The Newsletter of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines Association

President’s message

2006–2008 2/4 Association Officers

Not a member?

Help is NOT on the way

2/4 Association name badges

A message from Ila Bench

2007 reunion

Make your reservation for the reunion!

Schedule of events for the 2007 reunion

Information on Charleston airport and other airport options

2/4 Association PX Merchandise

Have the mainstream media ignored our heroes?

America!

No TV time for heroism and victories

Photos from the 2006 reunion

President’s message

Well, this is the first newsletter after the reunion and I have to say to everyone involved once again; “Good job.” There were so many stars at the banquet it was a very dark sky that night.

I would like to thank everyone for electing me to another term as your president. Many things are planned for the years ahead and I am grateful that I will be a part of them.

I would like to speak to you briefly about a proposal that came up at the general meeting. Bill Weise showed us pencil drawings of the 2/4 Association monument for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. It is really a tribute to us and to all Marines, and I think that we should get behind the effort to raise the funds to have it built. As you know, we have already pledged $10,000 to this project. I will ask our new treasurer to work with our webmaster to put together a special account for members to send donations. 

We all continue to receive requests from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for contributions for the National Muesum of the Marine Corps. Here would be a way to contribute to both the museum and our own history. I don’t expect you to contribute thousands to the fund, but every contribution will help.

Jim Livingston has next year’s reunion ready to go and you will find information on that in this newsletter. Col Wes Hammond has expressed a desire to host our reunion in 2008 in San Francisco, and I have asked him to go forward with this.

I would like to thank all the officers of the association, both those who have left and those who have taken up the call.

I hope to see you all again in South Carolina. Remember to register early to get a room at the host hotel.

Semper Fi and God bless,

Jack 

President: Jack Petrowsky, P.O. Box 7214, Las Cruces, NM 88006-7214. Phone: 505 382-0759. E-mail: jackny@webtv.net. 

Vice President: Yahya A. A. Kariem, 7717 Reed Street, Jacksonville, FL 32208. Phone: 904 764-2241. E-mail: ykariem50@aol.com. 

Secretary: Philip Skaggs, 9005 West 133d Avenue, Cedar Lake, IN 46303. E-mail: skaggs99@sbcglobal.net. 

Treasurer: Jim Swann, 1603 Parkridge Circle #302, Crofton, MD 21114. Phone: 301 577-5346. E-mail: smithandjones1@aol.com.

Executive Board   Jim Mazy, 6122 Shasta Street, Englewood, FL 34224-8161. Phone: 941 474-9431. E-mail: Marine-2-4@comcast.net.

Elected Directors:

Jim Sullivan, 10609 Hidden Valley, Wichita, KS 67209. Phone: 316 722-6680. E-mail: jimsullivan@plazare.com.

Jim Rogers. 5611 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310-2711. Phone: 703 313-8277. E-mail: jrogers3@doc.gov.

Chaplain: Frank Valdez, 8221 East Birch Tree Lane, Anaheim Hills, CA 92808. Phone: 714 281-2846. E-mail: valcone@hotmail.com.

Historian: Bill Weiss, 6125 Beech Tree Drive, Alexandria, VA 22310.  E-mail: wweise2@aol.com.

Membership: Jim Mazy, 6122 Shasta Street, Englewood, FL 34224-8161. Phone: 941 474-9431. E-mail: Marine-2-4@comcast.net.

Newsletter Editor: Ken Sympson, 303 Willowen Drive, Rochester, NY 14609-3235. Phone: 585 482-0717. E-Mail: kens@www.2ndbn4thmarines.com. Web page: http://home.rochester.rr.com/kensympson/.

PX Sales Manager: Jack Petrowsky, P.O. Box 7214, Las Cruces, NM  88006-7214. Phone: 505 382-0759. E-mail: jackny@webtv.net.

Roster Manager: Jim Mazy, 6122 Shasta Street, Englewood, FL 34224-8161. Phone: 941 474-9431. E-mail: Marine-2-4@comcast.net.

Webmaster: Jim Mazy, 6122 Shasta Street, Englewood, FL 34224-8161. Phone: 941 474-9431. E-mail: headwebguy@www.2ndbn4thmarines.com.

Health & Welfare Officer: TBD.

Sergeant at Arms: TBD.

The 2/4 Association Sea Horse is published quarterly, and is the official newsletter of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines Association, Inc.

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Will this be the last Sea Horse?

Submitted by Ken Sympson

At the 2006 reunion, someone offered to take a look at becoming the next editor of the Sea Horse. Once he took a close look at it, though, he decided that he couldn’t take on the job.

So, this may be the last Sea Horse we see for some time. I’ve made an offer to Jack to try to do the Q4 issue, but after that, I will be forced to hang it up.

Now, we all know that we certainly have one or more members who are qualified the job of editor. The traits needed probably are not all that uncommon in the association: a certain amount of skill with a computer; proficiency with the English language; love for the “Magnificent Bastards”; and a little extra time that can be put to a good use.

If you happen to be one of those with the right qualifications, but you think that someone else is surely going to step forward, think again. We’ve posted this job for some time now, and we’re still looking for volunteers. If you think you can handle it, please get in touch with Jack. We need the newsletter, and we need you to step forward.

On a brighter note, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me over the past five years. The list is too long to include here, but I do want especially to thank Jim Mazy. Jim has been a great help to me for many years now, long before he talked me into volunteering to become editor. Over the years, he’s helped me with personal issues as well as with the Sea Horse. I couldn’t have done it without his encouragement and support. Thanks, Jim, and a hearty “Semper Fi!”

It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as editor for the newsletter of the “Magnificent Bastards.” I hope to see you at some of our future reunions, but in the meantime, let’s keep in touch.

Semper Fi,

Ken

2/4 Association name badges

Submitted by Jack Petrowsky

Many members at the reunion asked about the brass name badges that some of us had. Gene Breeze, who was the original contact for them, has informed me that we can get them made for $9.00 each. If anyone wants one, just contact him. When he gets requests for about 10, he will order them. Here’s Gene’s contact information:

Gene Breeze

119 Lanier Drive

Jacksonville, NC 28546-4106

Phone: 910-455-3010

E-mail: ebreeze@ec.rr.com

Dear 2/4 Friends,

I just would like you to know that I was very sorry I had to cancel the trip to be with you at the reunion. After I made reservations and began making my plans, my sister-in-law’s terminal illness (ALS) seemed to start speeding up, but I had to hope for time for both family and 2/4. In order to avoid a last minute scramble for a plane ticket, I went to Missouri, when death seemed to be within a few days, and stayed nearby with my sister—changing my reserved flight to D.C. to leave from Kansas City instead of from Oregon. On Sunday, the 9th, I decided it was time to cancel the reunion reservations. My brother called early the next morning to say that death came peacefully to Jeannette in her sleep, about 4:00 a.m. The following few days were devoted to family needs, the graveside service, the “celebration of life” memorial gathering, etc.

Only my thoughts were able to be with all of you as you went about the many interesting activities there—seeing the new museum at Quantico and the WWII museum in D.C.; enjoying again the outstanding Sunset Parade at 8th and I; and most specially, just sharing time together at your memorial service, the picnic, and…“whatever”!

The longer I live, the more I realize the fragility of life—and the importance of keeping in touch with the people who have given meaning to our days. You “Magnificent Bastards” and your families were very dear to Gene, and getting to know you has become very special to me, as well! My very best wishes are with all of you always! So, until next year.

Semper Fi,

Ila Bench

Submitted by Jack Petrowsky

The Sheraton Hotel North Charleston-Convention Center, North Charleston, SC, will be the site of the 2/4 Association 2007 Reunion, 11–15 July 2007. The Sheraton Hotel North Charleston is located at 4770 Goer Drive, adjacent to the intersection of Interstate 26 Exit 213 and Montague Avenue. The Sheraton easily can be seen from Interstate 26; it looms as big as an aircraft carrier. The hotel is very close to the Charleston International Airport, and a complimentary airport shuttle is provided.

All reunion activities (lodging, meetings hospitality room and banquet) take place at the Sheraton. The hotel offers a full array of services to include restaurant, indoor/outdoor swimming pool (you can swim from one to the other), exercise facility, whirlpool, etc. There is plenty to see and do in the Charleston area. Activity, entertainment, sports and sightseeing information are readily available in the hotel lobby. Further information on specific activities is being developed to include transportation to and from the activity, where applicable. This information will be provided when it is developed.

The room rate at the Sheraton is $95.00 per night, plus tax (currently 12.5%). This rate will be honored three days before and after the reunion dates, 8 through 18 July 2007. Parking is free. To make reservations, you may call or write directly to the hotel:

Sheraton Hotel North Charleston-Convention Center

4770 Goer Drive

North Charleston, SC 29406

To call for reservations, dial (toll-free) 1-888-747-1900. State that you are with the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines Reunion and that your group code is 24MR (TWO FOUR MR). If you are curious, the MR stands for Marine Regiment. Reservation cutoff date to receive the group rate is 11 June 2007, after which, the special rate or availability will not be guaranteed. Check-in time is 1500; check-out time is 1200. 

Banquet information (menu and cost of $40.00 per person) and banquet reservation are included on the reunion reservation form later in this newsletter. You will note in the schedule of events that there is a pool party/barbeque buffet scheduled for the evening of Friday, 13 July 2007, after we return from Parris Island. Cost of the pool party/barbeque buffet is $40.00 per person. On the reunion reservation form, there is a line to sign up for this pool party.

The Sheraton has provided the reunion with a beautiful and spacious hospitality room with access to the outdoor pool and patio. We can bring in our own snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks but no hard liquor. Hard liquor has to be purchased from the hotel bar that is close to all our activities. The hospitality room refreshments will be available during the pool party on Friday evening, but the hard liquor rule will apply. As noted in the planned schedule of events, the complimentary continental breakfast will be served in the hospitality room 12 through 15 July 2007.  

Reunions, unlike conventions, pose a problem to the hosts in that you are flying blind. You really don’t know how many persons will attend until they show up at the door. Planning the various events is a nightmare. You plan for too many attendees and take a financial bath or plan for too few and endure the wrath of the angry attendees. You may guess right and all turns out well; however your chances are two out of three that you will screw it up. Not good odds at all. In order to move planning events from a “wild guess” to an “educated guess,” those planning to attend are encouraged to fill out the reunion reservation form. Sending a check to cover the cost of your reunion participation with your reservation form will be greatly appreciated. If you must cancel, your money will be returned.

Refer questions concerning the reunion to Bob Mastrion at rmastrion@comcast.net, or call Bob at 843 881-7586.

***

(Editor’s note: Further information on the Sheraton Hotel North Charleston-Convention Center can be found on the web at:

Don't wait until the last minute to make plans to attend the 2007 reunion! The reunion reservation form is on page 11 of the printable Sea Horse (click here), or you can go to the the 2/4 Association web site page (click here). 

Make your check payable to 2d Battalion, 4th Marines Association. Send the registration form and your check to the 2/4 Association Treasurer:

Wednesday, 11 July 2007

1300–1900: Reunion check-in, hotel lobby.

1300–2200: Hospitality room open.

1800–????: Dinner on your own (see notes).

Thursday, 12 July 2007

0700–0900: Complimentary continental breakfast in hospitality room.

0900–1900: Reunion check-in, hotel lobby.

1000–2200: Hospitality room open.

1100–????: Free time (see notes).

1800–????: Dinner on your own.

Friday, 13 July 2007

0600–0800: Complimentary continental breakfast in hospitality room.

0700–1900: Reunion check-in, hotel lobby.

0630: Board Transportation (bus or POV) for Parris Island. Also, see notes.

0900–1500: View recruit graduation. Memorial service. Guided tour of recruit depot; museum; PX visit.

1500: Board transportation for Charleston.

1800–2200: Pool party/buffet/hospitality room.

Saturday, 14 July 2007

0700–0900: Complimentary continental breakfast in hospitality room.

0730–0900: Reunion check-in, hotel lobby.

0900–1200: Business meeting. (If audio-visual support is required, notify Bob Mastrion.)

0900–????: Ladies program.

1200–1800: Free time/hospitality room (see notes).

1800–1900: Cocktail hour (cash bar).

1900-2130: Banquet.

2200–2400: Hospitality room.

Sunday, 15 July 2007

0700–0900: Complimentary continental breakfast in hospitality room.

0900: Farewell

***

Notes: Activities available include: 

The Charleston airport http://www.chs-airport.com/ is small and easy to navigate. When you arrive in Charleston, exit the aircraft and follow the signs to the baggage area. Outside the baggage area door and across the driveway, you will find the Sheraton complimentary shuttle. It runs from 0600 to 2330. If the shuttle is not there, look for the Sheraton kiosk in the baggage area and call 747-1900.

Flying into and out of Charleston airport is very expensive. This is due to its relatively small size that restricts the number of airlines that provide service. If you plan to rent a car, the following airports are within two or three hours driving time of the Sheraton.

2/4 Association PX Merchandise

General Items

Logo patch. 3″. $3.50.

Logo pin. $5.00.

Polo shirts. Large (2X/3X) from the 2005 reunion in San Diego. $20.00.

Books

What a Life, Randy Kington. $25.00.

Images from the Otherland, Kenneth Sympson. $25.00.

A Few Marines, Wes Hammond. $25.00.

Videos

Dai Do Memories. $25.00.

Ordering Instructions:

Please e-mail Jack for sizes and item availability. Add $1.50 shipping and handling for each book of video ordered and $.50 for the pins or patches.

Although the executive board of the association has decided not to resupply the PX at this point, if any member has ideas or contacts or possible PX items, please contact Jack.

Send orders to:

2/4 Association PX

c/o Jack Petrowsky

PO Box 7214

Las Cruces, NM 88006-7214

By Cap Weinberger & Wynton Hall, published June 19, 2006, in Real Clear Politics.

“Why do media refuse to report anything positive about the War on Terrorism?”

“Why haven’t we heard more about the heroic actions of our military serving in Afghanistan and Iraq?” 

“Why is the liberal media so intensely hostile to the efforts of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines?” 

If you’ve thought or asked similar questions since the War on Terrorism began, you’re not alone. Indeed, it sometimes seems some in the mainstream media have followed a single rule when reporting on our military and the War on Terror: all negative, all the time. 

After years of watching and reading coverage of the War on Terror, many citizens, including us, have been awestruck by the lack of balance and objectivity exercised by American reporters and news executives. The dearth of hopeful or heroic stories reported has given viewers a lopsided perspective.

Case in point: the New York Times and their love affair with the Abu Ghraib prison abuses. To date, the New York Times has devoted over 50 front page articles to the story! Currently, not a single individual chronicled in our book, Home of the Brave: Honoring the Unsung Heroes in the War on Terror,—some of the most highly decorated members of the United States military—has received a front-page story devoted to his or her valorous actions. Even when Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the best the New York Times could muster was a story buried on page 13. A nation that ignores or worse attacks its heroes erodes and disparages its own ethos.

Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, has catalogued hundreds of audacious quotes from leading reporters and media executives. Consider the following:

“The reason that the World Trade Center got hit is because there are a lot of people living in abject poverty out there who don’t have any hope for a better life….I think they [the 19 hijackers] were brave at the very least.”—AOL Time Warner Vice Chairman and CNN founder Ted Turner in February 11 remarks at Brown University, as reported by Gerald Carbone in the February 12, 2002, Providence Journal. The next day, Turner issued a statement: “The attacks of Sept. 11 were despicable acts. I in no way meant to convey otherwise.” 

Headline: “Our Soldiers in Iraq Aren’t Heroes.”

“We should not bestow the mantle of heroism on all of them [American men and women in uniform] for simply being where we sent them. Most are victims, not heroes.”—CBS News 60 Minutes commentator, Andy Rooney, writing for The Buffalo News, April 12, 2004. 

“We all know that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter and that Reuters upholds the principle that we do not use the word terrorist....To be frank, it adds little to call the attack on the World Trade Center a terrorist attack.”—Steven Jukes, global head of news for Reuters News Service, in an internal memo cited by the Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz in a September 24, 2001, article. 

“What drives American civilians to risk death in Iraq? In this economy it may be, for some, the only job they can find.”—Dan Rather denigrating the men and women of the Armed Forces by suggesting their decision to serve their nation was a last resort during the CBS Evening News on March 31, 2004, the day four American civilians were killed and mutilated in Fallujah, Iraq.

“The other day, while taking a break by the Al-Hamra Hotel pool…I was accosted by an American magazine journalist of serious accomplishment and impeccable liberal credentials….She came to the point. Not only had she ‘known’ the Iraq war would fail but she considered it essential that it did so because this would ensure that the ‘evil’ George W. Bush would no longer be running her country. Her editors back on the East Coast were giggling, she said, over what a disaster Iraq had turned out to be. ‘Lots of us talk about how awful it would be if this worked out.’“—British journalist Toby Harnden, a reporter for the London Daily Telegraph, in an article published in the May 15, 2004, edition of The Spectator, a British-based weekly, recounting a conversation at a Baghdad hotel.

“Like beauty, freedom is a perception that lies in the eye of the beholder, and we ignore other nations’ versions at our peril. The most dangerous perception of all may be that one’s own side has an exclusive claim to either the truth or patriotism.”—CBS News foreign correspondent, Allen Pizzey, preaching moral relativism on CBS’s Sunday Morning, October 14, 2001.

“I don’t support our troops.”—Joel Stein, Los Angeles Times columnist, January 26, 2006 

“I decided to put on my flag pin tonight—first time.... I put it on to remind myself that not every patriot thinks we should do to the people of Baghdad what bin Laden did to us.”—Bill Moyers on PBS’s Now, February 28, 2003.

As reprehensible as these quotes are, it is important to remember that these are not the banal protestations of the usual gaggle of American detractors like Barbara Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg, or Michael Moore—individuals whose rants are easily swatted away. These are some of our nation’s leading journalistic lights; people whose words ricochet around the globe and often set the terms of debate for world leaders on issues of global concern.

It isn’t that liberal reporters are incapable of singling out the actions of U.S. soldiers and featuring them prominently. They do it all the time. The problem is that their knee-jerk response when covering the U.S. military is to only portray members of our Armed Forces as victims or villains. Thus when we hear the words “Abu Ghraib” and “dog leash,” our minds instantly snap to the now infamous picture of Army Private First Class Lynndie England tethered to an enemy prisoner.

But what about the words “Battle of Tarmiya”? Do you experience a similar connection to a Marine Sergeant Marco Martinez? Try another one: “Burning tank” and “An Najaf”? Does the image of Army Sergeant Javier Camacho leaping on a flaming tank before muscling open a jammed tank turret and rescuing Private First Class Adam Small instantly come to mind? Or what about “the Saddam Canal Bridge” and “lifesaving valor”? Does your mind’s eye immediately paint a picture of Navy Hospitalman 3rd Class Luis E. Fonseca, Jr.? Of course not. 

After all, these men are heroes, and if you believe, as many in the elite media seem to, that concepts like “good” and “evil” are subjective and up for interpretation, then the word “hero” is meaningless. And that’s the problem.

Many in the media find the word “hero” too black and white, too judgmental, too certain of our nation’s purpose and essential goodness. In a world where there is no distinction between good and evil, by definition, heroes cease to exist. That’s why the quote from the head of Reuter’s News Service, one of the largest and most powerful news organizations in the world, is so revealing. It illustrates that reporters of such ilk draw no distinction between the terrorists and our own soldiers. “After all,” they reason, “One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.”

But as Master Sergeant William “Calvin” Markham, put it, “When I hear that kind of thing, honestly, it makes me glad, because it means those individuals have the freedom to think and say what they wish....The media are sometimes a little like how some people are when watching a NASCAR race; they’re waiting for the crash. They’re waiting for the bad thing to happen. But basically I think they’re armchair quarterbacks. They don’t see the bigger picture of what we’re trying to do.”

We agree.

Does America remain vulnerable? Absolutely. Will the War on Terror demand continued sacrifice? Unquestionably. Yet as the brave men and women of the U.S. military march forward to defend freedom and fulfill their duty, so too must we fulfill ours: to pause and offer thanks to those who protect us for their heroism and bravery.

And above all, we must always remember the great and enduring lesson American history teaches: “Ours would not be the land of the free if it were not also the home of the brave.”

* * *

By Ben Stein, published July 25, 2006, in The American Spectator.

(Editor’s note: Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He also writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” in every issue of The American Spectator.)

So, here it is Monday morning and I am out in Rancho Mirage in the heat wave. It’s not really bad at all in my house. I have the curtains lowered and the air conditioning on, and it’s fine. I did have a bit of a problem earlier. My new Cadillac starts without a key. It has something called a “fob” and with that in my pocket I can just press a button and the car starts, jumps hoops, spits out nickels, et cetera.

But somehow I mislaid one of my fobs, so I had to get new ones and that was a bit of pain in this hot weather. Plus, my pool is really too warm to be comfortable. So, that’s another problem.

And then I sat down to eat my grapefruit at the table and opened yesterday’s New York Times Book Review, and reality slapped me in the face the way it does and it should.

On the cover was the beginning of a breathtakingly horrifying review of a book about the pogroms against Polish Jews after World War II, after the defeat of the Third Reich. Jews rounded up by police, by Boy Scouts, and beaten to death with iron bars. Jews thrown off trains. Jews murdered by anyone who cared to, just in case the Jews did not get the point about how welcome they were in Poland. That could well have been my life and my death.

Then, I turned the page, and there was a lengthy, if confusing, review of a book about Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. How it brought back my youth spent listening to “409,” “Be True to Your School,” and the dozens of other great Beach Boys songs. That was my life. Not being bashed to death with an iron bar by a Polish policeman. Not straggling back from a concentration/death camp to be taunted, “So, Stein, you’re still alive,” which meant that I would not be alive for long, of course. No, my younger life was riding around in a V-8 1962 Impala that I talked my Pop into buying for me and having crushes on girls who did not like me.

Why? Because of America. Because, as Philip Roth so brilliantly puts it, I live in America the way I live in my skin.

And who made it possible? The nation that armed and fought the Nazis and the Japanese, that ran into Nazi machine gun fire at Omaha Beach to liberate France, that fought some of the worst fighting in history in the Huertgen Forest, that charged into Japanese Nambu bullets on Okinawa to beat the Emperor, that sent its best and brightest to fight the battles that saved the world from a thousand year reign of darkness.

And who still makes it possible for me to have as my main concern the keyless starters on my car? Or the heat today? Who makes it possible? The guy who faces worse heat than this every day with body armor and no air conditioning and brutal killers laying explosives for him and sniping at him—and her—at every turn. It is impossible to go out in this heat here in Rancho Mirage. But our soldiers and Marines and Seals and Air Force people do it every day while getting shot at.

God bless this glorious American military, every wife, every child, every parent, and endless prayers for them to return home safe, mission accomplished. God bless them every moment of every day for keeping safe this America, inside of which we live as powerfully as we live in our skin. This has to be the central fact of our lives: gratitude for the men and women who make this great life possible, who wear the uniform and cover it with glory.

* * *

By Brent Bozell, published June 14, 2006, in Townhall.

(Editor’s note: Brent Bozell is president of Media Research Center, a Townhall.com partner organization, and author of Weapons of Mass Distortion.)

Our media today seem absolutely allergic to good news, especially when it comes to Iraq.

 In the early morning of June 8, the story broke that American forces had killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, our most infamous terrorist enemy in Iraq. This was terrific news, a time for rejoicing in America. A man who viciously caused the death of thousands, and killed Americans like Nicholas Berg by personally sawing off their heads, would kill no more.

 This should have been a time for national euphoria, and for most, it was. But the media’s hearts clearly weren’t in it. Within just a few minutes of the “Today” show announcement, a viewer could draw the clear sense that the poor-mouthing had begun. Matt Lauer began by noting the “timing” was certainly right for a Pentagon dragged down by allegations of a Marine massacre at Haditha. NBC invited Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) to describe how President Bush has been “basically crippled at home and abroad because of the incompetence of the way his administration has operated at home and abroad.” We’re going to discuss Bush incompetence—minutes after we learn Zarqawi was located and eliminated?

 Tim Russert sealed it as NBC ran a “special report” allowing Bush a stern-faced we-got-him speech laced with warnings that the war effort continues. The special didn’t end until Russert was interviewed to pour some salt on the victory by declaring that “this is very, very good news today, but as we have learned over the last three years things can turn dramatically worse in Iraq within a moment’s notice.”

 It’s at moments like these when millions of Americans want to throw their TVs out the living-room window.  When the news is bad, we get bad news for hours, day, weeks, months on end. When the news is good, within 15 minutes, we have these partisans in the media speculating that things will go bad again “within a moment’s notice.” Well, good news just happened this moment. Can we have a stinking moment? Can we have 15 minutes to feel good about our troops and their achievements?

 NBC expects viewers to endure three obsequious hours of glorious tributes to Katie Couric for successfully handling cooking segments, but we can’t get five minutes of praise for American soldiers risking their lives to keep us all safe from terrorism.

 How can media stars like Russert not understand how partisan they sound at a moment like this? Eliminating Zarqawi was not just a victory for President Bush, but a victory for America, and for Iraq. But Russert proclaimed the White House would talk of a “turning point,” and “that’s what people are hopeful for this morning in the administration.” But wait, doesn’t all of America, not just the occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, want a turning point toward victory in Iraq, for stability and democracy and an end to the terrorist insurgency? Who’s rooting for chaos and a terrorist victory?

  After Mary Mapes and Bush-loathing CBS first broke the Abu Ghraib story, the coverage was endless, with hundreds of stories, for months, focused on American offenders and their offenses. But the brave and talented Special Forces that tracked down Zarqawi in his “safe house” will never be famous. The same media now can’t stand the idea of giving them a piddling fraction of the time they spent on outrageous dog handlers and naked-pyramid-builders, who were the emblematic American soldiers in Iraq, if you believe our partisan national press.

 In the last few weeks, we’ve seen the same ravenous media hunger for the worst news about our troops in the ongoing investigation into a possible Marine killing of civilians in the Iraqi town of Haditha. The story of a Pentagon probe broke in March, but NBC began a feeding frenzy on May 17, when anchor Brian Williams breathlessly declared anti-war Congressman John Murtha was “in the news again, and in a big way, accusing U.S. Marines of killing innocent civilians in cold blood.” Since that day, The Media Research Center’s Rich Noyes found, the networks have aired 99 stories or segments on ABC, CBS, and NBC suggesting U.S. military misconduct—three and a half hours of coverage in three weeks.

 Now put that in perspective. The same three networks have provided—ready for this?—just 52 minutes to the heroic deeds of the 20 members of the U.S. military who have received the highest recognition for bravery in combat since the war on terror began—over almost five years. In fact, 14 of the country’s top 20 medal recipients have gone unmentioned by ABC, CBS, and NBC.

 Honk if you rejoice at the elimination of Zarqawi. And blow up your TV.

* * *

Editor’s note: On the following pages, there is a collection of images from the reunion. I took many of the shots; some came to me by way of Becky Valdez and Steve Wilson. Thanks!

By Don Feder

(Editor’s note: Don Feder is a syndicated  columnist. You can read his biography at:

 http://www.donfeder.com/n_aboutus.ivnu.)

“And now, let us say a few good words for warfare and violence. Those whose mantra is violence-never-solved-anything, are dogma-blinded, historical illiterates who would lead us down the soft path to national suicide. Without warfare and violence, we would have no country. America was born on the battlefield. (George III would never have let us go without a fight.) The Declaration of Independence was noble words penned on paper. It was the sword that gave them a reality. In this instance, the perpetrators of revolutionary violence included John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington—men of learning and ability all... Without warfare and violence in 1939-1945, today, half the world would be singing ‘Deutschland uber Alles,’ while the other half bowed to the honorable emperor of Japan. And without warfare and violence during the Cold War, the world would have been swallowed up by a monstrous ideology responsible for 100 million deaths in the 20th century... [M]en with guns suffered and died to preserve and protect a republic where human rights are enshrined. Today, the choice is warfare and violence or total submission to Islamofascism—the annihilation of the Jewish people, the subjugation of women, dhimmi status for those infidels still alive and a world governed by a barbaric desert ethos.”

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