Posted on 12/17/2005 4:36:28 PM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
Newsletter #36
Families and Friends of the Vanguard Brigade
Today is a great day – today is the day Iraq went to the polls to elect its four year government under the Iraqi Constitution. This is an incredible event and we are proud to be a part of this moment in history.
The weather cooperated beautifully. Although earlier a storm was predicated for today, it was sunny for the national elections. There was a holiday feeling in the air today. As we drove throughout our area of operations, it almost felt festive as the Iraqi people walked to the polls. The images of this day are special and will always stay with those of us fortunate enough to see them first hand. We want to share some of those pictures with you.
Many came to the polls as a family unit, including the children. When a person votes in Iraq, the tip of their index finger is stained with indelible ink to prevent fraud. When these families came out of the polling center, many of the children had stained fingers as well. It was moving to see an entire family hold up ink stained fingers. It gives hope to consider the involvement of children in the political process. These children are the ones who determine the future.
As part of the security measures there was a ban on driving. As a result, there were no cars on the streets in a city of six million people. With no cars, the streets became playgrounds and soccer fields for the children – a six lane highway in our area had a least six soccer games in progress as we drove to different polling sites. With shoes as goal posts, several World Cups were under way today in Iraq. It was a heartening sight to see that children still have the capacity to grab the moment and experience such joy.
The Iraqi Security Forces provided the security for each polling site; different combinations of police, police commandos, public order brigade soldiers, and Iraqi Army Soldiers. We had no direct involvement with polling site security – each voter is checked by Iraqi Security Forces, and these forces maintained a high security posture. Our forces remained in the background ready to respond to incidents at a moment’s notice. Nothing happened of significance. To watch these forces operating vigilantly and professionally was a testament to all of the hard work thus far in training the Iraqi Forces. And when we talked to the Iraqi soldiers, they were so proud to be part of this event. Overall, the elections’ success is a testament to the growing capabilities of Iraqi security forces.
We visited some polling sites in predominately Sunni areas. In areas where there were no Sunni voters going to the polls last January, today was a complete reversal – these same centers were crowded with voting Sunnis. In our area the Sunni population voted in large numbers. This is another encouraging sign of the political change that bolsters the spirits of those of us here in Iraq.
Finally, there were some indirect fire attacks in our area, but generally those attacks were ineffective and had no impact on the voting. Imagine a loud explosion, a moment when everyone looks around to see what happened, and then Iraqis continued to walk in the streets and stand in line to vote at the polls. This is stirring to watch as it is seems the local Iraqis do not even flinch as they went on with their everyday lives. It was evidence of their determination in the face of those against who stand against this political process.
We could not be more proud of the actions of our Soldiers over the last few weeks. They have conducted thousands of patrols; conducted numerous offensive operations against the insurgents and terrorists; conducted several defensive operations to improve security; and continued the training of Iraq’s security forces. They have worked very hard and we are very proud of them as each of them did their duty and in that way, made this day successful.
Vanguard! Rock of the Marne!
Very Respectfully,
Colonel Ed Cardon and Command Sergeant Major Louis Torres
Post-election ping.
Good!
The soldiers of Vanguard should be proud of their service and what they have accomplished, and I hope they know that many of us know that, despite the propaganda of the MSM.
There's an old-fashioned term for when you force your opponents off the battlefield and they have to accept a political framework within the parameters drawn by you.
It's called 'victory'.
Thank you dear one "Homer_J_Simpson" This is outstanding!!!
Been off line for much of the past week. It's great to read such wonderful, up-lifting news from the Colonel and Command Sergeant Major! They, and all of those fighting for freedom, have much for which to be proud, and we have much for which to be thankful. God bless them.
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