She was there. Report from Iraq

From: (name deleted for protection) who was at the Baghdad Airport Thanksgiving Dinner where the President Spoke

It was totally insane. Let me start from the beginning in the hope that I can catch my breath. Several days ago I received an All Hands email asking anyone who wanted to go to a ‘Thanksgiving Dinner with the Troops’ to respond with badge number and some other information. The email said there would be a lottery drawing for the few seats available. This morning I received notice that I had won (!!) and to go to a meeting point at 1500. Anyway long story short, I arrived at the airport with about 15-20 others, and was escorted into the huge chow hall where several hundred soldiers were sitting. I found an empty spot at one of the tables and started chatting with the men and women in uniform. They were shy at first, thinking I was some kind of VIP (hardly!). We talked about home and what we are doing here- and slowly they relaxed. And so did I. Time ticked on- and we were there over an hour, waiting for something…anything. Bremer and Sanchez came in- still nothing. What were we waiting for, I wondered? The guys were more patient than I- just shrugging their shoulders and looking more and more unimpressed.

After a while, an American General stood up and introduced General Sanchez and Ambassador Bremer. They said they wanted to read the President’s Thanksgiving declaration, but wanted the most senior person there to deliver it. Who is more senior than those two, we wondered aloud…

Then pandemonium. Literally- screaming, jumping and clapping. Who is it, I asked- The President!! Then I, too lept up from my seat, not believing my ears. There he was- President Bush- standing on the podium-smiling and fighting back tears. It was an extremely emotional moment for everyone there.

His speech was awesome- got everyone fired up and motivated when people had been vaguely depressed before. In case you haven’t seen it, here it is:

A text of President Bush's remarks Thursday to U.S. troops in Baghdad, as provided by the White House:

Thank you. I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. General Sanchez, thank you, sir, for your kind invitation and your strong leadership. Ambassador Bremer, thank you for your steadfast belief in freedom and peace. I want to thank the members of the Governing Council who are here, pleased you are joining us on our nation's great holiday, it's a chance to give thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings we receive.

I'm particularly proud to be with the 1st Armored Division, the 2nd ACR, the 82nd Airborne. I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all. We're proud of you. Today, Americans are gathering with their loved ones to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. And this year we are especially thankful for the courage and the sacrifice of those who defend us, the men and women of the United States military.

I bring a message on behalf of America: We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you. Together, you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're honoring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job. You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so that we don't have to face them in our own country. You're defeating Saddam's henchmen, so that the people of Iraq can live in peace and freedom.

By helping the Iraqi people become free, you're helping change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping to build a peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you are defending the American people from danger and we are grateful.

You're engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins.

We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're part of the finest military ever assembled. And we will prevail because the Iraqis want their freedom.

Every day you see firsthand the commitment to sacrifice that the Iraqi people are making to secure their own freedom. I have a message for the Iraqi people: You have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country, based on human dignity and freedom. The regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever.

The United States and our coalition will help you, help you build a peaceful country so that your children can have a bright future. We'll help you find and bring to justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing innocent Iraqis We will stay until the job is done. I'm confident we will succeed, because you, the Iraqi people, will show the world that you're not only courageous, but that you can govern yourself wisely and justly.

On this Thanksgiving, our nation remembers the men and women of our military, your friends and comrades who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom. We ask for God's blessings on their families, their loved ones and their friends, and we pray for your safety and your strength, as you continue to defend America and to spread freedom.

Each one of you has answered a great call, participating in an historic moment in world history. You live by a code of honor, of service to your nation, with the safety and the security of your fellow citizens. Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth. I'm proud to be your commander in chief. I bring greetings from America May God bless you all.

There were a couple of standing ovations- again, very emotional and deeply felt by all. After he finished his remarks, the President stepped into the crowd, and greeted people for over an hour. Actually more like two hours. He shook everyone’s hand- and made a point of it. He would see someone getting pushed aside and say ‘Hey Sanchez, I’m headed your way.’ And the guys loved him. Adored him. Because they could see he was their guy.

He shook my hand, too! That was pretty exciting. I was with another woman who was a lot more cool about the whole thing than I was and she introduced me to him. Eyes met, hands shook and he moved on. Wow! I’ll tell you- meeting the President of the United States is THRILLING. Especially when you are in Baghdad and totally not expecting it.

One of the other CPA people there was retired General Hugh Tant III. He is a legend to a lot of the guys in the 82nd Airborne, and served in Gulf War I. Now he is over here, running the currency exchange operation. Needless to say, great guy When we found out we were both selected, he asked me to be his ‘date.’ Anyway by the time the President reached our table, General Tant was misty-eyed. If you can call Niagara Falls misty. He reached into his pocket and took out a coin. He told the President: ‘I ate Thanksgiving dinner with your father in Kuwait 10 years ago right before we jumped, and I gave him one of these. Now I want you to have this one.’ The President grabbed him and gave him a huge bear hug- flashbulbs popped. So if you see a picture of the President hugging some random old guy, that’s General Tant. Have to find out more about the coin…there has to be more of a story there….

Condi Rice and Andy Card were there, too. I met them both- Condi Rice asked if we were really surprised- she was getting a kick out of it. We all said ‘Absolutely!’ Andy Card repeated my name and said it was nice to meet me. Forgive me, foreign friends who may not know these names- just know that it really means a lot for these guys to have their comander in chief come out and physically support them. His coming here was a hugely important thing for our troops- all of them- whether or not they were in the chow hall at the airport.

Anyway after the hundreds of handshakes and photographs (my battery died!!!! Can you BELIEVE IT??!!!), he was off. He said a quick goodbye and Happy Thanksgiving and then no-one could leave the airport for an hour until Air Force One was well on its way. I am still glowing

In other news, winter has officially arrived here. The rain has started and all the sand and dust has turned to mud. My pants are perpetually dirty- splattered with mud- and my boots are looking very rough indeed! War is hell.

In the dining hall in the CPA palace, one of the kitchen staff painted a huge mural of the Twin Towers.

I am pretty much used to the attacks at this point- and not really scared of them anymore- at least the way I used to be. I definitely get away from windows, etc. but it seems like the attacks on the green zone at least are launched just for the sake of media attention rather than to actually damage anything or anyone. I will of course continue to be vigilant and safe, and I don’t want to tempt fate by scoffing too much.

Hillary Clinton is coming here tomorrow. For her sake I hope I don’t see her. I might do something crazy like spit in her direction. Actually, General Tant, right before the President came onto the podium, had a funny line. When Bremer said ‘someone more senior,’ Tant turned to me and commented: ‘If Hillary Clinton shows up I am leaving.’ I heard that tonight in Afghanistan, where she is making a stop, the troops were more interested in the food than her. Go figure.

Great telling of the story. My son is at home on leave for Xmas and told me that two guys in his squadron were sent and wereoverwhlemed, including a medic who is really laid back about almost everything (Oh, was that an IED we just ran over?) The troops aree just pumped. My son, who is an Lt. got a hint from the Sergeant Major of his squadron.

The President's 100 is the top 100 shooters in the President's match. It is a 300 point match shot once a year at Camp Perry which consists of 10 rounds slow fire standing from 200 yards. 10 rounds rapid fire (with a magazine change) in 60 seconds (I think) from 300 yards in the standing to prone position. 10 shots 600 yard slow fire from the prone position. The usual cutoff for the top 100 is about 285 points and the winner usually has 295 or higher depending on the conditions. I don't know if anyone has cleaned it (300 out of 300) but I'm pretty sure there's been a few 299's. It is a very difficult cut to make the top 100 and it is my ultimate personal goal to make the cut eventually before I give up competetive service rifle shooting.

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