Open letter from an American soldier

Freeport Journal-Standard ^ | 9 Nov 03 | Sgt. Rod Watson

[windchime]

"We met Abas' son, Kazi. He is about 4 years old with large, inquisitive blue eyes, blond hair and tan skin."

Lots of interesting information in the article, but the introduction of Kazi provokes questions. How did this child happen in a country of dark eyed, dark haired people and how do the villagers respond to him?

[Arpege92]

I'm not trying to take all that is good in this area of Iraq, I just wish my friend who's spent up to 28 days at a time in Fallujah could experience this. He's written about the danger and the hate that these people have for Americans.

[Valin]

Bump

[Ol' Sox]

Thanks for posting this! Its good to hear about the small victories that will result in a bright future for the kids in Iraq.

My nephew returned from the Gulf on Thursday where he had been stationed aboard the USS Nimitz. It was so good to see him, transformed from a wild-a$$ young buck to a capable and dependable man. You could see the change just looking him in the eyes. I am very proud of him - he made E-5 in only 2 1/2 years!

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Some Arabs have European ancestry-such as in Syria, Lebannon and Iraq.

[blackie]

Winning hearts and minds ~ Bump!

[windchime]

Thanks. I would guess the red haired Ibrahim(sp?) of Saddam's inner circle would fall into the same category.

[speekinout]

Thanks. This is a good one. It helps to balance the stories about the evil Iraqis.

[Old Student]

Some of the folks in Iraq are of Persian ancestry, as well, and many of them are red-headed. The Middle East has been a melting pot for several millenia.

[Old Student]

add me to your ping list, if you would. I keep hoping I'll run into mention of some of my troops, find out how they're doing these days.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Sgt. Rod Watson, for recounting your experiences. Your presence will be remembered, most especially by the young boy. Thank you for your service and for a job well done. Thanks Mr S for posting this letter. Winning over 1 person at a time.

[StarCMC]

Thanks for the post Mr. Silverback - thanks for the ping Tonk! Love those soldiers of ours!!

[windchime]

Thanks. I had an oversimplified opinion of the Iraqis as a homogeneous group.

[Old Student]

you aren't the only one. They see us much the same way. If we ever manage to to correct all the wrong impressions everyone has of everyone else, we'll begin the millenium. I'm working on becoming a teacher, hoping to start working on them fairly young, and see if that helps any.

[redrock]

I've talked personally with a lot of the Utah Reservists that have come back from Iraq.

Almost to a man....they say much the same thing that's in this great article.

..and almost to man...they would go back to help out.

A lot is at stake in Iraq...and those who have been there understand that.

redrock

[windchime]

"I'm working on becoming a teacher, hoping to start working on them fairly young, and see if that helps any."

They'll be lucky to have you!

[Mr. Silverback]

(I LOVED the Dances with Wolves image!)

Yeah, me too, it was a nice touch.

[Mr. Silverback]

Local boy doin' good bump! I'm next door in Rockford and was pullin' for Freeport to thump Boylan yesterday. Can't stand Boylan.

Hey, come west and freep with us some time! Pro-troop rally every Saturday at noon! Thanks for the Pretzel support, those kids just play their hearts out every year.

[Mr. Silverback]

(Telling that the newspaper omitted his rank from his byline, don't you think?)

Actually, the Journal-Standard has been very pro-troop and published editorials in the early days of this year questioning how we could ever deal with Saddam without taking him out. The byline thing is probably just a general editorial policy, I don't recall ever seeing a rank or title in the byline when a local official writes a guest editorial.