Free Republic

BAGHDAD, Iraq - At a parade ground where Saddam Hussein once reviewed his troops, American soldiers gathered Saturday to remember and shed tears for eight comrades and three journalists who died during the war. "We are standing at the heart of a regime that struck fear into the hearts of the people," said Col. David Perkins of Keene, N.H., commanding officer of the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade. "There are things worth dying for," he said. "Freedom is one of those things." At the center of the ceremony were eight M-16 automatic rifles with bayonets, stuck into a wooden bench....

Family members of Brandon Tobler shared the last e-mail he sent to them: hey mom and dad, how are things with you, i hope you are both doing ok i am doing fine, things here are going ok we are just keeping busy i am a little stressed but other than that i am alright, i have been loaded down with a lot of tasks that i have not even been trained for, but i think i am doing an ok job, anyways i am sorry that i have not written you guys lately and i know I have been...

Names of the four US Marines who died in yesterday's helicopter crash: Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of Bloomington, Ill. Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, Texas Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey, 29, of Baltimore, Md. The Pentagon has just released the names of two more US Marines who were killed in Iraq. I'll post as soon as I find that.