CONGRATS AND THANK YOUS

Here is the one I sent. CPT Patti read it to the soldiers at the morning formation.

Hey Patti!

They've been broadcasting the news of Saddam's apparent capture for about the last hour and a half.

And I want to be the first to get to you and the Gators with my congratulations, and thanks from an American citizen.

I know it was the 4th ID who captured him...but you guys have done your part every day for 217 days to set the conditions for this to happen.

You guys have been there day in and day out...refuting the pundits who called all this "another Vietnam type quagmire"...demonstrating the resolve of the United States of America, the resolve of President Bush even as his opponents for the Presidency called your efforts (this war) wrong.

You guys have demonstrated to the Iraqis that we are serious. You have demonstrated to the Iraqis the power of virtue.

You have demonstrated to the Iraqis that folks of varying backgrounds (white, black, asian, latin, you name it) can pull together as part of a great nation - just as the Kurds and the Sunni and the Shia must do.

And forever and ever so long as you exist on this planet each of you can say "Yes...I was there in downtown Baghdad the day that the Butcher of Baghdad was snatched from the freedom that he didn't deserve and began his march toward the fate he forged for himself with every torture and killing and murder."

You guys played your part.

And I'm extremely proud of you...as millions of us Americans are every day.

Love to you all...

Tim