"Mission Accomplished," The Rest of The Story...

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Via E-Mail...

"Mission Accomplished"

Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 10:56:16 -0400.

I thought you might like to hear the rest of the story that the media misinformed the nation about on what "Mission Accomplished" was all about.

My name is Paul Updike and I served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during the Iraq War. I would like to comment specifically about the controversy that surrounds the displaying of the "Mission Accomplished" banner during the time of the President's visit aboard my ship. It is my sincere hope that I will be able to clear up what appears to be a great misunderstanding about the true meaning behind the banner.

The "Mission Accomplished" banner was created to celebrate the return of the USS Abraham Lincoln to her home port in Everett, WA after an extended 11 month cruise. We were happy and proud to return to our families after such a long time away. The average cruise length for a naval vessel at that time was normally around 6 months. Our mission during Operation Iraqi freedom was accomplished with overwhelming success and thus this banner was created and proudly displayed to represent the USS Abraham Lincoln's individual accomplishments during the war. It certainly did not mean that the American mission as a whole had been accomplished in Iraq.

The media stationed aboard our vessel clearly understood the truth behind the banner yet fed the public a twisted version of this truth. I honestly believe that those opposed to the war saw an opportunity to spin the truth about the banner in order to attack the President. As an officer aboard the ship at that time, I found it to be hurtful and insulting that the media would use our specific accomplishments as a platform to attack our Commander-in-Chief. The President's visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln was a great honor to those of us serving aboard her at the time. It is shameful and reprehensible to see the tremendous spin that has been placed on this great event. I was proud to serve my country and I will always support my Commander-in-Chief. God bless America.

Yours very respectfully,

Paul Updike

PS. If necessary, I have provided this link to validate my identity:

_http://www.lakewalesnews.com/articles/2003/04/03/news/military/61.txt_
(ight:%20normal;%20font-size:%2010pt;%20line-height:%20normal;%20font-stary/61txt)

RESPONSES THAT APPEARED IN "THE LAKE WALES NEWS" TO THE ABOVE LETTER

http://lakewalesnews.com/guestbook/


Just a courious question or two about Paul's letter. First, why didn't Mr. Bush set things right about the incident? Seems to me he rode the publisitiy for all it was worth and exploited the event while "grandstanding" all the way. Or was this another something of truth , HE didn't know? So, what is the FULL truth about it all?
Joe Babb

Friday, May 18, 2007 (01:05:53 pm CDT)


LT Updike has it right. After 26 years of military service I have had personal involvement in numerous events covered in the press. In many cases the story is written to present a false impression the author wants to make and the truth getting in the way is only heard when brave people speak up and are given a forum to do so. BZ to LT Updike.

Captain Al Ferber USN Ret
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 (09:05:49 am CDT)

To: Lt. JG Paul Updike, I want to start by saying that I do not usually respond to much of anything on the web. After reading your letter about the "Mission Accomplished" banner, I felt I had to respond. THANK YOU for giving the American public the "TRUTH". As usual, the media has put their own spin on the matter and injected their own personal agenda. I just wish they would deliver the facts, and only the facts, as they occur, without the 'blarny'. Again, from one VERY PROUD AMERICAN TO ANOTHER, THANK YOU FOR THE TRUTH. AND THANK YOU, TO ALL OF OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN, WHO ARE SERVING THE GREATEST NATION ON THE PLANET, WITH THE MOST PRECIOUS THING THEY HAVE, THEIR LIVES.
Respectfully,
Tania Lee Mary Dye, Jacksonville, Fl.

Tania Lee Dye
Thursday, May 03, 2007 (10:05:19 pm CDT)





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