http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/personalaccount/ en-us Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:13:11 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007011/posts Brand New Episode of Covert Radio is now up and ready for you to download. This week, Brett talked to Bill Roggio from the Long War Journal. Bill just returned from Iraq a couple of weeks back and he has some great insight into Basra, Al Sadr, and the latest moves by Al Qaeda in Iraq in Mosul. Bill also shares his thoughts on the Northwest Province in Pakistan. You can download it directly from here. brettwinterble.libsyn.com or over at BrettWinterble.com Brett Winterble's Covert Radio http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007011/posts#comment Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:13:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001410/posts Received this via email from an ex-Navy Seal with friends in Iraq. Feel free to pass on to whomever -- I have Mike's approval. You can tell he was fired up. You may agree or disagree with this war, we all hate war and wish our boys weren't there, but how about some factual reporting. It's got me fired up! Many of you have written over the last two weeks, and I appreciate it. A lot of you have asked questions, based on what you’ve seen or read in the news. Since so many of you have asked many of... email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001410/posts#comment Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:53:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928036/posts A few weeks ago, in Britain's Prospect magazine, the paper's foreign editor, Bartle Bull, published a bold essay saying that the high tide of violence in Iraq was essentially behind us and that the ebb had disclosed some interesting things. First, the Iraqi people as a whole had looked into the abyss of civil war and had drawn back from the brink. Second, the majority of Sunni Arabs had realized that their involvement with al-Qaida forces was not a patriotic "insurgency" but was instead a horrific mistake and had exposed their society to the most sadistic and degraded element in... SLATE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928036/posts#comment Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:15:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919774/posts http://www.aliveinbaghdad.org/ This site is nothing short of Brilliant. Its live in Iraq, from the perspective of the people living there, its right there at ground Zero. This is something that should show up on a lot of desks in Iraq, and Washington DC should be seeing. Want to fix Iraq and get out, well, here it is from the perspective of those living it. Their stories. I for one don't like a lot of what I see there, of a number of reasons. You will see yourself. And no I am not affiliated with the site! Danae Alive in Baghdad http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919774/posts#comment Thu, 1 Nov 2007 23:41:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908633/posts In late July when I visited a police station in the town of Mushadah just north of Baghdad, I worried that Iraq was doomed to become the next Gaza. As many as half the police officers, according to most of the American Military Police who worked as their trainers, were Al Qaeda sympathizers or agents. The rest were corrupt, lazy cowards, according to every American I talked to but one. No one tried to spin Mushadah into a success story. By itself this doesn't mean the country is doomed. How important is Mushadah anyway? I hadn't even heard of it... Fox News | Frontpagemagazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908633/posts#comment Tue, 9 Oct 2007 13:58:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1898846/posts Former Townhall.com columnist Jeff Emanuel is currently in Iraq, where he has been embedded on the front lines with the U.S. military since the end of July. A former tactical air controller in the Air Force, Emanuel participated in major combat operations in Iraq in 2003 as a member of a special operations task force. He has returned to Iraq multiple times as an embedded journalist, and he is currently in that country reporting from “inside the surge.” He will be there until the middle of October.Following General Petraeus’ testimony before Congress last week, Emanuel took a few moments to... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1898846/posts#comment Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:09:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1895977/posts New GOP War Critic Describes Latest Iraq Visit  By REP. JAMES T. WALSH WASHINGTON — Editor's note: Rep. James Walsh, R-N.Y., recently made his first trip to Iraq in four years to meet with troops, American diplomats and Iraqi officials. Walsh visited a military hospital in Balad and a Baghdad neighborhood once controlled by insurgents. He met with officials overseeing the restoration of Iraq's infrastructure, including its feeble electrical grid. Walsh, who returned to Washington on Sept. 10, said he left Iraq convinced that the country's problems demand a political solution and that it is time to begin a more... Newhouse News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1895977/posts#comment Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:20:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1895067/posts The subway train goes out of service on Kingston-Throop, and I ascend the stairs. Someone says that they're taking blood over at Hoyt-Schermerhorn (?) and a bunch of folks including me head there. Before getting in line, I go to a local restaurant and order some nervous eating food, a large burger and coke. In line, I fill out forms only to be rejected after medical exam shows I have an accelerated heart beat. Naturally, it was accelerated. I just walked a couple of miles and a big part of my life, the towers, were gone. But that don't cut... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1895067/posts#comment Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:46:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1889514/posts IF you saw any news clips of intense combat last January, you were probably watching the fighting unfolding on Baghdad's Haifa Street: 10 days of grim sectarian violence. Until we put a stop to it. The boulevard of Sunni-inhabited high-rise apartments erupted in shootouts pitting the "Haifa Street Gang" and its al Qaeda allies against heavily Shia Iraqi army units. It was a recipe for massacre, as terrified residents - those who remained - cowered in their apartments. Then the U.S. Army moved in. New York Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1889514/posts#comment Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:08:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888431/posts Baghdad, Iraq - On this, my latest trip to Iraq, I have been embedded with the US military on the front lines for the last month, spending about three weeks in Salman Pak (just south of Baghdad) with the 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, from Ft. Benning, GA, and spending another several days near the Turkish and Syrian borders with a US Special Forces team and an Iraqi Police SWAT unit. As one of the very few journalists (out of the hundreds who come here) who actually spends time out on the real front lines, seeing with my... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888431/posts#comment Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:32:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886252/posts CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — It was 3 o’clock on a January morning when a convoy of Stryker vehicles rolled out of this protected American base near the main Baghdad airport. The discovery of 27 bodies on a part of Haifa Street, a meandering road that also goes through the Green Zone or, as it is now called, International Zone, meant it was time to help the Iraqis take back what has been called one of Baghdad’s meanest and toughest areas, a place, according to news reports, even henchmen of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein avoided. Sgt. Holly Jensen of the... Sierra Vista Herald/Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886252/posts#comment Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:20:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879414/posts I spent a week in Iraq recently, and here's what impressed me most: the Americans. In particular, the quality and character of the American soldiers and Marines who are fighting there and trying to help rebuild the nation. I don't mean to slight, in some ethnocentric way, the steadfastness and courage of the Iraqi people. But it was meeting and watching the American soldiers at work that I found most interesting. I've served in government, and I'm familiar with Washington, and I'm not an uncritical cheerleader for the American military. Indeed, I'd say that some of our general officers--until this... Time http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879414/posts#comment Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:50:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873833/posts Hey oooo, How is everyone doing? It's been awhile since I wrote and wanted to catch you up on the glorious nation of make benefit of Iraq. the unit that is replacing us is starting to arrive and so the end is in sight. We are more than happy to see them here. We are now starting to do some turnover actions and will be doing so for the next few weeks. It has been typical July weather for the Middle East, that is to say hot. Although hot doesn't quite describe it, it's pretty close to southern CA or... see above http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873833/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jul 2007 20:48:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1863157/posts When context is other people’s children As I write these words just a few miles from the graves I saw, the resulting controversy about whether what the man said was true, or whether his words should have been written if the writer couldn’t verify them, seems precious. There is no imaginary line of credulity that al Qaeda might cross should it go from beheading children to baking them. No unnamed Iraqi stringer claimed that al Qaeda had taken over Baqubah. Al Qaeda said this through the press. I sit writing these words in Diyala Province just a short drive from... Michael Yon http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1863157/posts#comment Mon, 9 Jul 2007 19:29:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859869/posts On 29 June, American and Iraqi soldiers were again fighting side-by-side as soldiers from Charley Company 1-12 CAV—led by Captain Clayton Combs—and Iraqi soldiers from the 5th IA, closed in on a village on the outskirts of Baqubah. The village had the apparent misfortune of being located near a main road—about 3.5 miles from FOB Warhorse—that al Qaeda liked to bomb. Al Qaeda had taken over the village. As Iraqi and American soldiers moved in, they came under light contact; but the bombs planted in the roads (and maybe in the houses) were the real threat. The firefight progressed. American... Michael Yon-online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859869/posts#comment Mon, 2 Jul 2007 22:44:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859636/posts Where did they go? On June 29, American and Iraqi soldiers were again fighting side-by-side as soldiers from Charley Company 1-12 CAV, led by Capt. Clayton Combs and Iraqi soldiers from the 5th IA, closed in on a village on the outskirts of Baqouba. The village had the apparent misfortune of being located near a main road — about 3.5 miles from FOB Warhorse — that Al Qaeda liked to bomb. Al Qaeda had taken over the village. As Iraqi and American soldiers moved in, they came under light contact, but the real threat were the bombs planted in the... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859636/posts#comment Mon, 2 Jul 2007 15:18:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1696287/posts Milblogger BlackFive has just released a new book that contains dispatches from our outstanding men and women of the US military who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. If it weren't for the milbloggers much of the good news from Iraq and Afghanistan would never become widely known by the American people. --- It is the work of over 50 Americans who tell their stories about the experiences around the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In it you will meet: * The Warriors. Snipers, tankers, grunts. Readers who have never heard a shot fired in anger will come closer to... Blackfive http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1696287/posts#comment Wed, 6 Sep 2006 11:43:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1689046/posts Hugh, Our son, Boots Dunlap, is a Capt. in the 1-32 Inf Battalion (nicknamed Chosin Bn.). We just got this letter to soldiers' families from the Battalion Commander. These men and women are doing a great job and spilling their blood for us at home. I hope American appreciate their sacrifice. Charlie Dunlap Dear Chosin Family, As you all make your way back from summer vacations and travels, I thought I would welcome you back with some great information about your loved ones' exploits over here in Operation Enduring Freedom. It has been a long, hot summer here in AOR... Townhall http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1689046/posts#comment Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:51:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1670573/posts Freerepublic Exclusive: Photo Diary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In port prior to boarding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scenes from the muster point where evacuees check in and board buses to the Orient Queen.     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glimpse of Safety --------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the bus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bus ride to the Beirut port from the muster point near the Embassy.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In port prior to boarding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buses arrive at Beirut port, Orient Queen is in the background. British helicopters arrive, land, take on evacuees from buses, and then depart.       Lebanese soldier providing port security lights up a cigarette. Lebanese navy (both ships!)... Rebel_Yell2 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1670573/posts#comment Sat, 22 Jul 2006 20:52:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1669156/posts Well, we’ve been at the makeshift deportation center for six hours now. We were called at 2:00 am and told to be here at 9:00, but our name isn’t on any list. Many are in the same situation – but many others haven’t been called and are crashing the gates and creating problems. For the first 4 hours we were on a concrete road in the hot sun. We were able to watch three big ships coming in from the sea. We made a little tent with Adam’s blanket for our kids and some others nearby. All the announcements were... A Friend http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1669156/posts#comment Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:19:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1667733/posts <p>"As I come closer to the halfway point in my second combat tour, I have been reflecting on the events dating from 9/11 to today. Watching the nation's perspective change from an incredible level of patriotism to the lackluster, complacent attitude I see now, is sickening. I ask myself what has changed since 9/11. Does it take a horrific tragedy to open the eyes of the public and motivate them to stand behind our nation's principles? "For those who have forgotten, we were sent here to defeat tyranny and fight terrorism. Tyranny has been abolished and we are now in the process of ridding this country from terror. Our fight is not over, we still have a mission to accomplish, and we still need the support of our country: not support for the troops but support for the war on terror. "Hearing people say, 'I support the troops, but I don't support the war,' is hypocrisy that astounds and annoys me every time I hear it. Saying you don't support the war is telling me that you don't support my beliefs, my right to fight for freedom, and my choice to be over here away from my family to be a part of something I believe in. I'll tell you what I don't support: I don't support Americans cowering behind the wall of freedom that we provide and then criticize the way we provide it. Stand behind us. Stand behind what we've volunteered to do. "Over the past month we have made incredible progress in our war effort. We are working hand-in-hand with the Iraqi army, and with their help we have successfully broken apart several terrorist cells in our area. We have seen more success at this point in the war than eight months of fighting in OIF I and II. And yet our nation supports us less now than before . . . what is the explanation? "Don't let the events in Abu Ghraib and Haditha alter your perspective of the Marine Corps. A week ago today two Iraqi children were brought to our traffic control point. The children were sheep herders, and as they were walking, one of their sheep stepped on a pressure-plated IED. The IED was not meant for coalition forces. It was placed by an insurgent whose intent was to harm any Iraqi civilian. The IED blew one of the children's lower mandible off and left severe shrapnel wounds in the upper leg of the second child. Both of these children survived the IED because their parents brought them to us. They knew that the Marines would care for them. The Marines would save their children when a terrorist attacked his own people. The Marines and Navy corpsmen of Alpha Company of the 3rd LAR have saved the lives of numerous innocent Iraqi civilians and have developed a relationship with the Iraqi Army to the point that I can call them brothers-in-arms. A language, religion, and culture barrier separates us, and yet one common factor allows us to unite and fight side by side. The fight for freedom—to liberate a country. "I will spend my Independence Day fighting for the freedom of a country that has been oppressed for over 54 years. For those of you who say, "Let them fight their own war," or "Pull the troops out now—it's not our fight," remember how our country came to be and the sacrifices that have been made to build our nation. "For those of you who remain supportive, I thank you with all my heart. I wish I could portray to you the joy and exhilaration I experience every time we help the Iraqi people. Your support keeps us driving, and without it this fight would be unwinnable. To the families of all the military personnel overseas, you are heroes to us . . . your ability to support our being away for months at a time requires more courage than any situation we encounter. The support of my wife, family, and friends has taken me through almost two combat deployments. Realize that our families have it harder than us. Respect and support them as you do the Marines and sailors. Semper Fi"</p> Parent of Marine in Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1667733/posts#comment Tue, 18 Jul 2006 12:54:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1665196/posts From Tourists Streaming into Syria from Lebanon, post 47: To: cinives You all might find this damn funny, but my sorry ass is marooned in Beirut, where I have been working for the IMF. If anybody has any helpful suggestions on how I can get out of this war zone, I would be most grateful. Right now, the road to Syria is the only way out of Lebanon for anyone, including U.S. citizens, and the Israelis are bombing that road. I am NOT happy with the Israelis right now. I understand their concerns about their kidnapped soldiers but bombing the... FreeRepublic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1665196/posts#comment Thu, 13 Jul 2006 20:00:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1665344/posts Seven katyusha missiles fell today in Safed. In response to the order of army authorities to enter shelters we walked down dusty stairs to a place we never thought we would need to enter. As we arrived the bottom of the staircase we met up with a strong smell of mildew produced from the locked up room with no windows and piles of old dusty books stored in crates. Luckily, one of the neighbors brought in a fan to facilitate breathing. A woman sitting on a stool, and surrounded by four frightened little girls was a young emissary from Moscow... COL.org.il http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1665344/posts#comment Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:39:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1656860/posts "We are all American soldiers, we just wear different uniforms. A wise man once told me that we are only where we are because we stand on the shoulders of giants. People like you and the other support[er]s are our giants and the foundation that lets us stand strong in the face of the enemy. With the negativity in the media, it is a breath of fresh air when we hear such kind and motivating words from you. We are all doing well over here. The job is hard, but it seems like the last month has gone really quickly...Please... Personal Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1656860/posts#comment Wed, 28 Jun 2006 02:30:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1643066/posts Al Anbar Province, Iraq I ARRIVED AT CAMP FALLUJA in Iraq's Anbar Province by Blackhawk at 4 a.m. on the morning of April 13. No sooner had I lain down in my bunk than I heard the "thump, thump, thump" of outgoing artillery, five rounds in all. I later learned they were illumination rounds, probably called in to light up the area around the Iraqi Army's Observation Post 3 (OP3) in Karma, just northeast of Falluja. It was, I was told, the largest enemy action in the area in the last eight months. Click here for the rest of the... The Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1643066/posts#comment Sun, 4 Jun 2006 05:26:22 GMT