Echoes

Michael Yon titles his post Thanks and Praise:
"A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from 'Chosen' Company 2-12 Cavalry to the church, where I videotaped as Muslims and Christians worked and rejoiced at the reopening of St John’s, an occasion all viewed as a sign of hope.

The Iraqis asked me to convey a message of thanks to the American people. 'Thank you, thank you,' the people were saying. One man said, 'Thank you for peace.' Another man, a Muslim, said 'All the people, all the people in Iraq, Muslim and Christian, is brother.' The men and women were holding bells, and for the first time in memory freedom rang over the ravaged land between two rivers."

My comment: The Marines at Iwo Jima were planting the flag to say: "Mount Suribachi belongs to America." The additional, unstated message was "Mount Suribachi is free."

The Iraqi planting the cross is saying "This place belongs to Iraqis" - i.e. "I will place this cross if I choose to. This place belongs to me." The additional, unstated message is "This is a place of peace."

The linkage between the images is obvious. The symbolic power of the image of the Iraqi planting the cross is immense.

Wretchard:
"It is strange that in history every true victory is about the same thing -- not territorial expansion or power -- but the affirmation of the essential equality and brotherhood of man.
[...]
In the War against extremism, as in Iwo Jima, the worst may be yet to come. But it's good to take a deep breath and remember what the journey is all about."


Michael Yon is offering his photo, free of charge, to all news outlets. I wonder if any will take him up on his offer?

Seems an interesting moment to put up, L to R: Speaker Pelosi, Sen. Feingold, Rep. Murtha, and Maj. Leader Reid.