[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LETTER ON THIRD ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
a letter written by the mayor of Tall-at Afar, Ninewa, Iraq, concerning 
the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army. This unit of brave 
soldiers is completing its second deployment to Iraq. As the unit 
prepares to come home, they have recently received this letter from the 
mayor of that city:

       In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful To the 
     Courageous Men and Women of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 
     who have changed the city of Tall-at Afar from a ghost town, 
     in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure 
     city flourishing with life.
       To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of 
     terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the 
     streets for many months. To those who spread smiles on the 
     faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through 
     their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new 
     life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and 
     stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.
       Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al 
     Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of 
     his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses 
     and offices were closed.
       Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our 
     people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death 
     awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and 
     controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery 
     reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of 
     children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in 
     order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the 
     bodies of their young.
       This was the situation of our city until God prepared and 
     delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3rd 
     Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it 
     of Zarqawi's followers after harsh fighting, killing many 
     terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the 
     city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of 
     other 3rd ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani 
     finally destroyed them.
       I have met many soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry 
     Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but 
     avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of 
     terrorism.
       The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, 
     LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, 
     strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike 
     bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a 
     bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a 
     unique military operation, stands among the finest military 
     feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves 
     to be studied in military science. This military operation 
     was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the 
     ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of 
     surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city 
     without causing unnecessary damage.
       God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who 
     dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our 
     hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we 
     will never forget. To the families of those who have given 
     their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence 
     and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not 
     in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls 
     hovering around us every second of every minute. They will 
     never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have 
     sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the 
     smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this 
     land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of 
     their sacrifice for humanity and life.
       Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this 
     brave Regiment, I haven't the words to describe the courage 
     of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant 
     happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their 
     brave families.
       Najim Abdullah Abid Al-Jibouri
       Mayor of Tall-at Afar, Ninewa, Iraq.

  This mayor's gratitude towards the soldiers of the 3rd Armored 
Calvary Regiment speaks volumes of the sacrifice and bravery that all 
of our soldiers are displaying in Iraq. Our service men and women are 
making a difference in Iraq by spreading democracy and fighting the 
terrorists. These soldiers ought to be proud of their efforts--we 
certainly are, and so are the Iraqis.

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