[saquin]

James Hider of the London Times is one of the few reporters embedded with the Marines in Fallujah. (Unfortunately, The Times is a subscription site, so many can't read it, but I'll be happy to post his articles here, as long as I don't get in trouble :-) ).

The only other reporters embedded in Fallujah that I know of are Pamela Constable (Washington Post), Tony Perry (LA Times) and Darrin Mortenson (North County Times, near camp Pendleton CA, where the Marines are from).

[SeeRushToldU_So]

Man, what a story! I was so happy they got their squadmate out there.

[Rummyfan]

Great post thanks!

[Dominic Harr]

• their vehicle came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), the guerrillas’ weapon of choice.

• “They were running across our line of fire like we weren’t even shooting at them,” the corporal said.

• A guerrilla burst through the gate with an RPG and was shot dead. Another tried to follow and was wounded.

• “There was a guy in a headscarf with an AK47 standing there looking at me, so I shot him.”

It's nice to be fighting idiots.

RPGs in a firefight? No use of cover? 'Standing there looking at me'?

Geez.

An uneducated army is just a waste of men.

[angkor]

Dennis Anderson of the Valley Press in California, rejoining his embed from last year. Just turned in an outstanding story from Fallujah.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1118506/posts

The contrast between the nervy reporting of these brave emebedded reporters, and the crapola served up from the "star" journos and wires in Bagdhad is staggering. Guess they're reporting "Live from a barstool at the Palestine Hotel."

[dr_lew]

a route known to the Marines as “Sh**head Alley”,...

An obvious euphemism. And I'm not referring to the asterisks!

[Exit148]

These men should receive commendations and Lt. Ayres should get a Purple Heart. ------Not like Kerry, who walked into his Cmdr's office, with a scratch on his arm and holding a piece of schrapnel. These men were heros under fire.

[lowbridge]

In the midst of the firefight, with the armoured vehicle’s munitions blowing up, an ambulance pulled up. The Marines thought they were being rescued. Instead, 15 men with RPGs jumped out and started firing.

2 Soldiers Dead; Enemy Employing New Tactic in Iraq

[Ben Chad]

If it is done right, I will thoroughly enjoy the movie portrayal of this incident. Heroes, every last one. Andy Rooney can kiss my arse.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I liked the part where they smoked the animals who were trying to attack them. I want more.

[F16Fighter]

Amazing story!

I am so proud of our guys -- A story like this reminds me just why an American fighting force is unbeatable.

[An Old Man]

“They were running across our line of fire like we weren’t even shooting at them,” the corporal said.

Every Marine's dream!

Semper Fi

[Travis McGee]

God Bless our brave Marines!

[TheDon]

“All the Iraqis surged south to join the festivities,” Sergeant Sagredo said.

Nice quote.

[BlueAngel]

Thank you for a wonderful post! It was riveting!

May God Bless, support and comfort our military and the entire coalition.

[Mrs Zip]

ping

[eureka!]

bump

[zip]

There was a guy in a headscarf with an AK47 standing there looking at me, so I shot him.”

You LOOKIN' at me, you lookin' at ME?? Hey, reason enough.

[Texas Ed]

Sometimes you have no idea till it hits in your back yard. I have had personal contact with one of these Marines and I will tell you that he is a Marine through and through and even though severely wounded, will recuperate and stay a Marine. This incident shows what our young men are made of and their steel and temper is unparalleled. To let each of you know, Lt Ayers will survive to be a Marine another day. I am his father-in-law and no one could be more proud of a son than I am at this time. He and his men are truly my heroes.

[BellStar]

"Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem." Ronald Reagan

The following slides depict Lt. Chris Ayres U.S.M.C. as he spoke to a League City, TX Republican Women's Club. The handsome Marine hero began by saying he was speaking for himself he did not represent anyone else. He told his personal story than taught the ladies to do a customary Marine response; The Marine Corps (phonetically spelled) “ooh-rah!” “It often is barked when troops want to voice approval or a sense of esprit de corps. Its full meaning is primal and difficult to define, he explained it also echoes the hardships faced by those in uniform.

The deep masculine sounding “ooh-rah”; Ok, well maybe not so deep or masculine with this group, but still the ladies were soon “ooh-rahing” with the best of Marines. Lt. Ayres then led the group to an outside area as part of
his presentation teaching them about observing your surroundings.Techniques of looking at the world around you were presented to teach the group a little of what this combat hardened marine infantryman had to do to survive in a hostile environment of good guys, bad guys, all of whom looked and dressed alike. A comment over heard "Wow! I will never walk mindlessly to my car again."

http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/images/marine5.gif
Lt. Chris Ayres being introduced by League City Chief of Police Andrew Daniel
a former Marine.

http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/images/marine2.gif
The ladies were soon “ooh-rahing” with the best of Marines.

http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/images/marine9.gif
A whole different way of looking at your surroundings.

Lt. Chris Ayres was accompanied by his beautiful wife Renee' Ayres
http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/images/marine4.gif

Lt. Chris Ayres escorting a real Lady. Alameda Wallingford.
http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/images/marine6.gif

7. A gift for the Marine and his wife.
http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/images/marine7.gif


While Lt. Chris Ayres unit was battling their way out of a fierce firefight with insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq. A blast from an (RPG) rocket-propelled grenade nearly blew his leg off, while his arms, legs and back were severely
burned he spent many months healing from his wounds. His best friend wife Renee' Ayres by his side the whole time