For soldiers, gratitude and praise from an Iraqi mayor

Rocky Mountain News ^ | 5/20/06 | David Montero

[bnelson44]

COLORADO SPRINGS - An Iraqi mayor stood before troops lined up on the lawn at Fort Carson on Friday morning and said only two words in English. But those two words brought the crowd to its feet.

"Thank you."

It was a telling gesture from Tal Afar Mayor Najim Al Jibouri, who spoke for about 20 minutes in his native tongue praising the 3rd Armored Cavalry for saving his city from certain ruin.

[bnelson44]

[bnelson44]

[bnelson44]

Happy Armed Forces Day

http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/

[catholicfreeper]

Good grief. I am about fed up as anything today. I am tired of the mainstream Media(Yes Fox that means even you) and their lack of coverage of the great things happening. I hate to say but even the Conservative Blogsphere doesnt cover this like it used too. Can't we talk about the pressing issues of the day and still cover the brave Americans and Iraqis and the compelling story that is unfolding there. What a great story. What a great picture of what we are fighting for and why its important.

Thank you bnelson44 for taking time the time to post this you have made my day. If it wasn't for post like yours and Milblogs, I would have not clue of whats going on.

[Dinah Lord]

Thank you bnelson44. What a great article!

God bless our troops and and Happy Armed Forces Day to you as well.

Cheers - Dinah

[Dinah Lord]

Tal Afar ping

[hsalaw]

Great article, and an excellent tribute for Armed Forces Day for the Mayor of Tel Afar to thank our military and recognize their contribution to freedom.

[AprilfromTexas]

Thanks for posting this. What a poignant day for our troops!! They make me so proud to be an American.

[patriciaruth]

ping.

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for this wonderful post!

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping Jan.
Thanks for posting this wonderful article bnelson.

The mayor said afterward through a translator that he worried about fading support for the war in Iraq and urged Americans to remember what it was like before U.S. forces arrived.

We still have a lot of work to do!

[La Enchiladita]

"Are you truly my friends?" he asked through a translator. "Yes. I walk a happier man because you are my friends. You are the world to me. I smell the sweet perfume that emanates from your flower of your strength, honor and greatness in every corner of Tal Afar. The nightmares of terror fled when the lion of your bravery entered our city."

This means a lot to the troops, I am sure.

[Gucho]

Bump! - A great article.

[pax_et_bonum]

A Rare and Unusual Serious Ping

[Jet Jaguar]

Good work.

[pax_et_bonum]

The nightmares of terror fled when the lion of your bravery entered our city."

[freema]

"One year ago today, not even a bird used to be inside the city of Tal Afar because of all the shooting that happened continuously," he said. "All of the schools were closed and all the government facilities were closed completely. Killing and murdering was allowed - even of the children."

Just this very morn another FReeper and I were waxing eloquent about the gloriousness of spring...the birds...how Mother Nature in all her glory goes on in spite of the world and the hope She brings.

Apparently, we spoke too soon.

[oceanview]

these are the kinds of stories the white house should be promoting - to counter the MSM coverage of iraq.

[freema]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1635215/posts?page=23#23
and #24

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks freema!