An Email from a Captain in Iraq

[Deadeye]

>
> We knew there was a dinner planned with ambassador Bremer and LTG
> Sanchez. There were 600 seats available and all the units in the
> division weretasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI
> battalion got ourtable. Soldiers were grumbling about having to sit
> through another dog-and-pony show, so we had to pick soldiers to attend.
> I chose not to go.
>
> But, about 1500 the G2, LTC Devan, came up to me and with a smile, asked
> me to come to dinner with him, to meet him in his office at 1600 and
> bring a camera. I didn't really care about getting a picture with
> Sanchez or Bremer, but when the division's senior intelligence officer
> asks you to go, you go. We were seated in the chow hall, fully decorated
> for thanksgiving when aaaaallllll kinds of secret service guys showed
> up.
>
> That was my first clue, because Bremer's been here before and his
> personal security detachment is not that big. Then BG Dempsey got up to
> speak, and he welcomed ambassador Bremer and LTG Sanchez. Bremer thanked
> us all and pulled out a piece of paper as if to give a speech. He
> mentioned that the President had given him this thanksgiving speech to
> give to the troops. He then paused and said that the senior man present
> should be the one to give it. He then looked at Sanchez, who just
> smiled.
>
> Bremer then said that we should probably get someone more senior to read
> the speech. Then, from behind the camouflage netting, the President of
> the United States came around. The mess hall actually erupted with
> hollering. Troops bounded to their feet with shocked smiles and just
> began cheering with all their hearts. The building actually shook. It
> was just unreal. I was absolutely stunned. Not only for the obvious, but
> also because I was only two tables away from the podium. There he stood,
> less than thirty feet away from me! The cheering went on and on and on.
>
> Soldiers were hollering, cheering, and a lot of them were crying. There
> was not a dry eye at my table. When he stepped up to the cheering, I
> could clearly see tears running down his cheeks. It was the most surreal
> moment I've had in years. Not since my wedding and Aaron being born.
> Here was this man, our President, came all the way around the world,
> spending 17 hours on an airplane and landing in the most dangerous
> airport in the world, where a plane was shot out of the sky not six days
> before.
>
> Just to spend two hours with his troops. Only to get on a plane and
> spend another 17 hours flying back. It was a great moment, and I will
> never forget it. He delivered his speech, which we all loved, when he
> looked right at me and held his eyes on me. Then he stepped down and was
> just mobbed by the soldiers. He slowly worked his way all the way around
> the chow hall and shook every last hand extended. Every soldier who
> wanted a photo with the President got one. I made my way through the
> line, got dinner, then wolfed it down as he was still working the room.
>
> You could tell he was really enjoying himself. It wasn't just a photo
> opportunity. This man was actually enjoying himself! He worked his way
> over the course of about 90 minutes towards my side of the room.
> Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to shake a few hands. I got a picture
> with Ambassador Bremer, Talabani (acting Iraqi president) and Achmed
> Chalabi (another member of the ruling council) and Condaleeza Rice, who
> was there with him.
>
> I felt like I was drunk. He was getting closer to my table so I went
> back over to my seat. As he passed and posed for photos, he looked my in
> the eye and "How you doin', captain." I smiled and said "God bless you,
> sir." To which he responded "I'm proud of what you do, captain." Then
> moved on.
>

[tunica]

thanks Deadeye I need that ok ok so the guys in the office think something got in my eye....

[SB]

Thanks, Deadeye.

[trigger]

Thanks for the post!! I have a friend over there!! We need to remember to keep them in our prayers each day......my friend cant wait to get back and do some hunting so we ought to be REAL thankful for what they all do to give us freedoms....such as hunting!!
GOD BLESS EM ALL!!!

[CBrown]

Wow what a post....I'm like Tunica, dang contacts are killing my eyes.

[DRUM07]

My roomate leaves Sunday for mob-station, should leave around the first of the year for Iraq. God bless him!!!!! And God bless our President!!!!!!

[Haymaker]

That was a great post!!! I pray for our troops and our President and think that they are all doing a wonderful job. I don't think that there have been many Presidents in the past that would have done something like that for the troops.

God Bless,

Haymaker

[BigLou2]

WE should contact someone to find out if and when people are coming back and offer to take them hunting as a guest on our leases. After all, if it would not be for them we would have none of this to enjoy! What does everyone think? I would like to be the first to volunteer to take a solider duck hunting from our great state that has served in IRAQ!

[Bustin' Ducks]

I know the feeling..On X-Mas morning after 11 Sept...General Tommy Franks and his wife flew out to the ship and greeted the whole crew!! It really made our day..bcuz he'd been in the drivers seat planning the war on Afgahnistan..OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM...He could've been at home with his family or doing anything but coming to visit 6,000+ sailors who ended up being out to sea for 159 days with NO liberty port!! He made a speech telling the crew how proud he was of us and how proud America was of us..and cried twice! He got down off the stage and shook literally everyone sailors hand and thanked them for the job we were doing!!

[Strayshot]

Thanks for the post. Spent a couple of X'mas floating over there. We got Bob Hope which cheered us up. I know the President Showing up blew their minds. I can see the smiles now.
My heart and prayers go out to those shipmates of mine spending the holiday season abroad. God Bless

[mudsucker]

Awsome. God bless our troops! I too spent Christmas 1983 on a Navy ship. We were off the coast of Leabon in support of the Marines after the Marine barracks were bombed. I think it was genuien(sp) on the President's part and not political as is the case with Sen. Clinton
USA USA USA USA USA, oh and "GEAUX TIGERS"!

[duck_nutt]

brought tears to my eyes reading it...

[jebster]

My son has been over there since June. He's a helicopter pilot, flying an OH-58, Kiowa Warrior. My wife and I watched the news update when the President was entering the dinner hall and then his speech. Well before the end of the speech, we both had flowing tears. While I know it meant everything to those soldiers, it meant the same for us parents.

God bless our valiant troops and our wonderful and courageous President!!