 506th Air Expeditionary Group - Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq Commentary: Perspective from a changed Airman
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by Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- When I found out that I was deploying to Iraq, I was excited and a little bit concerned about what I could expect while I was deployed. I never imagined how awesome of an eye-opening adventure it would be. While I was back in the States, I would watch the news and wonder why the people of Iraq weren’t stepping up to the plate. Since I have been here, I am realizing just how much these people are doing for themselves -- it has me awe struck. I have been here for a little more than a month and already I have had the privilege of being able to witness first hand what is going on here. I was fortunate enough, the first week I was here, to have the opportunity to sit in on a three-day Basic First Aid/First Responder and Fire Fighting course at the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire department. Although this is a very beneficial course, that is not what impressed me most. It was the interaction between the instructor, Staff Sgt. Shannon Anderson, and the Iraqi students he was teaching. Shortly after attending this graduation, my mother e-mailed me and asked me to tell her how I thought the troops were doing over here. She said they never hear anything good about our presence in Iraq. The following was my response to her request. Mom, The people here are always doing great things. Here is a story for you. When I was in the States I would frequently say to myself, “Why don’t these people step up to the plate, blah, blah blah.” Then, the other day, while I was at the graduation for Iraqi guards training to be firemen, I stood there solely as an observer, but this alone was an overwhelming experience. I saw the firefighters and the Iraqis interacting in such an awesome way. It was as if, after three days in this class, these people became best friends and you could see how much they appreciate what the Americans are trying to do. This close interaction lead me to the realization which was clearly present before me: the Iraqi students were openly appreciative of what the Americans are attempting to do here. And then I remembered what I used to say and I realized, the news can never even come close to truly conveying just how big of a monster the whole situation with Saddam and his followers had been for years. But yet, here are these people, who are risking their lives as well, because they some how still see a glimmer of hope that we (the coalition forces) can achieve what we are here to do. And regardless of what the press says or the protesters say, the people who live here are thankful that we were able to step in and help them get their country back. And, no, they can not take this on alone yet. THAT is the reason we are still here. We want to make sure that these people will not have to continue suffering the same wrath they have experienced for 23 years before the military arrived. And most Americans, probably because they don’t realize how easy they have it, cannot even remotely entertain the thought of how bad the Iraqi people have suffered and continue suffering because of the previous regime. Sometimes it is heart wrenching, but in the same respect, you see that most of the Iraqi people are trying to step up out of the rubble and get the only country they have ever known back on its feet. Americans experienced a tragic event on Sept. 11, 2001. Now, think back to how you felt during that moment when you realized what was truly happening. During that moment, many of us were scared, confused, angry and unsure of what the next day would bring. Unfortunately, these very experiences that everyone felt that day, are what most Iraqis have felt for the past 23 years under Saddam Hussein’s regime. Always having to watch every move you make, every look you give, every word you say. Unlike America, you don’t get a trial and get the luxury of thinking you are going to some plush prison, your choice is torture (of you or your family) or death, that’s it, case closed. It is a completely different experience when you are actually here. I am extremely impressed with the people who live here, much more than I would have been had I not come out here and been able to experience it first hand. These people amaze me every day. They show me, no matter what hand you are dealt in life, you can always rise above. They show me, if you truly believe in something it might be attainable. They show me that regardless of what they have been through, they will risk everything to make this country a better place to live in. Most importantly, they have taught me that people who live in America take for granted their freedoms of which these people are just now getting to experience. It doesn’t matter that they are starting from scratch, it’s the simple fact that they are starting to rebuild. You can see the hope in their eyes. It really makes you rethink what your priorities in life are. The Iraqi people may have little or nothing, but they have hope which seems to help them through all the other obstacles. And that is what you can tell people! That is what is really going on here! |
