Posted on 10/18/2006 9:55:49 AM PDT by Dick Bachert
The Secret Letter From Iraq A Marine's letter home, with its frank description of life in "Dante's inferno," has been circulating through generals' in-boxes. We publish it here with the author's approval
Written last month, this straightforward account of life in Iraq by a Marine officer was initially sent just to a small group of family and friends. His honest but wry narration and unusually frank dissection of the mission contrasts sharply with the story presented by both sides of the Iraq war debate, the Pentagon spin masters and fierce critics. Perhaps inevitably, the "Letter from Iraq" moved quickly beyond the small group of acquantainaces and hit the inboxes of retired generals, officers in the Pentagon, and staffers on Capitol Hill. TIME's Sally B. Donnelly first received a copy three weeks ago but only this week was able to track down the author and verify the document's authenticity. The author wishes to remain anonymous but has allowed us to publish it here ¡ª with a few judicious omissions.
Go here http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1543658,00.html for complete story
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
A chicken hawk is someone who talks tough militarily and advocates military action, but has never served a day in his life.
I would but I was ejected from DU for asking a question.
So much for their sacred "diversity."
I read this letter at least four or five months ago. I know this because I printed out a copy to give to my brother. If I remember correctly it was about this Marine's first seven months in Iraq during 2005 not 2006!
This is either an example of sloppy journalism or the author of the piece knowingly changed the date in the letter. Would not the story be a bit stale if this letter were actually written a year ago and not last month as stated?
Then again, without revealing the letter writer's indentity there is no way to verify this actually was written by a Marine at all!
I'm not surprised. Of course they are not really for diversity just as they are not really supportive of Vets. Honestly I don't know who really invented the term chickenhawk but Democrats have used this term to no end as if to say anyone who didn't serve has no right to have an opinion on the use of the military. Now, we all know this is NOT the way this country was set up and honorable Vets like Washington made sure of that. Further, the Vets that the Democrats claim to support: John Kerry, Wesley Clark, John McCain etc are NOT above question simply because they were in the military. All too often the word chickenhawk is used to shut up or shut down non-Vets from expressing an opinion...at least that's how the Democrats have used the term. I don't expect that's what you meant to do.
He specifically mentions his unit rescuing the news babe from Christian Science Monitor. IIRC, that was just a few months back, not in 2005.
The letter was written by the G-2 of the Marine division that was in Iraq at the time evidently.
Not sure what he means about O'Reilly as I don't watch O'Reilly much. What does O'Reilly say about Iraq?
were = weren't in my original post.
Sorry!
What I get for freeping on a blackberry on another phone.
See my correction.
Amazing what a two letter typo can do to a post.
Duh.
Normally, Marines go for a six month tour and soldiers for a year. It's soldiers who get leave at six months and return to Iraq. Marines don't.
If it was a second tour Marine, he wouldn't call that period at home leave, because it's not leave.
There is an exception to the general rule, but I'll keep that close to the vest because I smell a rat.
Army: Hooah
USMC: Urah
USAF: What time's the club open?
Written by a Marine, or by a Communist News Network operative embedded within the Marines?
So you were in the USAF? Did you fly? In what?
I'm willing to bet that Bush risked his life flying the F-106 more than you did.
I thought it was a good read. I thank the marine for sharing his thoughts with us, now as for the last line, I won't kiss a cop,but I will flush a toilet and drink a beer for him.
Time is working over-Time to undermine the war.
It's not uncommon to give up outdated classified information to make a double agent look good. Similar ploy here is my opinion.
It's not uncommon to give up outdated classified information to make a double agent look good. Similar ploy here is my opinion.
Yes indeed. Even among officers, I have not met too many Marines who use British expressions in everyday coms. That is quite suspicious. Note that a major effort to undermine the war has risen up over the past month, from certain elements in the UK. Over the past month, a number of them have also joined FR.
The most frightening and discouraging part of the letter is:
"Favorite Iraqi TV Show — Oprah. I have no idea. They all have satellite TV."
"I've looked over the letter and a few things don't seem to ring true.
Normally, Marines go for a six month tour and soldiers for a year. It's soldiers who get leave at six months and return to Iraq. Marines don't.
If it was a second tour Marine, he wouldn't call that period at home leave, because it's not leave."
Marines normaly serve a 7 month tour in Iraq, but the Marines assigned to whatever Division, Wing, or MEF Hq serve the entire 14 month rotation of that Hq, and can take up to 20 days annual leave. There is nothing in this letter to indicate it wasn't written by a Marine. The author's sentiments ring true.
Semper Fi
Thanks blab..... ;>)
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