The Story Behind the Video

Mrs Greyhawk

(Update and bump from 2005-07-16 13:17:27)

I haven't really had time to blog my opinions as of late because I'm too busy with the Dawn Patrol, and besides Greyhawk speaks for me as well and is much better at it, but sometimes I see something that just can't wait for him to come home from work.

Yesterday in my Dawn Patrol, I linked Jack Army who had this video.

Here's a translation of the video (unverified):

"Let him walk more into the front so when you shoot him it will be a good shot (like in a good angle for the vid). Then after the shot he says: shall I put the stuff away? The other guy says no. Then the first guy asks: did he fall? Yes, yes he fell..."

From militaryphotos.net chat forum (Umm-Qasr)

Here is the story behind the video: An account of the incident from the 256th Brigade Combat Team.

Media Release
256th Brigade Combat Team
Camp Tigerland
Baghdad, Iraq
APO, AE 09326
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2005
RELEASE 20050705-01
256th BCT Soldier survives sniper attack
Spc. Chris Foster
256th Brigade Combat Team PAO

Stop right there. This was released July 5th. The day after Independence Day and only one news organization picked this (AP) story up, a day ahead of this press release even, just in time for the 4th of July. Who, you ask? Unfortunately it was the Guardian: U.S. Troops in Iraq Celebrate the Fourth.

This story does not reflect Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer's professionalism or his heroism, no emphasis on the fact that as Tschiderer secured the terrorist with a pair of handcuffs, he gave medical aid to the wounded terrorist—the same one who’d tried to take his life.

Let's get back to this press release later and visit the Guardian for a minute.

President Bush vowed during a Fourth of July speech in West Virginia that U.S. forces will stay in Iraq ``until the fight is won.'' But one soldier, Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, simply prays he'll get home safely after surviving a gunshot just above his heart.

The operative word here is "but".

``I opened up my vest, made sure I wasn't bleeding, and continued with the mission,'' later bandaging wounds of one of the insurgents, he said. ``It didn't seem weird until afterward that I was treating the guy who tried to kill me...I'm very proud to serve my country, but I can't wait to get back to live in my country.''

This is what every soldier thinks. They're proud to serve and yes they can't wait to get home to the best damn country there is, especially if one has had a near death experience. But there's that operative word again and they (the Guardian) like it.

Then we're introduced to Cpl. Traben Pleasant.

At Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq, Marine Cpl. Traben Pleasant, 24, of Long Beach, Calif., quaffed a nonalcoholic beer and thought of home.

``This is my third July 4th in Iraq,'' Pleasant said. ``I miss my family and friends. At home, I'd be barbecuing on the beach with my girlfriend.''

Yes, everybody would rather be barbecuing than fighting in a war, especially this poor guy who's has spent 3 of them in a war zone.

It continues with how the soldiers celebrated, which would have been fine if they had stopped there. That's what the Guardian headline implies that the article is about. But then they want to introduce us to one more soldier, Army Spc. Carla McQueen.

The anniversary of America's own Declaration of Independence prompted some soldiers to ponder their role in bringing liberty to the Iraqi people. More than 1,700 service members have died since the Iraq war's start - including more than 1,340 died as a result of hostile action.

``When you come over here, you've got a new respect for the holiday,'' said Army Spc. Carla McQueen of Tomball, Texas. ``We Americans fought for our freedom. It takes the Iraqis' power away from them that we are here. They are not standing up and fighting.''

Well, she's entitled to her opinion, and I'm sure she's a fine soldier, but she apparently doesn't understand what decades of oppression can do to people. Her opinion is not a representative of all the Army or of the Iraqi people but when you add it with all the other operative words, it gives that impression.

Now the the Guardian throws in this jewel that has nothing to do with the 4th of July celebrations of our soldiers:

Thousands of Iraqis also have died in the conflict, many of them civilians. More than 1,400 people - mostly Iraqis - have died violently since Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's government was announced April 28.

Yes, there will be civilian casualties, that is the reality of war. However, we in no way purposely targeting civilians, but the terrorist on the other hand do. If the victims are children even better (to them).

Now back to our News brief on Heroism:

BAGHDAD -- Being able to react to and maintain control of a situation in a combat environment can be a difficult task for Soldiers. They must be able to quickly react and assess a situation, in order to ensure their survival and the safety of those around them.

“Stay alert, stay alive” is the reminder that is driven into the minds of Soldiers since the first day of basic training and echoes throughout their military careers.

This axiom was driven home for at least one Soldier on June 2. Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer, a native of Mendon, N.Y., and a medic with E Troop, 101st “Saber” Cavalry Division, attached to 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper, during a routine patrol in west Baghdad.

While Tschiderer was relaying information to the truck commander of his M114 Humvee, an enemy sniper team prepared to engage him from inside of a cushioned silver van being used as a mobile sniper’s nest. This nest was lined with numerous bed mattresses to muffle the sound of a Dragonoff sniper rifle fired through a hole just big enough for the shooter to engage his target of choice.

Tschiderer was knocked to the ground from the sudden impact of the sniper’s bullet. The bullet only seemed to have fazed this Soldier as, adrenaline pumping, he sprang right back up in order to take cover and locate the enemy’s position.

The sniper was unsuccessful in his mission, due to the stopping force of the Tschiderer’s daily wardrobe, his protective body armor, which saved his life. “I knew I was hit, but was uncertain of the damage or location from the hit,” Tschiderer said. “The only thing that was going through my mind was to take cover and locate the sniper’s position.” “The shot came from my 12 o’clock position from a silver van parked across an intersection about 75 meters from my location.” said Tschiderer.

He displayed the professionalism and quick thinking, as our soldiers have been trained to do. Unfortunately, a common view is that American soldiers are nervous and have itchy trigger fingers, a misconception.

After Tschiderer alerted his fellow Soldiers of the enemy location, they immediately began to pursue the terrorists. Due to his heroic actions and quick decisions, Tschiderer located the enemy while he took cover and alerted the rest of his team on patrol. As the Saber team engaged and disabled the sniper’s position, two terrorists fled on foot, leaving a blood trail that came from the wounds of the enemy sniper.

A cordon and search was immediately set up and Tschiderer assisted his team in the search of the two terrorists. The driver of the silver vehicle was detained by a team from B Co. 3-156th Inf. Bn. while Tschiderer and a team from B Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, continued to follow the blood trail which led them to the yard where the wounded sniper lay in pain. As Tschiderer secured the terrorist with a pair of handcuffs, he gave medical aid to the wounded terrorist—the same one who’d tried to take his life.

Now I just don't think that if that terrorist had only wounded Tschiderer, that he would then stop and offer medical aid. No, I'm not seeing it. However, that is expected of every U.S. soldier when their enemy is down and rendered incapacitated. If they don't you surely will hear about how US Soldiers are killing defenseless terrorists in the MSM. But as this example shows, this story has been out 11 days and the U.S MSM haven't printed a word about it.

I googled Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer name and besides the Guardian, I only found two small local networks here and here that picked this story up but nothing mainstream in the US.

"If it bleeds it leads" only applies to our GI's and civilians. It doesn't apply to the many Terrorist our soldier kill, injure or capture.

But now let's see how many of the big U.S. MSM networks pick up the AP's latest story: 11 American Soldiers Charged With Abuse - even though there are no real details available. It's only been since Saturday that the U.S. command announced charges.

The BBC's version includes Abu Graib photos.

US coverage:

One

Two

So far. Keep counting.

Update:

Three

Four

Five

Update:

Six

Seven

Sunday 17 July Update: 1,810

Well, that didn't take long.

Damn, now my Dawn Patrol is late.

UPDATE: A commenter has brought it to my attention that I stand Corrected. There were two other major MSM org. that picked up this (AP) story, Fox (no surprise) and, belive it or not, the Washington Post. I love to be proven wrong. One of the things that makes blogging so great. There is always someone out there that know more of the story and the truth is always told. However, unlike the Guardian, they printed the full (AP story), with quotes from other soldiers.

These are the missing paragraghs from the Guardian article.

Soldiers on four-day rest passes watched belly dancers and a comedy show after roasting a hog at the former Iraqi Republican Guard officers' club in Baghdad. The facility was refurbished after the 2003 invasion and includes a pool with a two-story diving platform and big-screen TVs with video games.

"People need to understand that gaining independence is a long process," said Army Sgt. Andrew Chiu of Savannah, Ga., assigned to the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion.

Others said the holiday took on added meaning during their tour in Iraq.

"Before, you kind of took it for granted. Now we're seeing what our forefathers went through to gain (independence)," said Army Sgt. Kenneth Alfred of Fort Hood, Texas, of the 256th Brigade.

I'm not sure why the Guardian felt compelled to leave out these paragraghs. ooohh! I see, the operative word (...but) is missing.

Now, that I've been corrected, and we have 3 major MSM networks cover this story, this still doesn't compare to the 2,170 stories that have covered the Soldiers abuse story. Now I'll be fair and say their not all MAJOR MSM networks, and thanks to the blogoshphere the story of PFC Stephen Tschiderer has now jumped to nine

I'm sure they'll be more on this later.