Breaking ... President Bush in Iraq to thank the troops

Fox News Channel is breaking the news this morning that President George W. Bush is in Iraq to say farewell to the troops:

Air Force One, Bush's distinctive powder blue-and-white jetliner, landed at Baghdad International Airport in the afternoon local time, after a secretive Saturday night departure from Washington and an 11-hour flight.

Aiming to celebrate a new security pact between Washington and Baghdad, the president planned meetings with top U.S. officials stationed in Iraq as well as with Iraqi leaders.It was Bush's fourth visit to the war zone as president and his last before President-elect Barack Obama takes office Jan. 20. Bush's most recent Iraq stop was over 15 months ago, in September 2007.

Bush's trip was conducted under heavy security and a strict cloak of secrecy. People traveling with the president agreed to tell almost no one about the plans. The White House tried to avoid raising suspicion about the president's whereabouts by putting out false schedules detailing activities planned for Bush in Washington on Sunday. Though the security situation in Iraq has improved dramatically, a trip to that war zone is still considered dangerous.

This President has been extremely thankful to the military men and women who answered the call to protect this country from terrorism by meeting it overseas and not here on our shores.

Though it is a surprise to hear this morning that he is in Iraq, it is not a shock. It sounds like George W. Bush.

Godspeed and prayers up for the safety our our military troops and President George W. Bush. Thank you to all for keeping us safe from terrorism.

Spc. Ted Dickson in Middle East ... Merry Christmas and thank you

Cathy Dickson's son, Ted, is currently deployed to Kuwait. Cathy blogs at United Conservatives of Virginia and Powhantan Life, and is a proud Marine mom.

Here is an email from her that was read on the Lee Brothers' show today. Our thanks to Cathy and her family for their sacrifice while Ted is away at war, and to Ted for being one of our heroes. Merry Christmas!

Cathy wrote:

We would like to send our love and Christmas blessings to our son, Spc. Ted Dickson, 23, of Powhatan, Virginia.

Ted graduated from Powhatan High School in June of 2002. Two weeks later he was in Marine boot camp in Paris Island, SC. During his four years with the United States Marine Corps, he served in Security Forces and the Infantry. Despite almost losing an eye and with scar tissue on the cornea, his scores on the rifle range actually improved.

He was determined to get to Iraq (we suspect he memorized the eye chart) and was deployed in time to participate in several operations in Anbar Province, including Operation Iron Fist and Operation Steel Curtain in 2005 - 2006.

After he finished his enlistment, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He joined the Army National Guard a year ago in December and is currently deployed in Kuwait with Delta Company of the 3-116th out of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Ted, may God bless and keep you safe always. May you and the men of Delta Company have a blessed Christmas and know that we love and miss you so very much.

All of our love,
Mom, Dad and Carrie

Semper Fi.