These, published in the Star-Banner, come pretty dern close (link from SlagleRock):
- [T]he enemy here knows his only hope of obtaining power is by ensuring the masses do not rally in the name of freedom. Does no American find it odd that the greater numbers of Iraqis have not publicly requested the U.S. forces leave? There is no great outcry for our absence. Each person will argue for this reason as their ideology requires. Seeing with my own eyes, I can tell one why this is. . . . There is a new element. A protector. A redeemer. A soldier stands at the end of the street—a soldier that throughout history has never asked for any more land than that for which to bury his comrade.
Let the world judge us. I find no confidence in anyone who judges our actions on a political level. For it is so much more personal than that. There are millions of lives at stake. And each one has the same desire as anyone else—to live with the belief the next day will be better than the last, and our kids will know a better life than we did. For each U.S. soldier who has given their life, there are 25,000 others who now know what it is to have a life.
God speed, Capt. Patnode. You, your family, your men, and all members of our Armed Forces are in my prayers. Thank you for facing dangers few back home will ever be able to fully comprehend. Freedom has never been in more capable hands.
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