Posted on 09/20/2005 7:34:45 PM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Things are getting better in Iraq
BY COL. ED CARDON
Families and friends of the Vanguard Brigade:
We had much lower temperatures this week and one day the temperature almost dropped below 100 degrees — a cold snap. We are still averaging between 105-110 degrees every day, but it is much cooler, especially in the morning.
We have had a very good week and we are very proud of the actions of our soldiers. They are doing an absolutely wonderful job and they are really making a difference on the streets. There are still both insurgents and hard-core terrorists on the streets, but we seem to be having much better success capturing them. Attacks are on a downward trend and we have had some good success finding weapon caches and roadside bombs.
Three insurgents were driving in our area to place a roadside bomb when it prematurely detonated, killing all three with no other injuries or damage. The population seems to have become less tolerant of insurgents and terrorists, and we are receiving more help from the population. However, people are still under threat from terrorists groups who have no qualms about attacks that injure and kill Iraqi civilians. The population sometimes faces intimidation, propaganda, assault and murder. The good news is that some of the citizens have started to realize that all it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. The debate over the constitution continues and there is still some uncertainty as compromises are worked out over tough issues. There has been no talk about delaying the referendum vote and it is still scheduled for Oct. 15. In fact, observations on the ground point to increased voter registration by all parties in Iraq, especially the Sunnis, who did not vote in large numbers during the last election. This is a very positive step for the democratic growth of Iraqi politics. The political rhetoric will most likely increase over the next few weeks as political parties work to explain their positions on the constitution. In addition to the sewage, water, electrical and road projects, we work with schools, medical clinics and general humanitarian assistance efforts. There was a fair amount of school renovation, and several of our battalions have formed programs that receive school supplies from the United States and distribute them to Iraqi children. It is really a great day to see these children with their little backpacks and school supplies — after all, they are the future of Iraq. We have also done several medical exercises where we offer free medical care to certain areas on a case-by-case basis. We try to coordinate with local doctors and security forces to help with security. These programs are very popular with women and children. We also have done several humanitarian assistance drops where we distribute additional food and supplies. The drops are normally held after an event that has created a need — like a terrorist attack. These events are very rewarding for the soldiers, and are a welcome break from their normal duties.
Finally, events on the Gulf Coast have had an impact on some of our soldiers. Our unit has a mission here in Iraq and every soldier is important to our mission, so other units have been mobilized to support the relief effort. However, the Army has put in place special policies to help individual soldiers with this disaster and if anyone has any problems, they need to contact the rear detachment.
Today is Sept. 11 and extremism is very real to us. Most of us can describe exactly where we were that day in 2001 — it is very real. Our soldiers continue to serve the cause of freedom every day, and they are incredible to watch in the performance of their duties. Thanks for all of your continued support that keeps our soldiers focused on their mission — it keeps them safe.
Vanguard! Rock of the Marne!
Very respectfully, Col. Ed Cardon
Col. Ed Cardon is the commander of the newly formed Fourth Brigade of the Third Infantry Division, stationed in south central Baghdad. He graduated from Watsonville High in 1978 and West Point Military Academy in 1982. He served in Germany when the wall came down, and has served as chief geographic officer in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the breakup of Yugoslavia. He was special assistant for the Army Chief of Staff during the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. He was inducted into the Watsonville Hall of Fame in 2003. He is the son of Watsonville residents Larry and Corrie Cardon.
BTT. My regards to the good Colonel, and let him know how proud we are of him and his troopers.
I haven't received any newsletters for a while until today. I got #26 as an email and tracked this one down to the local paper.
Thnak you, and please let the Colonel and his men know that we support the troops by supporting the mission, and tell them that a majority of the American people know that the MSM is a joke.
Things are getting better in Iraq bump!
Taxman Bravo Zulu! to the Colonel and his troops.
Thank you good friend"Homer_J_Simpson"thank you
Heh... no words on what's going on in Sadr controlled Basra...
Thanks for the ping to this great news, HJS.
Looks like the terrorists got a taste of their own evil planning in the premature explosion!
Loved the stories about the good the Col. and his troops are doing in Iraq, and especially liked hearing that the Iraqi kids are getting the school supplies. The Col. is right - they are the future of Iraq, and our troops are having a good influence on them.
Giving thanks for all of the good news, and continuing in prayer for the Col., his troops, and all of our military personnel and their families. God bless them, and their mission.
I just heard a bit on the news that the enemy has reverted (if they ever stopped) to grabbing children and using them as human shields when their safe houses are discovered and come under attack.
Hmmm. I wonder which example regular Iraqi families prefer.
May be one reason more Iraqis have begun giving more help to the Americans. The only way they will ever overcome it is to fight it.
Re: Things are getting better in Iraq
The Col. may find willing soldiers to swallow his propoganda but anyone following the U.S. invasion of Iraq can see that the situation is getting worse. His article was insulting.
-Andy
The Colonel's article is the truth, Andy. This is an insult: Your are an idiot.
Poor Andy is drinking the kool-ade of the leftist "news" media. If you got all of your information from them, you'd never think anything good happens in Iraq.
D'OH! Mine are one too.
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