War on Terror

Iraq, Support our troops, War on Terror

5th anniversary of the fall of Baghdad

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Regardless of what anyone believes of the need to invade Iraq, the reality is we did invade and removed Saddam Hussein and his regime from power. Five years ago today, Baghdad fell. Families United writes of remembering:

April 9, 2008 marks the 5th Anniversary of the Fall of Baghdad. Please, join the Host Committee, comprising the Adjutant General of the United States, as Americans commemorate the sacrifice of our Fallen, and as we celebrate our Armed Forces, our troops our veterans, our military families. The families of our Iraq and Afghanistan fallen heroes, who lay at rest at Arlington National Cemetery, are especially warmly invited to this observance, as we pay special tribute to them.

In celebrating the hope given to the Iraqi people because of the courageous actions of the Armed Forces of the United States and Multinational Forces, we honor those, who have made this possible, especially those, who have given their lives for freedom.

Freedom for our families in the United States and Freedom for the families in Iraq, our women, men and, above all, our children – America’s future, Iraq’s future. Our shared future. As H.E. Mr. Abdul al Qadir al Mufriji, the Iraqi Defense Minister stated, upon presenting the Iraqi Defense Ministry Plaque to America’s Iraq Fallen in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, 6 March 2008: “As Iraqis, we are eternally grateful to America’s fighting sons and daughters for restoring to us the dignity of a free people. America’s fallen heroes, along with their fallen Iraqi comrades, may have been robbed of their future, but in laying down their lives they have handed us ours. We shall remember them, their names forever inked in the history books of the new and democratic Iraq.”

A Joint U.S.-Iraqi wreath-laying shall mark the highlight of the National Remembrance, with H. E. Mr. Samir Sumaida’ie, the Ambassador of Iraq to the United States, confirmed as principal celebrant. States Ambassador Sumaida: “There is no ceremony capable of adequately conveying the gratitude of the Iraqi people for the American men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the people and freedom of Iraq. Iraqis will be eternally grateful. These heroes shall never be forgotten.”

Americans are called upon to join in a MOMENT OF NATIONAL REFLECTION on 9 April 2008, 5PM, EASTERN DAYLIGHT SAVINGS. As the sun sets across the National Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery, the Dutch Carillion striking the hour, Americans are called upon TO HONK THEIR CAR HORNS in celebration, honor, and recognition of freedom and all those who have made it possible! We encourage you to have your local churches ring their church bells, LET FREEDOM RING!

I will honk my car horn, listen for the bells, and remember all who remain on that battlefield, friend and foe.

heroes, War on Terror

Medal of Honor recipient Michael A. Monsoor

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Today, President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to the family of Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor.

The President presents the Congressional Medal of Honor the family of Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor

In part, the President said:

On Saint Michael’s Day — September 29, 2006 — Michael Monsoor would make the ultimate sacrifice. Mike and two teammates had taken position on the outcropping of a rooftop when an insurgent grenade bounced off Mike’s chest and landed on the roof. Mike had a clear chance to escape, but he realized that the other two SEALs did not. In that terrible moment, he had two options — to save himself, or to save his friends. For Mike, this was no choice at all. He threw himself onto the grenade, and absorbed the blast with his body. One of the survivors puts it this way: “Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, ‘You cannot take my brothers. I will go in their stead.'”

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor

United States Navy Congressional Medal of Honor citation:

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Master At Arms Second Class, Sea, Air and Land, Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006.

As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates. By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.