bigq
04-23-2007, 09:38 PM
Just trying to get the word out here. Straight from the guys on the ground. If you don't think there opinion matters move along then.
1stLt Matthew McGirr USMC wrote:
Pat, I met you back in February 2004 at the Government Center in Ar Ramadi, Iraq
as a platoon commander with Golf 2/5. I just read your article in Maxim and the email from the
1/6 Cpl which I found on the Drudgereport. That Cpl is correct in his assessment. I am also back in Ar
Ramadi, and I have a basis for a comparison of the current situation based on
my experiences in this town two years ago as well as today, April 24, 2007. As
you know this war torn city was once the worst city in Iraq. Today, the
citizens of this city are taking a stand against those extremists and foreign
fighters who are focused only on destroying any chance at a secure and stable
future. Those Iraqis who once fought against us are now joining the ranks of
the Iraqi Police forces. They are taking up arms against the foreign fighters.
They are cleaning up their streets and making an attempt at forming a structured
government. They have come to see us as facilitators of peace and allies in the
defense of their streets. Because of this they have become targets for the
insurgents, yet they continue to show resolve in the face of terrorism. We are
gaining ground. This city is undergoing a sea change. To pull stakes now will
cause this city, the Al Anbar Province, and all of Iraq to fall into the hands
of thugs and terrorists. We will lose the nascent but growing faith of the
Iraqi people, and all of our spent efforts and lost lives and invested treasure
will be for nothing. Their courage will be for nothing.
We are reaching a tipping point in this fight. We have finally learned this
culture. We have finally begun to commit the necessary forces. We have truly
learned to fight a counter-insurgency. Very real gains are being made despite
claims from our Congress that we have already lost. A counter-insurgency battle
is not one of quickly attained and easily recognizeable benchmarks. It is not
won in a year or four. It takes time, resolve, and a willingness to use what we
have learned from past mistakes and expectations. From firsthand experience I
can tell you, this ĀSurgeĀ is working. We need to continue to support these
people and give them a fighting chance at creating a nation on their own terms.
To echo the sentiments of my fellow Marine in 1/6, the reality of what is
happening on the ground in places like Ramadi is not being reported to the
American public. The pundits and politicians on both sides do not fully grasp
the conditions on the ground here. They are arrogantly and irresponsibly using
this war and the troops who fight in it for political gain and election
currency. They manipulate the truth or do not care enough to seek it out. At
least I know where I stand with the citizens of Ar Ramadi.
If you decide to come this way again, find 2/5. There are Marines out here who
will remember you and who will give you their own opinions. I do not speak for
them, but I know that they recognize the change in this place.
Semper Fi,
Matt
1stLt Matthew McGirr USMC wrote:
Pat, I met you back in February 2004 at the Government Center in Ar Ramadi, Iraq
as a platoon commander with Golf 2/5. I just read your article in Maxim and the email from the
1/6 Cpl which I found on the Drudgereport. That Cpl is correct in his assessment. I am also back in Ar
Ramadi, and I have a basis for a comparison of the current situation based on
my experiences in this town two years ago as well as today, April 24, 2007. As
you know this war torn city was once the worst city in Iraq. Today, the
citizens of this city are taking a stand against those extremists and foreign
fighters who are focused only on destroying any chance at a secure and stable
future. Those Iraqis who once fought against us are now joining the ranks of
the Iraqi Police forces. They are taking up arms against the foreign fighters.
They are cleaning up their streets and making an attempt at forming a structured
government. They have come to see us as facilitators of peace and allies in the
defense of their streets. Because of this they have become targets for the
insurgents, yet they continue to show resolve in the face of terrorism. We are
gaining ground. This city is undergoing a sea change. To pull stakes now will
cause this city, the Al Anbar Province, and all of Iraq to fall into the hands
of thugs and terrorists. We will lose the nascent but growing faith of the
Iraqi people, and all of our spent efforts and lost lives and invested treasure
will be for nothing. Their courage will be for nothing.
We are reaching a tipping point in this fight. We have finally learned this
culture. We have finally begun to commit the necessary forces. We have truly
learned to fight a counter-insurgency. Very real gains are being made despite
claims from our Congress that we have already lost. A counter-insurgency battle
is not one of quickly attained and easily recognizeable benchmarks. It is not
won in a year or four. It takes time, resolve, and a willingness to use what we
have learned from past mistakes and expectations. From firsthand experience I
can tell you, this ĀSurgeĀ is working. We need to continue to support these
people and give them a fighting chance at creating a nation on their own terms.
To echo the sentiments of my fellow Marine in 1/6, the reality of what is
happening on the ground in places like Ramadi is not being reported to the
American public. The pundits and politicians on both sides do not fully grasp
the conditions on the ground here. They are arrogantly and irresponsibly using
this war and the troops who fight in it for political gain and election
currency. They manipulate the truth or do not care enough to seek it out. At
least I know where I stand with the citizens of Ar Ramadi.
If you decide to come this way again, find 2/5. There are Marines out here who
will remember you and who will give you their own opinions. I do not speak for
them, but I know that they recognize the change in this place.
Semper Fi,
Matt