Posted on 11/06/2006 5:08:57 PM PST by Impeach98
* Kristinn Taylor's Audio Report from Iraq - CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Kristinn's Written Dispatch from Monday, November 6, 2006:
The families had an incredible day in Iraq today! In the morning, they met with American troops stationed outside Erbil. It was a very emotional meeting. One soldier is from the same town as one of our parents. Another mother arranged for the Gold Star flag to be delivered to the family of a soldier from one of the units stationed up here who was recently killed in action.
The families presented the troops with a banner signed by Americans back home with the message "WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR MISSION."
The men and women stationed told us how important it is to them to have the support of the folks back home.
After leaving the base (a South Korean base, incidently) we were taken to meet President Massoud Barzini, who heads the Kurdistan Regional Government (which comprises the three northern most Iraqi provinces), at the House of the President. Debra Argel Bastion spoke for the families to the President and presented a crystal eagle to him as a gift from all of us.
President Barzini spent almost an hour with us. He was most appreciative of the sacrifices made by the loved ones of the families for the freedom of the people of Iraq. At the end of the meeting, he presented the families with a framed tapestry of flowers and birds. He told us we were his 'special guests'. A high honor indeed.
From there, we were off to meet the nephew of the president, Prime Minister Neichevan Barzani. He received us at the office of the Prime Minister and spoke also spent quite a bit of time with us.
We next went to a memorial park built on an old Saddam military base and prison complex. The park is beautiful. It has rose bushed lining the walkways and fountains.
It also has a memorial to Iraqi Kurds who were killed in a terrorist attack in February of 2004. The wife and daughter of a man who was killed in the attack,at the time he was the Deputy Prime Minister of the KRG, joined us at the memorial to lay flowers in tribute.
Much more later..... Complete details will br posted at the Move America Forward website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org
Kristinn Taylor
Our delegation presented this pro-troop banner (signed by hundreds of Americans) to troops stationed in northern Iraq.
The delegation meets with Massoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, in northern Iraq. The KRG is comprised of the three northern most provinces in Iraq.
A big Thanks for the ping and the thread.
It's great reporting especially when you know the person doing the reporting. Makes it more personal. The only thing better than this will be when the Pubs keep control of both Houses.
[Mr] T
Kristinn reports from Iraq Ping!
Hey DC Chapter, Kristinn has an on-scene report from the Move America Forward Gold Star Families' trip in Iraq.
Don't worry everybody...
...he voted absentee before he left the US of A.
And please, go vote tomorrow so we can be sure that our brave troops (and the brave Iraqi people) won't get the rug pulled out from under them by the likes of Jack Murtha, Nancy Pelosi, etc.
Here are a couple pics of him from the Iraq trip:
Excellent report! I emailed the link to this thread onto Michelle Malkin, Hugh Hewitt and Matt at Blackfive milblog. Hopefully they will link to this excellent first hand report by Kristinn.
Excellent. Thanks. jm
Great siterep! Just got off the phone with my best friend who has gone over to the dark side. Former Army Captain who now is quit on the WOT.
I am afraid that the MSM is polluting a lot of minds out there.
BEAUTIFUL!!! AWESOME!!!! WWOOOHOOO!!!
MEGA-BUMP!
FANTASTIC! Stay safe, Kristinn!
I LOVE THIS PHOTO!
So, I see you're at a South Korean base.... perhaps could you diplomatically ask some of the South Korean soldiers what they think of Senator John Kerry's remarks that the other countries working hard in Iraq are a "so-called coalition of the bribed, the coerced, the bought and the extorted", as documented HERE?
(Of course, there is no way to ask for their feedback diplomatically, as I'm sure they're too polite to mention what they think of such remarks. Frankly, even mentioning these quotes to our coalition partners is probably rude. But I can fantasize about a badass Korean smackdown on Kerry, can't I?)
Would that I'd win the lotto (but I guess I'd have to buy a ticket, huh...?) - JimRob would never have to hold another Freepathon.
This is how I see FR really kicking @ss -- as a legitimate news venue.
Great report. It is so good to see them over there.
Wow!
Excellent job, Kristinn! FReepers ROCK!
Whoops, I meant to address you directly with the post #52 above, please check it out....
Go getum! Take it to our enemies and give a big helping hand to our friends in need.
This is Iraq.
This is indeed an outstanding photo. Brings new tears to these ol' baby-blues just thinking about this "operation" and the dedication of all involved. I'll be sure to mention this operation and the FR connection when I see Mike next.
Don't know y'all's schedule, but we have a BIG Veteran's Day program scheduled on Saturday for the community to honor our Vets. Hope to see Mike there.
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