Via e-mail: A soldier's account of the President's Iraq visit

e-mail ^ | unknown | unknown

[jra]

Written by a US Army captain who was there...

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 were tasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI battalion got our table. 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 xxxxx 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 me 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.

[jra]

Hope this isn't a repost, nice first-hand account of the commander-in-chief visiting our fine troops.

[The Great RJ]

Contrast this with Hillary's dinner with the troops.

[CovenBuster]

And it's true!

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

I jsut read this to my wife, who is sitting in her chair with tears in her eyes. She can't see the mist in mine cause of the tears in hers.

Thanks your post has made my or should I say our night.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Have you heard about google?

[VOA]

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 xxxxx being born.

So much for real men not crying.
And that place of full of real men (and real women).

Too bad American history classes don't relate the story when guy named George (that served
as President) got a room full of his soldiers crying. Suppossedly a lot of the
officers of the Continental Army were not happy with not getting paid by Congress...
and were even muttering words like "coup".
As I understand, Gen. George Washington was allowed to attend a meeting of these officers.
When he finally was to speak about the issue, he had notes to read, but fumbled
with his "spectacles" and in embarassment said to the assemblage something like
"I fear that I've gone quite blind in your service".

Tears everywhere. Sobs from the men who'd stayed the course at the singular quality
of the man who'd seen it through.
No more talk of insurrection.
Thank goodness radio host Michael Medved included this vignette on one of his history tapes.

[MEG33]

I've read it before and pinged everyone I could think of to it.It's worth reposting .I wasn't aware it was verified by urban legends.I love it.

[skr]

I'm tearing up just reading it!

[Sans-Culotte]

Thanks for the Snopes link. I looked there for corroboration earlier but could not find it.

[Maria S]

"So much for real men not crying."

I'm betting there was also some crying going on at the locations miz clinton chose to visit. Just tears being shed for a different reason.

Maybe not...

[VOA]

I'm betting there was also some crying going on at the locations miz clinton chose to visit.

"Weeping and gnashing of teeth"
Yeah, I think that would be the operative term...

[DesertDreamer]

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't seen it before and it's nice to finally hear an accurate account after all the DU spin that has made it into the media.

[MeanAsSnake]

Does anyone have a first hand account of Hillary's visit? It would nice to contrast the two.

[4mycountry]

Bump to the Top! What a wonderful letter.

[redbaiter]

That was Saturday March 15, 1783 in Newburgh NY. In Angel in the Whirlwind Benson Bobrick has the quote as being "I have already grown gray in the service of my country. I am now going blind."

[VOA]

In Angel in the Whirlwind Benson Bobrick has the quote as being
"I have already grown gray in the service of my country. I am now going blind."

Just had to re-post...a quote that ought to be known to every American school-child.
I remember the first time I heard Medved recount the story on his tape...
heck, I couldn't fight the impulse to get a bit teary.

Funny to think that even Mad King George realized Washington's greatness by
marveling that Washington left the office of President to return to his farms...rather
than grabbing power and money.

[nicmarlo]

Pingaroo!!!

[sweetliberty]

Hillary is deeply saddened.

[Cultural Jihad]

Thanks for sharing.

[nicmarlo]

Suppossedly a lot of the officers of the Continental Army were not happy with not getting paid by Congress

this much I know is true...my 6th great-grandfather, Capt. Asa Douglas, wrote a letter to then General George Washington, complaining about the men's living conditions, lack of enough food and equipment....of the impending cold to come...I have a copy of this letter, as it is in the Washington Archives.

Many patriots lost everything while serving because they could not pay their bills.

General Washington truly had much to deal with in leading his men, a great leader he was.