ME ESCRIBE STEVE NATSCHKE, que acaba de reincorporarse a la vida civil tras haber estado destinado durante dos años en el CENTCOM, el centro de mando de las tropas de la coalición para las campaña de Iraq y Afganistán:

Speaking for myself and my family, I'd like to thank Spain for their troops and their sacrifice in Iraq. While they were there they did a great job and it was unfortunate that they were pulled out before the original date. Please pass along our gratitude to others.

Me da más detalles sobre el comportamiento de las tropas españolas allí:

I read many of the reports coming in to the CENTCOM headquarters from the people on the ground in Iraq. The efforts by Poland and Spain are unique. Poland is the lead country of the Multi-National Division Center South. Spain was the lead country for one of the brigades that made up that division. That brigade was made up of not only Spanish soldiers but of soldiers from Latin American countries as well. Most people don't appreciate the difficulties associated with commanding troops from a county other than your own. It becomes very complex. That Poland and Spain took this on is a tribute to their militaries. This is especially so since most countries do not necessarily build their militaries around deploying abroad.
It takes very competent people and a lot of hard work to coordinate a multi-national deployment.

Pues ahí queda dicho para que conste; por supuesto, thank you too, sir, for your service and your commitment to freedom.

Por cierto que Steve va a estar por Madrid dentro de poco; habría que pensar algo para invitarle a unas cuantas rondas.

ACTUALIZACIÓN. Manel, será dicho.