The President's Plan for Iraq

Speaking at the U.S. Naval Academy, President Bush laid out the plan for victory in Iraq. America's strategy is clear: we will help Iraqis build a stable democracy, a strong economy, and security forces that can defend the Iraqi people and fight the terrorists. And we will never give in to the enemy by cutting and running before the job is done.

Read the President's complete Strategy for Victory in Iraq here, and write a letter to the editor to spread the word about the President's plan.

In Iraq, our troops' heroic work is paying off. Iraqis will soon vote in their third democratic election this year. Groups that boycotted earlier elections are joining the political process. On the security front, Iraqi troops and police are growing stronger and more ready to defend their country. Increasingly, Iraqis are taking the lead in joint operations to root out the terrorists. As Iraqi forces stand up, our troops' mission will shift away from patrolling Iraqi cities and towards hunting down the most dangerous terrorists.

In spite of the incredible progress made by our troops, some in Washington still are proposing artificial deadlines for withdrawal. This is not a plan for victory. Cutting and running would send a message to the terrorists that our will can be broken, inviting more attacks on our troops and on our homeland. It would tell our friends that America is a weak and unsteady ally. So long as George W. Bush is our President, America will never return to the dangerous, pre-September 11th illusion that the terrorists can be appeased by simply turning our backs.

In response to the President's clear plan, Democrats like minority leader Harry Reid offer empty political attacks, calling the President's speech "tired rhetoric" even before it was given. Yet these same Democrats agree with key elements of President Bush's strategy, with Sen. Joe Biden writing that "we must forge a sustainable political compromise between Iraqi factions, strengthen the Iraqi government and bolster reconstruction efforts, and accelerate the training of Iraqi forces." That sounds exactly like what the President is proposing. These Democrats fundamentally agree on what needs to happen in Iraq, but they're attacking for political gain. Are these attacks designed to help us win the war on terror, or help them win the next election?

President Bush offers a way forward on Iraq, not empty political posturing. Read the strategy and spread the word in your community.

Sincerely,

Ken Mehlman
Chairman, Republican National Committee

United We Stand

The Which Historic General Are You Test

A Message of Inspiration

A tribute for service members and families

I lifted this post from the blog: Michael Yon: Online Magazine for

several reasons.

Michael Yon is a War Correspondent. I mean a real war correspon-

dent. Not, some guy who who is embedded with the troops for the

sole reason of embarrasing the soldiers that he is 'reporting' on, in an

effort to undermine the war effort. And, he can write. That, in itself,

sets him apart from a great many of his colleagues.

He is an independent, receiving no support from some editor or pub-

lisher, who might expect him to write a certain way if he expects to

continue his employment. Mr. Yon has come to rely on his readers

to fund his efforts. His post below explains that and offers the out-

standing photograph of a soldier carrying a wounded Iraqi child, as

a gift, that would be entirely suitable as a Christmas gift.

Mr. Yon supports the troops in a most admirable way. I highly sug-

gest that you read his work and especially look at the photographs

that follow his post that I am featuring here. He is a friend of Bruce

Willis, who also is an outstanding supporter of the U.S. Military. I

would appreciate any support that we can give those who support

America's sons and daughters.

Finally, it doesn't matter who took this photograph. It is an outstand-

ing example of how compassionate and caring our troops are. May

God bless them and Michael Yon.

Many people say this is the most important photograph of the Iraq war.

Some have called it "a national treasure." The image most completely

embodies my experience throughout Iraq.

Countless people have asked for reprints, but I wanted to give the

matter some thought. I did not want to diminish the symbolism of this

photograph, and the American soldiers who risked their lives to save

this little girl.

I more than espoused this belief, I lived it: I have not accepted

advertisements on this site, and my first 7 months of work in Iraq

were completely without compensation. When I reached the point

where my equipment was ruined and my resources exhausted, I

had to choose between stopping the work altogether or rethinking

my independence. I solved both problems by accepting reader support.

When these soldiers finally returned to the United States after a year

of hard fighting they asked my permission to present a copy of the

photograph to Bruce Willis at “The Punishers’ Ball.” Of course, I

agreed. I respect these men beyond simple description, and when I

saw the photo so tastefully framed, I realized that it made a beautiful gift.

It occurred to me that even national treasures have practical costs

associated with them. No one protests the admission fees or government

supports that maintain and preserve their legacy. Museums don't diminish

the value of art when they sell prints in a gift shop. I'm not claiming to be

Picasso, and this blog is hardly the Louvre, but my readers have convinced

me that this image inspires them and I've learned to listen to my readers.

I’ve decided to offer a limited number of signed photographs, available in

two formats.

All will be signed and numbered by me. If you have difficulty with PayPal,

or just prefer to send a check, please use the address provided with my

profile section.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warning - Mature Marine Corp Language

Would that this were true and that our politicians and senior leaders had the testicular fortitude to tell it like it is!

WARNING! MATURE USMC LANGUAGE - THEY HAVE SUCH A GIFTED WAY WITH WORDS!
USMC PRESS CONFERENCE

For the few of you who missed him, R. Lee Ermey is the host of The History Channel's "Mail Call" and played the Drill Instructor in the movie, "Full Metal Jacket. He is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant and a very plain speaker, as you will soon read. So, for your entertainment, here is Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey at his first press conference. The main topic of discussion is the Marine in Iraq who shot the Iraq insurgent to death. We pick up as the reporter asks about how this potential war crime will affect our image in the world:

Ermey: "What kind of a pansy-assed question is that?"

Reporter 1: "Well I think...."

Ermey: "THINK, Nancy boy! Get this through that septic tank on top of your shoulders, moron: I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU THINK, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME??? That Marine shot an ENEMY COMBATANT, SHITHEAD; SO GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS AND DEAL WITH IT BEFORE I MAKE YOU MY OWN PERSONAL PIN CUSHION!!! Next question: You in the blue suit."

Reporter 2: Don't you think that the world's! opinion of our operations is important?

Ermey: "Oh sure! You don't know the times I have cried myself to sleep worrying about what some goddamned French pansy thinks! Oh the days I have had to weep because some shit-eating terrorist might be mad at us, because we went into whatever god-forsaken hole in the pile of shit that he lives in and killed him. WHAT THE HELL KIND OF DUMBASS QUESTION IS THAT YOU PETER-PUFFING JACKASS?? WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND WHEN YOU ATTACK US, WE ARE GOING TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE AND BLOW YOUR STINKING CAMEL-LICKING CARCASS INTO PIECES SO SMALL WE WILL BE ABLE TO BURY YOUR SORRY ASS IN A THIMBLE!! YEAH, I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING. YOU ARE PROBABLY AFRAID, THINKING THAT I HAVE SUCH AN "EXTREME" ATTITUDE AND THAT I NEED TO BE MORE "SENSITIVE" TO OTHER PEOPLE'S FEELINGS. WELL LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING YOU POLE-SMOKING PANSY! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU OR ANYBODY ELSE THINKS! THIS IS A REAL WAR, AND IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THAT, THEN YOU SHOULD GO HOME AND SUCK ON MAMMA'S TIT!! DO YOU HEAR ME YOU RUNT?? NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY PRESS ROOM BEFORE I GO CRAZY AND BEAT THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF YOU!!! Next question: "you with the ugly-assed tie. Look at that thing! It is hideous."

Reporter: 3: "Aren't you going against the freedom of the press by..."

Ermey: "FREEDOM?? WHAT IN BLUE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FREEDOM? I HAVE SWEATED MY ASS OFF IN JUNGLES, WHILE BEING SHOT AT FOR THIS NATION!! WHAT IN THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE YOU LITTLE SHIT-SUCKING WEASEL? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU PUT YOUR SORRY ASS ON THE LINE FOR ANYTHING? AND YET YOU HAVE THE UNMITIGATED TEMERITY TO SHOW U! P HERE AND MONDAY-MORNING QUARTERBACK THE ACTIONS OF A BRAVE MARINE, WHO WAS DEFENDING HIMSELF AND HIS UNIT FROM AN ATTACK BY SOME MURDEROUS AL-QUEDA! SYMPATHIZER!!! YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, NUMBNUTS? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A BUNCH OF GRABASSTIC, ORGANIZED MORONS WITH CAMERAS AND MICROPHONES DOING THEIR BEST TO PORTRAY OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN AS WAR CRIMINALS! I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CHICKEN-SHIT PANSIES THAT WANT US TO NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS AND WHINE ABOUT THEIR PISS-ANT "FREEDOMS"!!"

Reporter: 3: "I..."

Ermey: "DID YOU HAVE A BIG BOWL OF STUPID FOR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING, NUMBNUTS? I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD OUT OF THAT COMMIE CRY-HOLE IN THAT SHIT-PILE YOU CALL A HEAD! AND THAT GOES TRIPLE FOR THE REST OF YOU PANSY-ASSED MORONS! NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY PRESS ROOM BEFORE I SHOVE MY BOOT SO FAR UP YOUR ASS THAT YOU CHOKE TO DEATH ON MY SHOELACES!!!!"Dismissed

Everyday that you can wake up free; it's going to be a great day

A hat tip to:
Tony Diana

Supporting Our Troops Through Music!

www.tonydiana.com

Marine Artist Leaves Fingerprint on World

By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Heidi E. Loredo 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 22, 2005 — Before he found fame as the artist who painted the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo was simply known as Michel. Michelangelo left a mark in the world of creativity that will never be imitated. Cpl. Willie M. Rockward, armorer, 2nd Marine Headquarters Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), strives to do the same with his lifelong passion in art. Rockward, 24, beamed with creativity and imagination, became interested in comic books for their artistic styles and drawings as he grew older. “I followed the artists,” said the Houston native. “Some people bought the whole comic book series. If I saw a piece of art in a comic that I liked I’d buy that one comic book, not the whole series.” Inspired by family members and his middle school art teacher, Rockward incorporated art into his daily routine. “I wasn’t a disciplined kid,” said Rockward. “The biggest thing that got me in trouble was drawing in class. I’d be taking a math test, and I would draw on the test papers. It’s the same thing in the armory. There are sketches throughout the entire armory.” As a high school graduate, Rockward was not ready to attend college and instead opted for the discipline the military offered. The Rest of the Story: Cpl. Rockward's interest in art is very similar to mine. I was, also, always in trouble for drawing in class. An interest in art should be a 'vice' that more are guilty of. Keep on with your sketching Cpl. Willie Rockward!

A Thanksgiving Message From the Front

From 'One Marine's View':

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

BE THE

ONE
What are

you

thankful

for? This

time of

year things

get crazy in the states. Family members come to visit, gifts are

bought, stress, excitement and fun wrapped up in one. But I ask,

what are you thankful for? Before the Thanksgiving holiday gets here,

stop for 2 minutes and try to write down what you’re really thankful

for.

Have you thought about your health, to the point if you’re going to

see your kids graduate high school? How about the shape of your

relationship? How about simple things we overlook everyday like

clean water the lack of death squads taking over our houses and

families and two of great importance, freedom and the greatest

country in the world. They can never take our freedom!

---------------------------------

This holiday season add your service members to your “Thankful”

list. During this holiday season, we will be forwardly deployed to

maintain the fight. We will not stop operations and we will keep the

enemy on the run. "We will not waver. We will not tire. We will not

faulter. We will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Semper Fidelis,
Keep Attacking!

Send a Holiday Message to the Troops Via Stars and Stripes

From 'One Marine's View':

This is the TRUTH as soon through the eyes of a Marine who is there.




THE WRONG STORY
The broad Main Steam Media (MSM), mainly news on the internet and some TV last night reported that there were 6 deaths from fighting in Iraq. Can anyone tell me their names, how they died, what state they were from anything besides that they were Marines? Although tragic, because it was a relatively small group surly they could have mentioned any of the above. How much time would that have taken? 5-10 seconds? Its not your fault America, but the MSM………….well.
Their very own embedded reporters aren’t even getting the story straight or at least they are now putting their own spin on things (big surprise)

The Rest of the Story, and please read it!!

An Answered Prayer From God!

Two things to know before you read below: Marines are taught : 1) Keep your priorities in order and 2) Know when to act without hesitation.

A Marine was attending a college course between missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The professor, an avowed atheist, shocked the class one day when he walked in, looked toward the ceiling, and said loudly, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes."

The lecture room fell silent and the professor began his lecture. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God - still waiting."

It got down to the last minute when the Marine stood up, walked toward the professor and threw his best punch knocking him off the platform and out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat down.

The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you did that?"

The Marine calmly replied, "God is busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to behave like an idiot and say stupid stuff. So He sent me."

cards4heroes.com

Helping Americans Thank Our Troops!

Welcome to cards4heroes.com!

Specializing in greeting cards for American troops and veterans, their military families and patriotic supporters!

By offering these cards, we hope to help Americans thank and support our active and retired military servicemembers, and their families.

To help further support our troops and veterans, we donate at least ten percent of our profits to military-related organizations.

So, not only do you get a wonderful card to give to a soldier or veteran, or a member of their family, but your purchase keeps on giving through the charitable donations we make.

From the 'Gunn Nutt', a Strong Supporter of Our Troops

The 'Gunn Nutt' is a blog page that supports the U.S. military in a way that is both admirable and patriotic. Please, be a frequent visit to the site.

Veterans' Day at Walter Reed

This shot pretty much says it all.


Every Friday we meet in the same place in front of Walter Reed for the purpose of showing support to our Vets. This Friday was special 'cause it happened to be the official day that the country pays tribute to Veterans. The FReepers and friends celebrated the occasion with enthusiasm.

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps.

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps !

From the Blog: One Marine's View. The following words are those of one of America's finest. They are the thoughts and feelings of a Marine office in Iraq. I could not have said anything as well as he has and it only seemed fitting that a Birthday wish to the Marine's should come from one of their own. God bless the men and women of the United States Military.

THE REAL AMERICAN HERO
The title of veteran is a term of great respect due to the patriotism, willingness to serve, and dedication to a larger cause. As the holiday approaches if nothing else Americans should remember the vets who made this country what it is today. I stand in front of a unit’s memorial board here in Iraq. A wall of warriors killed in action. I stare at the many fallen Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, many so young and full of life, determined and brave. I stare at the memorial walls and a silent crowded wall stares back at me holding me accountable to complete the job we were sent here to do. They gave their all. It’s a shame we cant display all of the pictures from all of the battles that show these brave men so people could see who was number 7 and who was number 2001. So people can feel the eyes of men and women looking at them and telling them so much without saying a word.

Their faces wind torn and chapped, uniforms faded from the hot sun, body armor stained with sweat marks, dirt and smoke. Many of them serving multiple tours defending America and freedom, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan but places like Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima and Vietnam. Some people don’t support war for whatever reason but I ask all of you to respect the warriors for the person they are, no the American that they are and always will be. For the fact that which ever war they fought in, they fought bravely. Some are gone now. Some never made it home but many are still with us. Some people on that wall may have wondered what would be said about them once they are gone. As on that wall, many names reside on the black Vietnam memorial wall in DC and the many walls, memorials to come which hold words of gratitude and honor, strength, determination and hope.

Of course nice words were said at their funeral, to their survivors. But why not say those same words to them now when they are there to hear them? Why not feel the pride felt when a spouse is handed an American flag at a military funeral every day. Veterans today will be all around you this holiday, male and female and of all ages. The stories and miracles they hold are priceless to the American history, because they wrote it with their souls. Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day in commemoration of the signing of the Armistice ending World War I, is the anniversary of the ending of World War I. In the United States it is celebrated as a federal holiday on 11 November. According to the VA website, the major hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Veterans Day has been observed annually on this date since 1978, except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October. Following World War II, the name of the holiday was changed (enacted 1 June 1954) to Veterans Day to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has since evolved to primarily be a time of honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially due to competition with Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead.

The Marine Corps Birthday is Nov 10th, 1775. It has been 230 years of kicking ass and taking names to ensure our fellow Americans and freedom continue to be safe. This has become ever so evident today as it was back on Mount Suribachi when Lt Gen Holland said “‘the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years.” I know this will be true because of our country’s outstanding 24.9 million Veterans and their fierce fight within them.

I close with a story
When I was a Platoon Commander and had about 45 Marines under my command we occasionally had a few that had disciplinary problems. That year I got a little creative and instead of prosecuting them under the Uniform Code Of Military Justice (UCMJ) the military legal system, I decided to offer them another option that wouldn’t reflect on their records. I directed them along with myself to meet me at 0600 in their USMC Service Alpha uniform (Green Coat & Green pants like worn by Jack Nicholson in the movie “Few Good Men”) in front of the barracks. Not going into details, they took the offer. We drove a quite hot hour to a Veteran’s Hospital. Clinching Marine bumper stickers and posters and American flags we had no agenda. We looked each other over and began our mission, No time limit, no schedule. We went in to the first floor and told them “we are here to make sure people know we are thinking about them”. You want to talk about surprising someone. The nurses immediately took us to see some rough and tuff warriors and told us you must see Gen Richardson. As you entered his conservative room there was a tired warrior with oxygen in his nose, family picture of his grandkids on his nightstand and the Stars & Bars on the wall, orientated correctly. The nurse said “General the Marines are here”. He said “you guys here to get me outa here?” I said yip I got your shoes lets GO. He couldn’t move from his bed but he enjoyed the offer. Along with him and several other gentlemen the Marines sat and mainly listened as warriors from Normandy on through the wars told their story but surprisingly were so interested in the young Marines story and reinforced how proud they were of the young men sitting with them in their impeccable uniforms. I could barley sit there and watch as these gentlemen hooked to all kinds of contraptions had a glow in their face and tried to sit up in their beds to shake young warriors hands. I felt pretty dang humble. One gentleman in a wheel chair dressed in his Sundays best asked one of the Marines, “where does a rusty old Marine find one of those Eagle Globe and Anchor tie clasps”? (these are worn with this type of uniform by Marines). The Marine looked down at his own tie clasp and said you mean like this one, as he clasped it on the gentleman’s tie. The guy just through his arms around the Marine and gave him a big bear hug. Money can’t buy you feelings like that.

All of the Marines that day left the hospital a little different that day. It was a quite ride back to the base and no one really said anything but everyone was thinking the same thing. We were all very proud to be associated with the gentlemen we just visited with and very appreciative that “they” did what they did for their country. The other 364 days of the year will probably be the same as any other day as the nurse stated “these guys don’t get many visitors”, but that Memorial Day was different for all of us.

As we continue operations here in Iraq I will light up a cigar in your honor and say Thank you veterans and Happy Birthday Marines!
Semper Fidelis

COMBAT UPDATE
Across the full spectrum of operations, Marines create stability in an unstable world. We continue to do so as Operation Steel Curtain excels with success here in Iraq, especially on our Birthday!

Publicity Stunt

From the Blog: From My Position...On the Way!

Mkay... I dragged my drugged and temporarily one-handed body out of the hospital bed to tell ya'll about something most important.

Carren is gonna be on national TV (and live national TV at that) to let everyone know about Project Valour-IT. She will represent me (the nerd who thought of this project), and the many people who have made this project a success.

She is going to be on "Connected coast to coast" a show run by MSNBC. Don't know how long she'll be on, but for the love of god, please tune in, put your hands on the top of your TV, and talk to Jebus when the show is over. The show runs from 1200-1300 (noon to one fer ya civlians out there)(and that's eastern time) My beloved is supposed to be on around 1240, but I will rest assured that her looks, personality, and general charm will either get her on early, or the show will go into extra rounds like Rocky and the Big Ruskie in Rocky IV.

Here's how you can help. Send this to every one you know, post it on your blog, get them to post it on theirs. One side will say it's a failure of the gummint to not provide this for the soldiers, others just see it as a way to help our brothers and sisters who have fallen but will be getting up. However they spin it, just get the word out.

There's less than 18 hours to game time, so let's get our blog on!

--Chuck

p.s. I met the Secrtary of the Army a few days ago. I don't remember most of our conversation (because pain killers do that to you, espcially at the level I'm taking them...think chevy chase (or was it Dan Akroyd?) in "Modern Problems". But I brought two things to his attention: 1. It's stupid and a waste of manpower to hold a medical review board for a guy who's lost a finger 2. I pitched Valour-IT to him. He thinks it's a great idea. He was pressed for time, so his aide took the info sheets we gave him and gave us his card...and told us to call if we don't hear anything about it in two weeks!


Cross post the hell out of this.

Defenders of Freedom

A worthy, local (to me) organization with noble mission.

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

"Defenders of Freedom" is a 501 c 3 non profit organization with the purpose of raising money to support our troops who are currently deployed around the world. Because our troops are actively working to keep America safe, "Defenders of Freedom" believe passionately in showing them as much support as possible.

100% of the profits are used to:

• Send "support boxes" to our men and women in uniform
• Support wounded soldiers with encouragement and needed items, especially those with no support
• Support the families of our wounded soldiers both physically and emotionally
• Support the USO

Every single day roughly 200 troops arrive at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to begin their two week R&R leave. A group of "Army Moms" began to gather there daily to greet these soldiers. As an added bonus, these Army Moms have had the honor to greet and bolster the morale of the buddies and fellow soldiers of their own sons and daughters who are involved currently in the war and actively serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. This daily greeting has become an event talked about and anticipated by the troops arriving at DFW on their way home. From this group of "Army Moms" and support from an "Army Families" email support group of one of the moms, evolved the "Defenders of Freedom".

Armed Forces Entertainment

Please visit Armed Forces Entertaiment.