For security reasons I decided to lag a bit on writing up the last few weeks of my journey. I did this because I was fortunate to have sat in on a few strategic meetings with a very elite group of Warriors, the Civil Affairs Group of the United States Marine Corps. During these meetings I was privileged to witness first hand the wonderful work these brave individuals do on a daily basis. Not only do they deliver the famous toys and gifts to the children of Iraq, but they also gathered updates on the various projects which are in progress in the area. These projects were either stared by them or inherited by their predecessors: such as rebuilding the water treatment system, electrical facility, community infrastructure projects to finding out how many people are in the community in order to deliver drinking water to them, blankets and medical supplies. Through this strategic relationship building process, a trust is established with the local people and this reaps tremendous rewards in both rebuilding the community but also reaps far better rewards in terms of gathering information about insurgents in the area. The people of Iraq truly want the internal fighting to stop so that they can begin to rebuild their country and provide a better life for themselves and their children. With the help of the American and Coalition Forces this is beginning to happen, one small step at a time.
The individuals we met with are sacrificing their lives to work with the Coalition Forces. I would love to post pictures of them for all to see what a patriot truly looks like, but in order to safeguard their lives, I can not in good conscience do that. I also would not want to put our Warriors lives in danger and surely would never want to show the faces of those who are working with us to fight terrorism. As an American who entered Iraq without blinders on, and no personal or political agenda, we are making progress in a country that has been riddled with oppression and terror far to long.
Many of the individuals we encountered used to be part of the insurgent’s team, but have come to realize that the progress being made by the American and Coalition Forces are making the lives of their families better and they have joined forces with us in order to rebuild their own country. They are also helping to uncover the weapons caches which have been buried by those who wish to do harm to those trying to help them. Although the quality of life in Iraq needs to be overhauled, at this moment in time their quality of life, in a very small way, is becoming more comfortable as a result of the Coalition Forces. It is not our job to rebuild their country, it is theirs to do that, but our being there is helping to provide the security support and the psychological support to help them become stronger and to rid the fears of not being able to take control of their own lives and destiny for the future. Our efforts are making a difference for these people. A sincere gratitude can be seen in the eyes of these people, if only one took the time to really look into them.
I must thank the Men of the CAG for helping to bring a journey of searching for the truth to a close on a positive note. Without your help and assistance this journey would have been for nothing. We need more of you on the ground helping to gather the information we need in order to combat Terrorism before it has a chance to filter back to our shores. Your job is so important to the mission at hand and I for one am grateful to have seen you in action. I have had the honor of working with the CAG in the past, stateside that is, but to see you in action on the ground was extremely rewarding to me. Guys, I understand you even more now. Thanks for the opportunity to finally put a face on a phase I had always wondered about... it was amazing!
To the special guys of the 3rd LAR, each of you challenged me on a daily basis by making me do things I never would have envisioned myself doing. You made me find muscles I never knew I had, but you whipped them into shape and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the experience. It was an honor to deploy with you as you entered Iraq and please know I am still there with you each and every day. I will be there when you return home to personally give you a big hug! Each and every one of you has become very special to me and I am keeping you in my prayers until your safe return. Without you this trip would never have been possible and you are by far the bravest, selfless, dedicated individuals I have ever met. I thought our country was on the brink of despair until I looked into your eyes, the legacy of America is so strong in your soul and the look in your eyes told me that America is in good hands. You are the future of AMERICA! Your outlook on the mission at hand is awe inspiring. Continue to do the great work you started and be proud of the mission you are a part of. Like many of you said in conversations with me, you are creating a legacy for the Iraqi people, for you’re part of their history. One day they will look back and remember fondly on the American Warriors who came to their aid and helped them achieve greatness. They will never know your name or where you were from, only that you stepped up to the plate when the world needed you the most, to help combat terrorism for them and the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting on that UNIFORM every day!
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