Posted on 02/01/2002 3:19:14 PM PST by Arkie2
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Jan. 23, 2002) -- An aircraft filled with 101st Airborne Division soldiers en route to Afghanistan circled the World Trade Center disaster site in lower Manhattan last week to remind the troops of why they were deploying. It was the first time since Sept. 11 that the Federal Aviation Administration allowed a commercial plane to fly over the site. Capt. Richard Osborne, pilot of MD-11 World Airways, radioed 20 minutes ahead to coordinate the maneuver and the air traffic controllers were notably moved by the request. "They were happy to do it when we told them the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was on board," said Osborne. "These people are going over there and are literally risking their lives in response to the terror that occurred at that place; it was very significant that they get an opportunity to see it." For the soldiers of Task Force 187 making the trip, it was a reminder of what the mission is all about. "It was definitely a sobering moment, (a reminder) of what we're doing here," said Spc. Raymond Ballance, Company D, 311th Military Intelligence, ground surveillance. "It brought it back to the front of my mind, of why we're doing this, by seeing those two barren sites." Ballance is also prepared to make the sacrifice to help eliminate terrorism. "Hopefully I'll find some bad guys and detain them so we can bring them to justice," said Ballance. Osborne, who was an Army aviator during Vietnam, said he was proud to have the job of flying the "Screaming Eagles" to their destination. "I'm glad we're able to bring them on this leg and what we're really looking forward to is bringing each and every one of them back home," said Osborne. "I was proud when I served in the military and I'm proud of the quality of people who are on board today."
Rock steady, MSG.
AIRBORNE ASSAULT!!
Mega-PING!!
I disagree.
Memories are short, we need to be reminded often.
We will never forget. I'm still surprised, though, at how emotional I get when I read posts like this. What a wonderful country we have.
That sounds more like policework than the job of a soldier, imho, and I worry about that type of attitude causing losses on our side that could have otherwise been prevented...
No, sir, that's not why this soldier used those words. When you get these people alone they use savage language to describe what they fully intend to do to the bad guys. They know their ultimate mission is to kill, and so far they've done a wonderful job of it, too. We don't hear about the thousands of al-Qaida and Taliban who have been killed. But our soldiers can't speak of that publicly. It's impolitic, unacceptable, indiscreet. They're to use the phraseology of gentlemen when talking to the press.
A friend of mine used very blunt language about wanting to kill some Iraqis and was roundly chastised for it, even though every one of his comrades and his commander were smiling in approval. Our wonderful European allies would deride us as barbarians if we publicly mentioned in a forthright way that almost all Americans would like to see all these devils slaughtered.
No. Hopefully you'll find some bad guys and kill them.
God be with our boys, prayers are with them and GOOD HUNTING Gentlemen......
Get those lousy ba$stards.....
Thank you so much for the ping! God bless and be with these guys.
BTTT!
This church is of note since President Washington went to Mass there during the 15 months he was in New York for the early part of his first term. To the left a few blocks is Trinity Church (Broadway and Wall St.) The General did not worship there since it had burned in 1776 (along with the western half of the city) and was not rebuilt until 1797.
If you visit NYC go to St Paul's. You will see the original pew that the General and his family sat in along with the first painting of the Great Seal of the United States.
Arriving and seeing: In front of St. Paul's Chapel, Trinity Parish, Wall Street. Keeping a surgical mask handy is necessary in order to breathe and work in the midst of residual smoke and dust. Episcopalians, undaunted, come to witness and assess the situation first hand. From left to right: The Rev. Canon Peter Larom, Executive Director, Seamen's Church Institute; The Ven. Michael Kendall, Archdeacon for Mission, Diocese of New York; The Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk; Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of New York.
This is what we all are praying for.
Thanks for the ping, kayak, I really appreciate it.
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