Posted on 08/24/2005 5:28:57 PM PDT by Swordmaker
I just spoke with SoldiersPrayingMom and Jim Robinson on the caravan about 100 miles out of Yuma. Jim reports the weather is about 108º outside but nice and cool inside his van. Jim reports they are making good time and are on schedule.
Several more vehicles have joined the caravan along the way and they have been well received at all stops. Protesters are always there being obnoxious.
After a good conversation with Jim, he handed me back to SoldiersPrayingMom.
As many of you know, SoldiersPrayingMom (Ruth) is the mother of freeper jmpmst4u2 (Greg), a US soldier working with the Iraqi Wolf Brigade, who has been allowing us share in his "Greg's letters home" by allowing me to post them on FreeRepublic. Jmpmst4u2 has had some remarkable experiences in Iraq.
Yesterday, his mother was meeting up with the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" caravan in Sacramento to ride down to Fresno to join Jim Parkinson for the rest of the tour, when her husband said "Hey, Ruth, that guy over there looks a lot like Greg!" He was right... because it WAS Greg, home for a 14 day leave!
Ruth was in a quandary. Here was her son home to spend some time with his family, and she was on her way to confront Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, TX. After hugs and lots of weeping, she told Greg of her quandary. He said "Mom, I want you to go. I need you to go. The guys over there in Iraq need you to go."
"It was," she said, "the hardest decision I have ever made."
When asked by Marine Moms' Deborah Johns "Why are you here... your son is home for a visit." Ruth replied "I have my orders from my sergeant... I have to go!"
Greg was the man quoted in the AP article on the caravan who confronted the protesters in Sacramento, telling them "You are ruining the morale over there!" (Incidentally, his Mom and Jim did not know about the article... I got to tell them.;^)> )
Ruth reported that she and Deborah Johns were interviewed by this morning in Los Angeles.
Yes, they are.
By the way, Jeff, did you get to see the President when he was up there in your neck of the woods?
God Bless our troops!
Wow - great stuff! We support you Greg 100%!
Thanks for the update!
You have mail.
Greg messed-up:
That is exactly the sort of affirmation those scum were seeking.
Thanks for posting this superb dose of reality.
Here is another dose of reality from a long time Freeper, 91b, who is on his second tour in Iraq.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1465686/posts
An Open Letter to FR from Iraq
91b ^ | August 18, 2005 | 91b
Posted on 08/17/2005 11:39:47 PM PDT by 91B
I am writing this in response to all the attention that Cindy Sheehan and her protests are getting. I am a deployed soldier with 2nd Squadron, 278th RCT at FOB Bernstein near Tuz Khurmatu, Iraq.
This is my second deployment. The first was from April 2003 to April 2004 and it was spent mostly in Qatar, but I also spent some time at Camp Cedar II just outside An Nasiriyah, Iraq. I volunteered to return with the 278th and I do not regret my decision at all.
Obviously, I believe in and support the war for a variety of reasons. I think that the invasion and liberation of Iraq demonstrated to those regimes that might be inclined to support terrorism that we were serious about our commitment to taking the fight to our enemies. I also believe that a democratic Iraq will serve as a positive influence over the rest of the region. At the same time, having a force in Iraq allows to us put direct pressure on Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia-all supporters of terrorism in one way or another-and draws prospective jihadis into this country where they can be dealt with militarily.
That is why I am so angry about Ms. Sheehan's media circus. I do not question her grief and anger over the death of her son and I do not begrudge her the right to protest. However, I do not see where her actions serve any useful purpose other than to embolden our enemies and weaken the resolve that is necessary to carry forward the fight to a victorious conclusion.
I admit that there are some soldiers here who have mixed feelings about the war and whether or not we are successful. They wonder how we will be able to define victory and what American soldiers are being sacrificed for. I try to answer that we should not expect the defeat of tyranny and fanaticism to be easy. That victory may not come for years and that we may not know it for years after that. I try to point out that we did not defeat Communist totalitarianism except after a long struggle, and that we were not able to carry the fight directly to its' most important strongholds even then. I also reply that those nations that we have helped to become democratic-South Korea, Japan, Germany-did not become so overnight.
I know that modern Americans are perhaps impatient and that they are perhaps not willing to bear sacrifice for long without some clear indication of success. However, I do not hear any alternative strategy put forth other than capitulation and that is not acceptable. Freepers, and other conservatives, will have to carry forward an important part of the fight. You will have to stand resolute in the face of the attempted emotional manipulation by the media of the Cindy Sheehan's of the world.
This will be difficult as the opposition will claim the high ground, but you must constantly remind the public of the price of defeat. A world in which our enemies can prey on our weakness will never be safe from bombings, hijackings or decapitation. The publicity battle is an important front in this struggle and Freepers have an important role to play.
Ooops, 91B I forgot to ping you when I posted your excellent letter above.
Thanks again.
BUMP!
Please pass this on to the tour if you get a chance...a little thank you from the box. Just got this, dated 8/22 from my brother-in-law, this is my nephew's National Guard unit.
Dear Families,
My name is 2LT Palmer and I have been the acting commander while CPT
Benisek has been on leave. Today, one of our vehicles was hit by a
roadside
bomb. One of our soldiers suffered some minor injuries with soreness
to the
neck and shoulders. He has already contacted his family and is doing
well.
I have had a chance to speak to all the soldiers involved and everyone
is
doing very well. We continue to do an important mission here in Iraq
and I
thank everyone for all the support that you have displayed to the
soldiers.
If there are any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
Thanks
again.
I did read the entire speech and it was a great speech which I will p[lace on my WINNINGIRAQIFREEDOM.COM site this weekend along with a major update. The quotesd the President used form the soldiers who were there say volumes and are the most ewffective counters to the l;ikes of Cindy Sheehan and her ilk. I am sure they are similar to quotes we would hear from her own son if he could speak to us now.
So, what this caravan is doing and what the families of those who have died in Iraq are now doing in Crawford is excellent and heart warming. I pray that everyone of those crosses is moved from that horrid, anti-American "site" as soon as possible. It is a disgrace and a horrible dishonor for them to be there IMHO.
Thanks.
Maybe when Jim gets back from Texas, he can collect letters/emails/replies/posts from our Freepers in Iraq and other areas in harms way for the truth.
Then, he could have a section of these great responses from our people over there to counter the lies and spins of the MSM and Cindy.
Many blessings to that mother Ruth who is leaving her own son's short time at home in order to defend him and the rest of our military.
Yup, and it's REAL cold down here in Mississippi. That's why I have goosebumps the size of pencil points.
MacArthur's farewell address to the Cadets has always held a special place in our hearts. I have the entire text posted here, and you can click on a link to actual audio there as well.
Patriots on a mission ~ Bump!
WOW! WOW! Ping! Bump! :)
I was TAC Officer at the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters, TX from 1970-1973 and at Fort Rucker, AL from 1973-1976. We would show the new Warrant Officer Candidates a film of the entire speech, it really gets the point of Duty, Honor, Country across so it would stick with them. When our oldest graduated from Air Force OTS I gave hime a bound copy of the speech and told him if he would keep that speech in mind at all times he can't go wrong.
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