Perhaps some see it as a farewell visit from their Commander-in-Chief to troops who are serving their country far away from their loved ones at Christmas.
Good for the President. I think it’s great that he is saying farewell to the troops. I wish him well in his retirement.
Merry Christmas, Allegra!
President Bush’s Christmas season visit to Iraq is a VERY appropriate visit, indeed!
After action report:
Probably over 1,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines packed the palace and stood for a couple hours (lots arrived way early to make sure they could get in).
The 4th Infantry Division had some band members there playing some great tunes and even doing vocals. Support folks had chow, snacks and beverages laid out for the crowd.
People were packed in like sardines. The backdrop for the stage was a gigantic flag that reached all the way to the ceiling, maybe about 70 feet.
General Odierno introduced the President. Started with, “Someone wanted to come see you to say goodbye, and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...”
The troops were jazzed and very energetic, though this was about 2200 at the end of a, no doubt, very long day for everyone.
A great cheer went up when he took the stage. The President talked about the early decisions to go into the war, UN resolutions, the success of the Coalition. He talked about the dark days during ‘04-’05, and the ultimate success of the surge. Many compliments for the unprecedented successes of the military. The troops broke in several times with applause and “Hooahs!”.
Two things stood out. The first was when he said its sometimes hard to understand you’re making history when you’re in the middle of the action. Second, he said he was ordering everyone, as Commander In Chief, to call their families when “y’all get out of here tonight” and tell them “the Commander in Chief says ‘thank you’” for all the sacrifices made.
He spoke about the losses and injuries to friends and loved ones, and how the troops would someday be thought of in the same way as those who were in Normandy, Verdun, Korea and elsewhere.
He was very comfortable with the troops and talked about what he would miss most not being President which was not being CiC. Afterwards, he stayed for a bit and shook hands and signed autographs. This one was just for the troops - no civilians or contractors or TCNs, just our soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines. It was clearly a great morale booster.
Kit