Two months later, in November, as I was dressing for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, a televised Pentagon briefing announced that the Marines were going back to Iraq. Shortly after, we received an official warning order: prepare to relieve the 82nd Airborne Division in Anbar Province, the heart of what was called the “Sunni Triangle.” I immediately called John Kelly and said, “Get over there and find out what we’re getting into.” I had to read the newspapers to understand the end state desired by President Bush. It was called the “Freedom Agenda.” “America will take the side of brave men and
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