Dawn Patrol

Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs, other blogs, and the mainstream media. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. (We have a daily "Open Post" too, if you have something on another topic you can link there.)

IRAQ

Christmas Card Greetings . . . -- [Learning to live - Husband fallen in Iraq]
Remembering laughter. . .love. . .life. . .
Christmas 2005

Venite Adoremus -- [Major K - in Iraq]
It has been a usual day here, although I did get a few extra hours off. I went to Midnight Mass last night and the chapel was packed. Chow was a little better than usual, and I had a long telephone coversation with my beautiful Wife, who indulged me by singing Silent Night to me in spanish. That was the best present that I could have received.

Merry Christmas! [Phil and Becky - Phil's in Iraq]
...Some of the staff captains are having a pseudo-Christmas party near our old quad in order to get rid of some excess cigars that have piled up over the course of the deployment. After I finish this post, I may make an appearance. :)

On a humorous note, for the past few weeks we have been broadcasting Christmas music in both English and Arabic on our FOB loudspeakers, basically to annoy the locals. :) Normally, we do it in the middle of the day, but tonight at 2200 we BLASTED "Here Comes Santa Claus" at approximately 50,000,000,000,000,000 decibels.

HO HO, Ho Ho Ho -- [One Marine's View - in Iraq]
...Went and delivered some Christmas presents to some younger Marines. Young Marines enjoyed their special gifts (things they need) and said a simple “Thank you”. Although I heard it, the words were meant for all of you back home. There isn’t anything that can replace the smile on a young Marines face when you give him a gift that he wasn’t expecting. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to do that. I owe it all to you. We have some good chow today and I will take my place behind the serving line to dish out some good chow to the Marines today. Its not home cooked but its not MRE’s. I took my place and added a bit of “Elvis” to the chow line. Its ok mom, everybody that went through got plenty of vegetables, I made sure of it.

Santa Slips Into Iraq Unannounced -- [Fire and Ice - in Iraq]
Santa Claus slipped secretly into Iraq today to spend time with the Marines at Camp Fallujah, most of whom he happily reported fell into the "nice" category this year. Claus, a former Marine Sergeant Major, remarked that standing in a chow line with jarheads again was his special present to himself. He explained, somewhat apologetically, that his current civilian career required long hair, a beard, and a extra 200 pounds. He assured the gathered Marines that in his day he always wore a high and tight haircut, and consistently scored a first class on the physical fitness test. When asked whether his secret unannounced arrival was any indication that the war was going badly, as the main stream press had alluded to regarding both the Cheney and Rumsfield visits, the jolly old elf simply stated that coming and going covertly has always been his trademark;...

Camo-Net Christmas -Taji Iraq -- [Casper's Calamity - in Iraq]
We did our best to celebrate Christmas here in Al Taji this year! This was our Camo-Net Christmas Tree! "When in Iraq -Improvise!" and improvise we did. Best wishes to all those back home and around the world! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

5 for Christmas -- [A Will to Exist - in Iraq]
visit 5 for ChristmasI’ve been taking five photos each of people in the unit to share with their loved ones on Christmas Day. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me via this blog and other means on this most special of holidays. This morning, as I was leaving breakfast, the insurgents tried to give me a Christmas present in their soulless manner. They dropped two mortars near my location. They missed. I suppose wars don’t stop because one side or the other is celebrating something, but it still seems uncivilized to try and randomly blow people up on Christmas Day. I woudn’t do it.

A few more Christmas details -- [Austin Bay]
A follow-up email from the NCO pulling Christmas duty. I’ve signed him off with his initials:

…Merry Christmas!
…Currently, I’m part of an advisory support team assigned to the Iraqi Training Brigade at Kirkush Military Training Base outside of Kirkush, Iraq. We fall under the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT), which is part of the Multi-National Security Transition Team-Iraq (MNSTC-I). Our job is to coach, mentor, and advise the trainers, staff, and officers of the Iraqi Training Brigade (ITB).

Yuletide wishes -- [Meg Jones - journalist embedded in Iraq]
...Aside from folks wishing each other “Merry Christmas” and good chow in the mess hall – my turkey and dressing was served by a white-hat wearing chow hall staff member, not the secretary of defense – it doesn’t seem like Christmas today. For most in the military, it’s another day, just like any other, because they’re working and away from home. As I was waiting to get searched before going into the DFAC (that means dining facility to civilians who pronounce whole words instead of using acronyms) for lunch I could hear a boom box blaring the “Grinch Who Stole Christmas” song. That made it seem like Christmas, too.

Christmas in Iraq -- [Intel Dump - Phillip Carter, - in Iraq]
Friday's Wall Street Journal (subscription required) carried number of dispatches from soldiers serving overseas during this Christmas holiday -- as well as civilians serving over here with the State Department, and two Marine Corps moms. Here are a couple of excerpts from my favorites:

26 December 2005 -- [ Iraq Pictures - in Iraq]
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld serves U.S. troops assigned to Forward Operating Base Courage in Mosul. Pic: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy

Christmas is finally here! -- [OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM - in Iraq]
Merry Christmas! 2005 is winding down and the new year is just around the corner. For those of you that know me, I've been very pessimistic this holiday season because of being alone in a strange land. However, I learned something from being out here - Christmas is not about not being alone - it's about hope and a new beginning. I've experienced a lot during my brief time out here in Iraq. With the referendum, the trial of one of the most infamous dictators in history, and the elections of a new goverment for people that have no concept of freedom, it seems overwhelming at first but if you step back, you can see that what appears impossible is just another obstacle that life throws in front of you. The truth of the matter is that the US can win this war and I truly believe this.

The Gift of Communication -- [Marketing in Iraq? - in Iraq]
It's Christmas eve. Today was a day like any other in Baghdad. A few mortars hit, some sporadic gun fire in the background, and the locals pushed forward again toward freedom. We had a speech by the General and we all sang Christmas songs in the evening. I opted to skip the Christmas party in exchange for some quiet time by myself. So, I sit here now in my trailer with the newly wired Internet access at my fingertips. The Internet is slow but it's so great to have it whenever I want it.

We got in the news for sure! -- [Courage without Fear - in Iraq]
I've been surfing the net a little and found some of the articles about us.
Here's the story by Louise Rug in the LA Times
...Here is the AP story on MSNBC.com:
...And...

They came from the East, three of them ... -- [Countercolumn]
... bearing gifts.(pic)

MSM REPORTS ON IRAQ

Iraqi worshippers risk their lives to celebrate Christmas in church -- (TIMES Online)...Stephen Farrell in Baghdad
IRAQIS gathered for Christmas behind Kalashnikovs yesterday. Midnight Mass was cancelled because of bombing fears and curfews, but the country’s rapidly dwindling Christian minority turned out in their thousands for early morning services.

Gunmen Kill Five Police at Iraq Checkpoint -- (AP)
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen shot and killed five police officers at a checkpoint north of Baghdad on Monday, and a suicide car bomber slammed into a police patrol in the capital, leaving three more dead, police and hospital officials said. The car bomb was one of five that insurgents set off in the capital on Monday. At least two people were killed and 15 injured by the other four bombs, officials said.

Ukrainian President Visits Troops in Iraq -- (AP)
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko made an unannounced one-day visit to his country's peacekeepers in Iraq days before the troops were to leave the war zone....

G-G visits troops in Iraq. -- (The Age)
Governor-General Michael Jeffery chats to troops during Christmas lunch in southern Iraq
Governor-General Michael Jeffery is on his way back to Australia after making a secret Christmas visit to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iraq radio plea and prayers for British hostage -- (TIMES Online)
THE family and friends of Norman Kember, the British hostage held in Iraq, spent Christmas Day praying for his release as a new appeal for his safe return was prepared for Iraqi radio.

AFGHANISTAN

Merry Christmas -- [Going Down Range - in Afghanistan]
I like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and safe and bountiful New Year.
Take care and God bless you.

Merry Christmas -- [The Siegrist Blogs - in Afghanistan]
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas! -- [An Eagle's Story - in Afghanistan]
Merry Christmas from Afghanistan everyone.

Back from Pak -- [An Eagle's Story - in Afghanistan]
...Ok so the Pakistan missions went a little shorter, and a little different than I expected. We didnt do any humanitarian aid, but we flew around the Vice President Dick Chaney, Donald Rumsfeld, and General Shoomaker while we were out there. It was cool to meet them even if I am not political..

MSM REPORTS ON AFGHANISTAN

Tape: Zawahiri Purportedly Claims Control in Afghanistan -- (Fox News)
CAIRO, Egypt — Al Qaeda's deputy leader said in an audiotape aired Saturday that Taliban's fighters control large areas in Afghanistan and are fighting American forces and the U.S-backed Afghan government.

Zawahri praises Taliban in tape -- (THE TIMES OF INDIA)
DUBAI: Al-Qaida's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri praised the Taliban, saying the Islamic movement still controlled large parts of Afghanistan, says an audio tape aired by Al Arabiya television on Sa...

Six militants killed planting landmine -- ( Agence France-Presse)
SIX suspected Taliban militants were killed when a landmine they were planting on a road exploded in Afghanistan's insurgency-hit southern province of Kandahar, officials said today.

The incident occurred last night in Maywand district, Kandahar police chief Abdul Malik Wahidi said.

OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

That Time Of Year -- [Incoherant Ramblings - in Kosovo]
Santa visited us here in Kosovo.
I asked for...

Bagpiper -- [Desert Odyssey - in Qatar]
The mood was what I expected last night—kind of a reserved festive atmosphere. I got dressed up for the first time since I’ve gotten here and went to mass at 1800, rather than midnight, since I still had to be here this morning at 0500. I grabbed Magnum from his Christmas play (he played Joseph in the service), donned my Santa hat, and we headed to the O’Club for the party.

I guess everyone else had the same idea, since pretty much everyone had the ol’ Santa hat on.

MSM REPORTS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD

Asia marks tsunami anniversary with prayers, silence -- (Reuters)
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - Mourners from across the world wept, prayed and observed moments of silence along ravaged Indian Ocean coastlines on Monday to remember those killed by one of nature's deadliest episodes.

WAR ON TERROR / TERRORISM

Target: White House -- [Counterrorism Blog]
My colleague James Meek at the New York Daily News has published an interesting piece on senior Al-Qaida leader Abu Faraj al-Libi (described by some as the successor to 9/11-mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed) who was captured in Pakistan last spring. According to two law enforcement sources interviewed in Pakistan and the United States, Abu Faraj was actively endeavoring to assassinate President George Bush "in the White House, preferably." A "senior U.S. counterterrorism official" confirmed to Meek, "It was clearly something they wanted to do. There's no question about that. It's the holy grail of jihad."

Monday's Winds of War: 26 Dec 2005 -- [Winds of Change]
Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Monday's Winds of War briefings are given by Peace Like a River and Security Watchtower.

Yemeni Al-Qaida Operative "Martyred" in Iraq After Failed Effort to Travel to Afghanistan -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Al-Qaida's Committee in Iraq--led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi--has released yet a new edition in its ongoing "Distinguished Martyrs" propaganda series, this time paying homage to "Abu Tarek al-Yemeni" (originally from Yemen). Allegedly, Abu Tarek attended several Al-Qaida terrorist training camps setup inside Iraq, including one facility known as the "Rawa base." Yet, according to Al-Qaida, Abu Tarek eagerly sought to continue his jihad beyond the mere borders of Mesopotamia:

MSM REPORTS ON TERRORISM

Mystery surrounds year of silence from Osama bin Laden -- (Hong Kong Standard)
He has not issued any public statement all year. Speculation has grown over his influence, health and even possible death. Where is the Western world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden? | Habib Trabel...

Powell Supports Government Eavesdropping -- (AP)
WASHINGTON - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday supported government eavesdropping to prevent terrorism but said a major controversy over presidential powers could have been avoided by obtaining court warrants. Powell said that when he was in the Cabinet, he was not told that President Bush authorized a warrantless National Security Agency surveillance operation after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

NSA eavesdropping wider than W.House admitted: report -- (Reuters)
NEW YORK - The volume of information gathered from telephone and Internet communications by the National Security Agency without court-approved warrants was much larger than the White House has acknowledged, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Holiday Wishes -- [Iraq War News]
I would like to take this opportunity to sendheartfelt wishes for the holiday season to all of our Heroes, most especially my son, Butch, that are over in Iraq. Thank you for all that you do, it can't be said enough. I hope all of you get the chance tospend next year with your loved ones. Believe me, all of us families back home are missing you as much as you are missing us. Your service is NOT taken for granted.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.God Bless!

I'm so happy I can't hardly stand it! -- [Yikes!]
I'm so happy I can't hardly stand it! Dear Hero finally got around to opening his gifts that I made him promise not to open till Christmas day... AND HE LOVED THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT is all I was wanting this Christmas and what I was looking forward to absolutely MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE!

Lemme tell ya all about it.... "OPERATION CHRISTMAS SURPRISE" is finally revealed! THIS is what I've been up to since October, and the giftI've been just dying to have Dear Hero open on Christmas Day!

Christmas at Landstuhl Hospital -- [Soldier's Angel Germany]
With the help of the Chaplains and the National Guard Liaison we were able to deliver approx. 250 Christmas stockings to the hospital. Fortunately, patient census is currently low so the staff should be able to provide each patient with a stocking into the New Year.

A Soldier & A 10 Year Old Penpal - Once an Angel, Now with the Angels....
From JS Online:

...He told her what it's like here in the desert, and he sent her a picture of himself in his green uniform and helmet, holding his M-4 rifle. So began a pen pal relationship that ended last month with the tragic death of one of the letter writers.

The girl who wrote the letter in Sunday school last summer was Megan Obbink.

The Cedar Grove girl who drowned with her dad while ice skating the day after Thanksgiving has traveled throughout this war-torn region in the pocket of a Wisconsin soldier, who was so touched by Megan's words that he always carries one of her letters and photos when he heads out on dangerous missions guarding supply convoys in Iraq.

Guess Who's Coming to Town? -- [Soldier's Angel Germany]
Merry Christmas! (pics) (pics) (pics)

What You Are Supporting - Thank You Angels and Friends! -- [Soldier's Angel Germany]
From a Marine in Iraq.
...Thought you might want to see twenty very good reasons of why we’re here and what you are supporting...

More Merry X-mas from Iraq -- [Soldier's Angel Germany]
"...thanks again for the care package that you had sent to me. I shared some of the items in the box with my fellow soldiers, but most of it I had shared with some Iraqi kids that our patrol met while we were out in the countryside. ..... I am sure that the children really appreciated it. Thanks again for all of the support that you have given me and my fellow soldiers throughout the year.

Cowards -- [A Storm In Afghanistan]
...According to an article in UK's The Guardian, many of the stars who used to rally to the cause now shy away. Also, to be fair, hat tip to Robin Williams, Al Franken, and Henry Rollins, who, according to the article, have done shows while not supporting the war.

Hollywood Turns its Back on Troops -- [Counter Column]
By the way, we really enjoyed those CDs and DVDs we bought off the hajis.

P.S. The Guardian's "List of entertainers" is crap. Why couldn't they run a complete list? Darryl Worley isn't on it. He belongs on it. So does Bruce Willis. So does Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. There are lots of others.

As for the rest of them, I'll keep their actions in mind next time I hear one of them blather about how they "still support the troops" while taking their political petulance out on them.

God hates Fred Phelps, loves Marines though -- [BlackFive]
I got this from Patrick/Gryph of Gryphmon, who comments here and attempts to keep me from going around the bend:

MSM REPORTS ON SUPPORTING THE TROOPS...OR NOT

Stars turn backs on America's troops in Iraq -- (The Guardian)
During world war two American troops away from home for Christmas were entertained by Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby and the Marx Brothers. Even in Vietnam Bob Hope was guaranteed to put in an appearance. But soldiers in Iraq are more likely to get a show from a Christian hip-hop group, a country singer you have probably never heard of and two cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys.

MSM LOCAL PAPERS REPORTS ON SUPPORTING THE TROOPS

'Grateful citizen' hands cash to troops -- (Sun Times)
KILLEEN, Texas -- A real-estate developer is putting his money where his heart is.

Jim Johnson, carrying a sign that read "grateful citizen," passed out $5,000 in $20 bills Wednesday to members of the military and their families.

Rumsfeld honors medic with Bronze Star -- (News-Miner)
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld awarded the Bronze Star Medal on Saturday to a nurse's aide turned U.S. Army soldier who revived a baby who nearly drowned in Mosul, Iraq, according to U.S. Army Public Affairs in Alaska.
Spc. Lucas Crowe belongs to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Regiment of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He is among about 3,100 brigade soldiers from Fort Wainwright U.S. Army Base serving in Iraq. Rumsfeld was in Iraq meeting with soldiers and government officials.

MSM REPORTS ON MILITARY

Iraq War Veteran to Become Action Figure -- (My Way News / AP)
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina - The questions were unusual for Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Wolford: Did you play with GI Joe action figures when you were a child? What if you could be one?

"Usually, it is not something good when the sergeant major calls a platoon sergeant into his office," said Wolford, 29, of Oakland, Oregon.

This time, it was good. Wolford, who used to own about 200 action figures, will now become one.

He will model for a new line of figures based on the sequel to "America's Army," an online video game released by the Army in 2002 as a recruiting tool.

Story with picture: Model soldier: A paratrooper figures into new video game

Veterans missing out on pensions -- (Philidelphia Inquirer)
Almost 2 million of the poor - or their widows - don't know that monthly payments are available. The VA is trying to reach out.
Nearly two million poor veterans or their impoverished widows are missing out on as much as $22 billion a year in pensions from the U.S. government, but the Department of Veterans Affairs has had only limited success in finding them.

MSM REPORTS ON POLITICS

White House Aids Playboy Playmate in Court -- (AP)
WASHINGTON- Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith has an unusual bedfellow in the Supreme Court fight over her late husband's fortune: the Bush administration. The administration's top Supreme Court lawyer filed arguments on Smith's behalf and wants to take part when the case is argued before the justices.

Democrats Decry GOP's Budget Legislation -- (AP)
WASHINGTON -- Americans deserve better leadership than what the Bush administration offers, South Carolina Rep. James E. Clyburn said Saturday in the Democrats' weekly radio address....

2006 Legislative Menu: More Humble Pie for Gov.? -- (LA Times)
Democrats won't hand him any easy victories, unions are angry about his election agenda and the right is wary of his shift to the center.

Murtha commands spotlight over Iraq policy -- (Post-Gazette National Bureau)
A veteran backbencher becomes an anti-war movement darling
WASHINGTON -- Amid the media frenzy over U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha's proposal to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq at the earliest practical date, the Pennsylvania Democrat got an interview request from an unusual source.

THE MEDIA

We're gonna be famous -- [Courage without Fear - in Iraq]
I had a real interesting conversation with Bob Denham from NBC about blogging and soldiers using the internet to talk with their loved ones at home. He took down the address to my blog and said he was going to put a link to my blog on the blog the NBC reporters in Iraq maintain. We'll see if my site starts getting hundreds or thousands of more hits.

MJS reporting from Iraq -- [Phila and Becky - Phil's in Iraq]
...Overall, I thought that this was a pretty good article. If you read articles closely, you will often find snide comments subtly inserted. For example, if there was an IED strike, the intro might be, "In spite of optimistic assessments by the Bush Administration, violence still rages in parts of Iraq. An improvised explosive device detonated today in the town of..." This article doesn't have any of that. Likewise, I didn't see any of it in her last batch of articles (the ones I read, at least).

This reporter is also keeping a blog on her trip. I read her blog from her last visit to Iraq and enjoyed it.

MSM REPORTS ON MILBLOGGING

Bloggers, Money Now Weapons in Information War -- (Washington Post)...Jonathan Finer and Doug Struck
U.S. Recruits Advocates to the Front, Pays Iraqi TV Stations for Coverage

BAGHDAD -- Retired soldier Bill Roggio was a computer technician living in New Jersey less than two months ago when a Marine officer half a world away made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Frustrated by the coverage they were receiving from the news media, the Marines invited Roggio, 35, who writes a popular Web log about the military called "The Fourth Rail" ( http://www.billroggio.com ), to come cover the war from the front lines.

Slogging and Blogging Through Iraq -- (Washington Post)...David Ignatius
A Marine blogger who calls himself Captain B is describing the scruffy four-foot Christmas tree at his base in Anbar province, west of Baghdad: "Lacking ornaments for the most part, we used bullets, cigars, Marlboro packs and other things we like and hung them on the tree. It looks like a freaking train wreck but it's our train wreck."

CONGRATS

Journey's End -- [Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum - in Iraq]
...It was a great moment in my life. I stood with 2 other officers and we were promoted together. Our battalion commander asked us to address the battalion and I was caught so off guard by it I couldn’t think of a thing to say; oh, and the microphone wouldn’t bend down so I had to stand on my toes to speak clearly into it. It reminded me of my speech for Student Council back in 1985. All I could think to say was that we’d seen our last full moon in Iraq. I hope that is true. At the ceremony promotions and medals were awarded for our time here and for some very courageous young men, the medals were well deserved.

HUMOR

'Twas the Nighht Before Hanukkah -- [Winds of Change - Joe Katzman]
Today is Christmas, and tonight is also the first day of Chanukah. It's not really a big deal as holidays go, but I thought this humorous spoof might be worth a chuckle or two:

The Night Before Christmas -- [Peace like a River]
It vas de night before Christmas, ven all tru de place vere I vas staying
Dere vasn't nobody making no noise, not eefen som mouses
except my brudder-in-law and he is a rat.
De stockings vere hanged by de shimney kinda careful
Because dat feller vit de red knickers vas supposed to be dere.

WELCOME HOME

50 Weeks -- [Sisyphus Today... - home from Iraq]
December 24, 2005
I am home :) Will write more tomorrow when I sober up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! -- [While Away - in Iraq]
I'm going home.

Hope everyone had a GREAT day :)

Ingleside EOD Sailors Return Safely from Baghdad Deployment -- (NNS) HT: Iraq War News
INGLESIDE, Texas -- Nine Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6 Det. 4 Sailors returned to South Texas Dec. 18, after spending six months in Baghdad supporting the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Stewart, Ga.

(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)