U.S. Soldiers In Iraq Mark July 4th

Business As Usual For Most, But Some Larger Bases Try To Bring Touches Of Home

(AP)  It's Staff Sgt. Edgar Covarrubias' second Fourth of July in Iraq. No family barbecue, no fireworks, but Covarrubias says he'll call his mom, wife and kids to share the day anyway.

Across Iraq, America's Independence Day was a normal work day for most U.S. troops. But the military threw in a taste of home at larger bases with ribs, corn on the cob and red, white and blue cake.

The holiday is even leaner at smaller outposts closer to the violence, where it comes with a can of meat, some cookies and a job not yet done.

"We are not going to stop our operations to celebrate the Fourth of July," said Sgt. Mark Johnson, 26, at a small joint U.S.-Iraqi outpost in the city of Iskandariyah, some 30 miles south of Baghdad.

"Nothing special is planned for today and that's OK because we didn't expect anything," added the 3rd Infantry Division soldier from Waterport, N.Y.

He heads home later this month on his mid-tour break to be with his girlfriend when she gives birth to their first child.

At least things were quiet Friday at the outpost, giving the men who weren't on duty time to watch movies on their laptops and instant message with friends back home.

"It is the same every day since we got here in October," said 1st Lt. William Kuebler, 24, who is nine months into his 15-month tour in Iraq.

"The holidays are not important," added the 101st Airborne Division officer from Moville, Iowa.

Things were a bit more festive at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. There was a special menu in the chow hall and a three-on-three basketball tournament.

Before hitting the court, Covarrubias from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment planned to call his wife and kids and also his mom to wish her a happy birthday.

"If I was home, I'd get together with my family and barbecue, and we'd have carne asada, a family reunion," said Covarrubias.

But the 29-year-old from Hawthorne, Calif., said that although he misses his family, the holiday still made him feel good.

"For me, on the Fourth of July, you remember there's people out there that think about you out here," said Covarrubias.

For others, the day was a reminder of their duty to their country.

At Camp Victory outside Baghdad, 1,215 troops from the Army, Marines and other services re-enlisted in a mass swearing-in ceremony led by top U.S. war commander Gen. David Petraeus. At least two husband-and-wife couples were among those signing up for another military stint.

Before an immense American flag hung in the rotunda of the palace headquarters of the U.S. military in Iraq, the troops saluted Petraeus, then sang "God Bless America."

Back at Warhorse, Sgt. Jacob Fultz, 22, of Gardner, Kan., was focused on the day's meaning.

"It's kind of like the fight's never over," said Sgt. Jacob Fultz, 22, from Gardner, Kan. "It started on July 4, 1776 and now it's 2008."

[intheshade-2009]

Seems strange the United States celebrating independence from imperialist oppression, in a country they have just destroyed and robbed.

[reptilian96]

FOX NEWS discovered the presence of a massive spy ring inside the United States run by the government of Israel. This seems a harsh gratitude from a nation which obtains 10% of its annual budget from the American taxpayer, $3+ billion a year. Over the years, American taxpayers have been required to send Israel more than four times what the US spent to go to the moon.

question is do we really need Israel? I don''t think so. Israel is a burden on us american tax payers, we could use our money here in USA. we don''t need backstabers. If muslims were not in that part then the battle would''ve been with christans and JEWS in that part of the world. Just like British Jews were doing to IRISH (IRA), see the new perspective. Anyway, we don''t need Israel for the simple fact that they are not in our good interest.

NOW i read that Israel can''t fight IRAN if USA won''t help Israel. I mean come on more American TAX $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

So all of you American Israeli supporters get ready to shell out some more doe without your permission JEWS will take you money like they always did. Us hard working Americans will be homeless for long, long time. ww3 coming soon. under construction by the Israeli JEWS.

[patriot12436]

Providence
I turned from christianity, but respect all religions. I found the peace i was looking for in Budhism. I think no matter what you believe in we all end up and seek the same place. Just follow different paths.

[patriot12436]

radman5000
The story about his kicking Chuck Norris''s *** is a lie. I gave whiskey his shot. Didn''t even have the guts to answer me. The only fight Chuck lost was to Bruce Lee.

[providence_8]

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
When he 14 he was appointed Congressional diplomatic ambassador to The Court of Catherine the Great of Russia! He served also as foreign ambassador, Secretary of state, U.S. representative, senator and of course President!
SPEECH BY JOHN QUINCY ADAMS July 4, 1837
Why is it that, next to the birth day of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day. The fourth of July.
Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birth-day of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birth-day of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer%u2019s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?

John Quincy Adams said the biggest victory won in the revolution was that Christian Principles and Civil government would be tied together in an indissolubly bond!

[whiskyrocker]

Is that you Radman? Good to see you made it out of that $hitthole. I''ll call you later.

[radman5000]

Patiot 12436 I wouldnt mess with WHISKEYROCKER, I heard he once kicked Chuck Norris ''s *** and carries a wallet that says BAD MOTHER @#$!*#

[whiskyrocker]

patriot12436;

Make sure to change your depends before bed. You are full of $hit. Your story is Bull$$$hit

[providence_j]

providence
Like i said all mouth. I have backed down a lot of guys like him thru time. Haven''''t the guts to stand up for anything they believe in because they don''''t care enough to believe in anything.

Posted by patriot12436 at 11:37 AM : Jul 05, 2008

well said!
In my case I believed in Jesus by calling on him?
Then he came in and showed me who he is? I became born again. Good night Patriot!

[patriot12436]

well is late so am going to bed. Almost 11pm here in Thailand.

[patriot12436]

providence
Like i said all mouth. I have backed down a lot of guys like him thru time. Haven''t the guts to stand up for anything they believe in because they don''t care enopugh to believe in anything.

[patriot12436]

whiskeyrocker
Wnted to se if you tried to slink back after i said i was going. I made the challenge, your turf, you pick the place andi will be there

[providence_j]

See what i mean, nothing but silence. All talk. I even offered to come to his turf.

Posted by patriot12436 at 11:32 AM : Jul 05, 2008

Most people do not have any backbone patriot12436!

[whiskyrocker]

patriot0

Don''t you have a baby to kill somewhere?

[patriot12436]

nite everyone, have a good chat

[patriot12436]

See what i mean, nothing but silence. All talk. I even offered to come to his turf.

[patriot12436]

I may be old but he has never went up against a real man or a ranger. Probably on the phone crying to his mama right now, that someone on the web wants to kick his ***.

[patriot12436]

I run into talkers like this all the time on websites. I am a peace lover but will fight for my honor and my country any day. They always slide away back under the rocks they came from.

[patriot12436]

baralcalto
Won''t happen his type is all talk and no walk. Probably never wore a uniform

[patriot12436]

time to put up or shut whiskeyrocker