Hope He Wins

I Voted For Christian

You can vote for whomever you choose to. Just vote.

Energizer battery is having some sort of competition and this soldier, was chosen as a contender! When Bush visited him at Walter Reade W promised Christian he’d go running with him once he was able and back in 2006 they did! Christian is a purple heart recipient and has lost both his legs in Iraq.

Christian Bagge, a Purple Heart recipient who lost both of his legs while serving in Iraq, was chosen for his enduring spirit, Energizer spokesperson Jeff Bachmann said.

like the saying goes; vote early vote often!

Hat Tip to GL of NYC for the email!

1. Good post.

   Comment by cassygop | June 20, 2007 | Edit

2. This man deserves everything this country has to offer.

   Comment by snooper | June 20, 2007 | Edit

3. Yes he does Snooper.

   Comment by cassygop | June 20, 2007 | Edit

4. I see we had a troll on earlier.

   Comment by snooper | June 20, 2007 | Edit

5. raoul I presume…..

   Comment by cassygop | June 20, 2007 | Edit

6. No. The IP doesn’t match. Could be another hi-jacked link.

   Comment by snooper | June 20, 2007 | Edit

Have You?

No. I Have Not Forgotten

I haven’t forgotten the men I carried out nor the men that carried me out. I haven’t forgotten the faces of the demons that visit me every night…when they come. I haven’t forgotten the horrors of war. I haven’t forgotten the screams of pain or the screams of rage. I haven’t forgotten the tears for fallen comrades and I haven’t forgotten the idiots in congress, either.

I haven’t forgotten the physical and psychological scars…I see them every day. I haven’t forgotten that my eldest son is serving, protecting the idiots in congress and the idiots that support the idiots in congress.

I haven’t forgotten the words of the platitudes rendered by the idiots in congress. How can I forget and how can YOU forget? I see them every day. Don’t you?

For ALL Vietnam Vets

For ALL Vietnam Era Veterans (that don’t know already)

For ALL Vietnam Era Veterans (that don’t know already)

Thursday, May 31, 2007 2:30 AM

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were Treated and Appreciated by their nation.”— George Washington

If Harry Reid and John Kerry have their way, is this the picture you will see coming from Iraq?

Do you remember the utter CHAOS… the carnage… innocent people clinging to roof-tops desperately trying to save their own lives…

This carnage occurred because WE pulled out — turned tail and ran — in the face of an enemy that was WATCHING and WAITING for that withdrawal.

Take a good look at that photo again because that’s the same EXACT road that Harry Reid and John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, cut-and-run John Murtha and the rest of the anti-war crowd in Washington and Hollywood want to take us down when they demand an EXACT date of our withdrawal to a savage, brutal and blood-thirsty enemy — an enemy that wants either our submission or our death —PERIOD!

Do you want to see one just like it from the American embassy in Iraq? Well, you may — if Senators Harry Reid and John (“It might. It may change over years. It may change over months. I can’t tell you, but I’ve said very clearly I don’t consider myself out of it forever.”) “Mr. Flip” Kerry have their way.

What is the message that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and John Kerry send to patriotic Americans and our brave men and women in uniform when they hear “this war is lost”?

That message will embolden the terrorists not just to step up their attacks in Iraq and around the world, but here on our shores. It will be only a matter of time before they attempt to bring their terrorist attacks to our own backyards. The just-thwarted attack on Fort Dix in New Jersey could be just the beginning.

We must send a message to our troops and the world that we as a nation stand behind our Armed Forces of today and those who gallantly served in the past. As Veterans, we know first hand what the cut and run anti-war crowd can do to the troops, to morale and to America’s military position in the world.

America is hungry for the truth!

We are in a huge fight to clear the name of America’s fighting forces. It is a fight that is intensifying — a mark of the fear our opponents hold of the truth. Especially the truth about the gallantry of America’s fighting forces. Go here to Contribute

The same slanders — unfounded accusations of routine atrocities and war crimes — leveled against soldiers during the Vietnam war by Jane Fonda and now-Senator John Kerry have already been used against America’s heroic fighting forces in Iraq.

Their purpose, now as then: to make Americans sufficiently ashamed of its troops to shake American political will and force an ignominious retreat. We must prevent this from happening.

This strategy worked before. It represents not just a vicious lie against our fighting forces but a mortal threat to America’s honor, safety, and role as champion of democratic and human rights throughout the world.

This is why your generous help is urgently needed and respectfully requested. Because the exact same people are at it again and they will never stop unless we stand up to them!

At stake is ultimately nothing less than the integrity of the American military. Beyond the pure cause of justice, which is sufficient for some, there is a compelling reason to clear the reputation of those who fought in Vietnam, to restore the honor of the men who served their country—many with their lives, and to uncover the truth of America’s history: By restoring our veterans’ stolen honor, we — you, my colleagues and I together — will make it impossible for those who oppose American military action anywhere and any time, to cause another disgrace by forcing our heroic winning forces to cut and run. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation

Until and unless we do correct the existing record, the American military may never be free of the myths and smears of Vietnam. The honor and integrity of our military must be restored as it fights to defend freedom at home and around the world.

I do not approach you casually. I believe in self-sufficiency. I was a POW in North Vietnam for five years, seven months and 13 days. I served in three wars (WWII, Korea, and Vietnam) and wear the Medal of Honor with the greatest pride. As president of the Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation, Inc., it is my ongoing passion to educate the public about the Vietnam War, its events, its history, and the men and women who sacrificed to serve their country.

But this is simply too big, and important, a job for a group of former POWs, our “Band of Brothers,” to carry the entire burden on our own. We need resources to finish our job establishing evidence that the allegations of systematic atrocities and war crimes in Vietnam are a lie. Demonstrating the nobility, gallantry, and self-sacrifice of American troops who fought in Vietnam is my continuing mission.

And I hope you will give it your full support.

Our “Band of Brothers” have embarked on a long and historic mission to expose the lies and tell the truth that has its adversaries terrified. We need your help to finish that project and win our case before the court of public opinion.

We will put the truth before the American public in ways that simply cannot be ignored.

We will broadcast the truth throughout America and the world on the Internet through our website: Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation.

We have tens of thousands of members of VVLF who will help in getting the facts out to millions of Americans and around the world.

We will “fight to the last man” to get these facts in front of millions of people through any medium courageous enough to face and reveal the truth, to dare to correct history.

We will finish our new documentary and find venues to get the truth broadcast.

By the way, John Kerry’s comment above, “It might. It may change over years. It may change over months. I can’t tell you, but I’ve said very clearly I don’t consider myself out of it forever,” was made during a book-signing in Denver on April 15, and then again during a radio interview with Denver’s 9news. John Kerry again flip-flopped when asked if he will run for President.

If the truth is not told and John Kerry or any of his liberal cohorts is ever elected President, he (or she) will just hand the keys to Iraq over to the terrorists.

I know your time is valuable and your attention is greatly respected. It’s a long story — but an urgent and historic one. Whether or not you go here to contribute, I consider it of utmost importance that you yourself have a chance to find out the truth and to spread it, in your own ways, to all your loved ones.

Thank you again for giving this request for your support the full consideration it deserves.

With respect,

George E. Day
Col. USAF (Ret.)

Air Power news

War News

War News

Sunday, April 22, 2007 12:09 AM

Air Power Summary

SOUTHWEST ASIA — Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed a show of force near Saraw under the direction of a Joint Terminal Attack Controller. The F-15s were assigned to observe two individuals and conduct route reconnaissance in the vicinity.

Near Sangin, U.S. Air Force F-15Es flew reconnaissance along the ridgelines and valleys in an area where Coalition forces were operating. The F-15 pilots received an update that a Coalition foot patrol had encountered a mine. The foot patrol had taken cover in a building to avoid being attacked. The F-15s were directed to fly over the building in a show of presence to deter any attack. One F-15E also supported a convoy as it left the same area.

In total, 32 close air support missions were flown in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, four U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons performed a successful show of force for Coalition forces near Tikrit despite a sandstorm and poor visibility. The F-16s also performed counter-improvised explosive device missions in the same area.

In Kumayt, U.S. Air Force F-16s were requested to perform a show of force and provide overwatch for a convoy that was reportedly attacked by explosively formed projectile devices. The convoy reorganized after the attack and continued their mission.

The ground commander asked for aircraft to examine the area near a bridge along the convoy’s planned route. A U.S. Air Force C-130 crew, specially equipped with a Scathe View ISR system, reported that a group of approximately 40 people were gathering at the bridge, a natural chokepoint for the convoy. At the request of the ground commander, the F-16s performed a successful show of force and dispersed the crowd.

The F-16s were then assigned to observe an Iraqi Defense Force attack at coordinates provided by a JTAC. The F-16s observed two vehicles with approximately four passengers involved in activity around what appeared to be a hole in the road. The car’s passengers then got back in their vehicles and drove off. The F-16 crews tracked the vehicles and passed on information to the JTAC.

Near Taji, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided a show of force, dispensing 30 flares in support of a Coalition convoy that was struck by an IED. At the request of a JTAC, the A-10s provided overhead coverage of Coalition forces while a Coalition quick reaction team was en route.

Near Balad, U.S. Air Force F-16s searched for anti-Iraqi forces and IEDs. The F-16s were assigned by a JTAC to scan for suspected shooter locations in support of Coalition forces.

Other U.S. Air Force F-16s supported Coalition forces disarming an IED and receiving small arms fire near Balad. The F-16s provided reconnaissance of the location and observed Coalition forces raiding a house.

Near Baqubah, U.S. Air Force F-16s provided support for Coalition forces receiving small arms fire. The F-16 pilots reported a possible look-out individual on a roof top and observed someone walking to each corner of the roof. They also reported a possible IED along the Coalition forces route.

U.S. Air Force F-16s continued providing counter-IED and counter-insurgent overwatch near Baghdad. At the direction of a JTAC, the F-16s were assigned overwatch of Army vehicles in a convoy.

Royal Air Force Tornado GR-4s provided overwatch and route sweep for a Coalition convoy hit by an IED near Al Amarah.

The GR-4s performed a show of presence. A JTAC reported that the ground forces were reassured by the GR-4s’ presence in the area.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 49 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported Coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch of reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Fourteen U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq. Additionally, three U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

U.S. Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 150 airlift sorties were flown; more than 275 tons of cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,775 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Iraq flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On April 18, U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 38 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.2 million pounds of fuel.

War News

Ordnance Disposal Makes For No Ordinary Day
Ordnance Disposal Makes For No Ordinary Day
Thursday, April 12, 2007 1:03 PM

Doing The Jobs Assigned

Can you just see a Leftinistra doing this? I don’t think their are enough warm, moist toilets to go around to sooth their worthless rashes that this would sure to bring about!!

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) – Airmen assigned to the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight have a dangerous mission that keeps fellow coalition forces safe.

It takes nerves of steel and a steady hand to do the work these Airmen do. After all, getting anywhere near an improvised explosive isn’t something most people want to do.

Airmen from the EOD flight put their extensive combat training and experience to the test every day in support Operation Iraqi Freedom. When they are not on a mission, they keep busy maintaining their equipment, vehicles and robots for their next time out, or they’re destroying unexploded ordnance, or UXOs, from in-direct fire attacks or ridding munitions that have exceeded their shelf lives.

“This is my third deployment to Iraq since the start of the war in 2003. I’m amazed at how the battlefield is ever changing,” said Master Sgt. Michael Pitts, deployed here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. “We get smarter, but so does the enemy. It’s a crazy cat and mouse game. Sometimes we win, sometimes the enemy does. Thankfully, we win a lot more!”

The explosives Airmen have two distinct missions, one on base and one outside the wire. They are here on six-month deployments, which are more like eight months when you include their mandatory Combat Skills Training and the Global Anti-terrorism and Operational Readiness training that prepares them for ‘outside the wire’ work.

The EOD missions vary from day to day. One day the teams might respond to unexploded ordnance, or UXO, on base, or they may assess damage done to buildings and equipment after an indirect fire attack. On another day, they may go off base to perform their Army “in-lieu-of” mission. This can range from rendering IEDs safe that have shut down a convoy route, to conducting a post-blast analysis on coalition vehicles struck by IEDs.

The latter mission can be the most difficult to perform.

“We see … the personnel who were injured or killed in these attacks. It’s hard to focus on the task at hand seeing all the destruction, but we have to. The intelligence we gather from these incidents and others allows us to gain valuable intelligence on how the enemy operates,” Sergeant Pitts said.

The equipment and vehicles EOD Airmen have used over the years have evolved to keep up with the ever-changing requirements of the tactical battle space. Armored vehicles have evolved from standard armored Humvees in early 2003, to the Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle being used today. The JERRV is a massive vehicle that allows EOD teams to safely travel to and from an incident site and allows them to vary operations in and around the vehicle during a call. Inside the armored EOD vehicle, there is room for the EOD team, their robots, and all the other gear needed to work outside the wire, including their 70-pound bomb suits. The JERRV also has multiple optical camera capabilities providing day and night vision, as well as forward looking infra-red technology that allows EOD Airmen better visibility of their surroundings.

Senior Airman Stephen Ohge is deployed from Anderson AFB, Guam, and operates the new joy stick controlled technology provided within the JERRV as easily as a young person playing a favorite video game.

“Cutting-edge technologies are paramount to today’s EOD operations outside the wire,” said Airman Ohge. “As new equipment emerges and is integrated into our career field, situational awareness and efficiency are intensified; this results in not only a more cognizant and rapid response, but also an immeasurable increase in our mission capabilities,” he said.

“Since our initial employment of our optical systems, we have spotted multiple triggermen and aided our security in the capture and exploitation of these individuals. This is just one of the many benefits we have experienced thus far. These systems also assist our use of robots for remote reconnaissance and disruption of IEDs, directly relating to a decrease of time spent in a kill zone. We’re very lucky to have such an amazing apparatus to perform our duties,” he said.

Airman 1st Class Robert Wester is also deployed from Hickam AFB. Airman Wester exercises extreme care while operating the Talon Robot, one of three robots EOD uses to respond to IEDs.
“It’s my job to disrupt and eliminate IED hazards in hostile situations. I use various robots, one being the Talon,” Airman Wester said. “It’s an excellent robot, and I would rate it as being the best one in theater. Using the Talon is like an extension of my own arms. There is no time for fumbling or room for error. Robot operators must work quickly and thoroughly without letting stress affect their performance,” he said.

The EOD Airmen know that where there is an IED, there is most likely someone watching.

“A good friend of mine was shot by a sniper not long ago. A good robot driver will minimize all team member exposure to sniper fire and explosive hazards. Most hazards can be cleared with a robot, but sometimes there is a need to have eyes on to know the scene is cleared,” Airman Wester said.

EOD Airmen are not immune to the dangers IEDs pose, however.

“It’s a struggle to stay two steps ahead of the enemy. We learn from other people’s experiences and survive based on our strict adherence to our tactics, techniques, and procedures. In this game, you only get one shot to get it right. This is evident by our EOD motto, ‘Initial Success or Total Failure,” Sergeant Pitts said.

Staff Sgt. Octavia Washington is deployed here from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Minot AFB, N.D., and works supply requests for the EOD flight helping ensure EOD Airmen have all the equipment they need to do their jobs.

“Every time we have a successful mission or another controlled detonation to keep the base safe, I know I had a hand in our success,” she said. “It’s imperative these guys have what they need, when they need it, to do their jobs.”

EOD Airmen here feel they are making a positive difference in Iraq.

“When we roll down the street heading out to the next reported IED, and we see a young girl in an Iraqi village heading off to school with her book bag, I know we’ve changed her life for the better. She has an opportunity she would never have had if our military wasn’t here helping Iraq combat this insurgency and establish its new democratic government,” Sergeant Pitts said.

Throughout their missions outside the wire with Army units, EOD Airmen here have smoothly integrated with the Soldiers who provide cover for them while performing their EOD duties.

“EOD is a prime example of the joint brotherhood that develops in this area of operations,” said Capt. Jay Ferguson, deployed here as the EOD flight commander from Hill AFB, Utah.

Sergeant Pitts agreed. “The soldiers put their lives on the line to protect us, he said. The uniform we wear doesn’t matter when we’re outside the wire; we’re there to help each other.”

Fire The Congress!

Recall Congress!!!

Recall Congress!!!

Monday, April 09, 2007 2:42 PM

What of the letter, Speaker pelosi? These aren’t our enemies? You can only speak to our enemies? Hello?

The 16-Star Letter

‘Sixteen-Star Letter’ Calls for Supplemental Passage By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 9, 2007 – In a “16-star letter” to Congress, the services’ uniformed leaders are urging a quick passage of the fiscal 2007 emergency supplemental request. The four service chiefs, all four-star generals, signed the letter. The request will fund operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa through the end of the fiscal year. The letter, signed by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael G. Mullen, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Marine Commandant Gen. James T. Conway, asks Congress to “expeditiously complete its work” on the supplemental. DoD requested $93.4 billion to fund operations in the combat zones. Both the Senate and House have passed bills that provide the funding but contain amendments that call for combat troops to be out of Iraq on a certain timetable. President Bush has vowed to veto any bill containing these provisions. The Senate has come back from recess, but the House will remain out through April 13. House and Senate negotiators must meet to reconcile the different portions of their respective bills. If the bill contains the withdrawal provision, it is “dead on arrival” at the president’s desk, White House officials said. “Without approval of the supplemental funds in April, the armed services will be forced to take increasingly disruptive measures in order to sustain combat operations,” the four general and flag officers wrote in their letter. “The impacts on readiness and quality of life could be profound. We will have to implement spending restrictions and reprogram billions of dollars.” The uniformed leaders said such reprogramming is an inefficient solution that wastes money. The spending restrictions could also slow or halt training for follow-on units. With no supplemental by April 15, the Army will be forced to consider curtailing and suspending home-station training for Army Reserve and National Guard units, DoD officials said. The service would slow the training of units slated to deploy next to Iraq and Afghanistan and would cut funding for the upgrade or renovation of barracks and other facilities that support quality of life for troops and their families. Leaders also would stop the repair of equipment necessary to support pre-deployment training, officials said. If the supplemental funding is not passed by May 15, the Army would consider reducing depot repair work. The service also would delay or curtail the deployment of brigade combat teams for training rotations. This may force the service to extend units in Iraq or Afghanistan, officials said. No supplemental funding would also delay forming new brigade combat teams, force the service to implement a civilian hiring freeze and prohibit new contracts and service orders, officials said.

Biographies: Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, USA Adm. Michael G. Mullen, USN Gen. T. Michael Moseley, USAF Gen. James T. Conway, USMC

Sam Johnson

What A REAL War Hero Says…
What A REAL War Hero Says…
Friday, March 23, 2007 8:31 PM

War Hero, Rep. Sam Johnson, On the Ill-Advised Democrat Plan to Micromanage the War

“We must give all our men and women in uniform everything they need to thwart the insurgency in Iraq and come home safely and soon. You know, we can’t tie the hands of the guys on the ground with timelines or benchmarks. And worse, we shouldn’t be using an emergency troop spending bill as a way to finance the political gimmickry of special interest projects.”(Rep. Sam Johnson, 3/23/07)

THE ENTIRE SPEECH FROM TODAY…the current CONgress disgusts me…

Sam Johnson blasts pork-laden troops’ spending bill

Today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) spearheaded the Republican efforts against a so-called emergency troop spending bill filled with non-related spending. Specifically, the emergency bill for the armed forces in harm’s way contains: $25 million for payments to spinach producers; $120 million to the shrimp industry; and $74 million for peanut storage, among other things. The Democrat’s bill barely passed 218 to 212 with one Member of Congress voting present.

A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. Johnson experienced fighting in a war for this country when the Congress pulled the plug on funding and he vowed that when he returned home, he would never, ever let that happen again.

In January Johnson introduced legislation calling on Congress to support all troops in harm’s way and prohibiting Congress from cutting any funding for the armed forces while deployed. Johnson’s measure, H.R. 511, has 179 co-sponsors. This week, Johnson filed a discharge petition to force an up-or-down vote on his bill. The discharge petition is a parliamentary procedure that demands 218 signatures for a bill to go straight to the floor for full House consideration.

Johnson’s remarks follow:

“I rise today in support of a clean emergency spending bill for our troops…but this one is all smoke and mirrors.

“We must give our men and women in uniform everything that they need to thwart the insurgency in Iraq and come home safely and soon…We must not tie the hands of the guys on the ground with timelines or benchmarks, and worse, we must not use the emergency troop spending bill as a way to finance the political gimmickry of special-interest projects.

“It’s just exasperating that the Democrat leaders have turned the Emergency Troop Spending Bill into a pork-barrel project give-away. This bill gives piles of money to shrimpers, spinach farmers, and peanut storage. What does throwing money at Bubba Gump, Popeye the Sailorman, and Mr. Peanut have to do with winning a war? Nothing!

“The special-interest projects added to increase the likelihood of this bill passing are an insult to the troops who want, need and deserve our full support. The Democrats are trying to buy the majority vote today one pork project at a time perhaps…. because the majority does not support their slow-bleed surrender strategy.

“Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq in January, there has been measured, steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.
“Coalition forces nabbed more than 50 suspects and dismantled a bomb factory in Iraq over the past few days. Coalition forces in Iraq detained seven suspects with reported ties to foreign-fighter groups.

“In Ramadi, troops nabbed four other suspects with alleged ties to al Qaeda. In Mosul, coalition forces captured a former paramilitary leader who allegedly is responsible for setting up al Qaeda terrorist training camps in Iraq and Syria.

“During another operation, troops captured a suspected terrorist with alleged ties to an al Qaeda car-bomb and assassination cell. We must seize this opportunity to move forward and not stifle future success and harm troop morale.

“More importantly, I want to know, how many of you have ever asked your constituents, ‘Do you want to lose in Iraq?’ I think if you asked that question, ‘do you want to lose in Iraq,’ Americans will whole-heartedly say no! We have smart, strong men and women serving in Iraq and they need our help. They need the full support of their country and their Congress.

“Our troops don’t need 435 generals in Washington declaring, ‘we’ll send you money for bullets, but we won’t send you bullet-proof vests.’ Our troops don’t need folks in suits sitting in wood-paneled rooms on Capitol Hill saying, ‘we’ll send you armored tanks, but we won’t send you gas.’ Literally, this bill forces our guys on the ground to fight a war with one arm tied behind their backs. That’s just smacks of defeat.

“Most of you in the chamber know that I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. Well, that was during my second tour in Vietnam.

“During my first tour I worked for General Westmoreland at MAC-V Headquarters, Military Assistance Command Vietnam. While working late at night we had a bunch of men involved in the first real hand-to-hand combat using bayonets. It was gory. This was war. Turns out that someone sent back footage to Washington that would match the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.

“In the middle of the night the red phone rang and I answered it. I heard an earful that is not fit for the house chamber. Something like, ‘This is the White House. What in the hell is going on over there?’

“I replied, ‘I’ll wake up General Westmoreland.’ They slammed the phone down and hung up.
“Starting in 1965, we had folks in Washington trying to tell the Generals how to run things on the ground in Vietnam. A generation ago we saw what happens when you stop the funding…and America stiffs its friends. As a matter of fact, just this morning Iran captured British sailors. This bill prevents us from responding from Kuwait for our close allies, the British, in an emergency.

“If you don’t believe me, just think back to the dark day in history when we saw visions of American Marines airlifting Vietnamese out of the U.S. Embassy. Do you remember that? That’s what happens when America makes a commitment, Congress cuts the funding, and we go home with our tails between our legs.

“The brave Marines who died on that day in 1975 while innocent people desperately clung to life on a rope tied to a helicopter are a testimony to what happens when Congress cuts the funding and we leave without finishing the job. We can not let that happen again and I don’t think Members in this Chamber want that to happen.

“Frankly, we all want our troops to come home… when the job is done. We want to win!

“Internationally announcing our timelines for withdrawal literally hands the enemy our war plan….and gives them hope that they’ll win if they just wait it out.

“What world-super power would do such a thing? We are the United States of America.
We are the premiere military force on the globe. We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. Surely we do not go around announcing to the world how we will conduct and win a war.

“Surrendering is not an option. Abandoning our troops is not an option. Look around you - we are America!

“Do you want to lose in Iraq? Voting to set a hard exit date for U.S. troops in Iraq and imposing strict standards for deploying forces gives hope to the enemy and is a prescription for failure.

“Worse - forcing Members of Congress to decide on this issue when the bill is cluttered with excess money for spinach and peanuts is abhorrent, infuriating and ill-advised.

“My dear colleagues - if you really want to debate the merits of a timed withdrawal - give each Member of Congress an up-or-down vote so we can vote our conscience. The sweeteners in this bill are political bribery and our troops deserve so much better than this.

“We can not abandon our men and women in uniform simply for politically charged benchmarks wrapped up in fat-cat constituent projects.

“If we learned anything from those brave Marines who died trying to save innocent people that day at the embassy in Vietnam…it’s that the Marines never quit - neither should we!”