Fraters Libertas

The Finest Military Ever Assembled

We've all heard about how the President's Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad was a meaningless photo op. But how do the troops feel about it, you ask? Here is a sampling:

From the New York Daily News:

"Everybody was just so stunned," Spec. Andrew Meissner, 34, from Manhattan, told the Daily News. "It turned a holiday meal into a holiday party."

And:

"He had a speech - but I was just so thrilled I couldn't remember it," Meissner said. "It made me feel the commander-in-chief really cares about what is happening in Iraq."
Lt. Dan Brosey, 26, of Seattle, said he had a new "spring in his step" after shaking Bush's hand.
"It's one of those great moments I will never forget," he said. "He was great. To get on a plane and come here!"

From the Seattle Times:

In turn, soldiers spoke enthusiastically about the president. "After 13 months in theater, my morale had kind of sputtered," said Capt. Mark St. Laurent, 36, of Leesburg, Va. "Now I`m good for another two months."

From the Washington Post:

Staff. Sgt. Gerrie Stokes Holloman, 34, of Baltimore, a multichannel communications specialist with the 1st Armored Division, 141st Signal Battalion, said Bush's visit "shows that he cares about us... It's not easy being here... For the most part, people are tired and want to go home. But the support and encouragement we get from our leadership builds a bond with our soldiers."

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

"I've never been so surprised," said Pvt. Stephen Henderson, an Army infantryman from Inglewood, Calif. "I had no idea — not a clue. I feel uplifted. I almost forgot I was even here."

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

Mr Bush's visit raised the spirits of US troops throughout Iraq. "That is absolutely awesome," said Sergeant Aaron Hildernbrandt, as he watched news of Mr Bush's swing through Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit on television.
Sergeant Gilbert Nail chimed in: "I think that shows real personal courage."

And, from Fox News:

Army Lt. Col. John Hinkley, from the 3rd Brigade 1st Armored Division serving in Baghdad, was not at the dinner with the president but was nevertheless touched by the visit: "It's a great morale boost," he told Fox News.
"It demonstrates that the president, as the commander in chief, is willing to go wherever he's sending his soldiers in harms way."

And, finally, our President's own words to his troops:

"We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're part of the finest military ever assembled."

God bless you all...and may God continue to bless America.