His mother, Maria Elena Sanchez, still lives in Rio Grande City, and many of his brothers and sisters are scattered throughout the Rio Grande Valley. His brother has tasted the general’s pan de polvo. “He likes to do that,” said Robert Sanchez. “And he does it very good.” Robert Sanchez said his family usually picks out a day to meet with his mother to make tamales. This year, however, they haven’t had a chance to do so because of so many changing circumstances. “She’s going to do it this weekend or the next weekend,” he said. The family will work hard to maintain their morale this holiday season while the general is far away.

Lt. Gen. Sanchez said morale for American and coalition forces in Iraq has jumped since the capture of Saddam Hussein, the deposed despot who eluded U.S. troops for most of the year, and Sanchez was in the room while the former Iraqi ruler was being examined and processed. “It was a sobering experience to be in the presence of a man who was so evil, and yet see him as a prisoner,” Sanchez said. “I think he understands there’s very little hope that he will ever come (back) to power, now that he’s in custody of the Americans.”

In spite of Saddam’s capture, the military mission in that country is far from over. “We are still conducting the same kinds of offensive operations,” he said. “There are still elements of terrorism and foreign terrorists. We are still getting about 15 attacks daily, but there are some indications that possibly we may see a downturn.” Sanchez said insurgents attacking gasoline storage tanks, assassinating Iraqi government officials and setting off car bombs directed toward Iraqi structures may turn the locals against any remnants of Saddam’s former government. “That has been the effect over the last few months,” he said. “Some people have come off from being neutral to helping us.”

Sanchez said he expects to be in Iraq at least until the summer, but coalition forces may remain there for a couple more years, possibly longer.

“The opportunity is there for us to make a difference,” he said. ———

Travis M. Whitehead covers Starr County, law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4452.

[SwinneySwitch]

I can smell those tamales now!

[dc-zoo]

General Sanchez is a great man. A true American Hero and patriot. The Valley should be very proud of this good man. He deserves more recognition from Valley politicos.

[anymouse]

Texas-sized ping for Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez. May he get to taste his mom's tamales soon.

[MeekOneGOP]

Top U.S. official in Iraq misses taste of the Valley

RIO GRANDE CITY — Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez is really missing his mom’s tamales. While his mother is sitting down today with his brothers and sisters for Christmas dinner, the top U.S. commander in Iraq is battling insurgents in a country brutalized for decades by Saddam Hussein.

However, the general, who was born and raised in Rio Grande City, on Tuesday evening said there is still room for celebration. “We have a whole bunch of entertainers that are visiting us,” Sanchez said from Iraq during a telephone interview with The Monitor. “David Letterman and a bunch of others across the whole country are performing for soldiers, airmen, Marines,” he said. “And of course we have the normal Christmas concert, and the religious aspects with the chaplains.”

But Sanchez’s wife and four children cannot be there with him this Christmas, so it’s just not the same, he said. He especially misses the Christmas traditions his family has established over the years. “Last night I was talking to my wife and she said, ‘It’s not Christmas because Dad is not home cooking,’” he said with a laugh. “I make pan de polvo. My mother-in-law taught me how to bake it.” The general’s wife and their two sons live in Germany, and his two daughters live in other parts of Texas.

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[MeekOneGOP]

Whoops ! Let's try that again with the TEXAS ping list now ! (Need more coffee, lol !)

Excerpt in #4 ...

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!

[MeekOneGOP]

With all the news in Iraq and the war, it seems like almost HALF
of the coalition forces there are from Texas, doesn't it ?? ...

The 4th Infantry undertook Operation Red Dawn to find Saddam.
They are based in Texas - Fort Hood.

They got their man - captured Saddam. "Don't mess with Texas!":

An Iraqi woman holds up handwritten signs to express her happiness
at the capture of Saddam Hussein !

[GeronL]

yummy, tamales.

down in the valley.... the valley so low..

[GeronL]

bump

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Morning Meekie! Thanks for the ping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RIO GRANDE CITY — Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez is really missing his mom’s tamales. While his mother is sitting down today with his brothers and sisters for Christmas dinner, the top U.S. commander in Iraq is battling insurgents...

Lt. Gen. Sanchez said morale for American and coalition forces in Iraq has jumped since the capture of Saddam Hussein... “I think he understands there’s very little hope that he will ever come (back) to power, now that he’s in custody of the Americans.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lt. Gen. Sanchez ~ husband, father of four, son, brother, chef ~ phones home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Dog Gone]

I certainly didn't see that bottom photo printed in any major newspaper.

[MeekOneGOP]

I certainly didn't see that bottom photo printed in any major newspaper.

I grabbed that pic of the woman holding the Pro USA signs during the time right after Saddams capture.

Honestly, it may NOT have been from that timeframe originally.

[The LAMESTREAM media would NOT have put it up regardless, lol !]

Maybe one of these nice ladies can help me out to verify authenticity ??

RC ? Onyx ? Can you help or find someone that can ?? This is something I was wondering about as well.

Thanks all ! ...

[McGavin999]

Someone needs to send the general some Tamalis via jet.

[onyx]

It's been posted here. I think your time line is correct, Meek. Right after Saddam's capture.

[JustPiper]

And they had the WWE for Xmas! I have not liked wrestling since the late 60's, and I thought Vince McMahon was a jerk but I saw him interviewed on FNC and my kids got me to sit and watch the Christmas special of our troops and I have not seen such morale , even with Hope!

[blackie]

Lt. Gen. Sanchez ~ husband, father of four, son, brother, chef ~ phones home ~ Bump!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks ! I wasn't sure. :O)

[MeekOneGOP]

and my kids got me to sit and watch the Christmas special of our
troops and I have not seen such morale , even with Hope!

Great to hear !

[Texagirl4W]

That's OK, MeeknMing. A little bragging about our Texas heroes is fine with me.

[cars for sale]

I luv em...and the Dubya thanksgiving event, ole Sanchez
was a crying right along with his men and women
good stuff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[solo gringo]

I have notice the news papers refer to rio grande city as the upper valley as tho it was a forign land BUT!!!when they write about Gen.Sanchez the valley is one how cute.The General Rick Sanchez elementary school is built in Rio Grande City the hill country of the valley.All of south Texas and America can be proud of General Sanchez.My grand son served under him in Baghdad and is his HERO.