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To: g'nad; SuziQ; 300winmag; Wneighbor; HairOfTheDog; GulfWar1Vet; 2Jedismom; Professional Engineer
Just wanted to share a story with you guys that happened yesterday. I hope I dont get to long winded with it.
I was assigned to guard the locals that come into our camp to work each day. We dont really have to watch them, we just make sure they dont go through the garbage and such for any personal information. I had the occasion to take a ride in a 1970 chevy truck that was owned by an Iraqi gentleman with an engineering degree named Majeed. He and his crew were contracted to build showers all over the camp. He told me he was originally from Baghdad, but lives in Mosul now. I asked him which was better. He told me that Baghdad was a beautiful place prior to Saddams rule, and that he really missed the way it used to be. He said "Saddam ruin everything" as he nearly came to tears thinking about it. He told me of being forced to join the army at 18, and that they were not given clothes, food or medical care as a soldier. After the Army he attended college at the University of Baghdad and got a degree in engineering. He began to speak of his friend who was also an engineer. His friend had been told by the Saddam regime that he was to design and build a bridge in Baghdad. He and his workers did so, and he was paid $7 a month as a professional engineer. After the bridge was completed all who had worked on it including the engineer were put in prison, because Saddam was not happy with the bridge. Again, Majeed was holding back the tears as he spoke of his friend whom he had not seen since being imprisoned. He told me "It's a very hard life in Iraq, but it's getting better" and then he smiled at me and shook my hand.
There was much more conversation, but I'll wrap this up now. If someone says that America has no business in Iraq, share this story with them and ask them "What if the shoe were on the other foot" See what they have to say.
Steve
7,503 posted on 02/18/2004 11:01:36 PM PST by smaagee
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To: smaagee; Graybeard58
That's a great story, Steve! Even we who support you guys wholeheartedly like to be reminded from time to time just what a difference y'all have made there.

Glad you wrote. We'd been concerned since we hadn't heard from you in a day or two. Have you e-mailed your Dad?

I haven't gotten those Beanies ready to go yet. It's looking like it may be a couple of weeks. I'm busy next week with a Mardi Gras party at Church on Tuesday, then I'm going on a retreat with some of the kids in the Confirmation class next weekend. I'm gonna be the 'enforcer of the rules' LOL! I told the Youth Minister I'd be happy to be the 'bad guy' cause all I have to do is remind the kids that I know their Mamas!

Stay safe, and keep in touch! We worry about you along with your Dad!

7,504 posted on 02/18/2004 11:15:51 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: smaagee
Wow...that's quite a story! Thanks for sharing this with us.
7,511 posted on 02/19/2004 5:27:51 AM PST by RosieCotton (48 days to 5k!)
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To: smaagee
Your story is really good to hear smaagee! - I am really hoping and praying we retain the follow through to finish what we started over there. Thank you for doing the good work!

Good morning all! or evenin! depending on your hemisphere!
7,520 posted on 02/19/2004 5:49:35 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: smaagee
You guys, the Good Guys, are awesome. Keep up the good work, man.

Thanks for sharing the story. The more of this we can hear,and pass on, the better.
7,545 posted on 02/19/2004 7:12:13 AM PST by Professional Engineer (Chief recruiting officer, BicycleSpankenTruppen)
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To: smaagee
Wonderful story. I'm glad you guys are there making a difference to those poor lives. Thank God for George Bush.
7,547 posted on 02/19/2004 7:18:42 AM PST by My back yard (The world is changed; I can feel it in the water, in the earth, I can smell it in the air.)
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