Something You Should Read

"Dear friend:

When my husband and I heard that our son Forest was going to Iraq, we were concerned - like any parents would be whose son was going into harm's way.

But we knew that Forest believed in the mission. In fact, he signed up for active duty after the September 11, 2001 attacks because he wanted to defend our country from terrorists.

Tragically, Forest was killed on a volunteer mission - with Cindy Sheehan's son Casey - to set up a medical evacuation point for fellow soldiers wounded and trapped in an abandoned building.

I will never forget the day we received the news that Forest had given his life for his country.

Unlike Cindy Sheehan, however, my family determined that we would continue the fight against terror that our son gave his life for.

That is why we joined Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission.

As someone who has personally borne the costs of this war, we know the loss; we know the grief.

We just wish the media would give half as much attention to the accomplishments.

Please join my family in asking the national media to recognize Iraqi Liberation Week on April 9th through the 15th. Don't let them ignore this milestone!

All you have to do is go to www.FamiliesUnitedMission.com/letter, sign the letter and forward it to your friends.

Sincerely,

Diane Ibbotson

Gold Star Mother

Albion, Illinois

PS. - Learn more about Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission at Families United Mission or read a Washington Times article about our effort to highlight Iraqi Liberation Day."

This is a great website with a lot of information. Please go visit it and see what you can do to help support the troops, their mission and their families!

Here are some of the accomplishments that you won't see so publicized in the MSM:

Iraqis Are Taking Control Of Their Own Security

Army Major General Bob Scales (Ret.): Three-Quarters Of Iraq Should Be Under Iraqi Security Control By Late Summer. “They have 102 battalions that are in the field. They already control about 50 percent of the territory, slightly less than that in terms of population. It's not unreasonable to say that by mid to late summer they'll have perhaps as much as three quarters of the country and three quarters of the population under the control of the Iraqis.” (Fox News Channel’s “Special Report With Brit Hume,” 3/17/06)

Sadr City Is Now Being Patrolled And Maintained By Iraqi Forces. “The president reiterated our policy that ‘as Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.’ We did the same in post-World War II Germany and Japan. As their governments and security forces became more capable, the U.S. role was diminished. The Iraqis are in fact standing up. On March 9, Forward Operating Base Hope was transferred to Iraqi control. The 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division will now patrol Sadr City in Baghdad…” (Bill Crawford, “The Other Side Of The Story,” National Review, 3/20/06)

Iraq’s New Parliament Was Sworn In. “Members stood together and pledged to ‘preserve the independence and the sovereignty of Iraq and to take care of the interests of its people.’” (Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Iraq’s New Parliament Sworn In” The Associated Press, 3/16/06)

“The [New] Iraqi Special Operations Forces Are Rapidly Moving Toward Full Self-Sufficiency In Carrying Out The Combat Part Of Their Missions, American Officers Say ...” (Thom Shanker, “Elite Iraqi Unit Seeks Footing As It Fills U.S. Boots,” The New York Times, 2/20/06)

* “Members Of The Army Green Berets And Navy Seals Accompany The Iraqi Counterterrorism Unit, But The Iraqis Take The Lead.” (Thom Shanker, “Elite Iraqi Unit Seeks Footing As It Fills U.S. Boots,” The New York Times, 2/20/06)

“[In Early February], The Iraqi Navy Marine Unit Took The Lead In Protecting The Al Basrah Oil Terminal, Which Accounted For 98 Percent Of Crude Oil Exports In 2005.” (Department Of State Website, www.state.gov, Accessed 2/22/06)

“In January, Iraqi Security Forces Planned And Executed 27 Percent Of The Total Operations Across Iraq.” “Two divisions, eight brigades and 37 battalions of the Iraqi army now control battlespace and lead operations, [Army Maj. Gen. Rick] Lynch said. In January, Iraqi security forces planned and executed 27 percent of the total operations across Iraq, and more than 70 percent of operations involved Iraqis, he said. The Iraqi army recently planned and executed its first nighttime air-assault operation, resulting in the capture of 19 terrorists who were being trained to conduct attacks on pilgrims participating in the Shiite Muslim holiday of Ashura, he said.” (Sgt. Sara Wood, “Iraqis Fighting Terrorists, Cooperating With Coalition,” American Forces Press Service, 2/9/06)

“The Number Of Iraqi Border Police Now Stands At 18,000; Goal Is To Have 28,000 Border Police Trained And Equipped By The End Of The Year.” (House Armed Services Committee, “Progress In Iraq Update,” Press Release, 1/31/06)

Over 750 Residents From Ramadi Have Signed Up This Month For The Iraqi Police Force. (Michael Phillips, “At Perilous Outpost, U.S., Iraqi Troops Work Toward Trust,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/24/06)

Defense Department Officials Plan For Fewer U.S. Troops As Iraqis Take Control Of Their Own Security. “Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has announced plans to cut the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to about 130,000, down from about 160,000 for last month’s elections. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said he’s optimistic that security in Iraq will continue to improve and more U.S. forces could leave.” (Matt Kelley, “U.S. Tally Of Wounded Drops 26%,” USA Today, 1/16/06)