5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq; Operation Nets 66 Prisoners

Four soldiers were killed in operations in Iraq and another was killed in an accident Dec. 24 to 26, coalition officials announced.

News reports said that guerrillas also launched a series of mortar and rocket attacks on coalition targets in and around Baghdad. While these attacks targeted U.S. and coalition forces, there were no casualties, said officials in Baghdad.

1st Armored Division soldiers captured five men suspected of firing rockets at the coalition compound.

Division soldiers also participated in Operation Iron Grip. Soldiers captured 66 prisoners in the operation, of which 21 are considered significant. These include a major general associated with Saddam Hussein, individuals with links to a large terrorist organization, known bombmakers, cell leaders, senior planners for the former regime and several Fedayeen Saddam members from a cell in Baghdad. Division officials expect these prisoners will provide information that will lead to more enemy leaders and operatives.

Division soldiers also seized equipment, including 60 122 mm rockets, 34 AK-47 assault rifles, six other rifles, three shotguns, 11 pistols and large quantities of improvised explosive device-making material.

Two soldiers were killed during a mortar attack on Forward Operating Base Gabe near Baqubah Dec. 25. A coalition news release said the soldiers were treated at the scene, but died en route to the hospital.

Four other soldiers were wounded in the attack. Their injuries are not life-threatening, officials said.

Coalition officials based in Tikrit said one soldier was killed and another wounded in an improvised explosive device attack on a U.S. convoy southwest of Ad Duluiyah Dec. 26.

In another incident, a Task Force 1st Armored Division soldier was killed by in an improvised explosive device Dec. 24. The soldier was taking part in an operation in north-central Baghdad.

Finally, a Task Force Ironhorse soldier was apparently electrocuted in Kirkuk Dec. 24. The soldier was repairing wire on a communication tower when the incident occurred.

The deaths are a reminder that even at a time dedicated to celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace in still dangerous in Iraq. President Bush called on all Americans to remember service members during his Christmas message.

"We also pray for our brave men and women in uniform, many of whom will spend the holidays far from home," he wrote. "Their courage and dedication is helping keep us safe and extending freedom and peace. We are grateful for their service to our country, and for the support and sacrifice of their families."

BELOVED MERCIFUL FATHER,

We are grateful for the reminders from scripture just how much you do cherish us as your very own children. We are grateful that you are mindful of each of us while we are sojourners in this beautiful but challenging place called earth. Father, we as your children seek to return your love with our obedience and our caring for each of our brothers and sisters. Father, keep us one-pointed in our attention upon you and help us to see that we are seeing your very own precious face when we gaze upon our family members, our friends, those who are our leaders, all who are serving the Holy Cause of Freedom, and all who cross our path each day.

Father, YOU are the one in charge in a world seemingly gone mad. YOU are the one who has a grand design and a Plan which, as we are obedient, shall indeed take shape and come to fruition in the fullness of your time and Will.

Father, in obedience to your admonition to pray without ceasing, and to love one another, we do join in prayer this day for our President, leaders, military, intelligence operatives and their families. Father, we have seen in the news the attempt to bring down or muddy the mantle of our President through the stories and innuendos involving the outing of a CIA operative. We have seen reported the stories involving Ted Kennedy and Joseph Wilson's allegations. Father, we have heard our President state that if there was an illegal disclosure of a CIA operative, he wants it investigated and those responsible held accountable.

Father, we have seen how there are many forces arrayed against this President. We ask now for your own Truth and Justice in this matter to prevail. We ask that you will expose the Truth and the Lie so that there is no doubt among the minds of our people as to the reality of the situation. We ask that you will intercede in this tempest so that it is not a distraction of our President's attention, precious time, and personal resources. Father, we place this and any and all similar attacks upon our President's administration into your hands and keeping.

You have said, "The government will be upon HIS shoulders." Father, let our government indeed rest upon our Lord's shoulders, for we have evidence that this President has called Him forth for that purpose. We claim our Lord's Presence in that White House, in that House of Representatives, in that Senate, in that Supreme Court. Let this government under our Constitution indeed rest upon His shoulders this day!

We call forth your protection of each of our troops this day. We call forth your protection of those lonely souls who serve in our intelligence operations. We call forth the protection of the undercover identities of these operatives. We call forth the exposing of all who would betray our best servants. Those who work in intelligence often have very little recognition. Father, we ask that you will give each of them an unmistakable and tangible knowledge of our gratitude and appreciation of them and their work on our behalf.

In addition to the guidance and protection for the effectiveness of this Administration, we call forth physical protection for this President and all who surround him. We call forth the same physical protection for our Vice President and all our key governmental representatives and Administration Secretaries.

Father, we call forth a special healing of heart and soul for Explorer89's brother John, who has had to deal with the ugliness that is war. Father, we commend John's valiant friend to your keeping. We call forth your healing and comforting for his family. We call this forth not only for John and his friend, but for all who are in similar situations of loss and grief. We continue to echo the prayer of William Stephenson written on the eve of the Battle of Britain and given to Eleanor Roosevelt on a day when already many had given their lives in defense of England and the Free World, and more were anticipated:

"Dear Lord, Lest I continue My complacent way Help me remember Somewhere out there A man died for me today --As long as there be war I then must Ask and answer Am I worth dying for?" *

Father, help us live lives which would compel the answer to be "YES!" Let us take the sacrifice of these young men and women and use that time and opportunity they have afforded us to work unceasingly for the preservation of our Constitution and all the freedoms it reserves for the People. Help us to face each of the encroachments upon our nation wheverever we are. Help us to fight the fight right where we are. Help us to challenge our own lethargy, our own blindness, our own demons! We claim Victory for our nation, and equally important, we claim our own personal Victories this day!

Father, we are your children, but we ask that you will help us grow into mature sons and daughters, blessed with your strength, wisdom, and courage! You have called us, so in your Mercy, help us give answer and fulfill the assignments you have given us. If we are deaf or blind to your Call, and dont know what you would have of us, but want greatly to know what you have in mind for us, grant us guidance to know what is the first step we can take this day!

Amen

Prayer provided by TEXOKIE

Thanks for the photo.

Those who would tarnish our military must see that the "military" isn't some damn building in Washington where generals and colonels sit behind desks and push buttons and fight a war long distance. The MILITARY is our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers doing their absolute best, without complaint, willing to make the supreme sacrifice so that you and I can go safely to sleep in our warm beds tonight without having to worry about what tomorrow might bring.

I love our military men and women. I have a nephew fighting in the Special Forces "over there." I say "over there" because his unit flip-flops back and forth between Iraq and Afghanistan. He and the others with him are truly the best America has to offer. Every time I hear of or read about "casualties," it always makes me pause while I'm trying to put faces on the callous numbers thrown out.

5 U.S. Soldiers weren't Killed in Iraq. Five unique, individual American heros . . . someone's children, siblings, or relatives, people with names, real live damn people . . . gave their lives so you and I could continue to live ours without worry.

I salute them. I pray for them. I love them all.

And thanks, berserker, for reminding us that "casualty figures" have names and faces.

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