And righfully so. The general. who in the face of enormous pressure and attacks from the left and from posturing Democrats more intent on currying favor with the fever swamp, helped orchestrate one of the greatest turn arounds in US military history since the Chinese swept across the Yalu in the Korean War. In that case it was Mathew Ridgeway, and now its Petreaus:
WASHINGTON (April 30, 2009) – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus attended a ceremony here last night honoring several giants of military, government, industry and the arts.
Gates introduced former President George H.W. Bush, an honoree at the Atlantic Council's annual gala, while Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, received the council’s Distinguished Military Leadership Award.
Helmut Kohl, former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Samuel J. Palmisano, chairman and CEO of IBM Corporation, and Thomas Hampson, a world reknowned opera singer, also received awards.
Along with highlighting the work of these key leaders, the event also celebrated the 60th anniversary of NATO and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and emphasized the role the Atlantic community has played since World War II. Guest speakers punctuated the ceremony with Cold War anecdotes and nostalgia for the era when former Soviet satellite states emerged from behind the Iron Curtain.
I can't help but include these next two stories, neither would have happened without the General:
ABOARD KHAWR AL AMAYA OIL TERMINAL, Iraq - The Iraqi Navy assumed control of the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) during a ceremony held today aboard the terminal in the North Arabian Gulf.
This turnover is the first step of a multi-step naval transition plan that will eventually transfer security responsibilities to the Iraqi Navy.
"The Iraqi Navy is ready and capable of assuming security responsibility for KAAOT," said Rear Adm. T.C. Cropper, Commander, Task Force Iraqi Maritime (CTF-IM). "This milestone represents another indication of increasing Iraqi operational independence. It's very important to the way ahead and the future of Iraq."
WASHINGTON (April 27, 2009) – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton assured Iraqi leaders during a visit to Baghdad yesterday that as the United States draws down its troops in Iraq, it won’t draw down its commitment to Iraq’s government and people.
Clinton also joined President Barack Obama in condemning the recent spike in violence she said is aimed at derailing progress being made.
The secretary met yesterday with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Iraqi citizens to get their perspectives on Iraq’s political, security and economic progress. Newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill also participated in the discussions.
“It is encouraging to both see and hear about the progress that is being made in Iraq,” Clinton said during a joint news conference with Zebari. “At every stop, I have emphasized President Obama's message that our strategy working with you may be in a new phase, but we pledge our full and continuing commitment to Iraq and the Iraqi people.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks with Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari, center, and Iraqi Director of Policy and Planning Labeed Abbaoui Sunday in Baghdad.
A final note, I am glad the general received the honor, but do not forget the endurance and sacrifice of the men and women on the ground, Iraqi and Coalition. They were the ones who carried the heaviest burden.
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