WASHINGTON, April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq's Representative to the United States, Qubad Talabani addressed the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery commemorating Iraq Liberation Day on Friday, April 9. Members of American and Iraqi forces, including members of the Peshmerga, attended the event, alongside veterans and family of those soldiers who have fallen in support of Iraq's freedom.

"On this day, it is appropriate and right for us to commemorate the sacrifices made to liberate Iraq from decades of brutal tyranny under Saddam Hussein," said Mr. Talabani. "So to be absolutely clear: Iraq thanks you. I thank you. And the people of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, most of all, thank you."

During the ceremony, members of American and Iraqi forces laid wreaths at the joint gravesite of fallen soldiers from the U.S. and Iraq. Ms. Hayyam Sami Mahdi Al-Shather and Ms. Debra Argel-Bastian, whose husbands are buried at the site, attended and spoke at the event. Iraqi Air force Captain Ali Abbas Rubaie, Ms. Al-Shather's deceased husband, is the only Iraqi buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Other speakers included General Nasier Arkan Abadi, Vice Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Forces of the Republic of Iraq; U.S. Brigadier General Judd Lyons, Adjutant General of Nebraska; and Ms. Wendy Hoffman, National President of Blue Star Mothers of America.

"Today, we must thank those who have helped us get to where we are," Mr. Talabani said. "Because although we face complicated political problems, the majority of the political forces and people who guide Iraqi society want to live in peace. They want to live up to the promise that American forces have given us."

The third annual Universal Remembrance Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery ended with a reading of a keynote address from KRG Minister for Peshmerga Affairs by Representative Talabani.

About the Kurdistan Regional Government

The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in federal Iraq. With a population of currently around 4 million and rapidly increasing, the three governorates of Duhuk, Erbil and Sulaimani cover approximately 40,000 square miles. The Kurdistan Region is considered to be the safest, most stable Region in Iraq, and it is host to an ever expanding number of commercial and trade initiatives. For more information, please visit www.krg.org.

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government. More information is available at the US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

 

SOURCE Kurdistan Regional Government

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LARGO — A 26-year-old Marine corporal from Largo died in Afghanistan on Sunday.

Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto was serving in the Hemland province, according to the Department of Defense.

Military officials would not say how he died, citing privacy rules, but did say it was an accident.

He joined the Marines in March 2008 and was promoted to corporal Dec. 1, said Lt. Timothy Irish.

He was deployed to Afghanistan in December, where he served as a small arms repair technician for the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.

Porto is survived by his wife, Rachel, 23, and their infant daughter. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

He received several awards for his service.

His body was expected to arrive at Dover Air Force Base at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday, said Capt. Newman Robertson, Air Force Mortuary Affairs spokesman.

No further details were immediately available.

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto, 26, of Largo, Fla., died March 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Division public affairs office at 910-450-6575.

As usual, we will be coordinating based upon the Patriot Guard Riders thread. All information regarding itinerary will be located there to avoid duplication or last minute changes that get missed. The thread is located here: http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1350625/view/topic/Default.aspx

Sunday, March 7, 2010 -  2:00 PM

Espiritu Santo Catholic Church

2405 Philippe Parkway

Safety Harbor, FL  34695

This highly patriotic celebration is presented as a public service at no charge to the attending public.  The ceremony demonstrates respect or our national colors (Old Glory) with appreciation, gratitude, and admiration to our Armed Forces.  Color/Honor Guards from US Central Command, US Special Operations Command, US Coast Guard, Air Force 6th Air Mobility Wing, US Marine Corps, and many veterans and patriotic civic organizations will participate. 

Jan has been so kind as to bring this to my attention.  This is a video of a song performed by musicians including Michael Bolton and Robin Gibb to show support of the troops.  Take a minute to check it out.

We Will Remember Them Video