Posted on 03/10/2008 5:45:53 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
BAGHDAD (AP) — A suicide bomber killed five U.S. soldiers as they chatted with shop owners while on a foot patrol in central Baghdad on Monday, the deadliest attack on American forces in the heavily fortified capital in more than eight months.
The bombing, just four days after nearly simultaneous blasts killed scores of people in a vibrant Shiite commercial district, again showed the insurgents' ability to strike inside a capital secured by hundreds of security checkpoints, U.S.-funded neighborhood watch groups and hundreds of miles of blast walls that surround buildings and cordon off districts.
....
At any rate, the push over the past six months to place U.S. bases inside neighborhoods and get soldiers out of their armored vehicles increases the Americans' vulnerability to attacks. While the face-to-face contact from foot patrols builds goodwill, it also gives suicide bombers, who often slip past security vehicle checkpoints by walking, better access to striking soldiers.
On Monday, the soldiers were walking in a shopping district of the predominantly Sunni Mansour neighborhood when a man in his 30s detonated his explosives about 30 feet away, said a police officer who witnessed the attack. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to talk to the media.
Four of the soldiers died at the scene, and the fifth died later from wounds, the military said. Three other American soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were also wounded in the attack, which military spokesman Maj. Mark Cheadle said was "was reported to us as a suicide bomber."
Iraqi police said two civilians were also killed.
It was the deadliest attack against the U.S. military since Jan. 28, when five soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb in the northern city of Mosul.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
Thank you all. We are very blessed to have friends here on FR to pray for us.
You and your family have my deepest condolences. May God give you and yours strength during this very tragic and difficult time. Your soon to be brother in law was something very special. He was an American G. I.
Wise and very true words from Tony Blair:
“Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.”
May God comfort your family in your time of need, Imgr8t. I will never ever forget the sacrifices of our Military and their families.
I am here and praying for you and your family tonight. Your thoughts and feelings are all normal, given the shock of what happened.
I am sorry you and we had to lose such a wonderful person as Taylor.
This is such a tough time, may the Lord be with you all.
Thank you, (((Jaycee)))...
Again, I can’t thank you all.
Here is Taylor’s obituariy.
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/38029/60/
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I was sure I posted condolences and prayer to you earlier today, but, I can’t find it. I just want you to know my heart hurts for you and your family. Prayers will continue for you all.
~yorkie
Your family will be in my thoughts.
J.J., USAF
Again, thank you all to my friends here at FR. I’m sure we will get through all of this and move on eventually. It’s so heartwarming to know that there are practically strangers here that can feel our pain. Thank you all so much for being here. Leslie has enjoyed seeing the outpouring from people we don’t even know for the loss of her brother. Thanks again.
"My (soon to be) brother in law died in this blast tonight. Our household is a wreck. Please pray for us. Third Infantry Division."
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear of your family's loss. My prayers go out to all of you, especially your sister.
Oh, please forgive me, I thought that the young man was your sister’s fiance. Nevertheless, my sincere condolences go out to your entire family. God bless you all.
Dear God - please grant comfort and peace that only You can give. Amen.
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Prayers for your family. Speaking as a fellow wreck, FReepmail me if I can help. A group of us surviving parents put together a little guide that might be of use to you ...
Semper Fi,
Thank you all for all of your support. We put Taylor to rest this past week. Many men die, but only few die with honor. Taylor died with Honor.
We are back at home, and getting ready for work tomorrow. It’s going to be a long, tough road... but we will do our best.
Taylor was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. What a great man.
Please take the time to support the Patriot Guard. These ladies and gentelmen volunteer their time to keep protesters away from family. Please know that I have become so proud of these people... they need all of our suppourt. Great, great people.
Thank you to my FR family.
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