1,215 Reenlist In Saddam's Old Palace On July 4, 2008 BookRum.com July 4, 2008
BAGHDAD – How are you spending your 4th of July holiday? While most Americans probably slept, 1,215 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines raised their right hands and committed to a combined 5,500 years of additional service during the largest reenlistment ceremony in the history of the American military. Beneath a large American flag which dwarfed even the enormous chandelier that Saddam Hussein had built for the Al Faw Palace, members of all services, representing all 50 states took the oath administered by Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq.
Petraeus, reiterating earlier remarks made by Command Sergeant Major Hill, said that the unprecedented ceremony sends a “message to friend and foe alike.” He told those assembled that it is “impossible to calculate the value of what you are giving to our country . . . For no bonus, no matter the size, can adequately compensate you for the contribution each of you makes as a custodian of our nation’s defenses.”
Last year Gen. Petraeus, along with Senator John McCain, presided over a similar Independence Day ceremony. Then only 588 servicemen reenlisted. This year’s event, more than twice as large, saw the equivalent of two battalions extend their service in America’s military. Nearly the entire rotunda was filled with reenlisting servicemen, their voices drowning out all other noise. For two days the military members, flown in for the occasion from all across Iraq, have toured the elaborate palace where Saddam’s sons were said to have entertained friends lavishly and tortured enemies mercilessly in the basement dungeon. Following the ceremony, they were treated to Chicago deep dish pizza donated by Lou Malnati’s Restaurant and flown fresh by DHL for the occasion.
Among those in attendance were service members from the more than two dozen Allies serving with MNF-I. Along with their American counterparts, each appeared in awe of the sacrifice of these incredible men and women. Each of the reenlistees knows full well the costs of war, and yet, they chose to stand with their units, their mission, and each other. It was as humbling an experience as I have ever witnessed. On this 4th of July, while you celebrate around grills and coolers all across America, keep in mind the 1,215 who allow us that privilege.
Liberals will no doubt ignore this day because to them Iraq is a quagmire and everyday things turn around for the better it hurts them politically. God bless these Heroes and their families..
Mr_Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:12 pm
Quote:
Command Sergeant Major Hill, said that the unprecedented ceremony sends a “message to friend and foe alike.”
Man, doesn't it look like one of those games where you invade a country and kill everyone in it, and burn down there main building?
This picture reminds me of that. Like, Command and Conquer.
Not really of "freedom". But completely reeks of imperialism.
Every nation has it's demons. Every country has people they want to hide.
Streaker
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:15 pm
Yes, this is exactly the kind of thing imperial powers do.
Throughout the world, on any given day, a man, woman or child is likely to be displaced, tortured, killed or "disappeared", at the hands of governments or armed political groups. More often than not, the United States shares the blame. - Amnesty International, 1996
Mr_Canada
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Posts: 3129
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:25 pm
Streaker wrote:
Yes, this is exactly the kind of thing imperial powers do.
Yes first thing I thought seeing the pictures was
Every nation has it's demons. Every country has people they want to hide.
Streaker
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:28 pm
That's right. Heavy on the visuals.
And especially imperialistic when carried out in a country that has been occupied and torn apart by the invader.
Throughout the world, on any given day, a man, woman or child is likely to be displaced, tortured, killed or "disappeared", at the hands of governments or armed political groups. More often than not, the United States shares the blame. - Amnesty International, 1996
RUEZ
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:33 pm
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
Mr_Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:47 pm
RUEZ wrote:
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
I've been doing that for years.
I just think Nazi Germany's leader was much smarter,
Every nation has it's demons. Every country has people they want to hide.
RUEZ
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:55 pm
Mr_Canada wrote:
RUEZ wrote:
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
I've been doing that for years.
I just think Nazi Germany's leader was much smarter,
and basically explains your level of intellect.
Mr_Canada
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Posts: 3129
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:54 pm
RUEZ wrote:
Mr_Canada wrote:
RUEZ wrote:
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
I've been doing that for years.
I just think Nazi Germany's leader was much smarter,
and basically explains your level of intellect.
...We could go on for HOURS debating Der Fuhrer's intelligence. Personally, I believe he was a genius with a few bolts loose. It's always the smart people who go insane.
But there's no way in hell you think the current U.S. president could possibly compare to Hitler in terms of intellect?
Every nation has it's demons. Every country has people they want to hide.
RUEZ
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:13 pm
Mr_Canada wrote:
But there's no way in hell you think the current U.S. president could possibly compare to Hitler in terms of intellect?
I'm not debating Hitler or George Bush's intellect. I'm commenting on yours for comparing Nazi Germany to the U.S.A.
Mr_Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:07 pm
RUEZ wrote:
Mr_Canada wrote:
But there's no way in hell you think the current U.S. president could possibly compare to Hitler in terms of intellect?
I'm not debating Hitler or George Bush's intellect. I'm commenting on yours for comparing Nazi Germany to the U.S.A.
Well to be clear, I'm comparing the two simply as evil regimes, not necessarily parallels.
Every nation has it's demons. Every country has people they want to hide.
Johnny_Utah
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:03 pm
RUEZ wrote:
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
What more would one expect from the Anti-American Duo of Neil and Bob..
RUEZ
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:10 pm
Johnny_Utah wrote:
RUEZ wrote:
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
What more would one expect from the Anti-American Duo of Neil and Bob..
I just checked out your rep. I can't believe that whiney little bitch gave you a neg. rep "for still being a Bush supporter". What a fucking crybaby.
Streaker
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:13 pm
RUEZ wrote:
Johnny_Utah wrote:
RUEZ wrote:
You heard it here first. Mr_c, and Streaker comparing the US. to nazi Germany. Well played "gentlemen".
What more would one expect from the Anti-American Duo of Neil and Bob..
I just checked out your rep. I can't believe that whiney little bitch gave you a neg. rep "for still being a Bush supporter". What a fucking crybaby.
LMAO!!
Give me a break - you were nearly as bad as mtbr until you became a big pussy and chose to not allow people to give you rep.
Weenie.
Throughout the world, on any given day, a man, woman or child is likely to be displaced, tortured, killed or "disappeared", at the hands of governments or armed political groups. More often than not, the United States shares the blame. - Amnesty International, 1996
RUEZ
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Posts: 10376
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:19 pm
Streaker wrote:
LMAO!!
Give me a break - you were nearly as bad as mtbr until you became a big pussy and chose to not allow people to give you rep.
Weenie.
Bullshit liar. The only abuse I did was to counter act you little pussies. The only negatives I gave save for a few at first were legitimate. I turned mine off so you little pussies couldn't play your games. Fucking hypocrite.
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