[Former Military Chick]

Beloveds (No Longer Free State) exact words that came with the email:

This is a long, first-hand account of the battle of Fallujah from an embed. It portrays the ugly, gruesome side of war. It's well worth the read, but not for the young.

[Hank Rearden]

Dammit.

You know, we're not in Fallujah to rescue anybody. We're not in Fallujah to defend anybody. We're in Fallujah to destroy any person left alive in that sh$%hole.

I'm certainly not qualified to decide, but nonetheless keep wondering why the hell we're doing it this way - getting our guys killed there while preserving the integrity of . . . . what? Mosques? Beheading rooms?

How do we know when we're done and the "good guys" can reoccupy the rubble? Are all the bad guys really gone? Are all the "good guys" good?

Back off to a safe distance and flatten that goddamn place. Then drop millions of leaflets with photos and the question: "Ok, who wants to be next?"

I hate to read stories like this, where our guys are dying with no upside that couldn't accomplished with B-52s.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Read in entirety later bump...

[topher]

The fog of battle is hard to put into words. This embed did try, but I imagine he/she only gave a partial glimpse into what really went on.

What makes an Audie Murphy survive many dangerous battles, exposing himself, when another soldier is killed in their first battle? God only knows.

Many people who did not know God find God in such situations, and come out of it changed forever.

The stories of Fallujah will be filled with stories of killing, but there will also be stories of hope. Sometimes it is hope, thoughts of family, and dedication to families that gets soldiers through the tough times.

Let us never forget their sacrifice...

[Gritty]

This is a good article, with a sad ending.

May these heroic sacrifices not be in vain...

[altura]

later read

[injin]

unbelievable....
Thank you all brave soldiers , the ones that made it and especially , the ones that did not.

When the Battle of Falluja first started I made a comment here
that it would go down in history as a 'great fight' in the annuls of our illustrious military. Someone replied that
it was only a mere blip compared to big fights of the past.
Reading this , I have to feel I was correct . Deserved battle streamers shall be added to the Unit Colors for Falluja , I have no doubt.
To the men who have fought there , we shall never forget you. And don't worry about what to tell your children , you are all magnificent hero's....

[Born Conservative]

bttt

[Jeeper]

During the battle of Aachen, Germany, the first German town the US fought in during WWII, we rolled in 155mm self-propelled guns and fired point blank into buildings where German troops were firing. The buildings were leveled, one by one. This was so effective, the captured German commander complained bitterly that the tactic was unfair, we laughed at him.
I have to ask, after reading this story, why aren't we doing this now? Simply destroy any structure being used by the terrorists, period.

[conservativeimage]

I love the military. I love the people and the vehicles. I wish... I hope I get to befriend a soldier in the future. Great Story. Thanks Chick.

[RaceBannon]

bump

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thanks so much for posting this...
I know it isn't easy to read..
But everyone should!
God Bless our Military...
My God, we are free because of them...
and those like them who have gone before..
We have NOTHING to complain about...
What can compare to this?
Who among us civilians, has ever given so much?
God Bless you, FMC...
Please put me on your PING list...
God Bless you, Troops!
Thank you for your service and sacrifice...
May Godspeed you home to us..
Ms.B

[gibsosa]

ping

[newsgatherer]

wow, tough read, but, a great post. Thanks