The Day Saddam Fell
Congratulating the Troops on the Anniversary of a Job Well Done
By Mark I Posted in Featured Stories | War — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
We here at RedState did not want to let the day pass without acknowledging a very important anniversary that occurs today and without congratulating the United States Military for this seminal achievement in warfare. On April 9th, 2003, Baghdad fell to United States forces. The collapse of Saddam Hussein's government was symbolized that day by the toppling of the statue of the dictator in Firdos Square.
The military campaign that toppled Iraq's government was by all accounts brilliant. It marked the furthest advance in the least amount of time by the United States military in its illustrious history. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom can and should be rightly proud of their accomplishment in liberating the Iraqi people from an unimaginably brutal madman, and in keeping the United States safe from terrorist plotters these last four years.
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A quick scan of the major news outlets shows that this anniversary has largely been forgotten by the mainstream press. Only the Washington Post makes mention of it on their front page, and then only to call attention to the fact that the resulting occupation of Iraq has been a somewhat bumpier ride. Some more shrill sources than the Post seek to deny the military even this small victory and claim that the toppling of the statue was a psychological operations managed event, as if that changes the significance of what the US military did in bringing down the Butcher of Baghdad.
We, on the other hand, realize that the fall of Baghdad was a monumental achievement in and of itself. It deserves recognition as such regardless of the degree to which the occupation has not lived up to expectations, and regardless of one's personal feelings about the war.
So to United States military personnel serving anywhere in the world today; to the troops that participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom; to their Coalition partners; and most of all to the Iraqi people themselves, a hearty congratulations on this day, the anniversary of the liberation of Iraq. RedState salutes the courage and dedication to the cause of a free Iraq displayed by each of you. Whether your part was played by shouldering a rifle or casting a ballot, thanks to you, Iraq is on a path to freedom heretofore unknown in the broader Middle East. To paraphrase John Adams, may future generations view this day as cause for celebration with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the Middle East to the other.
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The Day Saddam Fell 5 Comments (0 topical, 5 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
if, as Lee's surrender marked the end of the Civil War and the rebirth of a great nation, the same can be said about the "Fall of Bagdad" by future generations of Iraqis.
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“The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.” – Ronald Reagan
the US Military against the Iraqi army was like the Indianapolis Colts against the Hoopeston Cornjerkers.
They did the job and did it well, but let's not make more of it than it was -- a crushing defeat of a 4th rate army.
There's a lesson in the quick success of the US military, followed by the absolute failure of the occupation to bring about fundamental change in Iraq. We're great at conventional war, but haven't yet learned how to beat terrorists. The enemy know this, and they know the American public is impatient, wanting instant gratification. The terrorists have learned to hate for 300 generations, and they are patient.
Iraqis complaining about the US military pulling down the statue. If you look at the panoramic view pics taken of the scene it's obvious that the small crowd that gathered there was egged on by camera crews and US soldiers. Apropos of the whole Iraq War the Iraqis who stepped forward to pull the statue down quickly gave up and left it to the US military.
For what it's worth, by a strange juxtiposition 9 April is also the anniversary of Lee surrendering to Grant at Appomattox....