A Measure of Respect - Amer. GI Sgt. Jared Zabaldo with the Iraqi Army

I just got back from an embed with the Iraqi army's 2nd Battalion. The 2nd Battalion is actually part of the Iraqi army's Iraqi Intervention Force. It's a special force in the army specifically trained in counter-insurgency operations. Once again I managed to be in the thick of it again. I walked through the streets of Baghdad July 1 on the Iraqi army's first foot patrol in Baghdad. In fact I made two patrols that same day on the same market-place street. This is a street that I have traveled down many times at about 60 miles an hour on ground convoys. Never thought I would be walking those streets on a foot patrol.

But I am happy to report that the Iraqi army was greeted with great fanfare and cheering from the citizens. It was AMAZING! Like McArthur returning to the Phillipines. People cheering. Honking horns. It was awesome. I was one of five Americans who accompanied the battalion (actually it wasn't the whole battalion. It was actually a single company of about 150 men). I had people run out to me and offer me food. Kids were trying to give me candy. I finally took a piece of gum from a fat little kid and he was real happy when I popped it in my mouth. The coolest thing was that I had so many people almost in tears thanking me -- as a representative of America I guess -- for their Army and their sovereignty. (Like I had anything to with it). But they were truly happy. Not a shot fired. No violence. No fighting. Nothing. Nothing but a happy and positive experience.

We followed behind the company about 25 to 50 yards for most of the way, but I ran up and got some p hotos at opportune times.

The main mission was to have the Iraqis introduce themselves to people and let them know that they were here now to provide security in this particular sector. So the battalion commander, LTC Mohammed, would walk up to folks in the market place and shake their hands and tell them who they were. It was really awesome to see the reaction, though. The Iraqis rode in on these 5-ton Hyundai troop transport trucks (like five of them) and a couple SUV's and we followed in two Humvees. The Iraqis have these big Iraqi flags flying over the cab of their trucks so everyone knows who's on their way. And man, cars would flash their lights. Honk their horns. I saw one guy hurriedly pull over and jump on the hood of his car and start filming the event with a video camera.

At one point two soldiers helped an old lady across the street and an old man started crying because it was so emotional for him to see. I had a little boy run up to me and make a throat -cutting slit across his throat and then stamp his foot and said, "Saddam Hussein!" The Iraqis were handing out Iraqi flags on the first patrol and one woman refused it because it still had the green on the flag that Saddam put on there. I sure don't want to speak for how the whole country feels, but in the southern district of Abu Sheer, these people were overwhelmed to say the least.

My buddy Jeff told me today that of all the soldiers in Iraq, I probably have one of the coolest experiences because of everything I get to see, and I was thinking about it and realized he's probably right. I mean one minute I'm sitting in on secret meetings with General Petraeus, the next escorting Dan Rather around, and then to top it all off I am one of five Americans to walk down the streets of Baghdad with the Iraqi army's return to Baghdad. Pretty crazy. This place really sucks, but I guess I kind of hit the lottery for missions. Of course I haven't been able to take a shower for t hree days and I've been walking around in full battle-gear for three days in a 110+ degrees. But everybody has to do that. You've never sweat until you sweat in Iraq with a helmet, flak vest with ceramic plates, 330 rounds, a camelback and an M16. It's draining. But it could be way worse.

This place really sucks, but I guess I kind of hit the lottery for missions. Of course I haven't been able to take a shower for t hree days and I've been walking around in full battle-gear for three days in a 110+ degrees. But everybody has to do that. You've never sweat until you sweat in Iraq with a helmet, flak vest with ceramic plates, 330 rounds, a camelback and an M16. It's draining. But it could be way worse.

This is a good attitude from someone who has to do a really hard job. He's got a good perspective on things. Reminds me of a letter written by a young officer who assisted in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp:

Incidentally, your griping about my going to the South Pacific. I have only been in the Army a couple of years. Some of these people were in the hell hole of Dachau for years. If I spend ten years in the Army during war I will never go through what those people go through. Even if I were killed, I would be lucky compared to those people. So if you still feel the jitters remember the people of Dachau and think how lucky I am no matter what happens.

I think both of those people you quoted had their heads on straight.

Personally, when I was a soldier and was wet and cold and bone-tired and miserable, I would reflect on Valley Forge. Really think about it. And realize my lot wasn't so bad.

Those kinds of thoughts keep us strong, and keep us from becoming snivelers.

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