Beginnings of Christian-Muslim Friendship in Iraq

Michael Yon, brave independent reporter in Iraq, took this icon of a photo.*  He wrote here

A Muslim man had invited the American soldiers from “Chosen” Company 2-12 Infantry 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. (Videotape to follow.)

Wretchard at The Belmont Club, here, says:

Joe Rosenthal didn't know what was in his camera the day he snapped the flag-raising at Iwo Jima. There are times when a single picture captures the essence of an entire campaign. Maybe Michael Yon's picture from Baghdad has done it for the Surge.

This is the iconic photo on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during WWII.  Wretchard adds:

All just wars are about the restoration of peace. But it's important to remember that the flag raising on Suribachi occurred on the fourth day of a campaign that would last a month longer. 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..

Finally, another famous photo, of the last U.S. helicopter out of Saigon, Viet Nam.  The scene is the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.  The helicopter was about to leave for the last time, unable to take the hundreds of waiting Vietnamese allies whose frantic hope was to leave with them.  It is in stark contrast to the other two photos above.

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*  Michael Yon does not receive funding or financial support from Fox News, or from any network, movie, book or television deals at this time. He is entirely reader supported. He relies on his readers to help him replace his equipment and cover his expenses so that he may remain in Iraq and bring you the stories of our soldiers. If you value his work, please consider supporting his mission.