Two years ago I posted about Christmas in Iraq. It was 2006 and the insurgents were taking every shot they could at our Troops. Two years ago in Iraq, our Soldiers were doing house to house searches for enemy combatants. They described Christmas as ‘just another day in Iraq’.
Here are some photos and a video of what Christmas in Iraq is like in 2008. Its not home, but a major improvement from Christmas our Soldiers had in Iraq two years ago.
Christmas in Iraq 2008
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Conrad Gonzales and PV2 Timothy Bacon decorate a Christmas tree at combat outpost Ford in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas morning Thursday, Dec. 25 2008.
What a difference two years and a ’surge’ have made. This year in Iraq, our Soldiers have stockings, Christmas trees and time to relax a bit. Its not anywhere near the same as being home for Christmas, but its also not the same as being in Iraq two years ago.
President George W. Bush deserves our gratitude for never giving up on our Troops and never allowing pressure on the home front to make him lose sight of the mission. He has not given in to pressure to bring them home in defeat and surrender. I haven’t agreed with every decision made in how the war has been executed, but then I’m not privy to all the intel and factors that have gone into the decisions that were made.
The surge has been working. We are winning the Iraq front of the Global War on Terrorism. We have not had an attack on American interests since the attacks of 9/11. Our enemies know that we will fight them where ever they are throughout the world. Not only for us, but for our friends and allies.
I’m fearful of what the future will bring under a different administration with a different agenda and view of the world. Our enemies are already pushing the envelop. Tribes are gathering.
But today there is relative peace and we are safe under the watchful eyes of our Men at Arms.
Thank you to all our Troops, whether deployed or at home. Merry Christmas to you all.
Christmas in Iraq 2008
U.S. Army Cpt. A.J.Boyes, left, hands Christmas present to SSgt Mark Peck of C company, 1-68 Armor, 2 BCT, 4th Infantry Division at combat outpost Ford in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas morning Thursday, Dec. 25 2008.
Christmas in Iraq 2008
From the left, U.S. Army Cpt. A.J. Boyes, and 1st Sgt Conrad and Cpt. Todd Looney distribute Christmas presents to the soldiers at combat outpost Ford in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas morning Thursday, Dec. 25 2008.
Christmas in Iraq 2008
U.S. Army Sgt Mario Rivera of C company, 1-68 Armor, 2 BCT, 4th Infantry Division delivers Christmas presents to soldiers at combat outpost Ford in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas morning Thursday, Dec. 25 2008.
Christmas in Iraq 2008
U.S. Army Spc. Hugo Esteves of C company, 1-68 Armor, 2 BCT, 4th Infantry Division opens his Christmas present at combat outpost Ford in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas morning Thursday, Dec. 25 2008.
Christmas in Iraq 2008
From the left, U.S. Army Sgt Lance Richards, Cpt. A.J. Boyes, and 1st Sgt Conrad Gonzales smoke on Christmas morning at combat outpost Ford in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq Thursday, Dec. 25 2008.
British Soldiers Celebrate Christmas in Iraq - Video
December 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Merry Christmas to all and especially those serving in Iraq. I am confident there are those in the government that will not allow a new administration to fail on matters of national interest such as defense.
Whadya mean I’m too optimistic.