A Second Bad Day.

Travis was brilliant. For an example, check out his PP presentation explaining how to win in Anbar (and his bushy moustache). God speed Travis...

An overly simplistic presentation. It fails to mention Al Queda in Iraq or the people like Al Sadr who want to destabilize the country. It fails to mention that Syria and Iran are also actively attempting to frustrate the creation of democratic (therefor pro-western) government.

But most of all it fails to mention that the real reason the Sunni insurgents keep fighting is because they think they can win - and they can given the hypocrisy of the UN and most European nations and the active help of the press in presenting the war as pointless.

Too bad the soldiers get killed by IEDs and not the journalists.

I just took a look at the PP presentation, and it really makes a lot of sense not just for Anbar, but for the war in general. The problem is that we've ignored the history of the region, and counted on our firepower to win for us. Doesn't work that way. Never has, never will when it comes to fighting insurgents. Travis realized from the gound level that understanding Irag's history and the Iraqis themselves is much more effective than laying down laws they have no intention of following. Funny thing is, we WERE the insurgents and militias in our own Revolutionary War, but learned nothing from it apparently. It's deeply saddening to me to find out that such a clearly gifted and intelligent officer has died. Our army and country are weaker without him.

This man should have been somewhere where his skills and brains are sorely needed, back at the Pentagon maybe. What a waste of ability. How much more deeply his family and friends must be feeling the loss, than we who have read about him here. And it has been repeated, going on nearly 3,000 times in Iraq. Each loss a person and a story, and a potential snuffed out. We must stop this waste of American blood and talent. How might they have enriched our country in another 20 or 30 years? Time to go.

Once again I am filled with profound sadness after viewing Capt. Patriquin's slide show.
This brave, smart, savy soldier knew more about the situation we are in than a 1000 neo-cons.
This is the kind of person this country cannot afford to lose.
President Bush is not a remarkable enough a person
to command these remarkable people, these HEROS.
Every republican power broker who put fourth the
notion that this man(W) could lead this nation should be branded with the names of every serviceman and woman killed in the insane war.
That list must also include Kathrine Harris and
Antonin Scalia for handing the White House to this so called leader, the great decider(is that a real word).
The President cannot win this war because his only concern now is to stall until he is out of
office, then blame the next president for losing.

I agree that it does fail to mention other elements in the war. But I believe that if this man could understand, and give a us a possible solution to one situation. Then what other good ideas might he have from the experiences he's had. The problem is that there are many soldiers who have experience and understanding of the cultures, but politicians DO NOT.

"Too bad the soldiers get killed by IEDs and not the journalists."
Mr. Kantor, are you actively advocating for the death of journalists, most of whom are your fellow Americans?
Yes or no - you either mean what you wrote or you didn't.

I attended Arabic classes at DLI with Capt Patriquin when he was just a SGT. He was always doing something crazy and this not the way I would expect to hear about him on the news. It truly saddens me and my fellow classmates to hear about this tragedy. I never thought I would know someone so personally to die in Iraq. God Bless his wife and children. Our prayers are with you all.

Travis and I served together in Germany, and he was one of the last guys in the Ready First Combat Team that I spoke with before they went downrange. Travis was an all-around great guy, and one of the very few people I've met in life for whom I have a deep sense of respect.

Travis' talents were being used exactly where they were needed, and he'd probably be the first to agree with me. Most importantly, he was making a positive impact, and he believed in what he was doing, just as I support what he did and what the RFCT continues to do there in Ramadi.

I understand his family will have a trust set up for his wife and three kids, I'll keep information on that posted on my blog, if anyone is interested.

Thanks for your post, Mr Kerley.

Capt Patriquin is a remarkable man with talent. Sad loss for this country. God bless to his family. Thankful that his PP presentation is available. It should be studied by Pentagon officials. I know that these kind of conflicts are complicated and a simple proposal may not work for everything, but his approach is common sense based on understanding the culture. Lessons could have been learned along the way and the approach refined with the help of good Iraq people.

I agree with the comment about journalists. After all what use are they except as tools of the terrorists or any other enemies the US has? I wish Tim Russert would go to hell every time I have to listen to him. What do they want Socialism? Then they would have no freedom to say what they do now. They are a real 4th column.

I agree with RWL - Why on earth did those in charge not realize this man's gift of understanding the Iraqi people and capitalize on that his abilities. What a waste of a life that could have meant so much to so many - both Americans and Iraqi's. It is another example of how conceited and arrogant our government has become.

You never knew what you have until it is gone, like 3000 lives and growing. Where and when did all of us stop looking beyond our own nose.

I am getting ready to deploy to Iraq (first deployment) with my National Guard unit next year. I only hope that I will have the privilege of serving with people like Capt. Patriquin.

My heart goes out to his family. I am sure he will be deeply missed.

I am a close friend to this family. I hope that more friends and supportive people will leave positive words that one day his wife can read to his children in his memory. Travis was a soldier in and out...he loved the Army and died doing what he knew was right and what he loved. Everything that SS mentioned above was correct about Travis. Ready First!

Spc. Vince Pomante was the gunner for the truck, not the driver. The driver survived the attack with major burns. I was friends with all three and they were all special in different ways. All will be missed tremendously.

Another life wasted. Kudos for his bravery and devotion to duty. Would that he had had more moral fiber than his compatriots and refused to follow patently illegal orders from the Executive. Unfortunately, his PP demonstration is simplistic and amounts to little more than propaganda. One wonders if it is actually his, or another bit of disinfo from an Army agitprop organ?

awshuckssquared- This something you will obviously never understand. His was not a wasted life. He was quite obviously over there doing more with his life, and bettering the lives of all of the Iraqis that he came in contact with, than you are. You use the death of this man as a chance to get on your soap box and speak out. Who are you to berate him? call him weak of moral fiber, and than criticize his means of getting a message out there to his troops?

You disgust me. But even more so, you sadden me, that you would use this event, and this Man's memory to make a political statement (an ignorant one at that).

And to those that think it was a waste, him being there, and that he should have been at the Pentagon or something... Cpt. Patriquin was right where he was needed. At the ground level getting the message out to the troops and leading the mission.

May he Rest In Peace, and may his family and friends sleep peacefully knowing that this Man made a difference. It truly is a loss. But we should be celebrating his life and that he was making a difference and carrying out a mission he truly believed in.

Sad Loss. And for the idiots that believe the journalists are the one's to blame for the situation in Iraq, please wake up

Travis Patriquin's presentation may be bearing fruit. There are reports that the local militias are helping the Iraqi army and U.S. Troops. told to me by someone there, on Christmas morning. God Bless his soul and help the troops. We have politicians and some journalists that are fueling the insurgancy, Just like they did during the Vietnam War. That is the only thing that is clearly similar between the wars. And many are the same people.