Servicemembers from all over Iraq gathered in the Al Faw Palace rotunda at Camp Victory, Baghdad, to reenlist and celebrate Independence Day in what is the largest reenlistment ceremony in the history of the American military.
Reenlistment Ceremony, Al Faw Palace, Baghdad
Beneath a large American flag which dwarfed even the enormous chandelier that Saddam Hussein had built for the Al Faw Palace, 1,215 members of all military branches - representing all 50 states for a combined 5,500 years of additional service - took the oath administered by General David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq.
Petraeus presided over the ceremony and led the Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers in their oath to defend their country against all enemies both foreign and domestic on this day of celebration of America winning its independence. At least two husband-and-wife couples were among those signing up for another military stint. After taking their oath and before the immense American flag , the troops saluted Petraeus, then sang “God Bless America.”
“You and your comrades here have been described as America’s new greatest generation, and, in my view, you have more than earned that description,” Petraeus said. “It is the greatest of honors to soldier here with you.”
The Al Faw palace, Camp Victory is the headquarters of the U.S. military in Iraq.
Reenlistment Ceremony in Baghdad Photos
photos: www.army.mil/news
Reenlistment Ceremony in Baghdad Video
July 4th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
The fact that they are re-enlisting WHILE they are deployed speaks volumes about the progress being made there.
July 4th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
beth it’s also double the number they had in the reenlistment ceremony last year….so much for a largely demoralized military.
:crickets chirping:
July 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
by the way. i think the world of petraeus. read his quote. he is definately a soldiers; soldier.
July 4th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
i say pull out NOW
the heck with them … i don’t want our troops stationed there another 150 years!!!
i say, no blood for cotton
oh … i am talking about the south … we can stay in iraq
July 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
lisa lol. come get a sparkler.
July 4th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Independence Day Reenlistments in Baghdad…
There was a huge ceremony in Baghdad today in which the American military celebrated Independence Day by reenlisting. Read about it below and see photos and a video.
Independence Day Reenlistments
You know things are better in Baghdad when soldiers wh…
July 4th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I wish Saddam was there to watch this.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:40 am
[...] Pundits covers the huge reenlistment ceremony in [...]
July 5th, 2008 at 8:54 am
[...] America’s new greatest generation, 1,215 servicemembers re-up in Iraq hat tip Right Pundits [...]
August 21st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
May God Almighty bless those who serve in Iraq and Afganistan for the cause of the United States of America
August 26th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
To Whom It May Concern: I feel our President is no better then Sadaam. Yes! we should have reacted to what they did on 9/11. But! Enough is enough. We should pull our troops out now. I have family serving there and, this is crazy having our troops over there this long. I wish we could get someone in office who would take care of us,and not them over there. They have to take care of there own. When will they let them? And, why isn’t our president over there also ? He knows he should be there too.Didn’t Teddy Roosevelt stand on the front line w/ our men? So, why isn’t the president we have today? This has gone on way to long and, gotten to be a situation of heartlessness for our people. Enoree,SC. (Kim)
August 29th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Good for you, Kim — thanks for that input. I’m sure this is a ceremony that goes on all the time in the military on July 4th. Those poor kids. We need to NOT be so war-minded. There have to be better ways. I rarely see Geo W in interviews anymore where he isn’t giggling and enjoying himself in front of the cameras. How many of our soldiers have died over there since 9/11??? He needs to take it a bit more seriously but he’s acting like a high school kid a few weeks before summer break. He doesn’t care anymore.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Kim and Pamela should go over to Iraq and tell the Iraqs’ were sorry we got rid of Sadaam Hussen and brought freedom to their country. They no nothing about freedom, other than what they have here in AMERICA. Freedom isn’t FREE. Why don’t you read a little American History. This country was founded on freedom to say and write what ever we like, freedom to work anywhere and in any occupation, freedomg to travel from one state to another without having to show “your papers”. The brave men and women serving in our military are doing so at their own request. Those who have sacrificed their lives are given a special place in HEAVEN by our Heavenly Father. Those who have lost limbs, eye sight or any other senses, they will receive everthing back when they are Ressurected. God Bless them and God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 12th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
JE Meyers:
Yes we are founded upon freedom - freedom from tyranny. Why don’t you try reading a little bit more than just American history…actually try reading American history? Presently we are starting to show “our papers” as you so ignorantly proclaim. As for our troops “voluntarily” being deployed in Iraq, apparently you never heard of “stop loss”. Our freedoms, as you so casually toss around the words, are slowly dissipating under your moronic leaders. No longer do we have the right to peaceful assembly, no freedom of speech, no freedom of press…you are subscribing to totalitarianism and you aren’t even raising a hand. You are what’s wrong with America. You and all you friends are what is bringing America down. I served in the armed forces and I took an oath to protect America from enemies - both foreign and domestic…if I had a chance to kick your ass, you bet I would grind you beneath my heel. You are pathetic and not fit to live in this country.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Dear Kim,
Reference: “we need someone in office who will take care of us”. I respectfully suggest you try taking care of yourself. What a concept, huh?
September 29th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Kamereon:
Stop taking your lines from outrageous liberal movies. If a voluntary re-enlistment doesn’t show that these troops are staying there voluntarily then I don’t know what will. Clearly they know something that you don’t so instead of criticizing from afar on a subject you are ignorant of why don’t you stop spewing your liberal poison and acknowledge the fact that if we PULLED OUT NOW we would leave a job undone and we would leave before the problem is solved. In case you don’t know, that would send a signal to all of Al Queda, Hamas and many other lvely Jihad groups to attack us with even greater fervor than before. But before I astonish you with more truth about war I’d like to point out the fact that we do have the right to peaceful assembly, . Last time I checked there were book clubs, churchs, football teams and many other groups assembling peacefully. We have freedom of speech, no freedom of press….it’s our own fault if we don’t use it. And by the way, if we didn’t have freedom of speech, you would already have been arrested for what you wrote.