Troops Cheer Rumsfeld, Myers at Baghdad Town Hall Meeting w/ Transcript

DoD-AFPS ^ | May 13, 2004 | SOD Rumsfeld, Gen. Myers, Gen. Sanchez, brave US troops, Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Troops Cheer Rumsfeld, Myers at Baghdad Town Hall Meeting

By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2004 – Cheers and applause from hundreds of troops greeted Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers today when they arrived at Camp Victory in Baghdad for a "town hall meeting."

The secretary and the chairman spoke to the troops as part of a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital.

The secretary said he had just visited the Abu Ghraib prison and received assurances from those in charge that abuses there have ended.

"We've spent the day talking to people and seeing the steps that have been taken to see that those types of abuses to people for whom we have responsibility and custody will not happen again," he said.

The speeches by both men clearly provided a boost to the morale of troops beleaguered by a prisoner-abuse scandal that has led to congressional hearings and backlash anti-American sentiment throughout the Arab world.

Seven soldiers, all reservists assigned to the 372nd Military Police Company, are facing criminal charges resulting from the abuse of detainees while in military custody.

Saying the acts of abuse "betrayed our values and sullied the reputation of the country," Rumsfeld said the abuse does not reflect American values or the values of the troops assembled at the meeting.

"And I know that, and you know that, and your families know that," he added. "And we're proud of you, each of you. We're proud of your service."

The secretary told the troops that despite the controversy the military now faces, they are doing good deeds in Iraq.

"You've built playgrounds and a sports complex; you've improved local health clinics; and you're showing the Iraqi people and, indeed, the people of the world who will look, the character of the country that we're from and the character of the men and women in the armed services."

Myers told the troops that he has never lost confidence in those who wear the uniform.

"I'm confident because you bring the essential goodness of America to our armed forces. I'm confident because you're well trained. I'm confident because you're well led, you're well equipped," he explained. "You understand the importance of what we do day in and day out, whether it's here in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or the Horn of Africa, or the Philippines, or wherever it is in the world that we serve the United States of America."

Rumsfeld reminded the troops that they face a tough road ahead in building a democracy in Iraq, but he added that one day they will look back and be proud of their service. "And you're going to say, 'It was worth it,'" he added.

Biographies:
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
Gen. Richard B. Myers

[Ray'sBeth]

I can't tell you what it means to me to have you post this. I don't watch TV, and much of my news comes from posts here. This is special to me especially because my son is in the sandbox.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The adults are in charge ~ Bump!

Bump! (^:

[SandRat]

Even better I heard it in the car and when the Secretary said he'd stopped reading the Newspapers the room exploded in applause.

[Libertina]

I can't find the part where he disses the media saying that the news headlines were all so bad he just quit reading them... Was this remark taken out? I heard him speak this morinng...

[Loyal Buckeye]

Send my best to your son. Our troops are terrific men and women.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

It's a great line, and reaction from the troops.

Just before "It's a fact. I'm a survivor." - a few paragraphs from the top:

We hear a lot of criticism in the press, but the fact of the matter is that people every year line up to come to the United States of America. They want to become American citizens, and the reason they do is because they know, as Abraham Lincoln said, that the United States is the last best hope of humankind. I've stopped reading the newspapers. (Laughter, cheers, applause.)

It's a fact. I'm a survivor.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Lol, you're very welcome, DollyCali.

Did I mention He's merciful? (!)   (^:

[Jorge]

Yes, Rumsfeld is a great Sec of Def who is clearly loved by our soldiers.

It's a shame those who are promoting this public hysteria over the so called "prisoner torture/abuse" scandal, who have been trying to undermine our war effort from the beginning are calling for Rumsfeld's head for totally partisan political purposes.

His visit to the troops was a brilliant tactical decision in the war on the left.

[PhiKapMom]

It was brilliant! Once again the RATs and the Media overplayed their hand -- loved it when Sen Inhofe brought out the fact the pictures they saw yesterday were no different then before and had very few prisoner pictures in them! All of sudden that feigned outrage was silent for awhile until they can get another angle!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Bumpity bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[texasflower]

Thank you for posting that. Tell you friend thank you for taking his job so seriously.

I'm glad they all have protection all the time.

(Thanks for the boxer info also. LOVE men in boxers!)

[OXENinFLA]

BTTT!

[blackie]

Double Bump!

[windchime]

Bump!