Marines not welcome in An Najaf
by Tracy Huene , The Cleveland Globe
April 11, 2003

It was reported today that, after heavy fighting, Saddam’s loyalists were finally driven out of the city of An Najaf.

The total number of casualties is still not known. At least three US Marines died. Hundreds of Iraqis were killed.

The US Marines entered the city around 10:A.M. in a victory parade posture. Several photographers arrived early to set up their equipment.It was planned to be a major media event.

The Marines expected a warm welcome from the citizens of the city, but it didn’t turn out that way.

As they entered the main street, which was lined with thousands of Iraqis, they noticed that no one was cheering them.

There were no flags waving, no flowers being thrown and no kisses being blown.

When they reached the center of the city all of a sudden hundreds of bags of excrement started flying at them from all directions.

There were about two hundred Marines and about 5,000 Iraqis. The number of bags that were thrown at the Marines was incredible.

It was pandemonium, a fecal storm. Private First Class Pile from Tennessee had to wipe the excrement off his face before he could speak to us.

He told us “I don’t know why they’re so mad at us. Heck, we only shot about 50 children here. And it was all in self defense.”

The Marines were dazed and confused. They broke rank and started running. The townspeople chased them and shouted: "YANKEE GO HOME” and “EAT SHIT YANKEE GOONS” and “HERE’S SOME GOOD FOOD FOR YOU YANKEES”!

It was a sight to see – 200 US Marines all soaked in shit.