The CO and I were talking the other day about taking a picture on September 11th so we could put it in the cruise book when we got home. It was just supposed to signify that we were still in Iraq. I told him I thought it was a great idea but that I thought we should spell out a message and send it to the press. I had a couple of suggestions but this is the one he liked the most. We took the picture on the 9th of September and have sent it via email to every major publisher in the United States. I mean everyone...the NY Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Time....they all have [it] so maybe someone will print it.
I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to share this with anyone you want. The picture is of my company, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. It contains every member of my unit in country...over 160 personnel. The 9-11 is spelled out in a symbolic tribute to our fallen comrades. The symbolic tribute is an M16 rifle with fixed bayonet inverted into the ground with the Kevlar Helmet resting on top. Old Glory is held by four Marines in the company that lost friends and family from NY on 9-11. The words speak for themselves.
[ Webmaster's comment -- Yeah, right. NY Times-Pravda, Washington Compost, Newsleak, Al-Time magazine, and that ilk are surely too busy trashing the Bush administration to give the troops a fair shake. Might reflect positively on Gee Dubya, and that would apparently run afoul of some unwritten creedo (well, unwritten not counting the Communist Manifesto and/or the DNC party platform). Doubtful such a patriotic photo will grace any of those anti-West fishwraps. ]
And we pray for you Baker Company!
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How could God allow something like this to happen?
"I believe that God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives ... and being the gentleman that He is, I believe that He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand that He leave us alone?" Anne Graham
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Wherever I go my colors speak of freedom for all
people.
I was conceived to represent an ideal, one whose
message
has been carried over two centuries.
I stand in proud silent tribute to the good mankind
has shown.
I am LIBERTY.
The flag of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA
Al Asad Airbase, Iraq
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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Only two defining forces have ever offered
to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American G.I.
One died for your soul,
The other for your freedom.