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Secretary, Troops Surprise Each Other
American Forces Press Service ^
| Feb. 22, 2004
| By John D. Banusiewicz
Posted on 02/22/2004 12:29:45 PM PST by Calpernia
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his traveling party weren't the only Americans to refuel here in today's wee hours.
Two companies of soldiers from the 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard, were getting ready to reboard their aircraft. Their civilian aircraft pilot saw the secretary and introduced himself as a former Air Force pilot. He told Rumsfeld more than 200 soldiers were right through the doors the secretary's party was about to enter.
The defense secretary needed no introduction. The soldiers gave him a spontaneous, tumultuous welcome, and quickly surrounded the beaming Rumsfeld. The secretary shook some hands, exchanged some greetings and posed for countless pictures with the soldiers for about 10 minutes. Then he stood on a chair and offered them words of thanks and encouragement, punctuated by the soldiers' hearty shouts of "Hooah!"
The Guardsmen of the 120th have been mobilized and in training for their deployment since mid-December. Spc. Rebecca Patterson of Wagner, Okla., said she and her comrades had no idea they'd meet the secretary of defense. She pointed out that the small amount of time they spent together had a big effect on her level of motivation.
"Every word he said inspired me," she said. "He has a real presence, and this was a great surprise."
TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Oklahoma; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 120thengineer; 90thtroopcommand; airforce; hanoijohn; hooah; nationalguard; okguard; oklahoma; rumsfeld
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1
posted on
02/22/2004 12:29:45 PM PST
by
Calpernia
To: MJY1288; Calpernia; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; Ernest_at_the_Beach; BOBTHENAILER; Jessamine; ...
Pro Military News!
The defense secretary needed no introduction. The soldiers gave him a spontaneous, tumultuous welcome, and quickly surrounded the beaming Rumsfeld. The secretary shook some hands, exchanged some greetings and posed for countless pictures with the soldiers for about 10 minutes. Then he stood on a chair and offered them words of thanks and encouragement, punctuated by the soldiers' hearty shouts of "Hooah!"
Private Mail to be added to or removed from the GNFI (or Pro-Coalition) ping list.
2
posted on
02/22/2004 12:30:43 PM PST
by
Calpernia
(http://members.cox.net/classicweb/Heroes/heroes.htm)
To: Calpernia
President Kerry will put a stop to all of this.
To: Calpernia
SHANNON, Ireland, Feb. 22, 2004 – Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his traveling party weren't the only Americans to refuel here in today's wee hours.
4
posted on
02/22/2004 12:32:48 PM PST
by
dennisw
(“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”)
To: Calpernia
"Every word he said inspired me," she said. "He has a real presence, and this was a great surprise." We are very fortunate to have patriots like SoD Rumsfeld and the myriads of volunteers that comprise our Armed Forces.
Thank you brave Americans !
To: Calpernia; 2witty; A Jovial Cad; AmerRepb; amigatec; Annabelle; annieokie; aragorn; Archdean; ...
Two companies of soldiers from the 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma National Guard, were getting ready to reboard their aircraft. Their civilian aircraft pilot saw the secretary and introduced himself as a former Air Force pilot. He told Rumsfeld more than 200 soldiers were right through the doors the secretary's party was about to enter.Oooooooklahoma Ping!
6
posted on
02/22/2004 12:42:46 PM PST
by
2Jedismom
(HHD with 4 Chickens)
To: 2Jedismom
BTTT!!!!!!
7
posted on
02/22/2004 12:45:20 PM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: Calpernia
Damn good story!
8
posted on
02/22/2004 12:45:21 PM PST
by
Ernest_at_the_Beach
(The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)
To: Calpernia
Rumsfeld ~ Bump!
9
posted on
02/22/2004 12:45:43 PM PST
by
blackie
(Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
To: Calpernia
A summary for those who did not read the article:
Rumsfield: (opening door) Gah!
Troops: Wah!
All: (runs and hides)
Not really, but it would be funny to watch 200 servicemen
try to hide under a table. Particularly one of the round ones.
10
posted on
02/22/2004 12:47:51 PM PST
by
Saturnalia
(My name is Matt Foley and I live in a VAN down by the RIVER.)
Donald Rumsfeld is no Les Aspen (thank god).
11
posted on
02/22/2004 12:47:53 PM PST
by
Consort
To: IonInsights
...you better believe it, God help us, because he won't.
12
posted on
02/22/2004 12:48:52 PM PST
by
mystery-ak
(*terrorism has been exaggerated*....Kerry....We must defeat him, our lives depend on it.)
To: E.G.C.
I can always count on you for a bump! ;-)
13
posted on
02/22/2004 12:49:07 PM PST
by
2Jedismom
(HHD with 4 Chickens)
To: Calpernia
Wait till Reuters and AP get a hold of this story. (Or have they already?) I'm sure that the two leftist news services will not fail to add some very negative paragraphs along with a negative sounding headline...
14
posted on
02/22/2004 12:53:59 PM PST
by
demnomo
To: Calpernia
Gee - can't wait to see film of this on the alphabet networks </sarcasm off
I LOVE Rummy - hope Fox News will pick this up.
To: Calpernia
quagmire bump
To: 2Jedismom
Oklahoma Bump! Our troops know a good boss when they see one!
17
posted on
02/22/2004 1:10:42 PM PST
by
Tax-chick
(My house is a mess, but my baby is FAT!)
To: demnomo
The leftists will claim that Rumsfeld planned the whole thing as a campaign ploy, and that the Bush team is politisizing the military.
18
posted on
02/22/2004 1:29:59 PM PST
by
birdsman
Comment #19 Removed by Moderator
To: Calpernia; PhiKapMom; VOA
I was proud to see the Thunderbird insignia of the 45th Brigade on the sleeve of one of the soldiers talking to Rummy.
20
posted on
02/22/2004 4:58:57 PM PST
by
OKSooner
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