For soldiers, gratitude and praise from an Iraqi mayor

Rocky Mountain News ^ | 5/20/06 | David Montero

[bnelson44]

COLORADO SPRINGS - An Iraqi mayor stood before troops lined up on the lawn at Fort Carson on Friday morning and said only two words in English. But those two words brought the crowd to its feet.

"Thank you."

It was a telling gesture from Tal Afar Mayor Najim Al Jibouri, who spoke for about 20 minutes in his native tongue praising the 3rd Armored Cavalry for saving his city from certain ruin.

[bnelson44]

[bnelson44]

[bnelson44]

Happy Armed Forces Day

http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/

[catholicfreeper]

Good grief. I am about fed up as anything today. I am tired of the mainstream Media(Yes Fox that means even you) and their lack of coverage of the great things happening. I hate to say but even the Conservative Blogsphere doesnt cover this like it used too. Can't we talk about the pressing issues of the day and still cover the brave Americans and Iraqis and the compelling story that is unfolding there. What a great story. What a great picture of what we are fighting for and why its important.

Thank you bnelson44 for taking time the time to post this you have made my day. If it wasn't for post like yours and Milblogs, I would have not clue of whats going on.

[Dinah Lord]

Thank you bnelson44. What a great article!

God bless our troops and and Happy Armed Forces Day to you as well.

Cheers - Dinah

[Dinah Lord]

Tal Afar ping

[hsalaw]

Great article, and an excellent tribute for Armed Forces Day for the Mayor of Tel Afar to thank our military and recognize their contribution to freedom.

[AprilfromTexas]

Thanks for posting this. What a poignant day for our troops!! They make me so proud to be an American.

[patriciaruth]

ping.

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for this wonderful post!

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping Jan.
Thanks for posting this wonderful article bnelson.

The mayor said afterward through a translator that he worried about fading support for the war in Iraq and urged Americans to remember what it was like before U.S. forces arrived.

We still have a lot of work to do!

[La Enchiladita]

"Are you truly my friends?" he asked through a translator. "Yes. I walk a happier man because you are my friends. You are the world to me. I smell the sweet perfume that emanates from your flower of your strength, honor and greatness in every corner of Tal Afar. The nightmares of terror fled when the lion of your bravery entered our city."

This means a lot to the troops, I am sure.

[Gucho]

Bump! - A great article.

[pax_et_bonum]

A Rare and Unusual Serious Ping

[Jet Jaguar]

Good work.

[pax_et_bonum]

The nightmares of terror fled when the lion of your bravery entered our city."

[freema]

"One year ago today, not even a bird used to be inside the city of Tal Afar because of all the shooting that happened continuously," he said. "All of the schools were closed and all the government facilities were closed completely. Killing and murdering was allowed - even of the children."

Just this very morn another FReeper and I were waxing eloquent about the gloriousness of spring...the birds...how Mother Nature in all her glory goes on in spite of the world and the hope She brings.

Apparently, we spoke too soon.

[oceanview]

these are the kinds of stories the white house should be promoting - to counter the MSM coverage of iraq.

[freema]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1635215/posts?page=23#23
and #24

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks freema!

[thackney]

Thanks for the ping, we can't hear enough of these messages.

[Diver Dave]

OUTSTANDING!!!

Our nephew, currently in Iraq (not Tal Afar), deployed from Ft. Carson.

[Marine_Uncle]

Surely these heart felt gestures of thanks from the Iraqi go a long way in showing our troops they have done something very special. They are freeing a people who live in a world few of us can imagine. Thanks for ping, gotta run, work work work.

[CDHart]

Thank you! It's wonderful to hear about the good that's happening over there for a change.

Carolyn

[freema]

I was totally dumbstruck by that comment by the Mayor - We had just been full of gratitude for such seemingly little things.

Every spring I laud the day I hear the birds sing again. It's somewhat of a high holy day for me because I, once again, realize I have missed them so much over the winter and I realize how much joy they bring to my life. A 'free' little gift, so awesomely beautiful that when I again realize it's mine, I realize how preciously priceless it is to me. (Do I have enough descriptive words? LOL! But it's true!!!)

The mayors comment grabbed me- this gift immediately becomes infinitely preciously priceless.

[freema]

I love that graphic, too!

May blessings upon blessings rain down on your nephew!

+

[freema]

[Edgewood Pilot]

Your nephew is a friend of the Iraqi people. You should be very, very proud.

Thank you.

[Dinah Lord]

one more time bttt

[Just A Nobody]

Hmmmmm, no photo is showing for me?

[river rat]

I can't help but comment, this Mayor is but one of HUNDREDS in Iraq -- and doesn't appear to have many of his fellow Mayors willing to join him in his public show of appreciation to the "infidel invaders" in his land....

I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear later - that this brave Mayor has been targeted by the lunatics for assassination.

Forgive my cynicism, but he's bad news for them.
He needs to be "removed"..

We should pray for him and his family --- and perhaps even remove him from Iraq and bring him here.... I suspect he'd be a far better citizen that at least 50% of the folks here.

Semper Fi

[vigilante2]

good article thanks for the ping

[freema]

Oh, poop. They were a couple of pretty birdies and I'm too tired to try again : )

[freema]

I hadn't thought about that.........

[jmpmstr4u2]

Thank you so much for the ping.... This is motivating for me even now.

[La Enchiladita]

Hi, Brave Hero! Time will continue to prove the value of your service,
as well as the appreciation of staunch patriots here at home.
So good to "see" you here! xxooxx

[Allegra]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear later - that this brave Mayor has been targeted by the lunatics for assassination.

He gave a "thank you" speech in Tal Afar to our troops around February, too. And did OK after that.

But you're right...it's still dangerous to do something like that so publicly here. There are a lot of loonies running loose out there.

Americans do get thanked personally by Iraqis regularly, but you probably never hear about that kind of thing in the news. And they do it in a personal, private manner. They still run risks if the bad guys find out they're working with us infidels.

[Allegra]

Thank you for what you do. Sincerely.

How are you doing these days?

[jmpmstr4u2]

Thank you.
I am assisting in training Battalion Staff and units who are getting ready to go over. It is keeping me fairly busy. As far as my health....hmmmmmmm grin
I am undergoing medical treatment, and am still having some major issues with my back and neck. It is going to be a long road to recovery, but well worth it.
Thank you so much for your concern.

Greg

[jmpmstr4u2]

NO!!!! I am not going to pass it around. I want it all for myself. I am greedy that way. Grin

Thank you very much.

Are you going to the Rally in Santa Rosa next month? I have been asked to be a speaker.

[La Enchiladita]

I shoulda known better and sent you a HUG all for your own!!

LOL.

I am clueless re Santa Rosa Rally. Let me look into it.

[jmpmstr4u2]

supportthetroops@sbcglobal.net

(Support the Troops Rally Santa Rosa June 24th, 2006)

Mendocino Ave between 3rd and 4th streets.

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks. Don't know now if I can make it, but would love to!

[river rat]

Local thugs are the same all over the world...over all time.

Even in Vietnam of the early 60's, if the communists found out certain members of a village extended us any help or support at all -- it wouldn't be unusual to find the entire village decimated on our next pass by....

Americans have a difficult time graping the depth of our enemy's depravity and the brutality of their techniques of control...

Semper Fi