Posted on 11/27/2007 8:12:06 AM PST by bray
Today I had the rare privilege of talking to my neighbor Marine Lance Corporal Justin, who has just returned from Ramadi Iraq. He joined last year though his Mom was terrified, he was looking to serve his Country as well as an adventure. Guess having bullets shot at you as well as driving unstable explosives around in a truck could be called an adventure. This boy who I’ve watched since he was 4, has grown to become one of the most heroic young men I know.
He explained that AQ infested Ramadi was one of the first places the successful Surge strategies were used. The night he arrived he was shaken by an explosion 5 miles away that rocked their 5 ton truck. They were the first to clear and keep the neighborhoods that they were assigned to protect. These Marines used American ingenuity, working 22 hour days to earn the trust of the locals. He said that the militias that were fighting them turned in their weapons and decided they didn’t want to die, but would rather watch their families grow. That was a major turning point in their campaign. Now the locals are openly supporting our troops and pointing out the terrorists.
He told of how the locals can walk down the street and point out Syrians, Iranians or Saudis like we can point out Mexicans. They all look & speak distinctly different to each other and stick out in the local hoods. The insurgents have run out of places to hide and are being pushed further and further into the sands waiting for their ultimate demise.
Roughly the way it works is, the Marines clear the streets of the city and then tell the Iraqi Police where to set up their stations. They co-patrol the streets as the IP not only can spot the terrorists but have family connections inside the area to get intel on where the terrorists are. This has become very effective and is being repeated throughout Iraq.
The fighting has stopped, to the point that the Marines are doing patrols in shirt sleeves w/o their body armor and helmets to mingle with the Iraqis. Their company of 95 came back with no casualties and only one wound from a stray bullet in a soccer celebration. They are rebuilding the infrastructure from the roofs to the sewers. He said they don’t do the actual work but deliver the supplies and have the locals install it and do a very good job. This gives the Iraqis a sense of pride as well as money when it is contracted to them. The people have accepted the Americans and are happy they are there.
The troops are aware of PravdABDNCBS. They read the news and when they see articles about their company or city they cut them out for the dart board to laugh at and make fun. He talked of two reporters they like, Sanchez and Yon. He met both men and was impressed how they wrote the actual truth as well as using the guys’ pics.
Justin told about other reporters who didn’t get it. He spoke of a gal who was working for a far Left Snoozepaper and was totally anti-war. After riding with them for a week and watching how they interacted and helped these people she started to get it. The people’s enthusiastic interaction and caring got her to the point of realizing the Iraqis needed the Americans. When she wrote her story for her Left-wing rag explaining her change of heart, that we needed to stay and we were doing good, for which she was immediately fired from the paper. So much for a Free Press. She later wrote to the Marines, thanking them for opening her eyes and how she realized she needed to work for a more open minded paper.
He was thrilled when he got back to the States that the Vietnam Vets were there to meet them. He spoke sadly of how the Vets wanted to make sure that they didn’t have to return in disgrace as they had. He understands the link between the two wars. He realizes that the same tactics are being used against him that shamed the Nam Vets. He spoke of how we never lost a battle in Nam yet we lost the war. He said he hopes the same thing doesn’t happen to him. I explained to him this is really the final battle of Vietnam. Never Forget, Never Forgive Hanoi Jane or Peace with disHonor.
These Troops understand that they are writing History in Iraq. They understand that they have freed a Country and Victory is at hand. They know that they represent their American military Brethren throughout histoir. They know that they have beaten one of the most difficult enemies that we have ever faced and are on the verge of complete victory. Although they know this may be the biggest triumph since WWII, like all humble heroes, they just feel they are just doing their job.
How empty must it be for Do Nothing Nancy and her fellow thugs on the Left to be rooting against Justin and his compatriots? How must it feel to go through life wanting the Iraqi people to be sent back to being tortured and enslaved by another Dictator. She knows the truth of the rape rooms and plastic shredders people were fed into, so to maybe improve her Party’s chances in the ‘08 elections, she roots for Justin’s defeat and the destruction of Iraq. If that is her definition of Victory, I will thank God every day I left that heartless Party and became a supporter of Our Troops. How does Do Nothing Nancy and her minions get up in the morning and avoid all those Mirrors??
Pray for W and Our Ramadi Marines
Yes, very interesting, but like someone already posted, it won’t see the light of day in the MSM.
Thanks for the ping, Phil. Excellent summary from the frontlines in Ramadi. Please thank your neighbors for their son’s sacrifice and his hard work.
Hey, troop! I second the sentiments of thanks above. I may be showing my ignorance, but I thought NCIS was all civilian. Your son is a Marine and with the NCIS, too?
There has been so much progress in my son’s AO that they are bored, “sitting around” and just counting the days til they get home after the first of the year. He attributes it to the volunteer militias who have stood up to the insurgents and have made their own world safe again. He asked if there was much in the news about it...ummm.....no.....
Thank you Armymom, your Country can never repay you for your sacrifices. Make sure to thank your sons for all of us.
Pray for W and Repubmom’s Sons
Ping!
Yes. These Marines are the real deal. They serve with honor.
Thank You for the story, and please send Thanks to Justin for his service.
“Our good fighters up around Ramadi and Fallujah are getting mighty bored these days. ;-)”
I am glad to hear that. I hope this is a war where they have to find a way to entertain themselves for the duration.
Another problem with NCIS having civilian personal is that he is not attached to any Marine unit, even back in the States. So his wife doesn’t really have the support groups that other units have when deployed. It’s all family and some real close friends.
Only good part about being deployed is that he is not first on the ground like Marine grunts are. But he still gets out into the surrounding towns and villages.
While in Iraq, he signed up for another 4 years. His signing bonus is tax free, WooHoo. He has 12 years in now and is looking to finish at least 20.
[Mr] T
Semper Fi
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