F-Body Europe

I'm sure you all saw this on the news, but this guy was there!


An Email from a Captain in Iraq

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.


Just too cool!

That was great. I can only imagine how surprised those soldiers were.. I know I would have shed a few tears. Such a great thing for a president to do. Putting his life on the line to go visit soldiers in a war environment. That took a tremendous amount of courage and bravery as far as I'm concerned.

I feel you man. That was awesome, wish I was there.

Daddy2K3--You are soo lucky to actually met the man. When I was in the desert a few years ago, the only people that visited us was Al Gore and Tipper. Not as exciting as the man.

Must be a difference with us Brits then. If Tony Blair turned up on my doorstep, I'd tell him to sod off, stop bullsh***ing the public and stop persecuting us with speed cameras.

Well, judging from the polls, similar things would happen to german chancelor (sp?) Schröder ... I think he currently has an approval rating of somewhere in the 20-25% range ...

Hotrod, that wasn't me. It was some Army captain. I've been very lucky not to have been sent to the sand box for almost 2 years. I spent that time in Korea. It would have been kick ass to be there then though

That makes me feel good, Garry, because I absolutely ABHOR the man!

Sorry dude! Boy do I feel stupid.

In german news it was just one sentence like "Bush visited Bagdad",
but I never thought about what it meant for the soldiers there.


Still so much?
I guess in the next elections only 40% of the people will vote at all,
because not one party seems to be worth a vote...

I'm not knocking the sentiment behind it and maybe I'm a little cynical but couldn't that have been written by someone in Bush's Press Office?

For all anyone knows, I could have written it, but in my opinion, that's really not the point!

I know it's not Jack and I hope I made that clear.

Sure you did, but quite frankly, I'm just really getting tired of all the negativity surrounding the whole thing (the war)!
I'm not trying to get personal at all, but some people have their own beliefs, but really know nothing about the situation at all. All it takes is for one person to publish one untruth, and all of the sudden you have millions of people taking that person's viewpoint. Too many people lack the fortitude to decide for themselves what they want to know or believe. Even someone close to me chooses to think it's all about the stupid oil!


I especially hate it when certain entities try to take credit for, and reap certain benefits from, things they never even came close to helping with in the first place.

I'm right there with you on that one, Jack. Too much politics, not enough consideration of the reality.

Thanks!

I can only imagine what this world could be like if there were more independent thinkers, and more people with their own vision.. Ahh that would be the day.