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Iraqi Leaders Thank Vermont Soldiers
Northfield, Vermont - November 8, 2007 When members of the Vermont National Guard arrived in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, it was one of the most dangerous places in the country. But thanks to the efforts of Task Force Saber and the members of the visiting delegation, Anbar, and its capital city of Ramadi, are some of the safest places in the nation.
"We have seen pictures and share them amongst members of Task Force Saber and the difference of Ramadi today versus what it was when we were there, you can't even tell the difference, you'd think it was another city," says Vt. National Guard Col. Mark Lovejoy.
Part of the turnaround, says the delegation, is a change in the mentality of the people of Anbar. Those people, they say, are no longer tolerant of the violence of Al Qaeda.
"That al-Qaida and the terrorists are people who believe in the theory of death, whereas we believe in the idea of life and building and rebuilding," Anbar Province Governor Mamoon Rashid Al-Alwani explained through a translator.
That rebuilding effort is what allowed the delegation the opportunity to leave Iraq, and visit the United States, and meet with Guard members and Norwich University students who helped make Ramadi safe.
"To the families of the victims of the soldiers in Iraq, I specifically express our appreciation to the state of Vermont," said Sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha of Anbar Awakening through a translator.
Guard members and soldiers had the opportunity to speak with the delegation. For them, this visit is an opportunity to see first hand the difference they made-- even from half a world away.
"Back when the new government was new, I didn't really think too much of the Iraqi delegates coming over to the United States, but now I think about it, it's kind of a good think, you know, they're getting out in the world now and establishing themselves again," says Norwich University Cadet Sgt. Richard Sugai.
The delegation says it's confident al-Qaida will not regain any ground in Anbar, and the key to stabilizing the rest of Iraq is participation from all the people of the country.
Okay, I understand this is not conventional Breaking News fare, but this, an amazing Veteran's Day Weekend story, not only is getting absolutely no coverage from the agenda driven mainstream media (no surprise there) but is being completely ignored by the right-o-sphere (Malkin, Hewitt, Glenn Reynolds, Charles Johnson, Bryan Preston where are you?) and the conservative pundits (NRO, Weekly Standard, syndicated columnists, etc).
These Iraqi leaders aren't just any Iraqi leaders either.
They are from the Anbar tribes that turned on Al-Qaeda and opened the door that Petraeus kicked in.
Without them there would be no Anbar Awakening, no model for the rest of Iraqis to follow. And, and we all know, they are following it. The latest numbers say some 70,000 concerned Iraqi citizens in some 120 groups have now mobilized to confront the savagery of Al-Qaeda and Shiite fundamentalists.
Without our Anbar allies, the door doesn't get opened.
And, not least of all, because of them many more Americans will be returning to their families.
So, please people, email your friends about it. Email The Corner about it. If you have a blog, write about it. If you don't have a blog, leave a comment in blogs you read.
There's a great video at the WCAX website. Maybe someone could grab it and put it on YouTube or Live Leak.
Shaykh Ahmed Abu Risha and the rest of the Anbaris are on the final day of their 10 day visit to the US. Let's create a little buzz to let them know as they thank us, we, in turn, thank them.
VIDEO HERE ~~ VT Guard Hosts Iraqis ~~ right side.
"What's important here in Vermont is that you had many of your sons in our province," said Abdusalem Mohammed, Chairman of the Provincial Council, speaking through an interpreter. "This is our way to express our appreciation for all their efforts."
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"The group met last week with President Bush and members of Congress, and visited Maryland and Texas as well. They leave Vermont for their final US stop in New York City this weekend.
"For those (tribal) sheiks to come over, and turn their back on al-Qaeda and stand up for democracy and freedom means a lot to me," Middleton said."
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"The Iraqi delegation told veterans they would look to the U.S. as a model in crafting their own unity government.
"You managed to unite all 50 states in one country despite your diversity and different religions," Al-Alwani said. "You managed to build this country despite those differences."
When the reconstruction is complete, the Iraqis said, Vermont veterans will be their guests of honor.
Said Al-Essawi, "We will welcome you and your families to come and visit Iraq."
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And it's ALL due to Pres. Bush's relentless perseverance, resolve and conviction that freedom is a gift from God and planted within the soul of every living human being.
Did ANYone hear or read ANYthing about this amazing visit in the so-called press?