[Allegra]

Time really does fly when you're having fun. ;-)

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Great vanity, Allegra, and thank you for all your great work. Stay safe, and come home when you’re ready. Don’t forget, when you get back you can have some BBQ’d Bacon Sausage!

[Allegra]

Totally shameless vanity ping.

[airborne]

God bless you! And thank you!

Well written account. If you write a book on your experiences, I’d buy it!

[mdittmar]

The old media sure has been quiet on Iraq,no news is good news;).
Stay safe.

[Ann Archy]

THANK YOU!!!!! What a fabulous story!! And thank the others with you over there!!

[MNSlim]

Wow! Thanks for sharing that Allegra.

I try to catch every briefing on Pentagonchannel.mil, and the testimonies from the commanders, not just the two stars or the MNF-I spokesmen, but especially the Colonels commanding the Brigade Combat Teams describing the mind boggling progress in that theatre are inspiring.

Warfare, as we understood it just 15 years ago, is gone forever. Major General Jeffrey Hammond commands the most technologically advanced infantry and armor division in human history but he spends most of his time as a conduit between the tribal leaders, the Iraqi Army commanders and the Baghdad politicians. He's not worrying about where his Apaches and Abrams are positioned, he cares about ensuring that the Baghdad bureaucrats get full payments to Sons of Iraq leaders and their troops.

You, and the other civilians who accepted hazardous duty, are a big part of the equation. The State Department volunteers heading up the PRTs are amazing. Ryan Crocker is every bit the hero as Petraeus, because in the new COIN reality they are equal partners.

I think Iraq will be a spectacular success story. I really do. I hope you feel some pride that you were part of making history.

[Does so]

Would it be permissible to excerpt this account to my local forum? If so, the very vocal Liberals there will be hushed into silence!

Also, I'm curious as to when did you first start posting to FR from Iraq?

[Tainan]

Thank You. I always like to read your comments from Iraq.

Stay safe and enjoy he show. Its history right before your eyes.

[Future Snake Eater]

Great work, Allegra! It’s too bad we never got to meet face-to-face over there, but we were both just a little busy!

Thanks for all your hard work!

[Northern Yankee]

Keep safe, and thanks for the post.

You're a gem and are more worthy to be President than B. Hussein.

My nephew is on his way out there this spring.

God Bless!

[Eagle Eye]

World’s best BK BTTT!

Nice essay, congrats!

[Rocco DiPippo]

Hey girl! Your piece brought back some crazy memories. Damn, you write well! I knew we were gonna win the peace after the calm I saw on my last roadtrip there. And when I shipped out to Anbar, it was dead quiet -- not a single incident. BIAP was still a rathole the last time I went through there (summer 2007). Can't believe they actually made it into a real airport. Flights to Europe and the US soon? -- but I thought we lost the war? I can't wait to go back there -- man, do I miss it. . . Stay safe and by the way, congrats on that other bit of news!

[stockpirate]

Thnks for your service, I am no fan of vanities but enjoyed yours. Must admit I had trouble reading the election part, something in my eyes made thw words hard to see. :-)

[stockpirate]

recent history shameless vanity ping.

I think your ping list may enjoy this.

[stockpirate]

Ping to shameless vanity, I think your ping list may enjoy this one.

[Yo-Yo]

For some very interesting pictures of Allegra in Iraq, please visit her FReeper Home Page

[fortunate sun]

Always interesting!

[humblegunner]

Well done and well written!

[fedupjohn]

Allegra,

I've been reading your posts for the past 5 years from my safe digs in New Jersey and I have looked forward everyone of one of them.

Thanks for your work. Stay safe.

Fedupjohn

[Atlantian]

I’ve always enjoyed your comments on what’s happening in Iraq.

In 2007 my son worked for KBR at Camp Echo south of Baghdad. He fell in love with the Middle East and is now studying Arabic in Damascus and having the time of his life.

A few weeks ago he and some friends toured Kurdistan including a visit to northern Iraq. He was treated very kindly by everyone and had many invitations for dinner. He wants to go back to Iraq after he’s through with school.