GOTTA SEE THIS-War Endur.Freedom 01/01/04-Baghdad,Tikrit

Yahoo, AP, Reuters, and the usual suspects | 1/1/04 | The Armies of Good against the Axis of Evil

[Diogenesis]

GOTTA SEE THIS - War for Enduring Freedom 01/01/04 - Baghdad, Tikrit

BREAKING: Baghdad - Liberty and Freedom for millions
BREAKING: Tikrit - Iraqis befriend their Liberators

---

QFN ====QUAGMIRE-FREE NEWS about the LIBERATION OF Afghanistan and Iraq

---

Exclusive to FReerepublic
PICTURES YOU MAY NEVER SEE IN THE GENERAL MEDIA

---

========= Tikrit =========

In Tikrit, Iraq, American heroes have liberated millions
and the Iraqi people show that they appreciate it.

---

========= Baghdad =========

Last night, in Baghdad, at the New Years Eve concert, put on by
children freed by the USA, at the Baghdad School of Music and Ballet.

---

In Baghdad, Iraqi children at Christmas mass in St. Raphael's church
freed by the USA, this year have no fear of Saddam violent Tikitri hoodlums.

---

In Baghdad, Iraqis freed by the USA, enjoy peace.

---

In Baghdad, American heroes sang to children
and gave gifts at their orphanage on Christmas Eve.

---

In Baghdad, Iraqi girls and a whole people freed by the USA,
enjoyed a Seasonal Greetings with their own religion.

---

American heroes distributed Christmas gifts to Iraqi children.

---

American wrestling visitors entertained American heroes.

---

========= Arabian Gulf =========

At Christmas, Ben Affleck entertained American heroes on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
somewhere in the Arabian Gulf.

---

========= NASA =========

TOMORROW: The Stardust space probe, launched nearly five years ago,
will tomorrow, on January 2, capture the first-ever samples of comet dust,
bringing them back to Earth in 2006.

---

========= Spitzer Space Telescope =========

COMET CLOSE UP

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, formerly known as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility
took these pics [Clockwise from lower left] a comet,
a swirling, dusty galaxy, a hidden newborn star, and a glowing stellar nursery.

---

========= Dust Devil Inscriptions on a Crater on Mars =========

Dust Devil Crater on Mars

(click for more info)

---

-----------------------
Happy New Year.

Please spend a few hours today helping for success in the War for Enduring Freedom.
Also, post your thought, picture, observation and greetings to those serving overseas.
Also, dear FReepers and lurkers, get the pictures now before they are gone ....... forever.

---

END OF TRANSMISSION 01/01/04 .......... K

[Diogenesis]

BUMP for GOTTA SEE THIS-WarEndur.Freedom 01/01/04 - Baghdad, Tikrit

[Incorrigible]

A Happy New Year to you Diogenesis, to our troops and to all those living in Iraq!

[RandallFlagg]

AWWWWW! I just LOVE all those smiling little kiddies!

How the librats can say that it's a bad thing just floors me.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Happy New Year and may God bless our troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all around the world.

Best wishes.

[The Mayor]

Thanks, what a way to start the year!!

[McGavin999]

Happy New Year my friend, and may 2004 bring peace and freedom throughout the world.

Oh yeah, and may Osama be caught before the end of summer.

[LibKill]

I really like that picture of Santa's helper! :)

[LurkedLongEnough]

bttt - thanks again, awesome pics. Love the Osama is Next and the ballet pics especially.

[Mo1]

Great Picture Diogenesis

Happy New Year

God Bless Our Troops

[TomGuy]

Great pix. Especially the ones with the smiling faces (both on the kids and on the troops).

Even ole Ben A-flake seemed to have finally found the spirit. [Maybe Bruce Willis met Ben in a dark alley for an attitude adjustment.]

Seeing the Santa on the large billboard, instead of Saddam's face, sends a loud message that Iraq is now a free nation.

[dennisw]

 

---



 

Credit:

"Good Morning Vietnam," you remember, was a movie about an airman/disc-jockey named Adrian Cronauer. Adrian Cronauer is a real person who is an acquaintance and occassional lunch-date of mine. He does not look like Robin Williams. He looks, by his own description, like Robert Bork.

Adrian is a lawyer with the Department of Defense whose specialty is working with the governments of North Korea and the Vietnam trying to locate the remains of military personnel who are still listed as "Missing in Action." This is a very worthy effort, and Adrian is a very worthy guy.

I've never asked Cronauer if he really started his radio show with "Goooooood Morning, Vietnam" as Robin Williams does in the movie, but we will stipulate - for the next four months or so - that he did.

A former Member of Congress from Minnesota (a Democratic Member of Congress) and current friend and colleague named Gerry Sikorsky suggested the title of these Travelogues in an e-mail.

Both Cronauer and Sikorsky get full credit for the title. The content - for better or worse - is my responsibility.

-----

Chapter 6: Thanksgiving 2003


Thursday, November 27, 2003

From Headquarters,
Division Artillery,
1st Armored Division

Thanksgiving 2003

Thanksgiving is a unique day for Americans. It is a day - perhaps the only day when we look at what we have and are pleased; as opposed to looking for what we are missing and want more.

Wanting more is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. We generally want more for our families - especially our children; more for our communities and more for our world.

Open any phone book in any American city or down and look at the number of civic associations and clubs. Multiply that by every city and town and you get some idea of the scale of this "wanting more" business.

This Thanksgiving is unique for me because, as I might have mentioned to you, I am in Baghdad, Iraq.

For the past three days I have been in something of a panic because I didn't want to spend Thanksgiving in The Palace cafeteria. I wanted to be out in the field where I could talk to some troops.

Here's something interesting: Three weeks ago in the cozy confines of Old Town Alexandria Virgina, if asked, I would have thought that Baghdad was pretty far out in the field. 19 days on the ground in Baghdad and I wanted … more.

See what I mean?

It rained this morning in Baghdad. It poured, really. Although Iraq is part of the great Arabian desert; there is a reason it is in what has been known for about a billion years as the "Fertile Crescent."

On the other hand it is not like Portland where it rains 417 days a year, either.


The lyric of the Gordon Lightfoot song ran through my head:

In the early morning rain, with a dollar in my hand;
And an aching in my heart, and my pockets full of sand.
I'm a long way from home, and I miss my loved ones so;
In the early morning rain, with no place to go.

The civilians here have the day off; although as I look around at about four in the afternoon, nearly everyone is sitting just about where they always sit because it's not like anyone is going to zip out to Nordstroms and do a little "day-before-the-biggest-shopping-day-of-the-year" shopping.

The military, however, are in the midst of this pesky war and so they appear to have been at normal duty levels all day.

Walking into the office this morning at about 7:30, I passed young men and women in uniform going to, or coming from their posts.

In every single instance, when I said "Good morning and happy Thanksgiving," they responded with a bright "Happy Thanksgiving, sir!"

Even in the rain.

In the office a British Colonel who works near me came in and started working. I asked him if there was a British holiday which was the analog of Thanksgiving - not in terms of its timing, but in terms of its meaning.

Without looking up, and with classic British understatement he said, "Yes. The Fourth of July."

Even though I did not want to eat there, I went down to the dining hall to see what was what. A mural had been installed, painted by this man:


Jose Coloan from New York City.

It was hanging over this:


which had been designed and installed by Liman Limani who is from Kosovo.

-----

I have made the acquaintance here of a Brigadier General named Mark Kimmitt. General Kimmitt is the spokesman for the military operations here in Iraq. His civilian counterpart, Dan Senor, shares the briefing duties on the political and policy side.

Gen. Kimmitt was going to have lunch with a unit he used to command, the artillery unit of the First Armored Division, and asked me if I'd like to come along. I did and I got dressed in what can only be described as Thanksgiving Chic in a war zone:



Someone asked me why I was wearing a tie. I said, "I've been invited to someone's house for thanksgiving."

Out with the First Armored Division (we veterans of 19 days call it the "One-A-D") there was a line over two-hours long for Thanksgiving lunch.


I've circled the point where the line ends. What you can't see is the line goes around the corner behind me and it's about 45 minutes to get inside from that point.

One of the things you learn pretty quickly around military people is Generals tend to stifle conversation. So, Gen. Kimmitt and I decided he would go his way and I would go my way and we'd meet back at the VEE-hicle at a time certain.

By the way. Kimmitt refused to eat ahead of all those soldiers who had been waiting on line. He went inside, got a cup of coffee and chatted with some people.

He's a good man.

I wandered around and talked to soldiers.


like PFC Jennifer Harlow of Louisiana and specialist-4 Pedro Cruz of California.

And, in a classic buddy army photo:


Sergeants Pablo Reed (NY) and Donald Melendy (LA); and specialists Jesus Calderon (TX) and Max Hendrick (KS).

I walked up and down the chow line, chatting with enlisted personnel and officers. I met two doctors, a helicopter pilot, some quartermaster folks, and artillerymen.

As long as someone wasn't getting something they weren't, they had adapted and were coping.

Many had been here since May and would be here until the end of April.

They were waiting to get into the chow hall so they could have their Thanksgiving meal:

By this time the rain had stopped, but the dust had been replaced by mud. Didn't matter. These were American kids waiting for the quintessential American meal: Thanksgiving dinner.

This is what the mess hall looked like:



But that doesn't tell the story. This young woman, with whom I fell instantly in love, tells the story. Generation after generation, we produce young people such as Specialist Kazia Stephen of Richmond, Virginia.

May the cornucopia of American sacrifice and good will never run out.



A plate of food and a smile which says - better than I ever could:
                "Happy Thanksgiving, America."

-- END --

Note: The Iraq Travelogue emails are distributed through the services of Focus Data Solutions, Inc.

Click here to return to the Mullings page

[paws_and_whiskers]

Happy New Year Dio; all! Great photo thread as usual. God bless our men and women and keep them safe.

[Diogenesis]

Thank you, FReepers. Have a great New Year.
Also, mea culpa. Left out the important following
which is what SHOULD be featured as the lead on TV every day.

[NormsRevenge]

God Bless Our Troops Bump

HapPY NeW YeaR

[RoughDobermann]

Sorry, but this picture deserves reposting...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

  

           Happy New Year !

========= Baghdad =========

Last night, in Baghdad, at the New Years Eve concert, put on by
children freed by the USA, at the Baghdad School of Music and Ballet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Diogenesis! %

[Radix]

Happy New Year, and thanks for your posts. They are always treasured!

[areafiftyone]

Of course it does - those blue jerseys are real cool! ;-)

[BOBTHENAILER]

Osama is next. What a beautiful picture. Thanks again for all your great work and Happy New Year.

[SAMWolf]

"Osama is next" bump

[Momaw Nadon]

ELAINE: "I did not bare myself deliberately, but I tell you: I wish now that I had: Because it is not me that has been exposed, but you! For I have seen the nipple on your soul!"

[firewalk]

bttt

[MaeWest]

Thanks Dio for this and all your fabulous posts of 2003.

[FreeAtlanta]

This is wonderful! Thanks!

I wish all the readers of the Dec. 15th Time mag could see this thread. I was at the hospital with my youngest (ear/eye infection and he is doing much better today) when I picked up the Time rag off the shelf. It was the edition where they spent time with the Iraqi terrorists while they carried out missions against our troops.

I read the story and accompanying articles and it was as if every Iraqi was joining the insurgency! Even ones who were glad we got rid of Saddam. I just shook my head and said, yeah right. I am sure glad the Saddam capture came out just before this Democratic/Saddam/Terrorist campaign piece hit the stands.

[VOA]

Sorry, but this picture deserves reposting...
(picture of best use of Santa's helper suit)

All I can say is that if our troops maintained good manners in that situation...
(without a few weeks of saltpetter in their chow)...
they are just about the most self-disiplined army fielded in the history of
the whole freakin' cosmos.

[LibertyLight]

Once again these fantastic and moving photos tell a story that make me cry.
Thank you.

[arasina]

WONDERFUL PIX!

[GWfan]

Big bump for our heroes.

Thanks for your hard work Dio. Happy New Year.

[Cindy]

Happy New Year to you Dio and to all our men and women serving in the military here and abroad, and to all our LEO's, too.

Cindy
http://www.truthusa.com

[blackie]

Last night, in Baghdad, at the New Years Eve concert, put on by
children freed by the USA, at the Baghdad School of Music and Ballet ~ Bump!

Great stuff!!

[blackie]

Lady ~ FYI!

Freedom is a beautiful thing!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Daily, detailed reports of the operations in Iraq: www.centcom.mil.

Download May-July humanitarian and security reports. Case made, and closed, against the mainstream press re. Iraq in less than 5 minutes.

[RoughDobermann]

I hear you. Of course, that fella's wearing shades; I doubt not where his eyes are resting... :-)

[VOA]

Of course, that fella's wearing shades; I doubt not where his eyes are resting... :-)

Wow, our troops are even discrete.
They don't have to be officers in order to be gentlemen! LOL!

[VOA]

(caption of girls playing in front of the Santa Claus sign)
In Baghdad, Iraqi girls and a whole people freed by the USA, enjoyed a Seasonal Greetings
with their own religion.

I've been pretty amazed at how much of a Christmas observance our
troops have been allowed.
I guess like we've been told, Iraq was a secular society, at least compared to
most other Arab/Muslim countries.

[Valin]

Thanks for the link.

I don't know about you but I can't get enough of this kind of thing.

[gitmo]

bttt

[Darksheare]

"Osama is Next!"
Whoomp there it is!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Ha! Hafta print up the one of "OSAMA IS NEXT"!!! Great stuff! Thanks for the ping (as always)!

[radu]

Thanks for the pings!!

What a fabulous way to begin the New Year! Absolutely beautiful, Dio! Thank you! If only the news channels would show these smiling faces so EVERYone could see the light of new-found freedom shining in their eyes.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

[TruthNtegrity]

You gotta love these guys. I do.

God bless our troops wherever they are.

When you see a soldier on the street, or in a store, make their day. Thank them for serving, and watch the smile appear on their face!

Truthy

[Humidston]

Outstanding, as usual, Dio. THANK YOU, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!

[Humidston]

First pic on your #2: Look at that little boy expressing "shock and awe" and staring at the soldier's huge boot. That little guy has his own foot extended as if he's comparing his own to that "BIG guy's foot."

You can read the boy's mind.... ;-)

[PhilDragoo]

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, Commander Coalition Ground Forces in Iraq and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Paul Bremer brief the capture of Saddam Hussein to the media gathered at the Iraqi Forum in Baghdad, Dec. 14, 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Pearsall) (Released)

Coalition forces make Iraq safe for human life.

[dennisw]

I feel the same about our military..... may God bless them, elevate them. America is a nation full of young people who are willing to defend and protect. America will take premtive action due to our brave young military.

In short, you hit us on 9-11-2001 and we hit back and then some. We are not stupid Euro-cowards. Y'all messed with the wrong people

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Happy New Year, radu! (^:

[nutmeg]

Wow, what a great thread to start the New Year with! Thank you so much, Diogenesis, for all your hard work in putting together yet another uplifting thread... and HAPPY NEW YEAR! :-)

[nutmeg]

Fabulous photo essay ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.