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Iraq is just another job (Inspirational, complimentary article on the legendary Black Watch troops)
The Sun (U.K.) ^ | October 25, 2004 | GRAEME DONOHOE

Posted on 10/25/2004 1:59:21 AM PDT by Stoat

EXCLUSIVE
Iraq is just another job
Our pride ... brave troops of the Black Watch attend Sunday service
Our pride ... brave troops of the Black
Watch attend Sunday service
Pictures: LES GALLAGHER

 
 
 
 

 
From GRAEME DONOHOE
at Black Watch HQ in Shaibah

 

THE Black Watch troops heading for Iraq’s so-called triangle of death insisted yesterday it was an HONOUR.

And their commanding officer declared: “Frankly this regiment beat Napoleon, beat the Kaiser and it beat Hitler.

“For the jocks of the Black Watch this is just the latest chapter in our history — and just another job to be done.”

Lt Col James Cowan paid tribute to his troops’ courage as 767 members of the Scottish regiment made final preparations to head north from Basra.

He blasted “sensationalist” talk about the threat they face in linking up with the US 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit south of Baghdad.


 

Blast ... Lt Col James Cowan
Blast ... Lt Col James Cowan
 
 

Lt Col Cowan said the speculation had needlessly upset families of the troops back home.

He described the Black Watch’s mission as “deploying forces to best effect.”

And he said of the Americans: “They’ll do it their way and we’ll do it our way. We are very comfortable with our rules of engagement.

“My soldiers will act as a force for good in a new and different part of this country.”

Captain Tim Petransky, 29, from Hull, said: “This triangle of death stuff is pure hype that does nothing but upset our relatives and friends back home. We try not to take any notice of it.”


 

Our prayers ... soldiers bow their heads in 48-degree desert heat of Iraq
Our prayers ... soldiers bow their
heads in 48-degree desert heat of Iraq

 
 

Lance Corporal Jamie Steele, 23, from Dunfermline, said: “Everyone in Black Watch sees it as a huge honour that the Americans have chosen us to support them.

“This operation holds no fears for us. It’s been made to sound a lot worse than it is. Tony Blair’s made a big promise we’ll be back for Christmas.

“So we’re just looking forward to going up and getting the job done.”

The Black Watch will help quell militant uprisings.

Private Stewart David, 21, from Kennoway, Fife, said: “We’re not paid to worry about the rights and wrongs of any operation. We’re here to do a job and come back safe, regardless of politics.

“We want to go. There are 130,000 American troops here so for them to need Black Watch to sort it out is something special.”


 

Formation ... soldiers march to pipes and drums
Formation ... soldiers march to pipes and drums
 
 

The regiment will deploy Warrior troop carriers, Scimitars and Land Rovers in the notorious Sunni Triangle.

Yesterday troops attended a final church service before they begin their 250-mile journey north.

They were unfazed as an explosion outside the camp briefly interrupted the sermon by Chaplain Aled Thomas.

Soldiers sang Amazing Grace and The Battle Hymn Of The Republic, accompanied by the rousing sound of the bagpipes.

They also marched to the sound of pipes and drums as row upon row of Warriors glistened in the 48°C sun.

The Black Watch boasts a fearsome reputation for bravery. The regiment has fought in every major conflict since it was founded in 1739.


 

Our paper ... troops reading Scottish edition of forces' favourite - The Sun
Our paper ... troops reading Scottish
edition of forces' favourite - The Sun

 
 

Lance Corporal Lewis Montague, 23, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, said of being asked by the Americans to help: “We really do see this as a huge honour.

“I have a poster signed by an American from our last tour that says, ‘Thank God you are on our side’. We did a great job last time and we’ll do a great job this time.

“It seems The Sun is the only paper that believes we are up to this job. We are totally confident about going up there and getting stuck in.”


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: blackwatch; greatbritain; heroes; iraq; scotland; waronterror
May God Bless all of the troops waging this essential and just war against the evil forces of Islamofascism. We are so very Blessed to have our wonderful allies all over the world. Thank you all so very much.
1 posted on 10/25/2004 1:59:22 AM PDT by Stoat
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To: Stoat

God Save the Black Watch!

Just kill them boys, just keep killing 'em.


2 posted on 10/25/2004 2:02:13 AM PDT by jocon307 (Don't let Australia down: Re-elect President Bush!)
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To: Stoat


The Black Watch home page (click on the hackle)

3 posted on 10/25/2004 2:08:24 AM PDT by risk
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To: risk

Thank you very much for the link! Sincerely appreciated :-)


4 posted on 10/25/2004 2:11:59 AM PDT by Stoat
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To: Stoat

Greeeaat !! Iraq soldier heros bump!

http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com


5 posted on 10/25/2004 2:14:59 AM PDT by WOSG (George W Bush / Dick Cheney - Right for our Times!)
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To: WOSG

Looks like a great blog! Thank you :-)


6 posted on 10/25/2004 2:21:33 AM PDT by Stoat
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Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: Stoat

Never thought I'ld be praising the SUN newspaper, but, yeah, good article.


8 posted on 10/25/2004 2:56:32 AM PDT by agere_contra
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To: agere_contra

It's true that they do print a lot of silly, gossipy stuff but they have been solidly behind the troops and solidly in support of victory in this war. They publish some spectacular, exclusive photos on occasion and I've found some absolutely essential articles in the Sun from time to time...sometimes they are the first out with breaking news and great, eye-popping pictures. I'm very happy to hear that you liked the article :-)


9 posted on 10/25/2004 3:03:35 AM PDT by Stoat
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To: Stoat

This article literally gives me chills. I just love these guys, I love them!! Wish we had more like them at home.


10 posted on 10/25/2004 3:56:53 AM PDT by cajungirl (Kerry:Bad for Geese, Bad for America)
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To: Stoat

God Bless them!


OhWAIT!!Kerry insists the US is going is alone!Silly moi!;)


11 posted on 10/25/2004 6:09:31 AM PDT by Tilly (I'm not paid to be stressed!!!)
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To: Stoat

God Bless them!


OhWAIT!!Kerry insists the US is going it alone!Silly moi!;)


12 posted on 10/25/2004 6:10:26 AM PDT by Tilly (I'm not paid to be stressed!!!)
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