FROM A TROOPER WHO WAS THERE

E-Mail | 1SG Timmy Rikard

[GAWnCA]

Rumsfeld Visit

To All,

This is a shotgun blast response to the media reports on Secretary Rumsfeld's visit to our Camp. I was fortunate enough to be there and even shake the man's hand. When the media reports were released concerning the event, I could not believe what I saw and heard. There are over 12,000 troops on our base. Only 2,000 or so had the opportunity to attend the gathering and I can tell you, those were hotly contested seats. Not as the media would have you believe, so we could voice our displeasure, but rather to have the opportunity to see and hear the man we admire. Mr. Secretary spoke for 10 minutes or so on the war in Iraq and what freedom meant to the people of Afghanistan. He was there for the recent elections and shared his wonderful insight. After his prepared remarks he opened up the floor for questions and made it very clear that nothing was off limits.

Folks, this is extremely unusual for a dignitary to do. Also we, as leaders, were instructed to not screen our soldiers' questions. They were to be honest and from the heart. Mr. Rumsfeld fielded a number of questions, took down notes for the ones he did not have answers to and genuinely enjoyed talking to the soldiers. Afterward, he spent over! an hour with the enthusiastic troops who literally mobbed him and would not let him leave. He smiled for all, shook hands and had pictures taken. It ended only when his security forced us away. He was applauded, he was given a standing ovation and he was loved.

He stood there like a professional, like a man, and he took the heat because that's what leaders do. And yet somehow, the American media turned that wonderful event into a"disgruntled troops meet with Secretary Rumsfeld" headline. Incredible. The morale is high, the equipment is good and improving daily. Disregard what you read and hear from the media and trust in the American fighting men and women to do the right thing. We have excellent leadership and are doing what we signed up to do.

1SG Timmy Rikard
FOB Marez
Mosul, Iraq

[Angry Republican]

I figured that whole media report was full of crap.

[oyez]

Rummy Rocks.

[Billthedrill]

The problem with creating a story as that reporter did is that he tends to miss the one that really happened in favor of the one he wanted to. It isn't journalism, it's political activism, and there is a difference.

[DoughtyOne]

I can't say what I think about the media in this nation.

[Txsleuth]

Thanks--

Now we know "the rest of the story"!!

[YOUGOTIT]

Never, Never believe anything the MSM says. The will lie cheat and steal to get their point across. Any news they report is managed so as to make their personal point in the article. When I came back from Vietnam and read the news and saw it on TV it was totally different that what happened. They are taught to lie in college at the left-wing college of journalism.

[Radix]

My son met Rummy last year (actually 2003) near the Baghdad airport.

It was interesting for me to hear about, but my son said very little concerning the matter. I surmised (perhaps I am wrong) that Rumsfeld was just folksy enough that he did not intimidate the Troops at all.

Rumsfeld may have his legitimate critics, but it seems to me that most of the people in that category, do not, and have not ever worn the uniform of our Armed Forces.

[RAY]

1SG Timmy Rikard, thanks for the troops' report! And AR, thanks for posting. I've sensed that this is the general attitude of the troops towards the Secretary - which is good.

[KSCITYBOY]

media lies bump

[DSBull]

I thought it was just the DNC but apparently it is all of the liberals in general, especially the media. You would think that the media would understand how modern communication and media work and that you can't distort a story at point A to report a story in point B and not have point A immediately know about it and respond. They wonder why they are loosing credibility and thus audience, well there you have it.

[elhombrelibre]

Yours is a great post with all of its details and firsthand account. Like all Freepers, I applaud your service and praise God that we've service members like you.

[WesternPacific]

Never, Never believe anything the MSM says

How true. I have always been told to believe nothing you read and only half of what you see.

[GAWnCA]

Thank you for the compliment but I just passed on what was sent to me in email. I felt it needed to be told. I hope everyone will copy and send it around to the folks you have in your address book.