A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-27-03..."Operation Iraqi Freedom: Week 1"

JohnHuang2 and Dutchess and Billie | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest.....
......Every Day

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues; salute and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   I can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. The forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete
MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet
MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga
BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette
MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid
BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP
MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian
BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett. MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick, Leroy S Mort, Mark17. BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau.

GROUP 7A: TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam, dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony.BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang.

GROUP 8A: TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx. MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law. BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

      

GROUP 9A: TOP: Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog. MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son. BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Week 1

by JohnHuang2

"U.S. invasion forces faced tough resistance as they opened an assault on Republican Guards defending the approaches to Baghdad, while the humanitarian situation worsened in southern Iraq," reported Reuters this week.

Coalition forces are in full retreat, says the media, bedeviled by setback after setback, body-blow after body-blow, including "the killing and capture of U.S. soldiers and the loss of [a] helicopter."

"Days after it appeared that the battle had been won in Iraq's south, the shooting -- and the dying -- goes on," writes Associated Press reporter, Doug Mellgren, gleefully.

"At Basra," he adds, "allied forces...came under heavy artillery fire Monday. A British soldier was reported killed in action nearby."

But it gets worse.

"At the southern oil fields, once considered secure, shadowy Iraqi forces apparently ambushed a British unit...civilian workers brought in to fight fires at the wells were forced to withdraw for their own safety."

Outside of Basra, "Iraqi mortar rounds rained down through the day, with tanks and armored fighting vehicles of the Black Watch and the Royal Scots Guards returning fire," says Mellgren.

Coalition setbacks. Losses. Failures. Body-blows. Heavy enemy artillery fire. Coalition forces in full retreat.

And more dying.

Media message to public: America is getting shellacked, our enemies are racking up slam dunks on the battlefield; the Iraqis are sweeping to victory as our boys drown in a bloodbath. Bush not only "failed so miserably at diplomacy," (See Daschle), he's failing on the battlefield, too! Sky is falling! Sky is falling!

"The United States suffered its worst casualties on Sunday," reports the Miami Herald, "with up to nine Marines killed, scores wounded, and the first U.S. troops captured by the Iraqis in the fiercest fighting of the war so far."

"Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld...defended U.S. war plans in Iraq on Tuesday amid criticism from many experts who question the size and punch of the invasion force being used," Will Dunham of Reuters wrote, giddy as can be.

Well, you get the picture.

The media, as I wrote in my previous essay, thinks this war should already be wrapped up. A week is more than enough time to win. What's taking so long? It's been a whole week! War? Mortar rounds? Tomahawk missiles? Heck, Iraq should have already been rebuilt, the landscape thriving with commerce and industry, suburbs teeming with shopping malls, shiny Minivans, Porsches and Chevy Suburbans dotting the highways, Iraqi soccer-moms driving kiddies to the games on Saturdays.

All won with ZERO BATTLEFIELD CASUALTIES.

The press, having failed to thwart military action, now hopes to swing public opinion against the war by portraying the effort as a miserable failure.

The quotes at the top are just the tip of media ice-berg. Flick on CNN, and you'd swear it's Al-Jazeera TV. Judy Woodruff -- Michael Moore with a dress, Saddam's professional spinner. I keep looking for the Baghdad TV logo when Aaron Brown is on. The stuff out of Reuters, AP and UPI sound more like press releases straight from Iraq's Ministry of (Dis)Information than reputable wire copy, only less credible.

After news of a popular uprising in Basra, the faces at MSNBC looked like Iraqi barracks after several B-52 bombing runs. The Fedayeen Saddamites at the nightly newscasts barely held back their tears.

Sure there've been 'setbacks,' mistakes, tragedies. No-one's denying that.

In fact, just to prove I'm 'fair and balanced,' l'll go over some of them.

Saddam's glorious victories? I hardly know where to begin. How about his 'success' in losing control of Umm Qasr, a key port city in southern Iraq? Or his brilliant master-stroke -- losing 17 divisions out of 23 only days into Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Saddam, in his relentless march to victory, by Tuesday had lost control of 70% of Iraqi territory, with 'vanquished' coalition forces, 'crippled and demoralized' (See Reuters), poised at the gates of Baghdad, a popular uprising against the popular Saddam underway in Basra, Iraq's second largest city. On Tuesday, the British 7th Armored Brigade, also crippled and demoralized (See Reuters again), suffered a huge setback by crushing an entire Iraqi armored column, marching out of Basra, to pulp. Another 'setback' for British forces: A dawn raid which netted a senior Ba'athist official. The Brits thereafter destroyed party headquarters, which sparked the Shi'ite uprising against Saddam.

Reaction from Saddam's tender-hearted thugs, whose fealty to human rights is legendary, was to launch mortar fire indiscriminately on protesters. But the horse had already left the barn, as the uprising spreads.

Saddam's triumphant forces also scored big at Najah, just south of Baghdad, its indomitable Medina Republican Guard losing over 500 men in the first head-to-head ground engagement against 'demoralized' (again, see Reuters) coalition forces, who suffered a whopping zero total casualties during the engagement. No doubt Saddam's masterly war planning will go down in history for its skilled ineptitude, unblemished by reason, tactical or strategic.

Yep, I'm impressed.

Saddam's 'grip' on the country was further 'strengthened' tonight, after a cruise missile struck Iraq TV, knocking Saddam off the air.

You know, come to think of it, has anyone seen Saddam?

Saddam? Are you there? Hello? Saddam?

Oh, gee, maybe those bungling, blundering, inept coalition forces took down Saddam the first night.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents..

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-24-03 Hall of Fame #3 03-25-03 deadhead 03-26-03 Who is Jimmy Valentine?

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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[JohnHuang2]

...those nattering nabobs are always striving to accentuate the negative.

Exactly, my friend. It was the same during the Afghanistan campaign. Then came liberation, the Taliban was defeated. Afghanistan was no longer a safe haven for terrorists. The same liberation awaits Iraq.

[ST.LOUIE1]

(((((dutchess)))))

: )

[dutchess]

"Call Me Irresponsible" Absolutely perfect LOL!!!!! (I really questioned whether to use her picture on this thread along side of pictures of our military...but decided to go with it as it wasn't a very flattering picture....)Anyway you're post made me happy I did LOL. From now on everytime I see her that song will be swimming in my head LOL!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, Sis!

Crawl out of that bunker....no war going on at the 'Finest'. LOL

[dutchess]

Hi Billie. Anxiously awaiting the mailman (fingers crossed LOL)

BTW...the Ad.Moderator saved me again...I started to respond to the first few posts this morning, looked at the heading and it said

A Frew if FR's Finest....oops

Thankyou AdminModerator

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hope you're feeling better soon, Gail. : )

[Pippin]

(((((LOUIE)))))!!!!!

[Pippin]

Hi, (((JW)))!

LOVE THAT PICTURE OF A BEAUTIFUL LAND!!!

[FBD]

CLOSE CALL:
British Royal Marine Eric Walderman from the 40 Commando dons Wednesday, March 26, 2003, the kevlar helmet which saved his life after it was hit by four bullets during a firefight in the southern Iraq port of Umm Qasr. (AP Photo/LA (Photo) Angie Pearce, pool)

Two F/A-18 Hornets take off for a strike against Iraq aboard the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, early Wednesday, March 26, 2003. The Truman is conducting missions in the Mediterranean in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

A United States Air Force F16 Fighting Falcon prepares to take off from its base in Kuwait

President Bush left, gets briefed by Dan Morris, right, assistant director of intelligence at Joint Operations Center at CENTCOM--the Central Command -- at MacDill Air Force Base, Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Iraqi citizens cheer and wave Wednesday March 26, 2003 after the arrival of Royal Marines, from 42 Commando, as they bring the first humanitarian aid to Umm Qasr, southern Iraq. The Marines entered the city on Monday and have been tasked to secure the port town so further aid can be delivered. (AP Photo/Jon Mills, Pool)

A U.S. Army combat engineer enjoys a cigarette as he relaxes between the cities of Najaf and Karbala as another sandstorm turns the daylight orange, March 26, 2003. As a second day of sandstorms buffeted U.S. armor pushing north across the Iraqi desert towards the capital, reports of the Iraqi death toll in late Tuesday's ferocious battle between U.S. tanks and Iraqi infantry near the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Najaf ranged from scores to hundreds. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

A U.S. Marine from the 1st battalion smiles during a quick break on an Iraqi desert road, north of Nassiriya, March 26, 2003. The U.S. says large numbers of Iraqis were killed near Najaf in the biggest ground engagement of the war to date. REUTERS/Oleg Popov

Female Ordnanceman Stephanie Manfredonia from Bronx, N.Y. prepares to move JDAM bombs on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt for air strikes over Iraq on Tuesday March 27,2003. The squadrons of the carrier group in the eastern Mediteranean have stepped up flight operations in support of 'Operation Iraqi Freedom.' (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Arresting gear officer Lloyd Mack from Pensacola, FL, watches as an F/A-18 Hornet make an arrested landing on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the eastern Mediteranean, Thursday March 27,2003. The squadrons of the carrier group have stepped up flight strikes over northern Iraq. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, take cover after coming upon a mortar attack during an orange sandstorm on a road south of Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, March 26, 2003. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

A U.S. Marine greets an Iraqi man as others surround him prior to the distribution of a shipment of humanitarian aid, in Safwan, Iraq on Wednesday, March 26, 2003. Three trailers of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society carrying food supplies and mineral water arrived at the border town.(AP Photo/Gustavo Ferrari)

A USAF F16 Fighting Falcon uses reheat to take off from its base in Kuwait March 26, 2003. (AP Photo/Russell Boyce , Pool Photo)

A general view of the mass movement of U.S. Marine Corps units heading north, some 150 km (90 miles) north of the town of Nassiriya, March 27, 2003. U.S. Marines fought bloody skirmishes as their surge north towards Baghdad came under sporadic Iraqi attack. U.S. artillery fired back, allowing the Marines to get through Shatra after a two-hour delay and reach Qal'at Sukkar, about 100 km (60 miles) north of Nassiriya. REUTERS/Oleg Popov

A U.S. soldier shakes hands with a curious Iraqi boy at the Iraq border with Kuwait as they both watch the arrival of one of the first shipments of water, Wednesday, March 26, 2003, to the port town of Umm Qasr, southern Iraq. (AP Photo/Wally Santana/Pool)

A ground assault convoy with 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) prepares to move forward at an undisclosed location in Iraq Thursday, March 26, 2003. (AP Photo/pool, Spc. Joshua m. Risner)

US Army helicopter crew from the 101st Airborne Division prepares an Apache attack helicopter.(AFP/File/Romeo Gacad)

[Pippin]

How is Ming's sister? I saw were you whent to D/FW ot pick her up.

[Diver Dave]

If it's Thursday...it must be JohnHuang2 at the Finest. Please join us for another insightful essay by our favorite resident author!

Yep! And a great day it is. 55 and shooting for 70 degrees. Our flag has become tattered and torn from the winds, so a trip to the store is on the agenda for a replacement. Weatherman forcasting 80 degrees for our Honor Our Troops rally on Saturday.

Another GREAT essay JH2. Sure glad you're on our team. :)

pssst, Louie. I ate your pie yesterday. Thanks, daisy. :) Baseball, the Flag, pineAPPLE pie, and Mom - yep, it's great to be an American!

[Pippin]

AWESOME!!!!

[FoxGirl]

Great essay to give us a postive outlook at the beginning of this day!

[Pippin]

Guten Aben! Fuchs Frau!

[FreeTheHostages]

Well put.

[Pippin]

Hi, (((DD)))!

[FreeTheHostages]

BTW, I see how you're "in the zone" now on posting these threads! Looks flawless. :)

[dutchess]

Hi Dave...will be thinking of you Saturday. Flipped on FOX this am and the peaceniks were out in full force in NYC...They interviewed Fred Thompson who had a few choice words (he also has recorded a GREAT commercial in support of our military)

[dutchess]

Looks flawless. :)

Thanks free! Now all I have to do is "proofread" before I hit "POST" (see post #85 LOL!)

Fortunately I caught it before ThinMan did!

[dutchess]

Great essay to give us a postive outlook at the beginning of this day!

I agree. Actually I think Rush must have read it...he's ranting on the same thing now and his words sound an awful lot like Johns!