An Email from a Captain in Iraq
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 9:03 am
>
> We knew there was a dinner planned with ambassador Bremer and LTG
> Sanchez. There were 600 seats available and all the units in the
> division weretasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI
> battalion got ourtable. Soldiers were grumbling about having to sit
> through another dog-and-pony show, so we had to pick soldiers to attend.
> I chose not to go.
>
> But, about 1500 the G2, LTC Devan, came up to me and with a smile, asked
> me to come to dinner with him, to meet him in his office at 1600 and
> bring a camera. I didn't really care about getting a picture with
> Sanchez or Bremer, but when the division's senior intelligence officer
> asks you to go, you go. We were seated in the chow hall, fully decorated
> for thanksgiving when aaaaallllll kinds of secret service guys showed
> up.
>
> That was my first clue, because Bremer's been here before and his
> personal security detachment is not that big. Then BG Dempsey got up to
> speak, and he welcomed ambassador Bremer and LTG Sanchez. Bremer thanked
> us all and pulled out a piece of paper as if to give a speech. He
> mentioned that the President had given him this thanksgiving speech to
> give to the troops. He then paused and said that the senior man present
> should be the one to give it. He then looked at Sanchez, who just
> smiled.
>
> Bremer then said that we should probably get someone more senior to read
> the speech. Then, from behind the camouflage netting, the President of
> the United States came around. The mess hall actually erupted with
> hollering. Troops bounded to their feet with shocked smiles and just
> began cheering with all their hearts. The building actually shook. It
> was just unreal. I was absolutely stunned. Not only for the obvious, but
> also because I was only two tables away from the podium. There he stood,
> less than thirty feet away from me! The cheering went on and on and on.
>
> Soldiers were hollering, cheering, and a lot of them were crying. There
> was not a dry eye at my table. When he stepped up to the cheering, I
> could clearly see tears running down his cheeks. It was the most surreal
> moment I've had in years. Not since my wedding and Aaron being born.
> Here was this man, our President, came all the way around the world,
> spending 17 hours on an airplane and landing in the most dangerous
> airport in the world, where a plane was shot out of the sky not six days
> before.
>
> Just to spend two hours with his troops. Only to get on a plane and
> spend another 17 hours flying back. It was a great moment, and I will
> never forget it. He delivered his speech, which we all loved, when he
> looked right at me and held his eyes on me. Then he stepped down and was
> just mobbed by the soldiers. He slowly worked his way all the way around
> the chow hall and shook every last hand extended. Every soldier who
> wanted a photo with the President got one. I made my way through the
> line, got dinner, then wolfed it down as he was still working the room.
>
> You could tell he was really enjoying himself. It wasn't just a photo
> opportunity. This man was actually enjoying himself! He worked his way
> over the course of about 90 minutes towards my side of the room.
> Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to shake a few hands. I got a picture
> with Ambassador Bremer, Talabani (acting Iraqi president) and Achmed
> Chalabi (another member of the ruling council) and Condaleeza Rice, who
> was there with him.
>
> I felt like I was drunk. He was getting closer to my table so I went
> back over to my seat. As he passed and posed for photos, he looked my in
> the eye and "How you doin', captain." I smiled and said "God bless you,
> sir." To which he responded "I'm proud of what you do, captain." Then
> moved on.
>
> We knew there was a dinner planned with ambassador Bremer and LTG
> Sanchez. There were 600 seats available and all the units in the
> division weretasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI
> battalion got ourtable. Soldiers were grumbling about having to sit
> through another dog-and-pony show, so we had to pick soldiers to attend.
> I chose not to go.
>
> But, about 1500 the G2, LTC Devan, came up to me and with a smile, asked
> me to come to dinner with him, to meet him in his office at 1600 and
> bring a camera. I didn't really care about getting a picture with
> Sanchez or Bremer, but when the division's senior intelligence officer
> asks you to go, you go. We were seated in the chow hall, fully decorated
> for thanksgiving when aaaaallllll kinds of secret service guys showed
> up.
>
> That was my first clue, because Bremer's been here before and his
> personal security detachment is not that big. Then BG Dempsey got up to
> speak, and he welcomed ambassador Bremer and LTG Sanchez. Bremer thanked
> us all and pulled out a piece of paper as if to give a speech. He
> mentioned that the President had given him this thanksgiving speech to
> give to the troops. He then paused and said that the senior man present
> should be the one to give it. He then looked at Sanchez, who just
> smiled.
>
> Bremer then said that we should probably get someone more senior to read
> the speech. Then, from behind the camouflage netting, the President of
> the United States came around. The mess hall actually erupted with
> hollering. Troops bounded to their feet with shocked smiles and just
> began cheering with all their hearts. The building actually shook. It
> was just unreal. I was absolutely stunned. Not only for the obvious, but
> also because I was only two tables away from the podium. There he stood,
> less than thirty feet away from me! The cheering went on and on and on.
>
> Soldiers were hollering, cheering, and a lot of them were crying. There
> was not a dry eye at my table. When he stepped up to the cheering, I
> could clearly see tears running down his cheeks. It was the most surreal
> moment I've had in years. Not since my wedding and Aaron being born.
> Here was this man, our President, came all the way around the world,
> spending 17 hours on an airplane and landing in the most dangerous
> airport in the world, where a plane was shot out of the sky not six days
> before.
>
> Just to spend two hours with his troops. Only to get on a plane and
> spend another 17 hours flying back. It was a great moment, and I will
> never forget it. He delivered his speech, which we all loved, when he
> looked right at me and held his eyes on me. Then he stepped down and was
> just mobbed by the soldiers. He slowly worked his way all the way around
> the chow hall and shook every last hand extended. Every soldier who
> wanted a photo with the President got one. I made my way through the
> line, got dinner, then wolfed it down as he was still working the room.
>
> You could tell he was really enjoying himself. It wasn't just a photo
> opportunity. This man was actually enjoying himself! He worked his way
> over the course of about 90 minutes towards my side of the room.
> Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to shake a few hands. I got a picture
> with Ambassador Bremer, Talabani (acting Iraqi president) and Achmed
> Chalabi (another member of the ruling council) and Condaleeza Rice, who
> was there with him.
>
> I felt like I was drunk. He was getting closer to my table so I went
> back over to my seat. As he passed and posed for photos, he looked my in
> the eye and "How you doin', captain." I smiled and said "God bless you,
> sir." To which he responded "I'm proud of what you do, captain." Then
> moved on.
>
ok ok so the guys in the office think something got in my eye....