Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
Posted on 04/12/2004 8:05:56 AM PDT by Varmint Al
Gents, "The Word" from our Marines in Iraq Posted By: Jim in Idaho Date: Sunday, 11 April 2004, at 11:36 a.m.
This came to me as an e-mail from 1stSgt Reilly, a good friend of mine serving in Iraq as we speak. I "cut and pasted" the original message, and tried to put it back together for you so it is easier to read. I thought some of you would like to know how our Marines percieve the battlefront from their own eyes. This was a quick note for the families back home, and must be viewed in that context, but I think it speaks well for the fighting ability of our Marines at a time when the talking heads are screaming "the sky is falling"....
From Fajullah with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. /tdr
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 2:03 AM Subject: Update from Lt Col Kennedy
"Dear Ladies, the last two days have been the hardest two days this battalion has faced in over 30 years. Within the blink of an eye the situation went form relatively calm to a raging storm. You've known that since arriving there has been violence; attacks have been sporadic and mostly limited to roadside bombs. Your husbands have become experts at recognizing those threats and neutralizing them before we are injured. Up to this point the war has been the purview of corporals and sergeants, and the squad they lead.
Yesterday the enemy upped the ante.
Early in the morning we exchanged gunfire with a group of insurgents without significant loss. As morning progressed, the enemy fed more men into the fight and we responded with stronger force. Unfortunately, this led to injuries as our Marines and sailors started clearing the city block by block. The enemy did not run; they fought us like soldiers. And we destroyed the enemy like only Marines can. By the end of the evening the local hospital was so full of their dead and wounded that they ran out of space to put them. Your husbands were awesome all night they stayed at the job of securing the streets and nobody challenged them as the hours wore on. They did not surrender an inch nor did flinch from the next potential threat. Previous to yesterday the terrorist thought that we were soft enough to challenge. As of tonight the message is loud and clear that the Marines will not be beaten.
Today the enemy started all over again, although with far fewer numbers, only now the rest of the battalion joined the fight. Without elaborating too much, Weapons Company and Golf Company crushed their attackers with the vengeance of the righteous. They filled up the hospitals again and we suffered only a few injuries. Echo Company dominated the previous day's battlefield. Fox Company patrolled with confidence and authority; nobody challenged them. Even Headquarters Company manned their stations and counted far fewer people openly watching us with disdain. If the enemy is foolish enough to try to take your men again they will not survive contact. We are here to win.
The news looks grim from back in the States. We did take losses that, in our hearts, we will always live with. The men we lost were taken within the very opening minutes of the violence. They could not have foreseen the treachery of the enemy and they did not suffer. We can never replace these Marines and Sailors but they will fight on with us in spirit. We are not feeling sorry for ourselves nor do we fear what tomorrow will bring. The battalion has lived up to its reputation as The Magnificent Bastards.
Yesterday made everyone here stronger and wiser; it will be a cold day in Hell before we are taken for granted again."
Paul Kennedy and Jim Booker
.......By the way, this could be any Marine or Army unit, as nobody can truly match the fighting ability and reach of our Soldiers and Marines.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
We're kicking ass and taking names......and it's high time our moronic media stand up and recognize what our troops are doing.
This itself is good news...our guys are doing well.....reducing the enemy numbers is the name of the game..soon by the grace of God....there will be none left with the heart to fight...
God Bless Our Troops...Grant them total victory and keep them safe
In Jesus' name we pray...
amen
I suspect that it will be a while before our military is caught off guard like this again. Enemies of freedom in Iraq ought to stay clear. Because next time, we are likely to be already shooting as soon as they show their faces.
What a great thing this volunteer military is. We don't have a bunch of draftees who don't want to be there or a bunch of losers who didn't have any other options. Our military is made up of our best and brightest. A group of seasoned professionals who WANT to be there. Who WANT to defend our country and our way of life. Who take PRIDE in who they are and what they do.
Our country is very fortunate.
Fine webpage, Varmint Al! You also may want to check out the official Prairie Dog Fishing page at -
http://www.freedomnet.cnchost.com/pdf/pdft.htm
Its webmaster is another Fine Freeper named Fivetoes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.