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BBC journalist Butch Woodpile, who has been embedded with US forces in the Middle East over the past six months, returned to a hero's welcome in the UK today.
The roads from Heathrow were packed in all directions with cheering crowds. Copies of Guns and Ammo became the new ticker tape and waving became the new dropping as copies of Guns and Ammo were waved at the man the Telegraph christened "Britain's latest warrior poet", who described the "terrible beauty of war" with such intensity that the volunteer rate for the armed forces rose measurably each time his reports were aired on the six o'clock news.
Mr Woodpile's reports from Basra have "set a new standard for embedded journalism" according to the head of BBC News, Mesoglea Murgatroyd. "Although reporting restrictions prevented him saying anything about the Marines' location, direction, condition, orders, weapons, activities, opinions or appearance, Butch was always ready with three minutes of landscape photography and deeply atmospheric commentary. That's what separates the men from the boys in this business."
Mr Woodpile, who has been nominated as BBC Journalist of the Year for his efforts, lived with a squad of Marines as they performed peacekeeping duties around Basra. He shared their food, their feelings, their discomforts, their dangers, and on several occasions he also shared their burden.
"It's a great honour for a mere reporter to be allowed to share in the glory of the military," he said. "I can't begin to express how grateful I am to the US Marine Corps for giving me this opportunity."
"Butch has six confirmed kills and another couple that are indeterminate," said Marine lieutenant Ethan Snodgrass. "The whole squad is very proud of Butch."
Mr Woodpile is modest when he speaks about combat experience, but his pride is evident in the Colt .45 cartridge case which he wears on a chain around his neck, and the large cigar box, presented to him by the squad, in which he carries the trigger fingers of his confirmed kills. "he's probably too modest to mention this," said Lieutenant Snodgrass, "but he chopped those trophies right off and pickled them himself."
BBC journalist Butch Woodpile, who has been embedded with US forces in the Middle East over the past six months, returned to a hero's welcome in the UK today.
The roads from Heathrow were packed in all directions with cheering crowds. Copies of Guns and Ammo became the new ticker tape and waving became the new dropping as copies of Guns and Ammo were waved at the man the Telegraph christened "Britain's latest warrior poet", who described the "terrible beauty of war" with such intensity that the volunteer rate for the armed forces rose measurably each time his reports were aired on the six o'clock news.
Mr Woodpile's reports from Basra have "set a new standard for embedded journalism" according to the head of BBC News, Mesoglea Murgatroyd. "Although reporting restrictions prevented him saying anything about the Marines' location, direction, condition, orders, weapons, activities, opinions or appearance, Butch was always ready with three minutes of landscape photography and deeply atmospheric commentary. That's what separates the men from the boys in this business."
Mr Woodpile, who has been nominated as BBC Journalist of the Year for his efforts, lived with a squad of Marines as they performed peacekeeping duties around Basra. He shared their food, their feelings, their discomforts, their dangers, and on several occasions he also shared their burden.
"It's a great honour for a mere reporter to be allowed to share in the glory of the military," he said. "I can't begin to express how grateful I am to the US Marine Corps for giving me this opportunity."
"Butch has six confirmed kills and another couple that are indeterminate," said Marine lieutenant Ethan Snodgrass. "The whole squad is very proud of Butch."
Mr Woodpile is modest when he speaks about combat experience, but his pride is evident in the Colt .45 cartridge case which he wears on a chain around his neck, and the large cigar box, presented to him by the squad, in which he carries the trigger fingers of his confirmed kills. "he's probably too modest to mention this," said Lieutenant Snodgrass, "but he chopped those trophies right off and pickled them himself."
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