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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Gates Praises Soldier in Pink Boxers

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(Newser) – A US soldier who took up the fight against the Taliban sans pants and clad in “I Love NY” pink boxers got a vote of his support from the nation’s defense chief last night, reports Reuters. “Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a New York speech.

An AP photographer snapped a photo of Army Specialist Zachary Boyd after he sprang from his bunk when his unit came under fire in Afghanistan. When it showed up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he feared being dismissed. “I can assure you that Specialist Boyd’s job is very safe indeed,” said Gates.

In this May 11 file photo, Army Specialist Zachary Boyd takes his position clad in pink boxers.
In this May 11 file photo, Army Specialist Zachary Boyd takes his position clad in pink boxers.   (AP Photo)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
In this May 11 file photo, Army Specialist Zachary Boyd takes his position clad in pink boxers.
In this May 11 file photo, Army Specialist Zachary Boyd takes his position clad in pink boxers.   (AP Photo)
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I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare.
- Defense chief Robert Gates

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10 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 22, 09 2:03 PM CDT
How quaint... the military would grab onto any PR right now... But we who have been there know what it's really like, don't we? Reply
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-2
ClingingToHope
May 22, 09 2:36 PM CDT
How quaint...maybe you or someone you loved should have been in the twin towers when the islamofascists put civilian jets into them. "How quaint." Reply
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-4
vendetta
May 22, 09 4:00 PM CDT
Nothing like praising the moron wearing a bright red shirt giving away your squads position. Genius. Reply
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
hungrydave
May 22, 09 5:55 PM CDT
I think the enemies already knew where they were because they started shooting at the soldiers first and Boyd got out of his tent to respond to this. And also, don't you think the soldiers returning fire would be a better indication of their position than his red sleeves?
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+5
justme
May 22, 09 7:09 PM CDT
OK guys, Shall we decide that he should have put his pants on before defending his position? Be real. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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