Live from Baghad

[Brian]

Well, I finally got access to the internet. This place is blown to hell. Daily firefights out in the streets. Fun s**t.
Anyway just thought I'd check in and say hey. I read in Stars and Stripes that the draft didn't go to well. Oh well, that stuff seems a million miles away right now. You guys take care and maybe I'll catch you in the fall.

P.S. don't ask about you know who. I saw him and know where he is but I have to respect his wishes about his privacy, and there are Force Protection issues also. Thanks.

harley

 

[CardAvenger]

You make us proud, Harley. Keep up the good work, and we'll see you in the fall.

Thanks for the update on yourself and "you know who".

 

[RonF]

Watch your six Harley, are prayers go with you for your safety and those you serve with. And say Hey! to you know who.

 

[Skkorpion]

Good to hear from you Harley.. Stay safe.

As far as it being a bad draft, I'd say that judgment is premature. The trade we made was a bad trade but our draft picks might be okay.

 

[Lex]

Keep up the good work, Harley.

You are on the #1 team in the world.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Be safe.

Damn Right! Watch your 6! Be careful and safe.

Come home soon. Much Respect and Thanks.

NJ Fan!

 

[ds512az]

Yeah, watch your a** man. Don't want some wacked suicide person to do any of you harm.

Keep up the good work!

 

[40yearfan]

Way to go Harley. You and the rest of our guys over there did something that's never been done before. The war pundits are saying that this war will go down in the annals of history as one of the fastest, safest (for non-combatants), and most well planned events in the history of the world. And you and all the other Americans can now say you were involved. You own a piece of history and I and all the rest of your countrymen owe you a great debt of gratitude. Thanks Harley.

 

[jw7]

Agreed - stay safe! You guys are doing a helluva job and we sure appreciate it back here!

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Be careful and Ill have a shot of Patron in your name this weekend

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[maddogkf]

We are VERY PROUD of you man....we'll bump the cheerleader thread for you!

Keep your head down & your eyes sharp!

 

[green machine]

Take care, you guys are doing a great job. We are very proud of you and the job everyone is doing over there.

adam

 

[ChiCard]

Please take care of yourself and come home to your loved ones safely.

 

[JeffGollin]

Many of us in our minds and hearts are each day vicariously walking where you walk and ducking when you duck. Kick ass, but stay safe.

 

[justAndy]

....

When do you get to come back? If we're "rebuilding" and "peacekeeping" over there for years, how frequently do troops get rotated in and out?

 

[Shuesters2]

Harley and Vets,
Keep your powder dry and come back safe. Thanks.

Shuesters

 

[Brian]

I'm back.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone, I showed them to some of the guys in my platoon. Made me smile.
To answer some questions and give an insider update: The U.S is going to maintain a presence here for awhile, most orders cut from 6mos. to a year (mine included). The situation in the city is bad because the U.S. is trying to hand the control back over to the Iraqis but alot of people won't come back to work since there is no security or police force. That stems from no organized infrastructure of any government agency now that the Ba'ath party is dissolved, fear and not alot of trust in the U.S.
Also there is a very limited number of M.P.'s to patrol, so the Fedayeen remnants, Republican Guard remnants and ex- Ba'ath party members are taking advantage of the lawlessness (hence the "fire-fights everyday" comment). Some people just don't know when to say when.
The majority of people are very glad we are here, I think they just expected us to wave a magic wand and make it all better. They don't understand that with the amount of devastation and continued fighting that's gonna take time. They also don't understand the concept of Democracy. I was privileged to attend the first free elections ever in the city (for the now vacant Ministry of Health position) and the Iraqis asked me who they were supposed to vote for. I laughed and realized this may take awhile. Some disgruntled ex Baath member started shooting over the crowd from atop a nearby bridge trying to disrupt the process. He was politely stopped and asked not to breathe again.
Anyway, gotta go. Thanks again guys.

Harley

 

[CardAvenger]

Originally posted by HarleyRider
He was politely stopped and asked not to breathe again.

 

[Captain Matt]

Hey brother.... Wish I was there. Am on shore rotation fixing ships up in Norflok, VA so I missed everything (but got to do the "support role" with CNN blaring in the background). Keep your head low and come home safely.

As a newly commissioned "JO" my wife and I had our picture taken with #40, back in 1998. It really burned my ass when Simeon Rice said in an interview (a while back) that he didn't really care what his former teammate was up to. And I'm an Illinois grad!