Lt. Col Tim Collins’s Speech
We go to liberate, not to conquer.
We will not fly our flags in their country
We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own.
Show respect for them.
There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly.
Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.
As for the others, I expect you to rock their world.
Wipe them out if that is what they choose.
But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.
Iraq is steeped in history.
It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham.
Tread lightly there.
You will see things that no man could pay to see
– and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.
You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.
Don’t treat them as refugees for they are in their own country.
Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.
If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day.
Allow them dignity in death.
Bury them properly and mark their graves.
It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive.
But there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.
We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back.
There will be no time for sorrow.
The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.
There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.
He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done.
As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.
It is a big step to take another human life.
It is not to be done lightly.
I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts.
I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.
If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.
If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest — for your deeds will follow you down through history.
We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.
(On Saddam’s chemical and biological weapons.)
It is not a question of if, it’s a question of when.
We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself.
If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack.
As for ourselves, let’s bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.
Our business now is north.
- Lt. Colonel Tim Collins, Royal Irish Regiment, The Royal Army
January 15th, 2004 at 8:20 pm
Mr. Strawser: Thank you for posting that speech. Three people I was dearly close to, perished in Iraq. Oddly, they’d made it through the “war” only to die in the aftermath, one month before their return home. For this, I bear a tattoo in remembrance.
I still have one, that I love dearly, holding out after a long deployment there. He’s been out for the past 28 or so months. He will not know the comforts or safeties of home for quite a few more months to come, God willing, he comes home to me. This very speech, is one he brings up often.
It gives him a quiet pride to know that a soldier is what he is, and he does all that he can to not only to do right by the men he serves with, and his countryfolk, but serve and or protect those around him that need him. He knows he is one of many, but it takes more than one spoke to make a good wheel.
I’ve dreaded every day that he (and my lost friends) have been there, as it is knowing they may never come out…alas, three I knew will not. But I still hold out hope, still hold out faith, because it is all you can do-God will take care of the rest.
I’d always wanted to see this speech, because the boys revered Col. Collins highly. I can now truly understand why. I am proud of him, and all that have been there, all that have given their lives, all that are still there…all that continue on, through many a hard and physical as well as emotional day…after day…after day, all for the sake of other human beings. No matter the political end of any of it, which I cannot argue, because I’m ill-equiped…I can only say this much-
“But who are ye in rags and rotten shoes,You dirty-bearded, blocking up the way? We are the Pilgrims, Master; we shall go always a little further…..”
Thanks so much for listening.
February 12th, 2004 at 5:49 am
Thanks for posting the speach. I have been refering to it for inspiration. An amazing man that now has been forced to leave the Army. He stated that we are turning into a home guard. It is wrong to allow him to walk away. Men like that need to be protected and treated as heros like the man he is. I have friends that erved there and thank the grace of god, they have all returned home to fight another battle.
Cheers
S