Five Years in Iraq (Shameless Vanity)

My Own Crazy Adventures | January 18, 2009 | Allegra

[debm29palms]

“I began to get a sinking feeling that all of our troops’ sacrifices and all of our hard work would not see fruition. Just as that feeling began to settle in, lo and behold, Iraqis began coming out of their homes in droves...”

Thank you.

[Lurker]

Dear Allegra, Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me. You have my gratitude, affection, and most of all my respect.

You are one tough lady.

L

[JustaDumbBlonde]

My husband and I talked again yesterday about the trip to TCMS, and if the farming works out right, we will be able to get over there. I really hope so.

[retrokitten]

Allegra, thank you for posting this. I couldn’t help but tear up while reading. I hope you’re keeping a journal, because it will all make a really amazing book some day.

Ping to my FRiends.

[hocndoc]

You’re a true American hero. God bless you and keep you safe.
Thank you so much!

[Kevmo]

Looks like one of the few vanities worth reading. Read later bump, so far it looks excellent.

Oh, and thanks for your service to our country.

[VirginiaMom]

How wonderful of you to compose such a GREAT vanity. I love reading your posts and following your life over there. I’ve shared your FRHomepage with many friends over the years.

We are fortunate to benefit from the TRUTH you tell in all of your posts as we certainly don’t get it on the news.

May God bless you and keep you safe. And may you always have clean, comfy socks on your feet.

VirginiaMom

[Slings and Arrows]

Write a book - I'll buy it!

[Miss Didi]

Tears indeed! Thank you, Allegra, for sharing your story with us and for all you do. It is always a joy hearing from you. You make us so proud. Looking forward to reading your bestseller one day soon. Be safe. ;)

[Mr. Silverback]

Bump for later read and recognition of your awesomeness.

;-)

[jwalsh07]

Nothing shameless about your story Allegra.

[Liberty Valance]

God Bless you Allegra. Thanks for all you do!

[Caramelgal]

Allegra, I really want to thank you for your post and for your and other contractors’ service to both Our Country and to the good people of Iraq.

I think that the service and sacrifices of our civilian contractors, both at home and abroad and in harms way too often go unrecognized and underappreciated here at home.

I also think some of us loose sight of the fact that not all Iraqis and dare I even say not all Muslims are terrorist or our enemies as which you so eloquently attest.

And when I think about how much of a “hassle” it is for me to go out and vote sometimes - you know; like sometimes the polling place is inconvenient or doesn’t have enough parking spaces; I have to wait in line for 5 or 10 minutes; I have to leave the house earlier so I’m not late for work; or leave work early or sit in traffic; it’s raining; it’s cold; I don’t want to have poll workers try to hand me literature for their candidate on my way in, what does it matter anyway….whine, whine, whine…

I take it for granted that it is my Right to vote, whether I want to be bothered to do so or not (and so far I’m proud to say that I’ve never not exercised that Right since 1980), but now if I ever feel “inconvenienced” I can think about the following:

Al Qaeda and the Mahdi Army made numerous threats that those who voted would be killed. They spray painted in Arabic, red menacing letters, “Vote and Die”…..The first two hours the polls were open saw sparse crowds and I began to get a sinking feeling that all of our troops’ sacrifices and all of our hard work would not see fruition. Just as that feeling began to settle in, lo and behold, Iraqis began coming out of their homes in droves, entire families holding hands in case anything happened, bravely, defiantly swarming the polling places all around the city. Long lines formed around blocks, but nobody left. They kept coming and coming as the morning wore on and approached noon. They were proudly waving purple fingers, weeping with joy, and we watched on the TV in our office and wept unashamedly along with them.

Godspeed, Iraq and may you continue to go forward and embrace the bright light of liberty and peace.

Well said Allegra! Stay safe, keep posting and I hope you can come home soon.

[Lady Jag]

Hey, girl!

[Theresawithanh]

Wow, very glad I found this posting!

I wish the media here had been more inclined to report on the significance and the meaning of Iraquis voting for that first time, even under threats to their lives, as it is one of the most compelling stories in the WOT. I cried that day when I read about it, and now, remembering it, my eyes are getting wet again.

Thank you and the others for all that you did, and are still doing.

[Arrowhead1952]

Thanks for all you have done. Godspeed and stay safe. You should send that to hussein and let him know Iraq is a success - not that he would admit or understand the truth.

Thanks for the ping Kathy.

[thackney]

BTTT

Hope you don’t mind this flying around world in emails...

[Allegra]

Hope you don’t mind this flying around world in emails...

Not a bit. One of the things I feel that is incumbent on me while here is to get the truth out as far as I can over the din of the lying media.

Thanks!

[luvie]

Happy 5th Allegra! Stay safe!

[sybilll]

Beautifully written, emotionally charged, and packed with 5 years worth of insight and information not to be seen in the likes of the media. Thank you sincerely for your firsthand account, and more importantly, thank you for your invaluable service. God Bless you and Happy Anniversary.