Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: xrtoronto on July 06, 2004, 01:04:27 PM

Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: xrtoronto on July 06, 2004, 01:04:27 PM
C&P

A Lebanese-born US marine who was reported to have been beheaded by his kidnappers in Iraq is alive and has been set free, his brother said.

Wassef Ali Hassoun's brother Sami said the family had received word that he had been released early on Tuesday.

He did not specify what the source of the information was, but said the family had "received a sign from my brother reassuring us".

On Saturday, a militant group claimed on a website it had killed Mr Hassoun.

"We have received a call that reassured us. My brother is alive and has been freed," Sami Hassoun said from the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, where the family originates.

It is reported that the Lebanese Foreign Ministry had been told by Lebanon's Baghdad Embassy that the US soldier was alive.

Moved to safety

The Tripoli- and Utah-based branches of the family have been praying and pleading for a bloodless solution to the kidnapping since a report on Arabic TV station al-Jazeera on Monday contradicted earlier reports of the beheading.

Al-Jazeera quoted an Iraqi group - Islamic Response - as saying that Cpl Hassoun had been moved to a safe place.

There has been no confirmation of any of the developments by the US military.

Family members said Wassef Hassoun was born in Lebanon, educated at American schools there and then joined the United States Marines after moving to Utah four years ago.

The 24-year-old is fluent in Arabic, French and English and was reportedly serving as a translator in his second stint in Iraq when he was captured.

Source: BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3870393.stm)
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: FUNKED1 on July 06, 2004, 01:15:19 PM
Would be ironic if he is shot for desertion.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: GRUNHERZ on July 06, 2004, 01:16:10 PM
Quote
Originally posted by FUNKED1
Would be ironic if he is shot for desertion.


Had the same thought..
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Staga on July 06, 2004, 02:59:23 PM
I'm sorry you missed this martyr; I'm sure you'll have plenty of others coming.

I mean... why can't you be glad he's alive ?
There's really something wrong in you guys.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: 2Slow on July 06, 2004, 03:08:16 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Staga
I'm sorry you missed this martyr; I'm sure you'll have plenty of others coming.

I mean... why can't you be glad he's alive ?
There's really something wrong in you guys.


Glad he's alive?  Let me see, he was captured (allegedly) while attempting to desert?  Nothing wrong with me.  I have no sympathy for deserters.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Staga on July 06, 2004, 03:59:20 PM
So human life is just as valuable for you as for those who are cutting heads off in Iraq; ie cheap as bread?
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: slimm50 on July 06, 2004, 04:03:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Staga
So human life is just as valuable for you as for those who are cutting heads off in Iraq; ie cheap as bread?

Methinks th boy just doesn't get it.:rolleyes:
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: gofaster on July 06, 2004, 04:04:03 PM
How credible is the source that told the brother?  Like what, the Marine can't call the brother on his own, or find a US military post to report to?

I'm thinking something is horribly amiss with this situation.  This guy is either dead or gone to ground with a new identity.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Gunslinger on July 06, 2004, 10:08:56 PM
I'm very glad to hear a fellow brother of mine was not beheaded.  Although, I'm skeptical about the curcumstances surrounding this ordeal I'm willing to give him the benifit of the doubt.

I do think he was trying to go UA but I have yet to officially hear that so oh well.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: FUNKED1 on July 06, 2004, 10:12:26 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Staga
I mean... why can't you be glad he's alive ?


RTFP
Hey may be alive for now, but he will probably end up prison or worse.  Not much cause for celebration.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Eagler on July 06, 2004, 10:51:46 PM
what gofaster said .. it don't add up
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Masherbrum on July 06, 2004, 11:04:44 PM
They let the first "captive go"?  There is DEFINATELY more to this.

Karaya
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: RTStuka on July 06, 2004, 11:14:10 PM
Quote
Originally posted by FUNKED1
RTFP
Hey may be alive for now, but he will probably end up prison or worse.  Not much cause for celebration.



I agree, but I also wonder if the US will put him in prison, I mean imagine the backlash that would insue. Even if it is the right thing to do people would not be happy with a hostage being thrown in jail.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: rod367th on July 07, 2004, 12:21:01 AM
Guys did you ever think United States made up deseration story to spare his life with a long shot try? Might be just the perfect idea?
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Staga on July 07, 2004, 01:31:18 AM
Well it looks like some of you are pissed because it looks like he's still alive.

Oh well; to each his own.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Maverick on July 07, 2004, 08:45:34 AM
Until he actually shows up and his presence is verified it is just speculation. There is no proof he's alive, a deserter, awol or still a captive. Until there is some proof either way why don't you just lay off the speculation. Once you know, THEN you can assassinate his character, mourn his passing or politicize to your flabby little hearts content. :rolleyes:
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: midnight Target on July 07, 2004, 10:07:22 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Gunslinger
I'm very glad to hear a fellow brother of mine was not beheaded.  Although, I'm skeptical about the curcumstances surrounding this ordeal I'm willing to give him the benifit of the doubt.

I do think he was trying to go UA but I have yet to officially hear that so oh well.


UA?
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: Sandman on July 07, 2004, 10:11:37 AM
Quote
Originally posted by midnight Target
UA?


Unauthorized Absence... It's the Navy/Marine equivalent to AWOL.
Title: Good News: US marine 'alive, free' in Iraq
Post by: GRUNHERZ on July 07, 2004, 11:17:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Staga
Well it looks like some of you are pissed because it looks like he's still alive.

Oh well; to each his own.



Nobody is pissed that he is alive... Please exlain how on earth you got that idea from reading these posts...