From: J Brennan (brenrock@optonline.net)
Date: Mon Mar 24 2003 - 06:14:56 PST
A quote from Lt. Col. Tim Collins, a 42-year-old commander of the Royal
Irish battle group.
John
'93 M1038
=====================================
Mar. 23, 2003 -- Maintaining morale among troops facing combat is one of the
greatest responsibilities -- and challenges -- for military field
commanders. A commentary by Ben MacIntyre in the Times of London this
weekend quoted a battlefield speech given by Lt. Col. Tim Collins, a
42-year-old commander of the Royal Irish battle group. Just hours before his
troops went into battle, Col. Collins said this:
"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his Nemesis and that we are
bringing about his rightful destruction. There are many regional commanders
who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of Hell for
Saddam. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this
place. Show them no pity. But those who do not wish to go on that journey,
we will not send. As for the others, I expect you to rock their world.
"We go to liberate, not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their
country. We are entering Iraq to free a people, and the only flag that will
be flown in that ancient land is their own. Don't treat them as refugees,
for they are in their own country.
"I know men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. They live
with the mark of Cain upon them. If someone surrenders to you, then remember
they have that right in international law, and ensure that one day they go
home to their family. The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please. If
there are casualties of war, then remember, when they woke up and got
dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity
in death. Bury them properly, and mark their graves.
"You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest, for your deeds
will follow you down history. Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of
the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood, and the birth of Abraham. Tread
lightly there. You will have to go a long way to find a more decent,
generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by
their hospitality, even though they have nothing... "
And in conclusion, Lt. Col. Collins told his troops:
"There may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign. We
will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no
time for sorrow. Let's leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.
Our business now, is north."
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