Troops welcomed home as Australia quits Iraq

Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had some inspiring, if wholly inaccurate, words to spare for the 700 Australian troops who returned last week after service in Iraq. As the troops marched past, Rudd told the assembled masses in Brisbane that “Freedom is not for free. Freedom comes at a price, and you are our front line in the defence of our freedom.”

This marks the end of Australia’s “active” deployment in Iraq, although as the Guardian notes, “300 will stay in Baghdad to help guard Australian diplomats and a further 500 will remain in the region.” Rudd is no wishy-washy peace loving beatnik. He’s a fully paid up war-on-terrorist, but one making a tactical retreat to repair the PR damage caused by the occupation of Iraq.

Australian soldiers who served in Iraq were given a rousing reception by about 10,000 people yesterday at a ‘welcome home’ parade in Brisbane that marked the country’s withdrawal from combat operations.

Well-wishers waved flags and banners and cheered as some 700 troops, many only recently returned from the war zone, marched through the streets in desert camouflage uniforms with an army band playing ‘Waltzing Matilda’. The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was among a host of dignitaries who paid tribute at the ceremony, described as Australia’s biggest military homecoming parade since the Second World War.

‘Today the Australian nation says “thank you” to you, the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, for your service in Iraq,’ said Rudd as he took the official salute outside City Hall. ‘Freedom is not for free.

Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.

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