News from Baghdad

A small spot to describe to a certain extent what it is like for the soldiers here in Iraq. I must remain anonymous as there may be some who would view this as an "official" posting, however, it is not. Just some personal views on the politics and public views in this war that has been to oftentimes tainted by the sensationalism of the media.

Name:
Location: Home, United States

I enjoy my job to the fullest, regardless of the political climate at any particular time. My family and my soldiers are the central focal point of my existence as well as my religious viewpoints.

Sunday, January 30, 2005

30 January 2005

As I write this, my heart is gladdened by the results of today's electoral process in Iraq. As you well know, I am stationed in Baghdad, and the turnout was more than amazing to many of us.
I was awoke this morning to the sounds of explosions throughout the city and steeled myself for a day of possible heavy fighting. As it turned out, this was in no wise the case. We went out on patrol to check on the elections and the voters and ensure that everyone was safe. The Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army did an outstanding job and my heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of them, who, as you very well may know, run an incredible risk even calling themselves a policeman or a soldier. Their respect, vigilance and adherence to strict protocols in the search of all voters was in large part a contributing factor in the day's success. I think that without them, this whole day could not have been as successful as it was.

As we were on patrol, an old woman, maybe 70 or 80 years old, came up to me and in broken English, with a slight German tinge to the accent, said, “Everything is going to be alright”. I will never forget those steel blue eyes as they were filled with tears. I imagine that she remembers the days when Iraq was free before Saddam and it is now 50 years later that free elections have been able to be held. It touched me deeply to know that many of the people felt this way today and it made the entire time here well worth the emotional roller coaster many of us have dealt with. Have we eradicated the entire insurgent regime? No, we have not, however, this country, in light of today's events, has shown that it is now ready to join the ranks of the free and to become a country of its own whose people are not afraid of the Fedayeen, the Republican Guard, Iraqi Intelligence or the Police. They will no longer be afraid of the terror formerly meted out by the previous regime. Today is the start of a future that hopefully will not be tainted by much more violence. The violence is sure to ensue, if even for a while, however, the PEOPLE took a stand today against the insurgents, against Zarqawi, against Saddam and his Ba'ath Party, and in one shrill voice shouted “We are free to choose”.

Just since the past couple of days the attitudes of the people have turned nearly 180 degrees. Today there was a joyous air among the majority, cheering, singing, children playing in the streets; not the various glares and insults occasionally shouted, but many “Thank yous”. Today made my heart glad, for men like Babbitt, Burke, Odoms and the 1400 others who have made the ultimate sacrifice have not done so in vain. Their sacrifice and the sacrifices of so many others, including 36 civilians (not counting the 8 bombers), who died today to voice their choice. They too have made a difference and have shown that they will be bullied no longer.
I thank each and every American who has stood behind the soldiers and made much of this possible, not only morally, but even some financially. God bless each and every one of you.

Continue to remember the service men and women still here and on their way, as dark days still are ahead, but now there seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel. At that end, may American and Iraqi alike walk through hand in hand as friend, not foe. To my friends here; all the Shahd's and Asala's, the Ra'ad's, Stevo's, Willie's, Ali's, and many many more, never forget the sacrifices made by so many. Remember the fallen and never take for granted what you have been given. Good night.

24 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Today was a very special day and it is because of the men and women of our armed forces. We are so proud of you and your troops. This is an event that will live forever in your memory and when Iraq has total freedom you can proudly say you were a part of it.

Keep your head down.

Pop

2:55 AM  
Blogger pacos_gal said...

For the soldiers serving in theater and those who have been in theater, this is one of those days that you can hold close to your heart and will always remember.

Take care

3:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks to you and all the other servicemembers in Iraq millions of people were able to express their free will. Most soldiers I know read history. You and all who have served and sacr1ficed in Iraq and Afghanistan have written their name into history.

Cheers to the Iraqis who rejected the terrorists and Ted Kennedy!!

4:58 AM  
Blogger MachiasPrivateer said...

Here's a post from my blog, you'll probably apprciate the last stanza the most!


Leading By Example
There is much concern over whether the Iraqis can successfully realize a dawning of freedom with their upcoming election. We as Americans have gone through the same questioning. And the record of that history was captured in the words of our National Poet, Francis Scott Key, in this Anthem...


O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the Rockets' red glare, the Bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our Flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave,
O'er the Land of the free, and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
'Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.


O! thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd home, and the war's desolation,
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land,
Praise the Power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto--"In God is our Trust;"
And the star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.

2:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay -
We're very proud of what the troops have helped the Iraqi people achieve this past weekend. Great job!

You can see the genuine pride and happiness in the eyes of the voters in the images that I've seen.

As "Pop" always says, "Keep your head down."

-Pop's friend Todd

4:20 AM  
Blogger OP said...

Keep up the good work Jay. You haven't posted for awhile. We pray all is well with you and yours.

5:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello
What is alprazolam?
Alprazolam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Alprazolam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
.
viagra.
Sex during pregnancy: An unnecessary taboo?
Sex during pregnancy � If your doctor agrees, follow your sex drive where it leads.
adult adult sex adult sex adult sex adult sex adult sex adult sex adult sex adult sex adult sex .
G'night

4:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi
WATCH THESE GIRLS WORK IT WITH THEIR STRAP-ONS


Show Models by Ethnicity:

Bye

11:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi
xanax phentermine xanax xanax phentermine phentermine phentermine tramadol tramadol tramadol levaquin levaquin levaquin lnorvasc sex babe casino casino
lroulette blackjack lpoker phentermine
Bye

1:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!

I have a free ringtone samsung site/blog. It pretty much covers ##KEYWORD## related stuff.
Ringtoneplaats provides mobile media ringtones,wallpapers,logos,java games and more!!!.
Download new and latest java games,ringtones wallpapers,logos,videos and more on your mobile or cellphones.

Come and check it out if you get time :-)

10:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello! Cool forum newsfrombaghdad.blogspot.com! Thanks.
hydrocodone
buy tramadol tramadol

9:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi


G'night

2:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi. Use these helpful search engines TFO search & phentermine and try to find all you need in your area!
for fun

9:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cell phone plan
cellular phone cases - cellular phone number lookup - cellular phone service provider and

6:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://www12.asphost4free.com/ringoton/index30.html]lg phone ringtones[/url]
[url=http://www12.asphost4free.com/ringoton/index22.html]free pcs ringtones sanyo sprint[/url] - [url=http://www12.asphost4free.com/ringoton/index17.html]free nokia hindi rington
es[/url]

11:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

guys shower

10:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

girl gone wild

11:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello!
Nice site in web www.blogger.com.
Buy hydrocodone online
Buy hydrocodone http://site.voila.fr/usmeds/buy_hydrocodone.html buy hydrocodone [url=http://site.voila.fr/usmeds/buy_hydrocodone.html]buy hydrocodone[/url] http://asian-rape.col.nu asian rape [url=http://asian-rape.col.nu]asian rape[/url] coumadin http://site.voila.fr/usmeds/coumadin.html coumadin [url=http://site.voila.fr/usmeds/coumadin.html]coumadin[/url] http://incest-stories.pa.kz/ incest stories [url=http://incest-stories.pa.kz/]incest stories[/url] Generic levitra http://site.voila.fr/usmeds/generic_levitra.html generic levitra [url=http://site.voila.fr/usmeds/generic_levitra.html]generic levitra[/url] http://incest-stories.pa.kz/ incest stories [url=http://incest-stories.pa.kz/]incest stories[/url]

3:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://bama.ua.edu/~tccc/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000125.html]what is tramadol[/url]
[url=http://bama.ua.edu/~tccc/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000134.html]buy fioricet[/url] | [url=http://bama.ua.edu/~tccc/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000135.html]buy carisoprodol online[/url]

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://idisk.mac.com/maluka1/Public/3g-for-free-ringtones.html]3g for free ringtones[/url]
[url=http://idisk.mac.com/maluka1/Public/free-ringtones-maker.html]free ringtones maker[/url] * [url=http://idisk.mac.com/maluka1/Public/free-tracfone-ringtones.html]free tracfone ringtones[/url]

2:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://idisk.mac.com/toyod1/Public/cingular-ringtones.html]cingular ringtones[/url]
[url=http://idisk.mac.com/toyod1/Public/free-lg-ringtones.html]free lg ringtones[/url] | [url=http://idisk.mac.com/toyod1/Public/get-free-ringtones.html]get free ringtones[/url]

9:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://idisk.mac.com/toyod1/Public/free-alltel-ringtones.html]free alltel ringtones[/url]
[url=http://idisk.mac.com/toyod1/Public/free-ericsson-ringtones.html]free ericsson ringtones[/url] | [url=http://idisk.mac.com/toyod1/Public/free-real-ringtones.html]free real ringtones[/url]

8:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://idisk.mac.com/mytoyo/Public/free-cingular-ringtones.html]free cingular ringtones[/url]
[url=http://idisk.mac.com/mytoyo/Public/free-nokia-ringtones.html]free nokia ringtones[/url] > [url=http://idisk.mac.com/mytoyo/Public/free-verizon-ringtones.html]free verizon ringtones[/url]

1:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[url=http://idisk.mac.com/emaluk/Public/airplane-cheap-really-tickets.html]airplane cheap really tickets[/url] ~ [url=http://idisk.mac.com/emaluk/Public/cheap-air-tickets.html]cheap air tickets[/url]
[url=http://idisk.mac.com/emaluk/Public/cheap-tickets-to-london.html]cheap tickets to london[/url]

5:46 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Powered by counter.bloke.com
Google
http://www.aakz.com/kerry/viewthread.php?tid=6