Sherwood Upbeat After Iraq Visit

The Wayne Independent (PA) ^ | October 1, 2003 | Peter Becker

[Ex-Dem]

REGION - Praising our troops and America's resolve, U.S. Congressman Don Sherwood (Pa.-10th) said Tuesday after returning from Iraq, that reconstruction of that country can serve as an example in the Middle East of democratic ideals.

In a phone interview, Sherwood described his experience as part of a Congressional delegation which left Thursday from Andrews Air Force Base and came back Monday. After flying to Jordan, he spent two days in Iraq under the escort of both American and Polish troops.

The delegation was led by Congressman Jerry Lewis of California, the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Sherwood is a member of the appropriations Committee, which has the task of reviewing the details of President Bush's $87 billion request for added military and reconstruction funding for Iraq and Afghanistan, before the full House considers it.

He said that the average Iraqi citizen is glad for the American presence. They have come out from under a brutal dictatorship which saw tens of thousands of Saddam Hussein's victims dumped in mass graves and sewer water deliberately reconnected to drinking water lines in towns opposed to Hussein's regime. The people are gradually realizing Saddam Hussein is not coming back, and are feeling more free.

Roads and bridges are relatively in good shape, and there is not a great deal of war damage, Sherwood observed; electrical and potable water systems, however, still need major work. A hospital he visited in Baghdad was severely short on medicine and adequate equipment.

He said he was amazed at how well the work by the Coalition Forces is getting along towards reconstruction. The active duty military remain upbeat and dedicated to the mission. Dedication is also seen among the Reservists, Sherwood said, although they expressed to him concern about getting home, their length of duty becoming longer than they had expected.

In addition to public utility problems, Iraq is a dangerous place. The congressman noted there is still a hard core element- Bath Party loyalists, criminals and infiltrating foreign fighters- harassing the Coalition Forces. Despite this, troop morale remains high, he related.

The American mission is Iraq won't be short, Sherwood stated, but expressed confidence that fairly quickly security will be handed over to the Iraqis. As security grows, so will the Iraqi economy. The Iraqi people have the resources for success. As prosperity spreads across the population, Sherwood observed that Iraq can become a showpiece to the Middle East.

America, however, needs to stay with the Iraqis long enough to get the job done, he stressed. The emancipation of the Iraqis and their future prosperity justify the war, Sherwood stated, and the end result will be a more secure America.

[Ex-Dem]

Key point: Stay the course.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Another good post. Thanks, Ex-Dem.

Stay the course and show them the money, Congress!

He said that the average Iraqi citizen is glad for the American presence. They have come out from under a brutal dictatorship which saw tens of thousands of Saddam Hussein's victims dumped in mass graves and sewer water deliberately reconnected to drinking water lines in towns opposed to Hussein's regime.

One more atrocity to add to Saddam's growing list.

 Thanks, Tonkin!

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[windchime]

Bump!

[MEG33]

Another visitor who believes in the mission.

[blackie]

Coalition ~ Bump!

[PhilDragoo]

SHOW OUR TROOPS THE MONEY