David,
How did people feel about the most powerful person on Earth visiting
troops in the battle field? Here's a letter I received from one of them:
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 were tasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI
battalion got our table.
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 me in
the eyes and said "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.
End sent message
David, tell me one Australian who would have had the gonads to do this
and in doing so would have made so many people happy and proud. You
cannot do it. Why? Because you profess to be among Australia's brightest
and most self-reliant people, yet you will not answer a simple question
about what you would do if your wife was attacked.
You know my e-mail address and my phone number. You can respond via any
method that suits your fancy.
Mike