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Locking Out The Politics
July 31, 2007
    One afternoon after school, I was listening to few videos from both the CNN Database, and the FoxNews Database. I don’t often watch television, but I do like hearing and seeing my news above reading it. Sometimes, if I could find a transcript of the video, then I would listen to the talk and read along, so in that sense I would read(other than books and magazines that is). Well, I came across a Fox News video being anchored by David Asman. For those of you who don’t know, he’s a father-in-law of a United States Marine. Anyway, the discussion was about politics and how it ruins everything, especially when it comes to his hometown of Washington D.C. He further says that things would be better without it ruining everything. For many of us here at A Soldier’s Mind, we know quite well how right he is, due to the fact that we see some really personal debates that go on in our threads. At the same time, we all know that our discussions could go more smoothly without politics bastardizing half of the topics that we cover here. So David is in pretty good company. Another one of those individuals who would make up that good company, would be United States Army General David H. Petraeus.
    In a recent article that I just found surfing the web at the Department of Defense’s website “DefenseLink. I read that Petraeus wants to keep politics outside of the testimony that he will be giving Congress in September about the ground assessment on Iraq. He says, “It will be the ground truth” and that they will try to stay apolitical throughout the whole endeavor. Petreaus feels that he and Maliki(Iraqi President) have a good relationship and politics does nothing else but “throw sand in the gears of the relationship”. He wants to sustain the friendship he has with the Iraqi President and wants nothing to go against that, including politics. Of course, some people don’t want that, due to the fact that it may be a huge factor in solving the problems being experienced in Iraq.
    Overall, the general’s mission is to work with the Iraqi government so that way he can start drawing down our troops without having to sacrifice all the good that was gained from surging the troop levels in Iraq, and bringing troop levels back up again after having drawed down. His primary plan to accomplish that would be to do more partnering with Iraqi ground forces rather than leading them, which would be basically passing all the heavy responsibilites to the Iraqi forces. The general believes that inorder to acheive this, he and his counterparts here and in Iraq must try to be apolitical. However, that may be extremely difficult because he’ll be testifying in front of a very, very partisan Congress whose current objective is to force feed the American public the false notion that “Iraq is a failing effort” in the same manner in which preists force fed the false notion to young boys that if they masturbated they’d go blind back in the medieval period. Chances are, since it seems that many in Congress wants Iraq to fail, they won’t even listen to Mr. Petreaus. Afterall, a few Congress members just recently walked out on another general who decided to take a stand against the false premises that state “there is more bad going on in Iraq than good”. If Congress isn’t willing to hear that they’re wrong, then more or less, they’re not willing to listen to Petreaus’ constructive criticism. This is why politics doesn’t have a place in the general’s Spetember Iraq ground situation report.
Warrior Spotlight: Wisconsin Army National Guard Maj. Scott Southworth
July 31, 2007
Those of you who read brat’s story Where Is The Outrage? about the Iraqi orphans who were discovered living in filthy, deplorable conditions by our Troops, should be pleased when you read this story. Someone else saw that story, too. That someone is a Soldier who had previously been deployed to Iraq, and he watched the news about these children with equal horror. He has decided that he’s going to do something about it. Meet Wisconsin Army National Guard Major Scott Southworth. I imagine, that everyone else who reads his story will walk away with the same sense of pride and gratitude that I have for Soldiers like Major Southworth. This story just emphasizes the compassionate and caring nature of the men and women who are serving our country in our Armed Forces.
Major Scott Southworth
Often when Troops are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, they are faced with many challenging and dangerous situations, and yet, these adversities seem to almost always bring out the best in them. Maj. Scott Southworth of the Wisconsin National Guards is one of those warriors.
In September 2003, Maj. Southworth, the commanding officer of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company was deployed to Iraq. His team was responsible for taining local police officer in Northeast Baghdad. During their time there, they faced many challeges, but physically and mentally. Not only were they in a hostile environment, with danger around every corner, but they were battling temperatures in the triple digits and set backs along the way, such as the time a car bomb exploded at one of the police stations that they operated, killing several of the Iraqi police officers they were working with.
The Soldiers of the 32nd Military Police Company all wanted to do something to help the Iraqi orphans, so in addition to their mission, they spent time assisting local orphanages. On one such visit, September 6, 2003, the visited a nearby orphanage. That visit changed Southworth’s life, when a young Iraqi orphan named Ala’a, who was unable to walk due to Cerebral palsy, pulled himself across the floor, straight towards Southworth and greeted him with a smile and a few words in English. That day marked the start of an unbreakable bond between the Soldier from Wisconsin and the Iraqi orphan.
Over the next few months, Southworth returned to the orphanage frequently to visit with Ala’a. Each visit brought them even closer together. Southworth made one last visit to the orphanage as he tour in Iraq drew to an end. He wanted to make a difference in the life of Ala’a and was determined to bring Ala’a to the United States to live with him. He couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing Ala’a again.
He ran into a huge roadblock though. Iraqi law, forbids foreigners from adopting Iraqi children. That roadblock however, didn’t end his quest to bring Ala’a to the United States. Just before he left Iraq, in July 2004, the Iraqi government approved for Southworth to bring Ala’a to the United States for medical care. Southworth returned to Wisconsin and began to navigate the bureaucracy. He finally gained Humanitarian Parole for Ala’a. Ala’a is now in the United States and is now on a path, that seemed unimaginable just a few years before. He is attending school and has made great strides. He’s now fluent in English and learning to read. With the help of doctors and specialists, whom all donated their time, his cerebral palsy is being tackled head on and his making significant progress. He is being taught to walk on a specialized treadmill. His hope is to one day to be able to walk without assistance. He’s growing closer and closer to that goal every day.
Major Southworth & son Ala’a
The things that Southworth has done, don’t end with Ala’a. When the story broke in June 2007 about the orphans in Baghdad who were discovered living in filthy and deplorable conditions, Southworth happened to be watching the news. He recogonzied some of the boys as the very same orphans that he and his team had visited back in 2003. Southworth and two of the Soldiers who’d served with him decided that they were going to do something about these children. Currently, they are working relentlessly to bring the 24 orphans discovered in that orphanage, to the United States.
More than 40 families around the country have offered to host the orphans once they arrive. Southworth and his Soldiers are working to line up doctors and pharmaceutical companies willing to provide, at no cost, the necessary medical care and supplies that these young orphans will need, due to their disibilities.
In his quest to provide these young Iraqi orphans with a chance at a better life, Southworth has dealt tirelessly and persistently with Iraqi and US goverment officials. Currently he is awaiting approval from the Iraqi government to transport the children to the United States. His plans are to ensure that each child is provided with the same care and attention that he’s ensured his son Ala’a has had.
Because of his efforts, in 2005 Southworth was awarded with the US Army’s General MacArthur Leadership award, recognizing his committment to “duty, honor and country.” An award that is very much deserves. His story should be one that’s in the media, world-wide, yet it’s not mentioned, except in the military news. Sad…. isn’t it?
Defenselink, Heroes, July 25, 2007, Vol. 2 Issue 26
Keeping Your Head Low, But Not Too Low
July 30, 2007
    I have just recently stumbled across a website that offers one really good way to support your troops. It is a group called Operation Helmet. It is through donations that are made by caring citizens that takes care of the cost to get Helmet Kit Upgrades that make the kevlar helmet better. That way the soldiers don’t have to pay for it, given that they don’t get paid a whole lot and these upgrade kits can be pretty expensive. I do know it comes with a new chin strap and has an added measure of protection from blasts.
     This is something that officers and medics are consistently requesting for their boys and girls on the frontlines. Operation Helmet is always getting E-mails from troops in Iraq who are placing orders for these. See, the Kevlar helmet is probably the best helmet on the market, but is designed more for impact from bullets over blasts which is opposite of what has been needed as of recently. These helmet upgrades provide better blast protection as well as comfort in the head and chin strap. The thing is, there is only a limited amount that can be provided to the troops so therefore, the rest have to provided by caring citizens willing to spare some money. Now, every donation is great and when the military can get these soldiers an upgrade helmet kit, then that’s great, but neither has met the requirements and they only scratch the surface needs that’ll be coming sometime in the near and distant future.
    Overall, this is a great and phenominal way to support your men and women in uniform. They need this and their officers and medics would greatly appreciatte this. Afterall, noone should ever stop trying to get our troops the top of the line stuff. Military gear evolves consistently because even though you have to stay the course of a 6 month to 12 month tour of duty, the course happens to have it’s own twists and turns. Each day, a new requirement is brought to the equation making the job of our servicemembers more complicating than it already is, and as we all know, danger lurks around many corners in times of conflict. So act now, get your special soldier, battle buddy, or family member in uniform an helmet upgrade kit. They’ll be glad to have one. To find more on this operation called “Helmet”, please visit their MySpace and leave a message or click on the link to their main website. The URL’s for their MySpace and Website are:
Unity Of Iraq’s Soccer Team Should Serve As An Example To It’s Political Leaders…
July 30, 2007
In an inspirational win over the Saudi Arabian soccer team, the Iraqi national team won the 2007 Asian Cup, with a score of 1-0. The team, consisting of Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish players proved to their fellow Iraqi’s and to the world, that by being able to put aside their ethnic differences and work together towards a common goal, that anything, including victory is possible. The team has not been without tragedy, when terrorists attacked scores of innocent people who were celebrating the teams’ victory over South Korea. The team honored those who were killed in the bomb blast by wearing black armbands in the post-match news conference.
“It’s very clear, from our arms, our respect to the people who died when we put Korea out of the competition,” said coach Jorvan Vieira. “This victory we offer to the families of those people.”
Vieira’s plans are to leave his post immediately after this match. He will be leaving with fond memories of his team and the Iraqi nation.
“I have worked my best to bring a warm smile to their lips and my mission is accomplished,” Vieira said. “The satisfaction is doubled when you can get this cup and you bring happiness for a country, not just a team. It’s more important than anything. Iraqi people, Iraqi players are fantastic people. They are the type of people who have fantastic power within themselves. I learnt a lot with these boys… and I will keep it forever in my life.”
UN ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Washington’s former envoy in Iraq, urged Iraq’s political leaders to use the unity displayed by the Iraqi soccer team, as an example of what can be accomplished in their country, if they put aside ethnic differences. The team didn’t allow their differences to tear them apart, but instead cast those differences aside, and worked together… united as one, to reach their common goal, the 2007 Asian Cup championship.
“I want to congratulate Iraqis, the soccer team for a great victory that they had today,” said Khalilzad. “They were truly united, unlike the government and the political process, where the unity that exists is very much hedged,” he added.
The Iraqi government and the Iraqi people now have the golden opportunity, to learn from the example set for them and for their Country, and come together, not as Sunni’s, Shiite’s or Kurds, but as Iraqi’s to take control of their own destiny and work together to build a strong, free and secure Iraq. Let’s hope that they do indeed learn from this fine example and work harder to resolve their differences, for the betterment of their entire Country. This Iraqi policeman, perhaps says it best…
“Those heroes have shown the real Iraq. They have done something useful for the people as opposed to the politicians and lawmakers,” said Sabah Shaiyal, a 43 year old policemen in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. “The players have made us proud. Once again our national team has shown that there is only one, united Iraq.”
The Pending Verdict
July 29, 2007
    Recently, I have been summoned to jury duty. The letter that was sent to me didn’t have the information about the crime so I don’t know if it was theft, murder, gang-related, has something to do with anything with war-like qualities(guns, knives, etc.), or if it’s manslaughter. I know it’s a felony because I don’t think juries are needed for misdemeanors. Just the judge presides over the misdemeanors. Overall, even though I think this experience won’t be bad, I think it’ll still be a pain in the ass and nothing short of it. I know there will be other people summoned, not just 12 there will be other candidates. Even though I was summoned doesn’t mean I will be in the jury. Still, I have to sit in a full courthouse and go there before 8:30 A.M. I know this doesn’t compare to anything that the judges do or the police who apprehended the suspect. Overall, I don’t know if I could handle the responsibility to determine if a person loses their freedom. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
     Today I will be driving to the courthouse so that way I know the way there and that way I won’t be late or get lost. I have never been to a courthouse before, and I am wondering what the atmosphere is like. I also am curious what they look for in a juror. If I meet those standards then great, if I don’t then, well at least I can enjoy the rest of my summer off. Don’t get me wrong, I know this is a huge responsibility and do believe it is a good thing to have this system. Just saying, it would be a load off my plate. Especially now, since I couldn’t find a permanent job for the summer so I am stuck with working for realtors by standing on the side of the road waving cardboard advertisements.
Carlin’s Rules for 2007
July 29, 2007
New Rule : Stop giving me that pop-up ad for classmates.com! There’s a reason you don’t talk to people for 25 years. Because you don’t particularly like them!? Besides, I already know what the captain of the football team is doing these days–mowing my lawn.
New Rule : Don’t eat anything that’s served to you out a window unless you’re a seagull. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl of Wendy’s chili. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you expect it to contain?? Trout?
New Rule : Stop saying that teenage boys who have sex with their hot, blonde teachers are permanently damaged. I have a better description for these kids: lucky bastards.
New Rule : If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you’re a dope. If you’re a kid, the cards are keepsakes of your idols. If you’re a grown man, they’re pictures of men.
New Rule :? Ladies, leave your eyebrows alone. Here’s how much men care about your eyebrows: do you have two of them? Okay, we’re done.
New Rule : There’s no such thing as flavored water. There’s a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket, water, but without that watery taste. Sorry, but flavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some scotch over ice and let it melt. That’s your flavored water.
New Rule : Stop screwing with old people. Target is introducing a redesigned pill bottle that’s square, with a bigger label. And the top is now the bottom. And by the time grandpa figures out how to open it, his ass will be in the morgue. Congratulations, Target, you just solved the Social Security crisis.
New Rule : The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the asshole. If you walk into a Starbucks and order a “decaf grande half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one sweet-n’-Low, and one NutraSweet,” ooh, you’re a huge asshole.
New Rule : I’m not the cashier! By the time I look up from sliding my card, entering my PIN number, pressing “Enter,” verifying the amount, deciding no, I don’t want cash back, and pressing “Enter” again, the kid who is supposed to be ringing me up is standing there eating my Almond Joy.
New Rule : Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn’t make you spiritual. It’s right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to “beef with broccoli.” The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren’t pregnant. You’re not spiritual. You’re just high.
New Rule : Competitive eating isn’t a sport. It’s one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN recently televised the U.S. Open of Competitive Eating, because watching those athletes at the poker table was just too damned exciting. What’s next, competitive farting??? Oh wait!? They’re already doing that. It’s called “The Howard Stern Show
New Rule : I don’t need a bigger mega M&Ms. If I’m extra hungry for M&Ms, I’ll go nuts and eat two.
New Rule : If you’re going to insist on making movies based on crappy, old television shows, then you have to give everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can see what’s playing on the other screens. Let’s remember the reason something was a television show in the first place is that the idea wasn’t good enough to be a movie.
New Rule : No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it’s for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn’t gift giving, it’s the white people version of looting.
New Rule : and this one is long overdue: No more bathroom attendants. After I zip up, some guy is offering me a towel and a mint like I just had sex with George Michael. I can’t even tell if he’s supposed to be there, or just some freak with a fetish. I don’t want to be on your web cam, dude. I just want to wash my hands.
New Rule : When I ask how old your toddler is, I don’t need to know in months. “27 Months.” “He’s two,” will do just fine. He’s not a cheese. And I didn’t really care in the first place.
New Rule: If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than minimum wage, then for God’s sake don’t pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh. If so, then plan your future around saying, “Do you want fries with that?”
Coalition Forces Continue To Help Residents By Clearing Routes & Securing Towns
July 29, 2007
Every day our Troops are making a difference in the lives of people both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every day the people of these countries are recognizing that they are not safe as long as insurgents are present in their neighborhoods. Some are fleeing out of fear of the insurgents, others are standing up and turning the insurgents in, helping Coaltion Frces and Iraqi Forces find the terrorists, so that their neighborhoods will be safer for themselves and their families.
In Diyala province, there were two key towns which had been held captive by terrorists. This effectively blocked a major supply route and essentially isolated the citizens of these two towns located in the Diyala River Valley. Many of the citizens had fled their towns as the terrorists had continued their reign of terror and became refugees in the nearby town of Anbakia. This caused over crowding in Anbakia and created a shortage of food and services for that town and it’s residents.
All of that changed on July 22nd when Iraqi soldiers on foot and teams of paratroopers from the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, came to town in force and destroyed the terrorist cells in the two small towns, as they kicked off Operation Olympus.
“Our operation attacked these two villages that were harboring these terrorists, isolating them and bringing overall combat power to destroy them,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Poppas. This was a number of campaigns in an overall campaign plan to bring safety and security to the Diyala River Valley,” Poppas said.
“Previous intelligence-driven operations have been specifically directed at destroying anti-Iraqi forces in this region,” he said. “We have been extremely effective… at destroying the enemy in order to supply safety and security to the area.”
The operation not only focused on clearing the two small towns of insurgents, but also on Anbakia, the town that was hosting all of the refugees from these towns. A civil military operations (CMO) team was dispatched to Anbakia to deliver initial supplies and services, such as food and medical treatment. With the addition of the refugees, the town’s rations of food and their capability to care for the people was severely taxed. The brigade surgeon for 3BCT, 1st CD, Capt. Henry Shih conducted a combined medical engagement in Anbakia, with Lt. Wassim from the Iraqi Army. According to Capt. Shih, Wassim was extremely helpful because not only did he have a knowledge of medicine, but he also knew English and was able to serve as an interpreter for Capt. Shih. Patients that were seen, had problems ranging from diabetes and heart problems to rare and chronic congenital diseases. Lt. Wassim was also helpful in the goal of helping the people of Anbakia reach the overall goal of the coalition, which is to become more self sufficient.
“We are trying to pus them to be more reliant on the Iraqi army for security and other services,” said Shih. “They will have to be more independent when we leave.”
Coalition commanders citied the mission as an example of the Iraqi Army’s capability to handled both complicated and multi-faceted missions. In addition to clearing the area of insurgents, and providing medical support, food supplies were also supplied to the residents of the region.
“This operation is indicative of the duality of a mission profile in which we have anti-Iraqi forces which try to attempt to deny freedom of movement for coalition forces and freedom of movement along the entire route,” Poppas said.
Enroute to Anbakia, the team cleared the route of IED’s, barriers that had been placed by the insurgents and illegal check points that the insurgents had set up. By doing this, it opened up the road, allowing travel between Baqubah and Khalis.
“The town has been friendly to coalition forces,” said Shih. “They help us so we help them,” he said. “We will continue to work with them and not just abandon them.”
“Our deliberate destruction of anti_Iraqi forces throughout the entire region has set conditions for the repariation of these dislodged individuals,” said Poppas.
At the end of the mission, Iraqi security forces set up security positions in the towns as well as along the roadway that had been cleared. This will allow free movement by the people of the region and allow the displaced citizens to return to their homes.
“The establishment of Iraqi security forces will allow for long-term safety and security and freedom of movement in the entire region,” Poppas said.
Rules For Dating A Marine’s Daughter
July 29, 2007
    I E-mailed this to A Soldier’s Perspective’s Corporal Marcus not too long ago. It’s really funny stuff. I don’t know if you guys here at ASM posted it recently, but it’s okay to have another good laugh. So enjoy it. This is “The Rules For Dating A Marine’s Daughter”.
Attennnnnnnnn… tion!
Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you’d better be delivering a package, because you’re sure not picking anything up.
Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter’s body, I will remove them.
Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don’t take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.
Rule Four:
I’m sure you’ve been told that in today’s world, sex without utilizing a “barrier method” of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.
Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is “early.”
Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.
Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don’t you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?
Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.
Rule Nine:
Do not lie to me. On issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.
Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.
Diiiiiiiiiissss… missed!
Taking Things Into Their Own Hands
July 29, 2007
    One things that has been an objective of our soldiers serving in harms way in the Middle East was to try and secure independance for the people who made up the indigenous personell in their respective AO’s or Areas of Operations(I.E.; Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, etc.). Well, one way you can acheive such an objective would be to make those indigenous personell take their society’s matters into their own hands. Thus you have type of unconventional warfare called Foreign Internal Defense, which is something not uncommon among militaries in NATO nations and some outside of NATO. In Foreign Internal Defense your objectives are to secure a foreign country, train it’s police and military forces so that way the community is in control of it’s own security issues, and give advice to their officers both civil and military so they can accomplish their objectives more efficiently. It is basically helping another government find opportunities to stabalize and strengthen their country.
    For one aspect in Iraq named Ramadi, meeting those objectives have become a reality. As many of you A Soldier’s Mind readers here noticed, there is a story about a British General who also states that Iraqis are stepping up to the plate and dealing with their own problems and running their own societies. So this isn’t the only story. Anyway, Ramadi at one point was the most dangerous place in Iraq and is now very quiet in contrast to what it was before United States armed forces and Iraqi army troops stepped in to try and stop insurgents from committing the atrocities which they try to committ on a daily or weekly basis.
    The warrior in the spotlight of all of this is Iraqi Army Sergeant Major Abbas Abud Kadin. Who is an great example of the caring Iraqi citizen and taken great pride in what he and his men have accomplished. Just like most of the Iraqi military, his unit was trained by U.S. armed forces. His unit is the 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, and they were the ones to lead U.S. Marines in security operations in Ramadi. Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of stories like this and I just can’t cover them all, but remember that Ramadi was once the most dangerous city in Iraq so this event was pretty unique for them as of recently, but hopefully will increase to being more frequent in time.
    We have often heard of stories of rebuilding efforts to stable aspects of Iraq outside of the deadly Sunni Triangle. However, rebuilding a country shattered into oppression and poverty even if from a period of prosperity(1970) doesn’t rely solely on reconstructing buildings. It involves revamping a military and government system, and trying to make sure they meet the needs obligated to them by their country. This is something only Iraqis can take into their own hands.  Â
New Author At A Soldier’s Mind
July 29, 2007
Anthony and I would like to take a moment to welcome aboard a new author at A Soldier’s Mind. Most of you here know him as SealPatriot. SealPatriot is currently a college student, with plans to join the military after graduation. As he’s said many times here, his ultimate goal is to become one of the US Military’s elite warriors…. a Navy Seal. Welcome aboard Ryan! We’re looking forward to reading your posts. I’m sure they’ll be great!
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