Posted on 11/06/2004 2:24:48 PM PST by saquin
NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq - For U.S. Marines awaiting orders to attack Iraq's rebel-held Fallujah, the bags are packed, trucks are loaded and letters have been sent home, leaving one final, pre-assault diversion: the "Ben-Hur."
Blowing off steam, hundreds of Marines took their cue from the 1959 Charlton Heston classic and gathered Saturday at a base near Fallujah for a slapstick chariot race featuring cobbled-together carts and confiscated Iraqi horses.
"These men are about to face the greatest personal and professional tests of their lifetimes," said Lt. Col. Willy Buhl, commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.
"We wanted to lighten things up, take the tension off what we're about to do," said the 42-year-old commander from Los Gatos, Calif., who dreamed up the "First Annual 'Ben-Hur' Memorial Chariot Race."
The Marine charioteers, wearing togas over their body armor, waved baseball bats done up as spiked maces and jumped into carts forged from cast-off vehicle parts. The makeshift chariots were pulled by Iraqi horses commandeered from looters in the area.
Some 10,000 U.S. troops have encircled Fallujah, a city 40 miles west of Baghdad, to attack Sunni Muslim fighters there — if the final go-ahead is given by Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.
U.S. jets pounded Fallujah early Saturday in the heaviest airstrikes in six months — including five 500-pound bombs dropped on insurgent targets. Insurgents struck elsewhere in central Iraq with suicide car bombs, mortars and rockets, killing more than 30 people and wounding dozens, including more than 20 Americans.
Fallujah is believed to be the headquarters of militant groups, including some responsible for the wave of car bombings and beheadings of foreign and Iraqi hostages. By capturing the insurgent sanctuary, U.S. and Iraqi government forces hope to restore enough order nationwide to enable the country to hold a general election by the end of January.
On Saturday, Marines who endure daily mortar and rocket fire packed unneeded personal belongings into shipping crates, loaded up their Humvees and spoke of what they expected was the last mail pickup for some time.
Tension and anticipation ran high among the young Marines surrounding Fallujah, many of whom have never tasted combat.
"We're ready to go. I'm just ready to get this done. I want to go and kill people, so we can go home," said Lance Cpl. Joseph Bowman, 20, from North Zulch, Texas. "Kill them and go home, that's all we can do now."
But first, the Marines had a little fun with the horses.
"Friends, Romans, Marines: Lend me your ears for the rules," bellowed the master of ceremonies — Capt. Jonathan Vaughn, 30, of Cleveland. "If all horses die before the finish line, whichever makes it the farthest, wins."
Vaughn's rule seemed prudent since some of the horses didn't look in prime racing shape, although none died. And the race didn't come off exactly as planned — one steed turned on its charioteer in the first race and tried to bite the Marine — who fended the horse off with a wooden trident, drawing loud cheers.
Instead of chariot-to-chariot races, the Marines held timed heats. Among the highlights for the assembled Marines: When the camp dog, Butch, limped onto the racecourse and grazed on the horses' droppings.
A weapons team duo eventually prevailed in the final heat. The horse ran straight over the finish line, scattering Marine bystanders and slamming snout-first into sand-filled barriers. The horse was unhurt.
Our Prayers are with them.
God be with them.
Well, I'm glad everybody's O.K. . . .
But somebody doesn't know much about driving horses in harness . . . . < eeek! > . . . I'm REALLY glad everybody's O.K.
(and I coulda told 'em the camp dog would go after the Puppy Roca . . . horse droppings are a doggie delicacy, just ask my Lab . . . < yeccch > . . . but the stuff isn't bad for dogs, it's just partially digested grain and hay . . . although I bet those horsies hadn't been wormed lately . . < double yeccch > )
Go men. Our prayers are with you.
FYI
The Marines will do the job, its as good as a done deal.
Still you are certainly right prayers are the right thing.
My oldest son is among them and his younger brother will probably fly air cover for them.
If I sound worried and more than a little proud you're right on both counts.
Dude..... this article and photos totally just made my day!! Thanks for sharing this!
Remember Wake Island!
I'll keep your sons in my prayers.....my hubby was there a year and I know your fears.
PETA will weigh in soon....
God Bless and Keep Them
Nice legs guys!
That's great. Hope someone got some video.
Nothing is any worse than being in a 'hurry up and wait' mode.
God bless both your sons and all their fellow warriors. I will pray for them and you. Thank you for raising 2 sons who unselfishly serve their country when called upon.
God protect them.
FMCDH(BITS)
These guys are classic.
Truly our best are in the field.
Let us not just be sad. We must remember that there is danger, of life and limb, but also glory and honor in what these soldiers are doing. No matter what some America hating scum may say on the news.
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