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Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. 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. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
Independence Day 08 -- [Maj Pain - in Iraq]
America, you got to know your young Marines are on the cutting edge of it all. Maturity, discipline, education and health. They truly are the epitome of America and those who found this country, would still be proud of their Marines today as they were in 1776.
During this 4th of July holiday, when we celebrate the independence of our great country, take a second during the picnics, BBQs, patriotic music and fireworks and pay a few seconds of honor to those keeping our independence free.
July 4th in the Sand Box -- [Fraser from Iraq - in Iraq]
The holidays go by almost unnoticed, except for lack of emails. And that only reminds us that the people back home have something better to do than sit down at a computer and write us about how much fun they are having. Believe me we’re not upset hearing about the fun. We’re glad everyone back home is having a good time and not thinking about us for a couple of days. But we do miss the emails. Hell, we’d be having a good time back home also if we were there.
5,500 years of service -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Baghdad: - Servicemembers from all over Iraq gathered here today in the Al Faw Palace rotunda on Camp Victory, to re-enlist and celebrate America’s Independence Day.
10,000 miles from home, the 4th of July is celebrated as enthusiastically as ever -- [Jeff Emanuel]
This video was taken by a regular digital still camera, so the sound of the guitar bleeds in and out as the "fireworks" go off. Specialist Alexi Scalco, radio operator for Charlie Company commanding officer CPT Buddy Ferris, is playing the guitar (which is plugged in to a radio amplifier and the Patrol Base loudspeaker system), and his fellow paratroopers are providing the sound and light show with a little help from a Special Forces team in the area.
How did you spend Independence Day? -- [Bob Krumm]
How are you spending your 4th of July holiday? While most Americans probably slept, 1,215 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines raised their right hands and committed to a combined 5,500 years of additional service during the largest reenlistment ceremony in the history of the American military. Beneath a large American flag which dwarfed even the enormous chandelier that Saddam Hussein had built for the Al Faw Palace, members of all services, representing all 50 states took the oath administered by Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq.
Change-- Iraqi President Shakes Hands With Israeli Minister -- [Gateway Pundit]
President of Iraq Jalal Talabani, left, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, right, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, speak during the 23rd congress of the Socialist International at the Lagonissi Grand Resort, ...Iraqi President Talabani's handshake with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has captured the attention of the Arab press.
...And, just think- A little over five years ago Saddam was actively funding the Palestinian terrorists.
Today Iraq is an open democracy.
Now, that's change.
Analysis: Sadr movement, Mahdi Army shrink under pressure -- [LWJ - Omar Fadhil - an Iraqi blogger]
Muqtada al Sadr's decisions to change the operations the Mahdi Army and withdraw the Sadrist slate from the upcoming election have serious implications for the future of the Sadrist movement.
Monday Drive -- [Playing in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
Yesterday I went out on my first combat patrol. The majority of it was an uneventful bumpy ride through the Diyala suburbs, parts of which lie along a river that brings a surprising amount of life to an otherwise dead region of desert. Some places might as well be Vietnam, complete with palm trees and untamed vegitation.
As we were driving, the lead truck spotted two guys with assault rifles who went running into the village somewhere. Of course, we had to dismount and go check it out. Watching the ramp at the back of the vehicle open to reveal the reality outside my armored shell caused my heart to skip maybe half a beat. Before I knew it I was running up to the front of the convoy surrounded on both sides by very curious local villagers.
Imagination Sand -- [Playing in the Sandbox - in Iraq]
I find that during the first few minutes of every day - before the Sun begins to scorch the earth - I can walk outside, cup my hands around the sides of my eyes, block my peripheral vision, look down at the sand, and pretend I'm at the beach.
76th Infantrymen lift wounded soldiers on their down time -- [IN-iraq - embed in Iraq]
...“We usually go over to the pad at 16:30 and stay until 22:30,” Fox said, “If we were the typical Army dudes chilling in our rooms I wouldn’t have met all these people. I used to joke about the Air Force, now I got a lot of respect for them.” Spc. Fox has logged about 76 hours volunteering, and Cpl Villegas over a 100 including time he spends helping in the Intensive Care Unit.
Jul 4, 2008 - Lunch -- [From the Halls to the Shores - in Iraq]
Steak, BBQ chicken, and lobster.
In Baghdad.
Cooked by Iraqis and dudes from Indonesia... I think.
Happy Independence Day, baby.
U.S. Troops Dying on Afghan Border With ... IRAN? -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Allied combat deaths in Afghanistan surpassed those in Iraq for a second straight month in June. Meanwhile, New Yorker reporter Sy Hersh writes that U.S. covert operators are infiltrating Iran.
Afghans, Spanish Hit Taliban in Baghdis -- [A Battlefield Tourist]
25 Taliban fighters, including a local commander, were killed in Muqur district, Baghdis Province, by Afghan Security Forces (ASF) backed by Spanish International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.
Afghan Army kills 25 Taliban after ambush in the northwestern province of Badghis -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio]
Taliban continue ambushes despite taking lopsided casualties. Seven Taliban killed in clash in Paktika.
24th MEU Extended in Afghanistan -- [A Battlefield Tourist]
The 2,200 members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Force (MEU) will be in Afghanistan a month longer than expected and are now due home in November instead of October. That announcement came from Marine Colonel David Lapan to the Associated Press July 3rd. The confirmation follows weeks of rumors that the Marines would be extended.
Heat+Boredom= Tastless Humor -- [TheAngryAmerican - in Iraq]
WARNING: Tasteless humor ahead if you care to keep reading if you are offended by explicits about the human body and so on so forth or generally don't like MAD LIBS stop reading!
For those of you who are with me........ I've told you time and again about some of the boring mundane missions we have done, i.e. gas station duty, or gate duty, or maybe waiting around for a mission to go off that may or may not be tentative, other wise known as "Stand-By".
Why I Am Patriotic: A Love Letter to America -- [Villainous Company]
America is not a destination but a journey and in loving her, we must not become so firmly fixed upon the goal that we lose heart when we stumble a time or two upon the road. For stumble we will. After all, we are but human; all too imperfect clay with which to form the more perfect union our founding fathers envisioned.
I love this country because she was born in turmoil; baptized by fire and lighting; conceived from the highest aspirations of Enlightenment thinkers: words that ring as true today as they did over two hundred years ago:
Independence Day - the Pledge -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Brendan Miniter's column in yesterday's Opinion Journal takes a look back at the Revolutionary War battles which took place in and around New York.
As a New Jersey native, the tragic retreat of General Washington's small Army through the state during the winter of 1776 was always very real to me. Many homes are historical monuments, and main throroughfares are marked with the sign "1776 Retreat Route". And then there's the Palisades along the Hudson River, where fortifications still stand. At that time the Army was in a critical state in every way. It lacked clothing, food, tents, and ammunition. It was composed chiefly of militia, and many of their terms of service were about to expire. The military force was on the point of dissolution, and faced the presence of a well-disciplined, well-appointed, and victorious enemy.
Red Skelton Explains the Pledge of Allegiance
Putting The Country First -- [John McCain]
Two of our greatest statesmen, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, took their last breaths on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after they presented America with our Declaration of Independence. They had been fellow revolutionaries, the closest of comrades, who went on to become bitter political rivals. Then, as the new era of the 1800s dawned, they reconciled, reminded of their old friendship and the momentous history they had made together. "Who shall write the history of the American revolution?" Adams asked Jefferson in one of the 158 letters they exchanged after they'd rediscovered their bonds. "Nobody," responded Jefferson, suggesting that while writers could understand the facts, they might never grasp the sacrifices.
Abu "The Doctor" Doha Freed on Bail -- [Jawa Report]
Via BBC: - A terror suspect said to have "direct links" with Osama Bin Laden has been freed on bail, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) has said.
...Regardless it seems that al-Qaeda's main recruiter and operative on Europe will be allowed to go free. Although he has been indicted in the US, we have declined extradition and prosecution. The UK refuses to deport him to Algeria for fear they may abuse him. So it looks like the British taxpayer will provide a flat and feed al-Qaeda's #1 operative in Europe for the rest of his days, Pending appeal of course.
Islamist Forum Member Suggests Using WikiMapia to Expose Locations of U.S., NATO Bases -- [MEMRI]
On July 1, 2008, a member of the Islamist Al-Ikhlas forum calling himself "Ozooo" posted a message in which he suggested using WikiMapia to expose "Crusader and Apostate" military bases in the Middle East.
Gap in Tracking Terrorist Financing Through Money Service Businesses? -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
The Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) appears to have responded to a published report of a potential gap in the pursuit of critical information needed for terrorist financing investigations.
That Deer in the Headlights Look -- [SpouseBuzz - SemperFi Wife ]
My week started off on Sunday with a get together for old friends. Pre-war civilian friends. Catching up with them was interesting. They're doing new things. Nobody asked what I was up to.
They all had a pretty good idea that whatever I was doing centered around military support and our wounded and injured in the hospitals but nobody wanted to know anything more than that. As a matter of fact, anytime the conversation looked like it was even maybe going in that direction, they would change the subject to something more "palatable" to their tastes. And they'd get that "deer in the headlights" look. I could almost hear them thinking,"Oh no!! SemperFiWife is going THERE"
Military breaking ground for new Walter Reed facility -- [CNN]
President Bush attended and spoke at the groundbreaking, which comes after The Washington Post exposed substandard conditions and treatment for some of the wounded veterans at Walter Reed in 2007.
"At this new center, wounds will be healed, medical knowledge will be advanced, lives will be rebuilt, and those who wear our nation's uniform will be reminded that they have the enduring gratitude of the American people," Bush said.
Celebrating Independence Day -- [Miss Ladybug]
Fans were invited to bring items for care packages to the troops. Inside the Home Plate gate, there was a large banner laid out on a table for fans to sign with well-wishes to the troops.
To good not to share -- [Soldiers Angels, Veterans — Greta ]
Many of our Troops have lost their lives and or been wounded, Overseas. Our Troops suffer in order that we in America can go on living and enjoying Freedom. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I will continue to pray for you. You are fighting for God, Country, and your comrades-in-arms next to you. Everyday you hear horrendous explosions come your way, fighting on, come what may. You hear the cries of women, children, and your comrades, dying day after day. Each day you fight Street-to-Street, house to house and back-to-back against Terrorism, just trying to survive in-order to fight another day.
Have A Happy and Safe Independence Day -- [SOLDIERS' ANGELS TEXAS]
Hope each of you have a happy and safe Independence Day!! Don't forget those who are fighting and those who have fought so hard, for our freedoms!
Cyberthanks for our troops -- [NY Daily News]
It's the new YouTube for the troops.
A new Web site launches Friday to help New Yorkers - and anyone around the world - use the Internet to thank U.S. soldiers for their service.
Visitors can log on to MomentOfThanks.com and upload videos, photo albums or other messages for the men and women in the U.S. military. The site already features video clips from politicians, including Gov. Paterson, celebrities and soldiers' families. "It's important to remind ourselves that July 4 is Independence Day. ... It came because men and women lost their lives fighting in battles to preserve the great democracy that we've had for over 200 years," Paterson tells the troops in his video. "Now you are fighting overseas in Iraq trying to maintain that same democracy ... and we can't wait for all of you to come home so that you can be a part of it."
*Still* need emails for those Sailors, too! -- [View from the 8th Floor]
Send your email messages for the USS Russell to: letters@thinking-right.com
This ship has an awesome motto for a 4th of July activity:
"STRENGTH IN FREEDOM." The real strength of our country is that,for over 200 years, Americans have fought and died for the ideals of freedom anddemocracy. Hence, "Strength in Freedom."
Wounded Soldiers’ to get Gibson guitars -- [Soldiers Angels, Veterans — Greta ]
Giving the gift of music can only be a wonderful thing!
Louisiana Lap Blanket Campaign -- [Soldiers Angels, Veterans — Greta ]
Our Veterans in residential VA facilities across Louisiana, need a little extra love right now. We would like each of them to have a blanket on their laps by Thanksgiving time. Please help us in our efforts to let each of them know that others care about them!
How military honors the fallen -- [Seattle Post Intelligencer]
Sometimes Beck would linger in his vehicle in front of an American home, like that of the parents of Lance Cpl. Kyle Burns in Laramie, Wyo. Beck knew that, as Jim Sheeler writes, every second he waited "was one more tick of his wristwatch that, for the family inside the house, everything remained the same."
Beck -- now Lt. Col. Beck -- was a CACO, a casualty assistance calls officer whose duty was to inform a spouse or parents that their Marine had been killed.
...The nation, as Marine Sgt. Damon Cecil says, "has changed the channel." Still, Sheeler sees civilians getting glimpses of those who have sacrificed everything.
The glimpses come as the fallen are escorted home. When an airline passenger, noting an escort's uniform, asked if the sergeant was going to or coming from the war, he repeated words the military had told him to say: "I'm escorting a fallen Marine home to his family from the situation in Iraq."
Many local officers and deputies juggle military duties with law enforcement careers -- [Kansas.com]
For dozens of local law enforcement officers, one uniform is not enough.
Besides working for the Wichita Police Department or the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, they serve in a branch of the U.S. military. b "I just went from one uniform to another," said Terence James, who is a patrol officer for the Wichita Police Department and a sergeant first class in the Army National Guard.
...The reasons for juggling two demanding professions vary from person to person, but one common theme emerges: service.
When There's No One To Welcome You Home -- [SpouseBuzz - Sarah]
...The last time my husband deployed, he was one of the last people from the brigade to come home, a full three weeks after the majority of our post returned. His best friend was single at the time and had left his vehicle at our house so he didn't have to store it for the year. I had to be at his Welcome Home ceremony to give him his keys back, and I was happy to see a friend after so long.
Thus I ended up in the crowd with no husband to welcome, and he ended up in the formation with no family to pick him up. After all the excited families went tearing across the gym, I made my way to the back of the crowd, where a small group of soldiers had gathered. These were the single guys, and since we were all stationed in Germany, they had no parents or girlfriends to shriek and hug them.
In this war, troops get a rousing welcome home -- [USA Today]
WARMINSTER, Pa. — The young soldier hadn't slept in 48 hours or bathed in 72. Now that he was finally back from Iraq, all Pfc. Justin Gindhart wanted was a hot shower and a soft bed. But these days, Gindhart discovered, a soldier's homecoming isn't always that simple. To his surprise, there was a troop of motorcycle-riding Vietnam vets to greet him at the airport; a police-escorted motorcade, past blocked-off intersections and highway entrances, that backed up traffic for miles; an appearance at a support-the-troops rally; a gathering of neighbors and friends, alerted by fire and ambulance sirens, outside his family's house. And the biggest shock of all — a reunion with a disabled comrade whose life he'd helped save in Iraq.
HERE COMES THE PIVOT! -- [Instapundit]
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) promised primary voters a swift withdrawal from Iraq, in clear language still on his website: “Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months.”
Not anymore.
Pivotal Moment? -- [Greyhawk]
Hmmm... if memory serves me, saying things like this back in March ...would earn you a quick toss under the Obama campaign bus. (Of course, the Democratic nomination was still a contest back then.)
Americans Prefer Candidates Strong On Science -- [Daily Kos]
A new poll conducted by Scientists and Engineers for America indicates an overwhelming majority of voters prefer candidates who support research into science and technology, with emphasis on the three E's: education, environment, and energy. Nice to know, and in a sane world I'd be tempted to add a snarky "No shit?" But in the bizarro conservative fantasy world constructed by the Bush-McCain GOP, maybe it's we best count our few remaining blessings even as they vanish faster than dry ice on a hot summer day. Among the key findings
Giving Obama a Pass on Iraq -- [LT Nixon]
The Iraq war is dauntingly complex with the myriad of information that comes out of the country, diversity of the people involved, and the international interests at stake. It certainly isn't a cut n' dry issue like gun control or capital punishment, and it is best to adopt a pragmatic approach to the foreign policy involved with U.S. assistance to Iraq. That's why it's good news that the leading presidential candidate, Obama, has opted to change his tune on a rigid timetable for withdrawal and seeks to gain perspective from commanders on the ground.
Mullen Agrees with Obama on Iraq, Afghanistan? -- [Danger Room]
Did the country's top uniformed military leader endorse the Obama plan for Iraq and Afghanistan yesterday? In a briefing at the Pentagon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said he wants more troops in Afghanistan -- but can't get 'em until forces are taken out of Iraq:
Exclusive: Ex-Congressman at Center of Arms Deals Between Russia, Libya, Iraqi Army -- [Danger Room]
Former congressman Curt Weldon is helping broker deals between Russian and Ukranian weapons suppliers and the Iraqi and Libyan governments as part of his new job with a private American defense consulting firm, Wired.com has learned.
Weldon, who is currently being investigated by the FBI over alleged corruption during his time in office, visited Libya in March to discuss a possible military deal, according to a letter describing the trip from Weldon to Defense Solutions CEO Timothy Ringgold.
Courageous Journalists Needed -- [Matel - in Iraq]
I stay out of specific politics on this blog, but now that both candidates have come down to nuanced but similar policies of staying in Iraq as long (or as short) as the need exists, I feel a little freer to ask what the hell is wrong with the American media?
During the bad days in Iraq, not long ago, they were writing the American obituary. They had no trouble finding and quoting experts telling why we couldn't win in this sort of environment. Now they cannot seem even to notice success.
Will Anti-war Media Turn On Obama If He Flip-flops On Iraq? -- [Newsbusters]
With few exceptions, Obama-loving media have been very forgiving of the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee's recent campaign flip-flops.
They've called them nuanced, and good strategy by a young politician learning the ropes.
Will anti-war press members be so understanding if Obama changes his position on Iraq, and suggests that conditions dictate American troops stay there longer than he pledged during the primaries?
A Clarification -- [Iowahawk]
A Message to American Voters
By Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
My Fellow Americans:
You may have read recent news reports that suggest I have modified my position regarding the redeployment of American military personnel in Iraq. Unfortunately, these reports have been the source of much confusion and anxiety among the millions of voters who have supported my campaign, and I would like to take this opportunity to address their concerns.
John McCain, meet William... -- [Laurie Kilmartin ]
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