WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2009 - U.S. Marines raised the American flag yesterday during the dedication ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker declared “a new era” for Iraq and the Iraqi-U.S. relationship.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte and almost 1,000 invited guests looked on as the embassy’s Marine security detachment raised the red, white and blue over the largest U.S. Embassy in the world, with the Army’s 4th Infantry Division Band playing the U.S. national anthem.

The compound, set on 104 acres along the banks of the Tigris River in central Baghdad, includes 27 modern office, housing and support buildings in tones that blend with the desert landscape. Officials said the scale of the new complex reflects the importance of the U.S.-Iraqi bilateral relationship.

More than 1,200 U.S. diplomats, servicemembers and government officials and staff from 14 federal agencies will work and live on the compound, embassy officials said. Their tasks and missions run the gamut: supporting local elections, helping to fight corruption, helping develop Iraq’s energy and transportation sectors, strengthening the rule of law, providing security training and promoting educational and cultural exchange. In addition, 240 servicemembers assigned to Multinational Force Iraq are based at the embassy.

Construction of the compound began in 2005 and was completed in 2008 at a cost of $592 million, officials said.

Talabani called the new building a sign of how far the U.S.-Iraqi relationship has come. “This building is not only a compound for the embassy, but a symbol of the deep friendship between the two peoples of Iraq and America,” he said.

Have you ever wondered about the process of how our fallen heroes were transported? I came across this letter from a Fallen Hero Escort written in April 2004. The letter/journal of USMC Lt Col Srtobl and his escort of PFC Chance Phelp’s remains from Dover to Dubois, Wyoming is a very touching story. This was early in the war effort and the story shows that even before the Holly Amendment, assured they are now brought home on charter jets, our Heroes were treated with dignity and respect during their final journy home.

This is his true story and soon to be released film from HBO films, it comes out in February of 2009 and stars Keven Bacon as USMC Lt Col Srtobl

The film is a narrative by a Fallen Hero Escort and although it is about only one specific Fallen Hero, PFC Chance Phelps, it tells a global story that will touch us all.

reed LT Col Srtobl’s letter (long but worth reading) here.

http://www.everythingiknowiswrong.com/2004/04/taking_chance.html

you can view a touching film clip of “Taking Chance” here

http://www.hbo.com/events/takingchance/

Editors Note; The following story is by Kevin McCullough and was published on TownHall on Saturday Dec. 20th. It conveys my thoughts and sentiments quite well, I hope you enjoy it. To the troops serving around the world and to my fellow Gold Star Dad’s and their Families, from mine to yours Merry Christmas.

Don’t let it be misunderstood. Those who serve in our nation’s military espouse values that confuse the left, confound their purpose, and leave them unable to understand, much less resonate with our service men and women. This week I saw why.

Five nights ago I sat at dinner with a United States Marine and an about-to-be winged United States Naval Flight Officer. They have been friends since childhood. The marine served in the South Pacific, Gitmo, and Iraq. The Navy NFO has been learning aircraft, trajectory, and the specific abilities of how to conduct a dog-fight, drop a bomb on a terrorist, and make it back to the carrier safely with a $44 million dollar piece of equipment. The occasion we were all together for on this particular evening was to celebrate the completion of the training for the NFO to take his next step into his days of flying missions into Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever else the U.S. Navy decides he should.

Between his winging and his access to an F-18, however, rests a little appointment on the calendar. Those in military service know it as S.E.R.E.

It stands for Survive, Evade, Resist, and Escape. (continue reading…)