Iraq Update – 2 July 2005 (I thought I’d use the military version just to have a little fun.)
Here’s hoping all are well and first I want to wish all of the best 4th of July. Take time to celebrate our freedoms. There are so many in this world who do not have basic freedoms that are common place in our lives. Our forefathers were so right when they wrote that we were born with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A lot of this part of the world has no idea that such tenets even exist.
I found out a little more about Iraq this week that I had no clue about. One of our translators explained to me that in the last few weeks, 15 Iraqi barbers had been murdered by insurgents. Their crimes were cutting hair in a manner not recognized as being true Muslim (at least from the insurgents’ point of view). I became frustrated and asked why no one defends themselves against these blood thirsty idealists. I use the term idealists and didn’t really convey my deep down feelings out of respect for some of those receiving this correspondence. He told me that although Iraqi’s are authorized to own AK-47s, they are prohibited from taking them from their residences. Consequently, when the insurgents do their work, their plan is to first ensure that police and military are not around (unless they are planning a bombing), then spray the area with gun fire to get people to run away, and then target their victims. If someone works from their home, they just target the home with explosives and blow the whole place up. Of course, this is extremely frustrating for these people but the good news is that more and more tips are coming in about the bad guys from the Iraqis so maybe the tide will change.
Also, I met a young lady who works with US Immigration but is detailed to assist the Iraqi Immigration. She is stationed in a town near the Kurdish border. She informed us that they are free to shop around town, to visit the locals, to have field trips, and even go to the parks for picnics and BBQ. Of course, we were all astounded as the IZ is literally an armed camp. The main difference is the people there are very attuned to their environment and everybody knows everybody. Consequently, when anyone strange comes to town, the authorities are right on them.
I was able to get a better look at the Iraqi geography. Rumor has it that the Garden of Eden was considered to be the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. It would make sense in that with the extremely warm climate and with an abundant supply of water, the ancestral people were probably able to raise all the food one would ever need. Actually, Babylon now known as Al Hillah is about 50 miles south of Baghdad. It would be nice to see the country near the ancient town of Ur, the home of Abraham but I may have to wait for another time. Sight seeing is definitely not on the agenda for this job.
I went to church today. Father Dennis was hilarious. He put his robes on right over his Bermuda shorts and t shirt. He said he didn’t feel like wearing his battle dress uniform. Our choir still is growing. We now have a second pianist. However, I think our primary pianist is ready for R & R. Since Father said it was OK to take pictures, I’m going to try and get a picture of the choir tomorrow and send it home.
I’ve been noticing one soldier, a first sergeant, who works on our floor. He’s 62 years old. Apparently he was called back to active duty because he has a special skill. I’ve seen him in the gym working out and he can lift as much as I can. He’s always combat ready with his M-16 and has a great attitude. He’s been serving as a Eucharistic Minister at church as well. I’ve got to ask him how much time he has left. I guess the Army can call you back but I didn’t think they could at that age.
I must say I’ve got a great group of guys that I work with. We’ve all got different strengths and skills. I guess my computer skills are about the best of a lot of agents here. That’s kinda scary because I really don’t consider myself a geek. But they come to me for advice. I’m also handling all of the payroll issues as well and help explain the leave and earnings statements for most. We have one agent who is handling firearms training. He is really a scream. He looks like G. Gordon Liddy. Our enforcement and tactical equipment is not maintained real well. This last week, Dennis, the firearms trainer, got with a carpenter and scrounged enough scrap wood to build a gun cabinet. I knew where there was an old wood box that contained AK-47s at one time. I pointed it out to Dennis and before I knew it that became our ammo storage box. Dennis was asking about firearms training and being able to shoot at a target hidden behind a car door. I told him where the KBR junk heap was where they repair damaged cars. The next thing I knew Dennis has got a car door secured for training. All the guys laugh and joke with each other so it makes for a great atmosphere.
Well, I think that’s about it for the week. Keep these soldiers in your prayers. We lost a few this week and I’ve seen that medic chopper flying in and out quite a bit. It pains me every time I see it. However, we must be doing OK in patching the soldiers up because we usually are told of fatal casualties through the Stars and Stripes News.
I think I’ll go back to the hooch and kick back a little. Tomorrow is another day and it will start early. My best and Happy Birthday America to you all. Bob
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