MCCOY'S MARINES: DARKSIDE TOWARD BAGHDAD - Part 6 of 6 - Going Home

San Francisco Chronicle (Believe it or Not!) ^ | November 15, 2003 | John Koopman

[river rat]

Baghdad -- Chapter 6: All quiet in Baghdad .. .. . Meeting the press corps . .. . . The statue of Saddam comes down, people hit it with their shoes .. .. . Baghdad is Dodge City . .. .. Two more Marines die . .. .. Darkside's Thug Patrol . .. .. Getting out of Dodge . .. .. Ice at the Hilton . .. .. Marines return to their desert . .. .. Everyone's happy, except the ones who are not . .. .. Debauchery at the Rattler . .. .. Where war stays forever. .

[RJL]

Thanks to River Rat for posting this series.

[river rat]

The expression that I always felt said it best...was -
"At the core, it's still the Corps"..

This acknowledges that there are fringe idiots and jerks in the Corps..as in any large organization.
But at its "heart", in its "soul", at its "core" it is STILL the Corps..

Semper Fi

[river rat]

Get over it! Quickly!!!

If you didn't catch the first five chapters - you can go to Post #7 above, and hit the links to the rest of the chapters..

Semper Fi

[river rat]

It was my pleasure...

Met a lot of nice folks through "private reply" -- where MOST of the REALLY GOOD STUFF happens, and learned some new tricks in the process...

Thanks for joining us, and hope you enjoyed the series..

I guess I should go a easier on John Koopman - afterall, he DID have to satisfy his freaking bosses at the San Franscisco Chronicle -- Hardly your Corps friendly newspaper..

Hell, I've reached the point where I refuse to spend money in that beautiful city - even though its only a 50 minute beautiful drive north of me..

The wife thinks I'm crazy -- because I insist on "packing" all consumables and necessities for a field trip when we visit the city to do some sightseeing or bike riding...

I don't spend a dime there, The ONLY thing I leave behind in the that city is trash -- and human waste -- in a FREE TOILET.

Semper Fi

[Travis McGee]

God Bless the Marines! Thanks...

[McGavin999]

This was a great series. Glad you posted it, glad I got to read it.

[blam]

Thanks.

[river rat]

U B Welkom, sir...
Semper Fi

[river rat]

Late afternoon bump...
Semper Fi

[oh8eleven]

...there are fringe idiots and jerks in the Corps
The "ten percenters" as I remember.

[Hot Tabasco]

I hope John Koopman's effort

While I appreciated Mr. Koopman's coverage of "His" experience in Iraq, I was nevertheless left with a feeling of betrayal for his not writing of nor asking the marines why they are doing what they are doing. Specifically, I do not think Mr. Koopman is willing to accept the fact that those in the military do what they do for love of their country and for love of freedom, wherever they are needed.......

I will not be surprised to see future articles from Mr. Koopman criticizing the Iraqi war effort......

If I am wrong, well, it won't be the first time.

[okie01]

Thanks for sharing these threads. We really appreciate it.

Our best to all Marines, young and old. You are our best.

[Alas Babylon!]

A couple of good stories on Cpl Mark Evnin, from Burlington, Vt. Evnin was the driver of the SgtMaj's humvee (who the reporter was embedded with).

Photos of his funeral.

A tribute from his high school, with more photos.

Thank you River Rat! Great series. Since I was Air Force, I'll post this photo of one of mine honoring one of yours. Semper Fi!

Tech. Sgt. Darryl LaBrie of the Vermont Air National Guard blows "Taps" at the end of Marine Cpl. Mark Envin's funeral Monday in South Burlington. Glenn Russell, Photographer

[river rat]

That REALLY wraps it up...
If seeing those photos doesn't break your heart - nothing will...

I pray he will rest in eternal peace, and that his family KNOWS that...
He is gone from his family, but he has been welcomed by his brothers....

Thanks for providing that view into his life...
Our citizens need to KNOW, these are warm blooded humans with loved ones -- not crazed killers to be spat upon...

Semper Fi

[Cap'n Crunch]

Thank you, that was a great read.

"Marines should be fighting or on liberty."-great line.

Well done Kilo 3/4. Still got my 3/4 t-shirt when I was with them on the Rock in 82.

[river rat]

This is Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, who Commanded the 1st Marine Division in Iraq..

A war fighter with an iron fist and brass balls - who ordered a Regimental Commander replaced DURING the attack on Baghdad...

Certainly not a Clinton "Perfumed Prince" -- like Weeny Clark...

Semper Fi

[river rat]

"Still got my 3/4 t-shirt...."

Will it STILL cover your "mid-drift"....?

Semper Fi

[river rat]

Marine General slams 'Chicken Little' news!!

Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, who Commanded the 1st Marine Division in Iraq.. gives HIS opinion on "journalists" in war zones...

The General's comments on the war and journalists

Semper Fi

[MissAmericanPie]

I remember that "human shield" going up to the marines and calling them murderer's in Bagdad. I think the term "human" in regards to her status on the food chain is far to grand a title.

The marines were and are right, they are for fighting, not public relations. They have an edge that they don't need to be losing by being requried to engage in PC nonsense.

Thanks for the installments, it's been a wonderful read.

[MEG33]

Thank you for bringing this to us.A tough read,at times,but war is hell,indeed.God bless our armed forces and all who wait at home.