Taken from the "Flight International" magazine – 22-28 April 2003 page 53 – Straight & Level column


DIVIDED BY A COMMON LANGUAGE

The British troops morale-boosting speech on the eve of the advance into Iraq by Lt. Col Tim Collins:
“If you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory. We go to liberate, not to conquer. We are entering Iraq to free a people, and the only flag that will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Don’t treat them as refugees, for they are in their own country. If there are casualties of war then remember when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest, for your deeds will follow you down in history. Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birth of Abraham. Tread lightly there.”

The US speech - Vice Admiral Timothy Keating:
“When the President says ‘go’, look out - it’s hammer time” (followed by “We Will Rock You” at high volume).



Side note, I think the following is a omen of things to come for many of us if we have kids....

The Water Pistol

When my three-year-old son opened the birthday gift from his grandmother, he discovered a water pistol. He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink.

I was not so pleased. I turned to Mom and said, "I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?"

Mom smiled and then replied....."I remember."