I got this in an email today. I thought I would pass it on.


This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood,Texas.

The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad.

Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country; he melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen warriors. Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.

To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.

Do you know why we don't hear about this in the news? Because it is heart warming and praise worthy. The media avoids it because it does not have the shock effect that controversy does. But we can do something about it. We can pass this along to as many people as we can in honor of all our brave military who is making a difference. Thank you!!

cigarbidwidow

Thanks so much for sharing... it's awesome... now I better wipe the tears from my eyes and go to work...

Mike

...the reason we don't hear about stories such as this on the news is because they simply don't happen. This story is false, the entire little tearjerking episode is something that someone made up. Now I'll let you in on the rest of the story.....

Kalat Alussy did in fact make the statue. He did it for the sum of $8000 USD. The statue was designed by a fellow by the name of SGM Fuss to commemorate fallen soldiers in his unit.

Mr. Alussy was never forced to make statues under Saddam's regime. He was paid for them and did it for the money. I'll quote him..."I made the statues of Saddam — even though I didn't want to — because I needed money for my family and to finish my education," he says, reclining in a room decorated with several of his paintings. "And I decided to make statues for the Americans for the exact same reasons."

Mr. Alussy further has stated in interviews that he disagrees with the American invasion of Iraq, and is angry at the loss of his Uncle in a rocket attack. He says the war has taken away his livelihood, and he doesn't support the US presence. He does need the money though. I'll quote him again...."he says he thinks the war was fought for oil and holds the U.S. responsible for the violence and unemployment that have plagued Iraq since."

The statue was made out of two melted down statues that the US Army melted themselves for the bronze.

Don't get me wrong....I really like the statue. I've knelt in front of a number of boots, rifle, helmet, and ID tag memorials in my day, and I can still feel the loss of every one of my comrades like it was yesterday. I don't agree with the MADE UP stories that us Americans feel we need to post on chain emails to support the war.

The statue was designed and paid for by Americans, and was created by an Iraqi that doesn't like us, but needed the money. Another fine example of our tax dollars buying the false love and attention of others.

I wish this war would end. Too many good men and women have died for absolutely NO GOOD REASON at all, and we are NOT being thanked for it.

as I've said before.......Question Everything!

OK... you are correct...question everything...I question adroomis patriotism...

No matter what is posted positive on these boards you attempt to discredit it. Take a hike...

...don't ever discredit my patriotism until you've given the better part of your life, body, and soul to your country as freely and willingly as I have! I've done my time, my sacrifices include a permanant disability, and more importantly just about all that I ever saw as good, and I still am proud of my country. I'm proud enough to have the courage to stand up for what I believe in and support those that need it instead of living in the dreamworld as most of you "false" patriots do with your blinders on your eyes 24 hours a day.

Don't make up stories of the rest of the world bowing down to America and su*king us off for the pleasure of having a Yankee d*ck in their mouths. Why can't you get it into your head.....THEY DO NOT WANT US THERE!"

What is patriotism? Following a path that some Government flunkie thinks he can set for me?

Keep kissing your senators butt, just don't cry when the wall comes tumbling down. The war is wrong, the people there don't like us, and the only GOOD photos or stories we see are either photoshopped fakes, or made up fables

....but I don't pretend to believe them, so I'm not a patriot right? I've buried more soldiers under my command in ten years than you've smoked cigars this month....don't ever question my love of country, out of respect of those that fell giving all they had while under my watch and never questioned my love of country while under and beside me.

The war is killing innocent civilians, and it's killing my brothers and sisters. 5 years from now nothing will be gained but some more cash in the corporate wallets that are financing it. For this reason I despise what we are doing.

Keep making up stories and doctoring photos......I'll keep pushing the VA to pay for my healthcare......a losing battle I'll add.

Bla, bla, bla... you are full of yourself...like I said take a hike...

....what's the matter? Does it all start to make sense when you open your head and THINK for once, instead of letting others think for you? Is that too much to handle? Nothing better to say than "take a hike?"

I remember the scene in that Tom Cruise movie when all those "patriots" kicked Tom's ass for protesting the war. Are you that type of a guy? Are you such a patriot that you'd harm someone who disagrees with you and your war?

I don't know who's more dangerous to Americans......radical muslim extremists, or radical patriots. It's getting closer every day to equality.

I've never seen anyone bring up their military injuries as much as you do. REAL heros dont do that... that's also what bothers me... take a hike...

A beautiful tribute.... We have the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial here in Sacto with 5800 plus names. These things can really move you when you have an emotional connection.

http://grunt.space.swri.edu/calmem.htm 

John

I, as adroomi, to have given for my country and carry a disability for it, but it would seem that that is all we have in common. He may well consider himself a patriot but he and I are very different types of patriots. I'm not going to ramble on about how he feels, but because he is an American, he has that right to bash our leaders and to say things that would most certainly have him killed in countrys that our brave men & women are fighting in.
I just dont understand how you could be so upset at our wonderful country and not leave it. Maybe that would be option for you. You could go to the Middle East and stand beside your foreign friends, the ones that hate us, that you seem so concerned about.
I would like to thank cigarbidwidow for this picture. If you have more of theses types, please keep them coming. Believe me, more of us enjoy them than not.

WOW---this sure has gotten heated.

I almost wrote a note first that said I didn't know if it was true or not. I was hoping it was, but I really wasn't sure. It is just nice to be able to think that something good could happen in this mess we call a war.

I know I will get lambasted for this but oh well. I don't care. Have at me if you want.

Adroomi, I am also against the war. I believe it is for the oil and it infuriates me that so many people have died---and for what, so we can have cheaper gas. Well, we see how well that worked. They announced today to expect 25 cent increases in the next few days. Actually I beleive someone else's theory that it was so Bush could get his cronies more money for their oil. I really don't know what the REAL reasons are and I don't think anyone knows. I doubt even Bush himself has any clue.

I have never fought for my country. I cannot say I walked in your shoes. I am grateful that I have not had to and that others have stepped up to fight and have died to protect me and my freedom. The problem I see is that we really aren't there to protect our freedom. The farce of weapons of mass destruction is unbelievable. I saw another statistic that the death count is over 1,500 now. When will it end? I can't see there being a resolution. You are right about the 5 years. I don't think any thing will be gained. But a lot sure is lost. I am proud to be American but there are times when I am ashamed. Like now, the people there don't want us there. They prove that every day. How many more people have to die?

We were at a cigar show this weekend and a man/boy came up to the booth in a sweatshirt that said sometihng like I survived Iraqi Freedom. I commented on it and he said that he was at Desert Storm, Iraq and Kawait (I think he mentioned another also). He has fought and he has come back. He now is out of the service. When he walked away, all I could think was how lucky he was that he made it back---alive. And that he knew to get out before the russian roullete wheel picked him.

Rickamaven... on another post you wrote "every so often someone who might otherwise be silent because he is shy or afraid to say anything lest his opinion be met with the nasty, snide, and vulger responses i elicit with my over the top posts." See you did get someone to open up. I am sure I will get the same wrath as you have gotten. But hey, I figured you needed some company. :*)

Wow, RPG's all over the board! Cool down guys and gals, we all have a different view of the Iraq "Invasion", yes, I wish we were not there! Do I think we should be there? Hell yes! But, we should turn that country over to the Iraqiis as soon as possible!

Charlie

TrannyMk, I don't always agree with adroomi, and I think you and I lean toward the same end of the political spectrum, but please don't EVER question the patriotism of one who's "been there, done that". Even if you may disagree with them, their opinions are honestly come by, and paid for by putting their butts on the line. Freedom of Speech is free for all, but freedom isn't free, and guys like 'droomi and Hog have paid the price, and guys like MACS, Tarheel, GunnerLHD, and HarleyRed, and myself still are. Thanks for letting me vent.

adroomi,

I'm very sorry about questioning your patriotism. That wasnt the right thing to do. I was wrong.

But I do believe you need to take a step back and look at how you have been politicizing the efforts of folks that follow orders and dont create policy.

To CWFoster and any other current or past military men and women.

I sincerely apoligize to you if my statements to adroomi offended you. It was not my intent. But, there is a pattern which I believe is very apparent here.

Yes, adroomi has honorably served his country. But has over and over again belittled the hard work of the current military. He has accused our current GI's of staging photo opps and using their positions to advance GWB's political agenda. As if they are trying to mislead us.

He is no longer in the military. How does he know this is true? He doesnt have access to any more info than the rest of us civilians.

He deserves respect from others for his service to this country, without a doubt. But, he should give the same respect and benefit of the doubt to our current inlisted men and women doing their jobs, and risking their lives in an attempt to spread democracy in the middle east. That's all I have to say on this matter.

Once again, I'm sorry....

Widow,
I certainly appreciate your openess on this. I do like the statue and I really do understand it's message and meaning. As most vets will tell you, we've all at one time or another kneeled in front of a pair of boots or something similar. A scene such as this plays constantly in memory.

The reason I picked at the photo so much was simply to make correct it's origin. I'm glad that the statue was made, but I just wanted to ensure that folks knew that it was American soldiers that designed, and paid for this to be made....out of their hearts. It was not made by some grateful, former slave who loves us and thanks us. The email chain that follows that photo trys to portray the Iraqi people as an American loving, thankful, society that bow down to us and feel they owe us many debts of gratitude. This gives the people that read this chain a sense of "that's why we are still over there," instead of realizing what the real scenario is.

I worry about the men and women that are over there fighting today. I worry about the one's that will die this week. I worry about the Iraqi citizens that are innocent, but yet will suffer or have suffered. I worry about a lot of people, and I don't ever want to paint (or have painted for me) a false sense of security, hope, or reason for this war.

Somebody above told me I should leave the country if I don't feel I care about it. That is such a misguided statement, and so tinging on the edge of McCarthyism it's scary.......America, love it or leave it. I do love America, and I do love American people. So much that instead of following blindly and jumping on the bandwagon of patriotism in support of this war, I put my name (and even my life) on the line when I speak out against it.

When this war is over, and the yellow ribbons have come down, and the patriots have all gone back to whatever it is that keeps them occupied between "fads" of being patriotic (ie, supporting cops and firemen just after 9/11, supporting the troops, but only during the war), I'll still be here supporting my country and it's people, and doing my best to speak out against the wrongs that I see.

To Hell with giving these people democracy and freedom or whatever it is we claim to be doing..........

Bring our soldiers home.

Tranny,
I hear you, but I don't think you ever need to apologize. Speaking your mind is never something to be apologetic about.

Listening to others and attempting to see both sides of the story is a far more difficult feat.

Please don't feel that I ever intend to belittle or degrade the efforts of our military. Read my posts again, and you'll see that I do not, and will not ever talk poorly of a soldier (airmen, sailer, etc). I believe I made a comment the other day on a thread about the only good I can do these days is to buy a beer for a short-haired guy that I might see in an airport.

I support our troops more than most could imagine. They are still my family as far as I am concerned.

I do have access to the military regardless that I am away now. When you spend that long in it, and you make friends and colleagues across the board, you never actually leave, especially since the internet and email have opened up the world. I've had four good friends killed this year in this war, and all four of them I've known for over 15 years. I found out via emails from mutual friends. I'm still around the folks even if not in uniform.

You never leave the military, you just hang up your uniform......or like Hog, you burn it. Personally I tied my boots together by the laces, painted FTA on them (f*ck the Army), and threw them to hang over the telephone cables in front of the 1st Special Forces Commanders office at Ft. Lewis. How's that for professionalism (lol).

I don't like this war, I don't like the hatred for Islamic people that our government has instilled in us, and I don't like Kimchi. That's about it for now.

Once again.........Hows the veiw from up there adroomi?
John L

Jdllizard

i suspect a lot clearer.

Doh! That hurt.....good comeback Rick, thanks for getting my back.

Actually the view is pretty good when both eyes are wide open. Even better with the brain switched on.

Come on up lizard, the weather's fine.......

As so many others I have an opinion. I know to some it may not be to their liking. But to adroomi and everyone else in uniform or have wore one in the past THANK YOU. And to everyone else who expresses their opinion on here THANK YOU for using the constitutional rights given to you by Men and Women who have given everything for you to do so. I believe the foundation of our government is to allow us to think what we want and when we want. So I may not agree with adroomi (and for the most part I do), I think he and any other person should be able to do so without anyone questioning their love for this country. I do not like this war but as a sailor I follow orders and leave my family for months at a time. Yes I signed up for it and not for the paycheck that is for sure but for the love of what I'm doing. I'm currently getting ready for my third deployment to the Gulf in the past two years. But the first time I got to know outstanding guardians of our freedom who came back in a silver coffin. I grieve for them and pray for the ones we are deploying this time around. I know it may be wrong but when I see that the Iraqi police and military are getting killed I'm kind of happy to see they are taking the toll for their country and that means it was not one of our guys or gals. This country has been tore apart by one war lets not let this one throw us back to that again. So Tranny , Haulnoil and adroomi Thank you may we all sit and laugh at this one off over a cigar and a few drinks some time. God bless and may we over come this dark cloud war that looms over us.