Sunday, September 14, 2008

GEN Petreaus Farewell Letter

The Boss, "P4" for short, has said farewell as the Multi-National Force Iraq Commander. He is moving up to run the fight in the whole CENTCOM area. This good for all of us, but I will miss seeing him at the morning updates. We are lucky that a really good man is replacing him too.


It reads:

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Civilians of
Multi-National Force-Iraq:

It has been the greatest of privileges to have been your commander for the
past 19 months. During that time,we and our civilian and Iraqi partners have
been engaged in an exceedingly complex, difficult, and important task. And in the
face of numerous challenges, we and our partners have helped bring new hope to a
country that was besieged by extremists and engulfed in sectarian violence.

When I took command of Multi-National Force-Iraq in February 2007, I noted
that the situation in Iraq was hard but not hopeless. You have proven that
assessment to be correct. Indeed, your great work, sacrifice, courage, and skill
have helped to reverse a downward spiral toward civil war and to wrest the
initiative from the enemies of the new Iraq.

Together, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have faced determined, adaptable, and
barbaric enemies. You and our Iraqi partners have taken the fight to them, and
you have taken away their sanctuaries and safe havens. You have helped secure
the Iraqi people and have enabled, and capitalized on, their rejection of
extremism. You have also supported the Iraqi Security Forces as they have grown
in number and capability and as they have increasingly shouldered more of the
responsibility for security in their country.

You have not just secured the Iraqi people, you have served them, as well.
By helping establish local governance, supporting reconstruction efforts,
assisting with revitalization of local businesses, fostering local reconciliation, and conducting a host of other non-kinetic activities, you have contributed significantly to the communities in which you have operated. Indeed, you have been builders and diplomats as well as guardians and warriors.

The progress achieved has been hard-earned. There have been many tough days
along the way, and we have suffered tragic losses. Indeed, nothing in Iraq has
been anything but hard. But you have been more than equal to every task.

Your accomplishments have, in fact, been the stuff of history. Each of you
should be proud of what has been achieved and of the contributions you continue
to make. Although our tasks in Iraq are far from complete and hard work and tough
fights lie ahead, you have helped bring about remarkable improvements.

Your new commander is precisely the right man for the job. General Ray
Odierno played a central role in the progress achieved during the surge. He
brings tremendous skill, experience, and understanding as he returns to Iraq for
a third tour and takes the helm of MNF-I just seven months after relinquishing
command of MultiNational Corps-Iraq. I have total confidence in him, and I will
do all that I can as the commander of Central Command to help him, MNF-I, and our Iraqi partners to achieve the important goals that we all share for the new Iraq.

Thank you for your magnificent work here in the "Land of the Two Rivers." And thank you for your sacrifices-and for those of your families--during this crucial phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am honored to have soldiered with you
in this critical endeavor.

With great respect and all best wishes


David H. Petraeus
General, United States Army
Commanding

37 Comments:

Blogger Strabo the Lesser said...

Modeled after Eisenhower's letter to the invasion forces on June, 6, 1944. Class act.

1:48 PM  
Blogger Nagarajan Sivakumar said...

I am not even American -but this letter simply gives me the goosebumps - could there have been a better man for the toughest military job under the most harrowing of times ?

I feel terribly sad that i dont have a vote in this election.

1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

About a year or so ago, the General had one of his periodic photo ops - not for the press, but for the troops. All (mission permitting) who wanted could get over to headquarters and line up for a quick photo with General Petraeus. This wasn't an ego thing - no matter what you might think of the man he's a figure in world history now, and a picture with him - in Baghdad no, less) would make a nice reasure for yourself, and something of an heirloom for future generations.

I wanted one. So did the guys who worked for me. Someone had to work the shop, though, and there wouldn't be time for others to go and get back and send a second wave.

I can look at any blank space on my wall now and imagine the picture that isn't there, and remind myself I'm damned proud to have served in Iraq under General Petraeus.

1:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a nobody that cannot NOT post a comment thanking "P4" for his incredible service to the U.S.A.

"Genius," "hero" and "great" are overused words. But all three describe this man.

2:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have a cousin who served 2 tours in the Marines in Tikrit and 2nd Falluja.
How do you thank these people who have accomplished something truly remarkable?
You remind them of how important this is and how there is no one else who could have accomplished what they have.
And you say thanks,

Thanks Gen Petreaus.

2:46 PM  
Blogger Carl H said...

Hat tip.

3:10 PM  
Blogger Andrew X said...

John McCain should publicly read that letter, start to finish, in an appropriate forum.

Him or that pretty brunette chick (who I'm secretly attracted to/ scared of). ;-)

I'd like to see a Democrat publicly read that too, though I'm not gonna hold my breath.

3:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We in America are so blessed that we keep finding men of stature and accomplishment such as General Petreaus when we need them most. My personal and humble thanks to you and your magnificent men and women who have done so much for the Iraqis and us.

I also thank President Bush for standing tall, when things were darkest, and showing the leadership to place you in charge and effect this seismic change in the world.

We the beneficiaries (as well as the rest of the free world) owe you so much, and have so little to return except to say WELL DONE and THANK YOU!

3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This makes me so proud of the USA & deeply appreciative of its protection of the free world I love... and I'm not American. You guys produce the best of the best men & women - at all levels of ability.

Thank you General Petraeus.

- Sam, New Zealand

6:15 PM  
Blogger Nixon said...

So long and thanks for all the fish, P4.

"Your accomplishments have, in fact, been the stuff of history. Each of you should be proud of what has been achieved and of the contributions you continue to make. Although our tasks in Iraq are far from complete and hard work and tough fights lie ahead, you have helped bring about remarkable improvements."

Interesting comment. For better or for worse, the 2007-2008 period of Iraq has been something for history books, and it was interesting to be part of it. The only difficult question is how will history remember it?

6:38 PM  
Blogger TheBronze said...

LT Nixon,

I think history will look upon what we did in Iraq far kinder than it will the people that wanted us to lose.

12:27 AM  
Blogger Brian H said...

When P4 gets elected POTUS, will that make him P5? ;)

11:15 PM  
Blogger Brian H said...

Just checked: "P4" means "Petraeus the 4-star", so since there are 5-star generals, that would make the POTUS a 6-star, so he'd be "P6".

:)
;)

11:26 PM  
Blogger Inner Prop said...

That makes sense, especially since the 6 is the commander (ie "Red Balloon 6" would be the commander of Red Balloon, whatever that is).

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