Iraqi Mayor thanks American Troops

As I’m sure you know, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment has been serving in Iraq (its second deployment there) for the past year.

As the regiment prepares to come home, it has received the letter pasted below. I believe many of you will find it an interestingcounterpoise to much of what we read in the press __________________________________________________________

To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall’ Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.

To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.

To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.

Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpsesof children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi’s followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zuma and Avgani finally destroyed them.

I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.

The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom.

Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.

God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and inevery flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.

Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven’t the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.

This is an example of what is happening, but we don't hear about it. Maybe if we had better news reporters they would dig out something like this.

2 posted on 02/14/2006 5:39:45 AM PST by HRJames (Philippine Branch of FR)

Boy o boy am I glad I have tissues handy!

Thanks.

3 posted on 02/14/2006 5:40:38 AM PST by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)

Maybe if we had better news reporters they would dig out something like this

Ha!! If All major News Coporations were practically like CAterpillar loader/diggers, they wouldn't even go 1 inch below the surface for stories like this.

4 posted on 02/14/2006 5:42:11 AM PST by ExcursionGuy84 ("Jesus, Your Love takes my breath away.")

When I was in Nam we had the same kind of testamonial from locals that were being terrorized by the VC. That the VC were basically criminals was never reported.

The media didn't report on that kind of news then and they won't now. It doesn't fit the agenda for even Fox.

5 posted on 02/14/2006 5:43:38 AM PST by BeAllYouCanBe (Animal Rights Activist Advisory: No French Person Was Injured In The Writing Of This Post)

6 posted on 02/14/2006 5:51:26 AM PST by JimRed ("Hey, hey, Teddy K., how many girls did you drown today?")

I am sure the NYT will have space on its front page, right next to the car bombing picture of the day...

7 posted on 02/14/2006 6:10:26 AM PST by in hoc signo vinces ("Houston, TX...a waiting quagmire for jihadis. American gals are worth fighting for!")

Our great MSM will get around to printing this as soon as they finish the Cheney story.

8 posted on 02/14/2006 6:21:08 AM PST by Piquaboy (22 year veteran of the Army, Air Force and Navy, Pray for all our military .)

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