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DEL.ICIO.USGuard members sign on for more
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Curtis Compton/AJCSpc. John Wilkerson, 34, of Hinesville (right) raises his right hand along with fellow members of the 48th Brigade during a re-enlistment ceremony inside Saddam Hussein’s former Al Faw Palace at Camp Liberty in Baghdad.
The soldiers took turns raising their right hands and solemnly swearing their allegiance to President George W. Bush, Gov. Sonny Perdue and their military superiors.
The only thing unusual about this recent re-enlistment ceremony for 10 members of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team was the location. They were standing in the ornate, marble corridors of the Al Faw palace, a massive cement and stone residence near Baghdad International Airport where Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein used to reside.
Each soldier re-upped for at least six years, and each will receive a $15,000 tax-free bonus for their willingness to stay on. Will there be more year-long deployments to combat zones? It’s impossible to tell. But the soldiers know exactly what they’ll do with the cash.
“I’m going to buy a house in Georgia,” said Spc. Tashana Luz, 23, of Columbus, a former shoe store manager. “I’m not sure where in Georgia. But the bonus will help with a down payment.”
Before and after the 20-minute ceremony, soldiers posed for pictures under a massive crystal chandelier hanging from the 100-foot domed ceiling, standing on spiral staircases or sitting on a gold-trimmed, throne-like chair in a waiting room.
The palace was built after the first Gulf War, but Arabic slogans on the walls recalled an earlier conflict, the 1980-88 war against Iran: “Victory and glory to the warriors who freed the city from the enemy — the Persians,” an inscription read.
As grand as the building appears on the outside, the workers who know it best say it has plenty of flaws.
Mustafa Bulbul, 50, a Jordanian electrician who spent the morning replacing light bulbs, said the “quality of the construction is not so good.”
“It was built in a hurry,” he said. “There are many problems that are hidden.”
The building now houses U.S., British and Iraqi military administrators who fill the hallways with cubicles.
Capt. Mike Lipper, 45, a Bibb County teacher in civilian life, came to the palace to administer the oath for some of his soldiers. He said they deserve major financial rewards for rejoining the military in a time of war and uncertainty.
“You never know what the Army has in story for you,” Lipper said. “But this is a just reward for their efforts. They deserve every bit of their bonuses.”
Comments
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By Buffy Wiggins
July 19, 2005 04:13 PM | Link to this
Thank you to all the National Guard 48th Troops who “RE-UPED”! I would think it would be a much easier descision to re-enlist during Peace Time….but you show tremoundous courage and fortitude to do so at this time…and in this place. 48th Brigade, YOU ALL make us very proud back home. In the words of H Steven Blum LTG, USA, Chief, National Guard Bureau…”When you call out the Guard, you call out America…The honor of a Soldier or Airman is never negotiable. Their values must transcend time and circumstance; their performance of duty, no matter the difficulty, must be accomplished with honor and distinction; and their responsibilities to the Constitution and each other fulfilled in the highest traditions of the American spirit.”! GO GUARD!
By Justin Tomczak
July 19, 2005 05:20 PM | Link to this
The actions of these brave troops makes all Georgians feel proud.
Thank you for your sacrifice!
By JE Everts
July 26, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this
15,000! That is pitiful!!!! We’ve spent billions on Bush’s ego war and it’s only right they get paid much more that that-how ‘bout 150,000? Yeah-that sounds more like it- in case that one soldier even makes it back to buy his house in Georgia!