Heroes helping heroes

[BigBadBrian]

Heroes helping heroes
Oliver North


December 31, 2004


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A few weeks before Christmas, I had the opportunity to once again visit some of America's finest young men and women who were wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. These young warriors were recuperating in two of the finest medical institutions in the country -- the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It is not the infrastructure, the architectural design or the budget that places these among the best. Like any first-rate institution, it is the people who make them great.

They are staffed by soldiers, sailors and Marines. Doctors, nurses and administrators -- both military and civilian -- ensure that the patients get the best medical care and are treated with respect. Understanding the healing power of love, they also care for the visiting family members.

These institutions also attract some of the finest volunteers on the planet.

They need to be, because their patients are the best and bravest of a new generation of Americans putting their lives on the line for the right to remain free. At this time of year, when we count our blessings, it is appropriate to pay tribute to the men and women -- from the corpsman on the battlefield to the doctor in the operating room -- who keep our troops alive and nurse them back to health.

Marine Capt. Brad Adams was riding in a Humvee near Fallujah in October when a boy riding a bike approached the vehicle. Hidden in the bike's basket was a bomb. It detonated and littered Adams' body with shrapnel. Adams has now undergone nine surgeries and has been recuperating for a month at the National Naval Medical Center. "The level of treatment we're getting here is outstanding," he said.

That sentiment is echoed by Cpl. Nicolas Roberts, who was badly injured from a gunshot wound in Ramadi. So far, he has undergone seven surgeries. Of his stay at Bethesda, he says, "I'm getting great care here -- this is the best hospital in the world."

The site for the National Naval Medical Center was chosen on July 5, 1938, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said the spring-fed pond on the land reminded him of the healing pool of Bethesda in John's Gospel. Today, the facility is commanded by Rear Adm. Adam Robinson Jr. and is known as "The President's Hospital," because sitting presidents receive their medical care there. In the past year, 1,200 wounded troops from both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have passed through Bethesda's wards for quality care.

Thanks to the advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, fully 90 percent of the troops who are wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan survive hits from gunfire or explosives that would have killed soldiers in previous conflicts. The nature of the enemy's explosives, however, is causing some troops to undergo amputations of an arm or a leg. Most of them are sent to Walter Reed to be fitted with prostheses and to rehabilitate.

Walter Reed has been caring for America's wounded heroes since World War I. It is named in honor of Maj. Walter Reed, who conducted groundbreaking research on yellow fever. His discoveries enabled workers to survive in the tropical climate and complete work on the Panama Canal.

Not only do the wounded go to Walter Reed, but the hospital has sent more than 200 of its personnel into the field in Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, the medical staff at Walter Reed is perfecting the ability of amputees to return to active duty service.

That standard of commitment was set by Navy diver Carl Brashear, who while serving on the USS Hoist (ARS-40) in 1966, was injured so severely that his left leg had to be amputated. Brashear refused to give in to demands for his retirement, was fitted with a prosthesis and went on to make history, continue diving and eventually retire with the prestigious titles of master diver and master chief.

Thanks in large measure to the medical professionals at Walter Reed, such stories are becoming the norm, not the exception.

Col. Jonathan Jaffin, commander of the Walter Reed Health Care System, said of the soldiers, "We view these patients as world-class athletes, (and) our goal is to restore them to world-class status."

Major advancements in the field of prosthetics are being made at Walter Reed. "We are receiving some of the first systems available in the world," says Joseph Miller, Walter Reed's chief prosthetist. One of those is the C-Leg system, which houses a computer system in the knee that responds to movement and can make adjustments up to 50 times a second.

Millions of dollars are being invested to update and expand Walter Reed's Amputee Center to continue to improve the way these soldiers are taught to walk, climb stairs or ride a bike with their new leg.

We Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to our troops who are fighting to protect us. We also owe a great deal of thanks to the military personnel, medical professionals, doctors, nurses, administrators and volunteers who are caring for our wounded heroes in these two facilities, and all the medical and rehab facilities our wounded heroes visit along their way.

[Nickdfresh]

I respect North's dedication and attention payed to the troops, but he's still a big cunt overall.

Did he visit his old friend and role model in Prison over the holidays?

http://www.newprophecy.net/Manuel_Noriega_captured.jpg

[FORD]

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~ddgarcia/gifs/CreamOfSpam.jpg

[DEMON CUNT]

BigBlandBrian is so incredibly ignorant. How does he even feed himself, let alone copy paste a bullshit article into the Army? Does his mommy read these things to him before bedtime?

Support the troops! BRING THEM HOME!

OPERATION ENDURING BULLSHIT!

North is a criminal and a liar!

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT
BigBlandBrian is so incredibly ignorant. How does he even feed himself, let alone copy paste a bullshit article into the Army? Does his mommy read these things to him before bedtime?

Support the troops! BRING THEM HOME!

OPERATION ENDURING BULLSHIT!

North is a criminal and a liar!

I knew your ADHD wouldn't allow you to read the entire article. ;)

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT


OPERATION ENDURING BULLSHIT!



I like that one!

[blueturk]

You mean Ollie's only 61 and they haven't asked to help fight in Iraq yet?

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by blueturk
You mean Ollie's only 61 and they haven't asked to help fight in Iraq yet?

Ollie did his fighting. What about you? Hmm? Where are your balls, wuss?

[blueturk]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Ollie did his fighting. What about you? Hmm? Where are your balls, wuss?

North did do his fighting and did a damn good job.Let me explain this post to you:
My use of the mug shot indicates that I think Ollie is a crook (not a coward).
The "only 61" remark is in reference to the age of some of the people being asked to serve again due to the shoddy planning of the Iraq War,which brings us to the subject of my balls.
I have no problem with fighting for something I believe in,but I don't believe in this fucking war,and neither does roughly half of the country.
I'm not dissing the troops who fight the war,I'm dissing the architects of this war,and the motives behind it.
If we were attacked (and please don't try the Hussein-Bin Laden thing),hell yes I'd fight.As a matter of fact there are a lot of things I'll fight over,but Dubya's ego isn't one of them.

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by blueturk
North did do his fighting and did a damn good job.Let me explain this post to you:
My use of the mug shot indicates that I think Ollie is a crook (not a coward).
The "only 61" remark is in reference to the age of some of the people being asked to serve again due to the shoddy planning of the Iraq War,which brings us to the subject of my balls.
I have no problem with fighting for something I believe in,but I don't believe in this fucking war,and neither does roughly half of the country.
I'm not dissing the troops who fight the war,I'm dissing the architects of this war,and the motives behind it.
If we were attacked (and please don't try the Hussein-Bin Laden thing),hell yes I'd fight.As a matter of fact there are a lot of things I'll fight over,but Dubya's ego isn't one of them.

So what would you have us do, cut and run? Hmm?

[blueturk]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
So what would you have us do, cut and run? Hmm?

What kind of stupid shit is that? Don't try to put words in my mouth.You know as well as I do that getting out is not even an option now,for many reasons.For better or worse,we're in this for a long fucking time.
Even if pulling out were somehow possible,it would never happen.That would involve Bush admitting that he made a mistake,and Dubya doesn't do that.

[Nickdfresh]

How about negotiating with the Iraqi resisstance SOONER so less U.S. troops "die in the biggest nothing in history?"

[DEMON CUNT]

BigBlandBrian sucks forth from the cock of Satan!

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by DEMON CUNT
BigBlandBrian sucks forth from the cock of Satan!

Your game is up. :rolleyes:

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Your game is up.

Is it? How's that?

[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
I knew your ADHD wouldn't allow you to read the entire article.

And I knew that your inability to analyze information would allow you to do nothing other than cut and paste. Poor, poor conservative dummy.

[blueturk]

Originally posted by blueturk
You mean Ollie's only 61 and they haven't asked to help fight in Iraq yet?

I meant "haven't asked HIM to fight in Iraq yet". I hate to say it, but I can see where my typo might have inspired BBB to question the location of my balls.
Of course,that doesn't mean that I'm not right.

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
How about negotiating with the Iraqi resisstance SOONER so less U.S. troops "die in the biggest nothing in history?"

Nick, I think you know me well enough by now to know I post two types of statements: serious ones and ones just to piss others off for a reaction. Some can't distinguish between the two and I usually plan it that way. It's more fun to watch the fireworks that way. I'm going to give you a heads up here and tell you my following is a serious statement.

The above statement is one of the most ridiculous statements you have ever made. I don't mean that as an insult, just a fact. I have respect for you and your viewpoints, but that statement is just backward-thinking.

Who in the sam hell do we "negotiate" with? Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? Osama bin Laden? Who in the heck is the "Iraqi Resistance?" Is it one group or several? Are they coordinated with each other or are they "lone guns" out to grab whatever they can get?

What happens, say, if we take the largest resistance group, and the others don't like it? They are going to keep on fighting. Damn right they are. I don't think al-Qaeda is going to like a negotion process too much. Agree or not, Saddam harbored terrorists before the war, including al-Qaeda members. Whether you agree with that or not, they are there in force right now and wouldn't take too kindly to an armistice with US forces.

The entire goal of the elections is to give Iraq back to the Iraqis. I think MOST Iraqis realize that. They are a proud people and want this more than anything. Lets hope this happens as soon as possible so the guys and girls can eventually start coming home.

And then you have idiots in the UN like that Kofi Annan. Wanting to delay the elections. Fuck that. It's time to get the show on the road. It's vital to show the Iraqi people one way or the other that we never mean to camp out in their country like some morons have suggested.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Nick, I think you know me well enough by now to know I post two types of statements: serious ones and ones just to piss others off for a reaction. Some can't distinguish between the two and I usually plan it that way. It's more fun to watch the fireworks that way. I'm going to give you a heads up here and tell you my following is a serious statement.



I'll get back to you on that one and justify my thoughts. Too much shit going on today.

[ODShowtime]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
[i] And then you have idiots in the UN like that Kofi Annan. Wanting to delay the elections. Fuck that. It's time to get the show on the road. It's vital to show the Iraqi people one way or the other that we never mean to camp out in their country like some morons have suggested.

I have to agree with you on this BBB. Everything else aside, I see no point to delaying elections. If mounting violence is the reason for the delay, then delaying the elections only further validates the insurgents.

This election will most likely be marred by bloodshed. But those poor bastards can't even go out got a falafel without experiencing bloodshed, so fuck it.

[DEMON CUNT]

You cannot have elections if the polling places are being bombed.

If the soldiers are having problems defending themselves, how will they be able to defend the polling places?

Scheduling fake elections in a country that is filled with chaos is just another bad decision by a bad president and his chronies.

[ODShowtime]

In this situation, which is totally the making of gw&friends, I think fake elections are a good start. If even 1/4 of the people can be tricked into believing they have some sort of sovereignty, we are making progress.

It worked here.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by ODShowtime
In this situation, which is totally the making of gw&friends, I think fake elections are a good start. If even 1/4 of the people can be tricked into believing they have some sort of sovereignty, we are making progress.

It worked here.

The country will come apart soon. The Shiites will be the only ones to have a real election.

[DEMON CUNT]

As we speak, insurgents are building the very bombs they will use to blow up the polling places. It's going to be a blood bath and the Iraqis know it.

[ODShowtime]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
The country will come apart soon. The Shiites will be the only ones to have a real election.


well, if all the Sunnis boycott the election, it's not an election anymore.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Nick, I think you know me well enough by now to know I post two types of statements: serious ones and ones just to piss others off for a reaction. Some can't distinguish between the two and I usually plan it that way. It's more fun to watch the fireworks that way. I'm going to give you a heads up here and tell you my following is a serious statement.

The above statement is one of the most ridiculous statements you have ever made. I don't mean that as an insult, just a fact. I have respect for you and your viewpoints, but that statement is just backward-thinking.

We are in what is effectively termed a guerilla stalemate. Iraqi insurgents have access to enough ammo to wage a low-tech hit and run/terrorist campaign against us for a decade. I certainly don't have that answers or a lot of specifics, but my opinion has been carefully thought out and is based in part on a series of Time Magazine articles on the Iraqi resistance.

Their attitudes have changes as have ours. Many, former Baathists and military officers now feel it is only a matter of time before the U.S. withdraws. They were in the process of considering what kind of political arrangement they would seek to negotiate after our withdrawl. I think that fundamental attitude cannot be ignored.


Who in the sam hell do we "negotiate" with? Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? Osama bin Laden? Who in the heck is the "Iraqi Resistance?" Is it one group or several? Are they coordinated with each other or are they "lone guns" out to grab whatever they can get?

What happens, say, if we take the largest resistance group, and the others don't like it? They are going to keep on fighting. Damn right they are. I don't think al-Qaeda is going to like a negotion process too much. Agree or not, Saddam harbored terrorists before the war, including al-Qaeda members. Whether you agree with that or not, they are there in force right now and wouldn't take too kindly to an armistice with US forces.
[b]

Again, you need to know who we are dealing with. From what I have gathered, there is no absolute consensus among the groups since they are organized in a loose umbrella to avoid penetration by the US and our Iraqi allies.

But two facts are clear:

1.) Few fighters in Iraq a foreign, al-Zarqawi controls only a small number of people and his presence may be barely tolerable by other guerillas because of his attacks that have killed innocent bystanders.

2.) Al-Qaida has had little involvement in Iraq EVER. The Islamic fundamentalists were considered enemies by the Pan-Arab Nationalist/socialist Baath party(ies as in Syria also).

I think a government that government that comprised of a loose Federal arrangement between the Shiites, Kurds, and Sunnis may be the only alternative to civil war.


[b]
The entire goal of the elections is to give Iraq back to the Iraqis. I think MOST Iraqis realize that. They are a proud people and want this more than anything. Lets hope this happens as soon as possible so the guys and girls can eventually start coming home.

Maybe, but the problem is that the Shiites are more enthusiastic than the rest because they have a majority. But it seems increasingly that the security forces are completely infiltrated at every level with either Iraqi insurgents of those sympathetic to them.



And then you have idiots in the UN like that Kofi Annan. Wanting to delay the elections. Fuck that. It's time to get the show on the road. It's vital to show the Iraqi people one way or the other that we never mean to camp out in their country like some morons have suggested.

Maybe, but if we maintain a large scale presence, they may think that no matter what. One of the problems with Allawi is that the insurgents and many Iraqis see any government connected to the U.S. in anyway as illegitimate collaborators. I think in some form you are going to see a power sharing arrangement similar to that of El Salvador or Angola. It can take years, or it may happen by the end of this year. But the thing is that we are just there temporarily while the Iraqis will always be there.

[Seshmeister]

Operation Enduring Oil more like...

[Nickdfresh]

BigBadBump!

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
BigBadBump!

You actually want a reply to that?

Give me awhile...I was at the doctor's office this evening. I'm recovering from pneumonia. At least I think I'm recovering. :(

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
You actually want a reply to that?

Give me awhile...I was at the doctor's office this evening. I'm recovering from pneumonia. At least I think I'm recovering. :(

I did. Good luck with getting over pnemonia. Wear your golashes, coon-skin cap, mittens goddamnit!

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
How about negotiating with the Iraqi resisstance SOONER so less U.S. troops "die in the biggest nothing in history?"


Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Nick, I think you know me well enough by now to know I post two types of statements: serious ones and ones just to piss others off for a reaction. Some can't distinguish between the two and I usually plan it that way. It's more fun to watch the fireworks that way. I'm going to give you a heads up here and tell you my following is a serious statement.

The above statement is one of the most ridiculous statements you have ever made. I don't mean that as an insult, just a fact. I have respect for you and your viewpoints, but that statement is just backward-thinking.

Who in the sam hell do we "negotiate" with? Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? Osama bin Laden? Who in the heck is the "Iraqi Resistance?" Is it one group or several? Are they coordinated with each other or are they "lone guns" out to grab whatever they can get?

What happens, say, if we take the largest resistance group, and the others don't like it? They are going to keep on fighting. Damn right they are. I don't think al-Qaeda is going to like a negotion process too much. Agree or not, Saddam harbored terrorists before the war, including al-Qaeda members. Whether you agree with that or not, they are there in force right now and wouldn't take too kindly to an armistice with US forces.

The entire goal of the elections is to give Iraq back to the Iraqis. I think MOST Iraqis realize that. They are a proud people and want this more than anything. Lets hope this happens as soon as possible so the guys and girls can eventually start coming home.

And then you have idiots in the UN like that Kofi Annan. Wanting to delay the elections. Fuck that. It's time to get the show on the road. It's vital to show the Iraqi people one way or the other that we never mean to camp out in their country like some morons have suggested.

LOL Good call BigBlandBrian!!

Where art thou?

[thome]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
LOL Good call BigBlandBrian!!

Where art thou?

NECRO POSTING WHORE!!

It took you that long to repley to thet?

(Two post that have been attached to thome necro posts.)

Funny how the world doesn't learn the lessons of war and neither does the Fresh Man.:D


Interesting statement.:gulp:


-------------------------------------------------
1.) Few fighters in Iraq a foreign, al-Zarqawi controls only a small number of people and his presence may be barely tolerable by other guerillas because of his attacks that have killed innocent bystanders.

2.) Al-Qaida has had little involvement in Iraq EVER. The Islamic fundamentalists were considered enemies by the Pan-Arab Nationalist/socialist Baath party(ies as in Syria also).

-------------------------------------:matrix: :matrix: :gulp:

Edit:Nick may have never attached WHORE in describing me.

I added that for some flavor.:eek:

[Nickdfresh]

And because you're obviously pretty illiterate and have no idea what you are talking about and my point, much like this entire forum, is way over your partisan blog simpleton douchebaggery.

Isn't it sister fucking time?

[Keef]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Nick, I think you know me well enough by now to know I post two types of statements: serious ones and ones just to piss others off for a reaction. Some can't distinguish between the two and I usually plan it that way. It's more fun to watch the fireworks that way. I'm going to give you a heads up here and tell you my following is a serious statement.

The above statement is one of the most ridiculous statements you have ever made. I don't mean that as an insult, just a fact. I have respect for you and your viewpoints, but that statement is just backward-thinking.

Who in the sam hell do we "negotiate" with? Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? Osama bin Laden? Who in the heck is the "Iraqi Resistance?" Is it one group or several? Are they coordinated with each other or are they "lone guns" out to grab whatever they can get?

What happens, say, if we take the largest resistance group, and the others don't like it? They are going to keep on fighting. Damn right they are. I don't think al-Qaeda is going to like a negotion process too much. Agree or not, Saddam harbored terrorists before the war, including al-Qaeda members. Whether you agree with that or not, they are there in force right now and wouldn't take too kindly to an armistice with US forces.

The entire goal of the elections is to give Iraq back to the Iraqis. I think MOST Iraqis realize that. They are a proud people and want this more than anything. Lets hope this happens as soon as possible so the guys and girls can eventually start coming home.

And then you have idiots in the UN like that Kofi Annan. Wanting to delay the elections. Fuck that. It's time to get the show on the road. It's vital to show the Iraqi people one way or the other that we never mean to camp out in their country like some morons have suggested.

You are a parrot and overwhelmed with hatred for a people you are told to hate.

Also with full flavored arrogance. But you can't, won't, or care to understand that.

[hideyoursheep]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
LOL Good call BigBlandBrian!!

Where art thou?


Nick?

You gotta be bored if you're looking to mindwrestle
with this fuckin' guy!

:lol:

[Nickdfresh]

I'm not, but he's been gone since early summer. So he's a foil that quit.

I'm surprised more of the cons haven't come back with the "we're winning in Iraq" mantra....

[hideyoursheep]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
I'm surprised more of the cons haven't come back with the "we're winning in Iraq" mantra....


This is what I think about the whole "we" factor..


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