RE: Subject: RE: [ihc] IH Garand rifle?

["Mac @ TRIAD" <mac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

## >> I doubt very much that you have a security clearance so if
## >> you know any
## >> "secrets" you are not cleared for them.

you'd be very much incorrect on that assumption.  i do have a clearance,
though that has nothing to do with how i know what i know.  the things i've
been told aren't "secrets" per se, they're just not open public knowledge,
and i was asked specifically not to share certain things.  though with your
attitude, it's no wonder the people here don't want much information
circulated.  anything i *did* tell you, you'd assume was just a rumour, and
so wouldn't be believed anyway.

## >> So why don't you tell
## >> us anyway? Anything
## >> you know is from Rumor Control. The only people that know
## >> what really happened
## >> on that convoy and in other engagements are those Americans
## >> and Iraqis who
## >> were there and are still alive. What you know is just
## >> scuttlebutt and you won't
## >> hurt anyone if you tell us what you have heard. Just leave
## >> out any names.

that's an incorrect assessment.  *we* get to talk to an awful lot of the
folks who were there.  one of the few advantages of being in this hellhole
is working with them.  they can't tell the press most of what they've seen
and done, and they can't tell most civilians...  but they *can* tell the
people they work with, and discuss it with other people who were also there.
it's becoming something of a shared knowledge event for the maintenance
people base-wide, which is probably a good thing.  you have to remember that
*all* of 507th was brought back here when they were released except Jessica
Lynch, and after being debriefed, were immediately released to their
families and friends.  maybe you saw their homecoming to this post on the
news?  some of them have since separated from the military, but a few of
them re-upped their enlistment and are going to be here for a few more years
to come.

*I* can talk to them, and my lovely Bride can talk to them.  507th's bays
aren't that far from hers, and now that she's in system maintenance (made
the change right after they got home from the war), she has to rub elbows
with the guys from 507th as well as 518th and several other maintenance
companies.  along with participating with them in the revamped weapons
training they're undergoing because of 507th's debacle in Iraq.  her
Battery's most recent live fire exercise, based on what the ADA learned from
the recent convoy problems, even made the local base paper's Centre Section
(where they put the biggest local-interest stories).

as i said earlier, i was asked not to go about publicly airing many of the
things i've been told.  it isn't rumour, i've heard it straight from the
mouths of the guys who made it home, and at this point, i really don't think
they're lying.  too much local policy has changed as a direct result of what
they experienced, some of it is just plain unsettling to say the least.  it
hasn't got anything to do with whether it will hurt anyone, or national
security, or keeping secrets, or anything else of that nature.  somebody
asked me not to, and i gave my word.  fair enough?

--Mac

---------------------------------------------------------------
Take care and be well, all thee and thine;

May the Hamr lend thee Strength and Courage,
May the Twin Ravens lend thee Wisdom and Guidance,
May the Wolves Guard and Protect thee, and
May the Light of Harmony ever shine brightly upon thee and thine,
Through all thy Life's Journeys, from this life unto the next!

Hail the Gods and Goddesses of our Folk!
Wassail!

Krystof "Mac" MacBryghde
TyrGothi

http://master.triad.ath.cx/
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