TR
6 april 2006, 19:07
This is an email sent from the mayor of Tal'Afar (Iraq) to the 3rd Armored
Calvalry Regiment.
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/004167.html
In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful
To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who
have changed the city of Tall' Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists
spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.
To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who
were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.
To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us
restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave
new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our
confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.
Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The
city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools,
governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were
silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their
homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists
occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery
reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with
explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving
parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the
situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the
courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this
city, ridding it of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many
terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to
the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar,
Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.
I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not
only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself
to fight the evil of terrorism.
The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC
Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers
and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a
bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique
military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military
science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage,
despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons
they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing
unnecessary damage.
God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these
brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families.
They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those
who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence
and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They
are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of
every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives.
They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile
of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their
families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.
Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I
haven't the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I
pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and
their brave families.
NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID AL-JIBOURI
Mayor of Tall 'Afar, Ninewa, Iraq
Calvalry Regiment.
http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/004167.html
In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful
To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who
have changed the city of Tall' Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists
spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.
To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who
were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.
To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us
restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave
new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our
confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.
Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The
city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools,
governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were
silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their
homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists
occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery
reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with
explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving
parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the
situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the
courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this
city, ridding it of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many
terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to
the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar,
Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.
I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not
only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself
to fight the evil of terrorism.
The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC
Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers
and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a
bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique
military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military
science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage,
despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons
they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing
unnecessary damage.
God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these
brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families.
They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those
who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence
and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They
are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of
every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives.
They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile
of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their
families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.
Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I
haven't the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I
pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and
their brave families.
NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID AL-JIBOURI
Mayor of Tall 'Afar, Ninewa, Iraq