... and from the Worship Center at First Baptist Church...
Posted on 11/07/2006 3:30:32 AM PST by kristinn
Greetings from FRee Iraq! The Gold Star parents visiting Iraq will be on Free Republic later today to discuss our trip here. Please post questions and comments on this thread for the families.
This will be the first group interview from Iraq by the Gold Star families. For some reason, the MSM hasn't shown any interest in this historic trip :-) So once again, FReepers will scoop the MSM.
I can't give a time certain, but my best guess is the families should be on this thread in six or seven hours from now (evening in Iraq.)
Hello, my name is joseph Johnson. It fells strange to be back in Iraq so soon. I left here 6 months ago. I served with GA. Guard in Taji which is 12 miles north of Bagdad. I Went out with a Cival affairs team as their security. I had the chance to see firsthand the good that is being done in this country.We would check on different building projects that the US is funding.Hospitals, schools, water treatment plants and so on. I forgot to mention that I also am a Gold Star father. My youngest son was killed in Sadre City April of 04.Needless to say my family wasn't to happy about me coming here after my son was killed. Just know that the military is doing the right thing by being here helping many oppressed people. God bless you and God bless our troops.
Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...
God Bless you Mr. Johnson. Please don't give up on getting the word out about your visit. People need to hear from fathers such as yourself.
This is John Holley,
We should not abandom the Iraqis.
The Iraqi people that we have met from the highest officials to the poorest and most preyed upon by Saddam
do not want us to leave.
They are afraid of what will happen to them. Remember Saddam is still alive.
Lets say that he is not executed and we leave and by some twist of fate he is freed or someone equally evil takes over, can you imagine what would happen?
They are all so grateful for the sacrafice that our troops have made so that they are now free.
What we saw today broke our hearts and at the same time gladdened them.
We saw so many children, some have never seen an American before and yet they loved seeing us.
You can always tell by a child's reaction to you what the parents have been telling them about that person.
So the parents evidently have been saying good things about Americans.
I wanted to see them so bad when I came here because my son liked them so much.
On one of his last phone calls he asked for my wife and I to send crayons so he could teach them to draw.
So in seeing them today, I could see my son in a photo I have of him surrounded by children.
Also remember that we fought WWII 60 years ago and we still have troops in Japan and Germany.
Hey brother,
Mike Anderson here, live from Iraq. It's been one heck of a ride so far-will be back in states before long. Seeing UNBELIEVABLE sites. Also witnessing first hand, some of Saddam's atrocities. Obviously was here when the verdict came down, people were still honking car horns in celebration at 3:00 am local time-haven't run into anyone upset about the verdict, except from that of "the other side", lunatic type / non believers on TV.
Hang the bastard!! AND THE SOONER THE BETTER!!!
Been very, very busy meeting with high level Gov't officials in their palaces and offices. The people here are very nice and hospitable, no wonder Mike Jr made so many local friends while here. Anyways, need to cut it short for now. Like I always say "i'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut".
Michael D Anderson
www.cplandersonjr.org
Kristinn here. I guess everyone's off voting today. We're calling it a night, but we'll check in tomorrow.
Take care. I do hope everyone is voting.
Joseph Johnson, I can't believe that you are writing to me from Iraq! I want to tell you how sorry I am that you lost your son. I can't imagine the pain you felt but also your great pride in him shines thru. He died for a great cause and he was doing what he knew was right--bringing freedom to desperate people. He gave his life so others could live and be free.
It's really hard to write this thru tears, but I have read of the horrors of Sadaam's regime, the torture people went thru, the fear they lived with constantly. I met a young Iraqi here whose father was killed before his eyes because he dared to speak out. His son fled Iraq to save his life and has settled here with his sister--they cannot believe the dream that is America.
We are all so proud of all of our troops, and their families who wait for them and who pray for them constantly. My son was in Desert Storm and I remember those anxious hours--and that was for a short time;I can't imagine what these families are going thru.
We pray for all of them every day and also that they will be allowed to finish the mission. Unfortunately we live in a tv situation that's solved in an hour and people are very unrealistic. The devastation inflicted on Iraqis and their country cannot be fixed immediately--it's going to be long and hard and expensive, but we need to do it. We're praying hard for this election too, that the naysayers will be defeated.
Please remember your son isn't gone, he's still here--he's just in a different place (to quote from the mother of a Marine who lost his life in Iraq). I know he will always be with you. Thank you, and all of you, for being there for us!!!
It was an honor to receive your message Wish I could be there with you!
Thanks.
... and from the Worship Center at First Baptist Church...
Hi Allegra.
Love your tag line!
BTW, you must have seen some amazing stuff--firsthand--this week in Baghdad.
It has been quite interesting. It's one of those things that makes all the pain-in-the-butt things here worthwhile.
I've been here for the handover of the country (June '04), the first election (January '05- still the most fascinating thing I have seen here) and the death of Zarqawi. The Saddam verdict ranked up there with all the milestones.
I hope I'm here when he swings.
I hope you see a video of Saddam Hussein, swinging on a rope tied to his neck.
Meanwhile, stay safe.
Thanks for being there -- both of you. Stay safe!
I just voted and, as always, it felt awesomely good. Turnout was best I've seen in our precinct, not affected at all by the rain.
kristinn, please let the families know we appreciate their loved ones' (and their) sacrifices. Words are inadequate... but these photos show what a fantastic job our troops do day in and day out: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1732167/posts
Stay safe, kristinn and visiting Americans.
You are doing some historic work! G*d bless your entire group.
Another something to add to his resume.... He's a real Swinger! :)
OOppsss. I just saw this :) I am preparing another great update from you for everyone!
"Perhaps in the long run, we shall see the majority of Iraqi having a deep respect for the United States Airforce, Army, Navy, and Marines. They came they conquered and gave back the land and peoples a better place for their future to be worked out. I continue to be torn between what we are capable of doing in order to minimize our losses and what the politics that may perhaps bear fruit in a new unified democratized Iraq, may lead to."
This fight for freedom is far from over. I have a 'dog' straining at the leash, ready to do his part. I would like insight from the Gold Star parents, kristinn. My question (I'll be away from the computer when you're on) is what kind of impression you have about the inner strength being culled in these countrymen to defend this great gift your children have given. I ask this because I can only imagine the culture shock from 'before' to 'after' is just subsiding. Do you feel more opportunities such as this trip by civilians-family to family- would be beneficial, a hindrance, or no benefit?
In many ways, it is beyond my comprehension how these people 'lived'. Yet, it is simple to understand that living with evil is, simply, evil.
Thank you all, for everything.
I love your MOAB, Earthdweller! It was so cool that Dubya saw it at the rally last year when he flew over us.
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