Posted on 03/21/2008 9:08:16 AM PDT by brityank
Veterans say experiences not reflected in media accounts
March 19, 2008 - 10:39AMDAILY NEWS STAFF
In e-mails, in conversation and even occasionally in news reports, the message from many service members is the same: The public isn't getting the whole story out of Iraq.
For Capt. Patrick Francescon, a surprising reminder came from a young relative, just 4 or 5 years old.
"She asked, ‘Are you going to Iraq?'" Francescon recalled recently.
When he told the girl he had already been to Iraq twice, she was shocked.
"And you survived?" she asked.
"Her automatic thought was anybody going (to Iraq) wouldn't survive," Francescon said.
As the war in Iraq enters its sixth year, The Daily News asked service members to talk about what they think Americans might be surprised to learn about their experiences.
One thing many people don't seem to understand, said Chief Warrant Officer Terrence Washington, is that not every location in Iraq is as violent as another.
Washington has deployed to Iraq four times - once in 1991, and three times during the current conflict. He returned in December from his latest deployment, a yearlong assignment with Regimental Combat Team 2. When he came home for his two-week rest and relaxation period, he said he was bombarded with questions. His answer, usually, was "that's not happening in my area."
"We watched the news, CNN, and things were actually worse in the U.S.," he said. "There were flare-ups (in our area), but not like in other areas."
Though coalition troops have built up the towns and put in utilities like water and electricity, the country still basically looks the same as it did in 1991, Washington said. "You make friends," he said. "Everybody in Iraq is not your enemy."
Working in a hospital in Al Taqaddum, Cmdr. Pamela Harvey had the chance to talk to Iraqi civilians who received medical care.
"They were extremely grateful and thankful," Harvey said. "I'm not sure people have the right ideas about the civilians. They were a really grateful people."
Harvey also heard the Iraqis talk about how their lives had changed over the course of the war.
The changes they mentioned indicated that they were transitioning back to what they perceived as normalcy, Harvey said.
Francescon, Washington and Cpl. Andy Vilstrand also mentioned how well American troops and Iraqi forces work together. Washington trained two groups of Iraqi soldiers during his deployment from July 2004 to February 2005. When he deployed again from December 2006 to December 2007, he saw that the training had progressed to the point where Iraqi forces are ready to take control.
"This time, we were just a presence but not in the forefront," Washington said.
Vilstrand, who recently returned from a deployment with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, said the teamwork between American and Iraqi forces "was seamless."
"We supported ground forces with their mission," he said. "The most surprising aspect of this was the coordination and cooperation the Iraqi police and U.S. armed forces had with each other."
The bravery of the young men and women serving in Iraq also should not be underestimated, Harvey said.
"They may look like kids, but they are truly some of the bravest, most inspiring individuals you will ever meet, when you see them in action," she said.
Ping.
Good points , good read !
Stay Safe !
Amen!
Gee, y’think? How farfetched. /sarc
Yes ,we Pray that God keeps them safe, and has Mercy on America.
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NEVER FORGET
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Saddleback College plans Memorial Day completion of new monument
http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1982490/posts
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NEVER FORGET
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I saw someplace that media coverage of Iraq began falling when the surge began to work and is way down.
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