:-)
Posted on 06/26/2006 5:34:25 PM PDT by pittsburgh gop guy
Guardsman back from Iraq, opposes withdrawal deadline
Col. John L. Gronski's brigade was assigned to the city of Ramadi when it was a haven for insurgents and terrorists.
By Mike Urban
Reading Eagle
A Spring Township man who returned from commanding a brigade in Iraq's most dangerous city believes that sudden withdrawal of American troops could erase much of the progress there. “It would be a mistake to withdraw based on an arbitrary deadline instead of according to the conditions that exist,” said Col. John L. Gronski. “We must continue our mission until things get more stable.”
Gronski, 50, led the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division during its one-year deployment in Ramadi, which ended June 11.
In that year the “Iron Brigade,” whose 5,600 members include 2,200 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers, helped make the violent city more secure, he said. National guardsmen from other states, and Army soldiers and Marines made up the rest of the team.
Iraqi army and police now help control areas where insurgents and terrorists used to swarm, he said.
But much of that progress could be erased if Congress prematurely withdraws U.S. troops from Iraq, he warns.
Although both houses of Congress have rejected withdrawal timetables for the troops in Iraq in recent weeks, the debate over the duration of the war continues.
Gronski understands the dismay over the loss of American and Iraqi lives.
Eighty-one members of his 5,600-member brigade, including 15 Pennsylvania National Guard troops were killed during the deployment, and 140 were injured seriously enough to require treatment outside of Iraq, he said.
Still, the tragic toll doesn't diminish the importance of America's work in Iraq, he said.
If American troops weren't rooting out al-Qaida in Iraq, those terrorists would surely be attacking the nation's homeland, he said.
The troops also are making Iraq's government and economy more stable, which further helps keep America safe, he said.
Gronski said the brigade's biggest accomplishments include:
Taking control from insurgents in key areas in southern Ramadi as well as areas north and east of the city.
Training and working with Iraqi Army forces totaling 5,400 men.
Recruiting and training more than 700 Iraqi police to protect Ramadi.
Cordoning off the city's entry points to restrict the influx of insurgents and weapons.
Troop morale was high throughout the deployment, Gronski said.
As proof, Gronski pointed to the 75 percent re-enlistment rate among brigade members whose service time was set to end after the deployment.
“They believe in what they're doing,” he said.
Most Iraqi citizens are thankful for the intervention of coalition forces, he said.
“They look forward to our withdrawal from their cities, but they like the security we bring,” he said.
The most lasting memories for Gronski will be the displays of courage by his troops in combat, he said.
While on patrol with an Iraqi army unit he was training, Sgt. Harry McFarland of Harrisburg led the men through open fire by insurgents to cross a field and kill and detain the enemy who engaged them, Gronski said.
And after a hand grenade landed in his tank, Spc. Brian Sheetz of Pittsburgh threw the grenade out of the tank as the device exploded. He injured his face and right hand, but saved himself and fellow soldiers, Gronski said. Following treatment, Sheetz returned to service in Ramadi.
After 15 months away from home, Gronski left Camp Shelby, Miss., on Saturday and returned to his wife, Berti.
Like most of the men and women in his brigade, he relied on the love and prayers of his family and friends to sustain him during the long deployment.
And like the National Guard troops he led, he will soon return to his civilian career. He is a senior management consultant for Greencastle Associates Consulting, Frazer, Chester County.
Gronski will soon receive two promotions.
In August he will advance in rank to brigadier general, and in October he will be reassigned as deputy commander general of the 28th Infantry Division.
“All the credit belongs to the soldiers and noncommissioned officers I've worked with and commanded in the last 20 years,” he said.
The 1st Brigade of the 1st Armored Division replaced the Iron Brigade in Ramadi, but his troops will continue training for their next call to service, Gronski said.
Americans should be proud of all members of the brigade, who represent their nation well, he said.
“They showed bravery on a daily basis while treating the Iraqi civilians with dignity and respect,” he said.
Uh, Mr. Murtha, please talk to Colonel Gronski... " Still, the tragic toll doesn't diminish the importance of America's work in Iraq, he said.
If American troops weren't rooting out al-Qaida in Iraq, those terrorists would surely be attacking the nation's homeland, he said.
The troops also are making Iraq's government and economy more stable, which further helps keep America safe, he said...
Troop morale was high throughout the deployment, Gronski said.
As proof, Gronski pointed to the 75 percent re-enlistment rate among brigade members whose service time was set to end after the deployment.
“They believe in what they're doing,” he said.
Most Iraqi citizens are thankful for the intervention of coalition forces, he said.
“They look forward to our withdrawal from their cities, but they like the security we bring,” he said "
And today you had Senator Searchlight trying to say there is no difference in the modest draw down suggested by Gen Casey and their timelined pull out proposal last week. Sheesch.
:-)
Peace Talks, and high profile hugs with the MULLAHS, with the MSM Slimes recording it all. THAT is the plan.
And the desert conversation goes like this:
Time Table for Troop withdrawal.
Al Qaeda Desert Dialogue:
Wajid: "Ahmed, I read that the infidels will leave Iraq on the 31st of October, 2006, in order to have an election which will put their weak kneed Liberals in power."
Ahmed: "Yes O magnificent Wajid, the Infidels will all leave at the same time like simpering women at the hands of their great Satan government, which we have convinced of our noble cause. We do not fight them now, we want them to think they have won."
Wajid: "O pacifier of my mother's sister,who is that kafir cow who has been calling you every night on your European Secure Satphone?"
Ahmed: "It is some Satanic cow, who keeps prostrating herself , asking me to water her copious thighs after the Infidel-Crusaders leave our Holy Land; she asks me in the name of Allah to attend her, and to plunge my manhood into every orifice of her corpulent body, at a peace conference at an infidel American place called,Camp David, Inshallah."
Wajid: "Oh immaculate conqueror of my cousins goats, Ahmed, how do you expect to fulfill such a request , Inshallah, and what is the name of this infidel cow?"
Ahmed: " I am to meet her aircraft at the Holy Bagdad International Airport, to be whisked away under a flag of peace to the carpets of her tent, where among many houris I am to begin my task and labor of conquering this cow. She calls herself, 'It takes a Village' and jokes with me in a foul and titillating manner that she is the president elect of the Great Satan. Obviously there are no men that can satisfy her in the Land of the Great Satan if she whispers, cow that she is, that her name is," It Takes a Village."
Wajid: " Oh Ahmed, have mercy even upon such an infidel cow as this; You, who are the conqueror of 100 she goats in one day, will have this "It takes a Village" screaming like a Muezzin from a minaret! You may cause an international incident!"
Ahmed: "Oh magnanimous milker of toads, do you not see that 'It Takes a Village' has been informed of my great prowess long ago , as this infidel cow and I , the great goat herder as you say, have conspired to have the Infidel Crusader armies leave Iraq for these past 5 years?"
Wajid: "O Wondrous Ahmed, who has pacified all my sisters and their cousins, why is this infidel cow to be trusted in the name of the one prophet?"
Ahmed: " The lying infidel cow 'It takes A Village' has informed me this morning, that the great Satanic government of the United States is now under her control,and whats more, that her eventual possible meeting with me, great pacifier of all your sisters , and their cousins, was the reason she wanted to run for the office of the infidel presidency.
Wajid: Oh , by the beard of the one prophet, Ahmed, I think after your visit she will change her name from 'It takes a Village' to , 'It takes an Ahmed!'
Ahmed: "Inshallah, Wajid, Inshallah!, but she made me promise not to speak the words, 'Early Withdrawal!'
END TRANSCRIPT
It's a tough job for Ahmed, considering goats and cows are so far superior to "It takes a Village".
"It takes a Village" after AHMED'S campaign contribution.
LOL. She is the worse for wear!!!!!
Me thinks the Neuroscience institute has done too much experimentation on Mu'tha. And, he certainly IS a PAIN, so I guess his name on the place is suitable.
I thought we only had "kids" in Iraq.
All his thoughts and ideas seem to come from the John P. Murtha Outhouse.
I thought Hillary was on our side on this issue. She said that we cannot leave Iraq.
I wonder if she will win. I am a Pennsylvanian, but cannot vote in this district. It will be very interesting. Any poll numbers out? I know that they are BS, but it will give us an idea of how scared the MSM is.
Send her campaign a donation and they might answer your question.
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