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We knew there was a dinner planned with ambassador Bremer and LTG
Sanchez. There were 600 seats available and all the units in the
division were tasked with filling a few tables. Naturally, the 501st MI
battalion got our table. Soldiers were grumbling about having to sit
through another dog-and-pony show, so we had to pick soldiers to
attend.
I chose not to go.
But, about 1500 the G2, LTC Devan, came up to me and with a smile,
asked me to come to dinner with him, to meet him in his office at 1600 and
bring a camera. I didn't really care about getting a picture with Sanchez
or Bremer, but when the division's senior intelligence officer asks you to
go, you go. We were seated in the chow hall, fully decorated for
thanksgiving when aaaaallllll kinds of secret service guys showed up.
That was my first clue, because Bremer's been here before and his personal
security detachment is not that big. Then BG Dempsey got up to speak, and he
welcomed ambassador Bremer and LTG Sanchez. Bremer thanked us all and pulled
out a piece of paper as if to give a speech. He mentioned that the President
had given him this thanksgiving speech to give to the troops. He then paused
and said that the senior man
present should be the one to give it. He then looked at Sanchez, who just
smiled.
Bremer then said that we should probably get someone more senior to read
the speech. Then, from behind the camouflage netting, the President of the
United States came around. The mess hall actually erupted with hollering.
Troops bounded to their feet with shocked smiles and just began cheering
with all their hearts. The building actually shook. It was just unreal. I
was absolutely stunned. Not only for the obvious,
but also because I was only two tables away from the podium. There he
stood, less than thirty feet away from me! The cheering went on and on and
on.
Soldiers were hollering, cheering, and a lot of them were crying. There was
not a dry eye at my table. When he stepped up to the cheering, I could
clearly see tears running down his cheeks. It was the most surreal moment
I've had in years. Not since my wedding and Aaron being born. Here was this
man, our President, came all the way around the world,
spending 17 hours on an airplane and landing in the most dangerous airport
in the world, where a plane was shot out of the sky not six days before.
Just to spend two hours with his troops. Only to get on a plane and spend
another 17 hours flying back. It was a great moment, and I will never forget
it. He delivered his speech, which we all loved, when he looked right at me
and held his eyes on me. Then he stepped down and was just mobbed by the
soldiers. He slowly worked his way all the way around the chow hall and
shook every last hand extended. Every soldier who
wanted a photo with the President got one. I made my way through the line,
got dinner, then wolfed it down as he was still working the room.
You could tell he was really enjoying himself. It wasn't just a photo
opportunity. This man was actually enjoying himself! He worked his way over
the course of about 90 minutes towards my side of the room. Meanwhile, I
took the opportunity to shake a few hands. I got a picture with Ambassador
Bremer, Talabani (acting Iraqi president) and Achmed
Chalabi (another member of the ruling council) and Condaleeza Rice, who was
there with him.
I felt like I was drunk. He was getting closer to my table so I went back
over to my seat. As he passed and posed for photos, he looked me in the eye
and said, "How you doin', captain." I smiled and said "God bless you, sir."
To which he responded "I'm proud of what you do, captain."
Then moved on.
Ron Scherch
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