[antimedia] antimedia: News from the front....

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Posted by antimedia:
News from the front....
http://www.antimedia.us/posts/1192909010.shtml


   ....but not from the media. This was posted on the Veterans For
   Freedom, Texas, forum.
   It is republished here with permission and without alteration, except
   for formatting for readability. Because you deserve to know the truth.

     From: Dill LtCol Jeffrey J (1/7 Bn Co) Sent: Friday, October 05,
     2007 3:45 PM Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
     Family, friends, and Fellow Marines,
     As promised, here is my first "update" from this tour in Iraq. I
     will try and get one of these out about every month. I hope this
     finds you all doing well. It has been a very fast moving month and
     a half as we moved the 1,000+ Marines from 1/7 and literally tons
     of equipment and material half way around the world through Kuwait
     and eventually into Iraq. We have inventoried and signed for well
     over a hundred pieces of rolling stock, thousands of pieces of
     electronic equipment and computers, joined a few hundred more
     reinforcements to 1/7 (making us now "Task Force 1/7") and then we
     put everyone in their new positions, spreading us out over 500
     square kilometers. Needless to say, the Marines of the First Team
     have been busy!
     Here is the million dollar question I have been asked repeatedly
     since I have arrived, "How is it compared to the last time you were
     in Iraq?"
     Well, I was in Hit, the main city within our AO, last October and
     daytime operations were limited to tanks and BFVs driving around
     the outskirts of the city because to venture inside meant a certain
     attack by an IED, RPG, small arms, or all of the above. Recently, I
     went on a 3 hour dismounted patrol through town in the middle of
     the afternoon and my biggest worry was having enough candy for all
     the children that came up to me to say hello and shake my hand. I
     stopped in stores and talked to the merchants to see how business
     is doing. They told me business is good and improving everyday. I
     even went to a few shops to look for a carpet for my office and
     enjoyed myself as I tried to get the price lowered from "rich"
     American prices to normal Iraqi prices. I wasn't successful but
     will keep trying! I stopped in one of the police stations in the
     city so I could make plans with the Station Chief to remove a
     number of the cement barriers on the street in order to open
     traffic back up.
     Those barriers were a must before as there was a constant threat of
     a suicide vehicle ramming into the station in an attempt to kill as
     many of the police officers as possible. While that threat still
     exists, the security provided by the police and my Marines has
     allowed us to take risks in certain areas as we try and balance
     security needs and normalcy.
     I spend many hours working with the numerous city counsels and
     Mayors in my AO to address and solve many issues, problems, and to
     plan for the future. A year ago, the city councils would not show
     up to work because if they did, they were killed as they were seen
     as "agents" of the Americans by AQI. Now, they look forward to my
     arrival so issues like schools, rubble removal, water treatment
     plants, sewage repairs, repairs of the electrical grids,
     infrastructure modernization, and an assortment of other issues can
     be worked out, prioritized, and assets allocated for them to begin
     work.
     I also spend a great deal of time with the major Sheiks in my AO.
     They are some of the most gracious hosts you have ever met. My
     Marines and I are treated liked royalty every time we arrive.
     Delicious lamb, goat, sheep, kabobs, fresh fruits and vegetables
     are served in amounts we could never finish and we always eat first
     and get the seats of honor closest to the Sheik. We then adjourn
     for Chi tea and discuss issues that require my attention such as
     security, economic stimulation, tribal reconciliation, local
     government issues, and of course stories of past battles and
     fights...all embellished but they make great stories anyway.
     Three brothers in the town of Baghdadi, one of whom who happens to
     be the Police Chief and is known as the "Lion of Al Anbar", are
     particularly gracious hosts . They were some of the first to stand
     up against AQI and to stand with the Marines. They have suffered
     greatly for choosing to fight AQI and for freedom. The Police
     Chief, Colonel Shab'an has had no less then 7 direct assassination
     attempts against him. I was here last year and saw him after one
     attack against him was nearly successful.
     One of his brothers was killed, a brother-in-law was tortured and
     beheaded, and one of his younger brothers lost his legs in a mortar
     attack. Yet, he remains committed to a free and independent Iraq.
     His talks to me about freedom, democracy, and his loyalty to Iraq
     and justice are inspiring.
     Colonel Shab'an has become a sort of folk hero to his community and
     his willingness to standup for their freedom and safety has
     inspired thousands of Iraqis. His two brothers, one a Sheik and the
     other a local businessman are also servants to their community.
     The Sheik is the City Council Chairman and has almost single
     handedly reorganized the local government from a board of
     obstructionists to a functioning and effective governing body who
     work almost non-stop to improve the lives of the people within
     their area.
     The other brother is a very successful businessman who has donated
     tens of thousands of dollars to fix water treatment plants, to pay
     of the salaries of the police before the national government could
     or would, and his source network has led to the successful capture
     of many terrorists and criminals.
     The nights in their neighborhood are particularly enjoyable as we
     sit outside to eat and the children in the neighborhood run around,
     laughing, and sneaking up to listen to me talk or to try and get
     some more candy from me. They are so proud of the security they
     have established for their families, their tribe, and the people in
     their community. I am proud just to be considered their friend.
     Overall, the folks I have met are good people who want to raise
     their families, farm their land, and just have the ability to
     choose their own future for one of the few times in their country's
     history. Their admiration and appreciation to us and to the
     American people for the opportunity we have offered them is genuine
     and heartfelt.
     While there has been a great deal of progress, there is still much
     to do. While most of the terrorists have been forced from the
     population centers, there are still secret cells. We have found and
     been attacked by a number of IEDs already. We have found a good
     number of buried caches along the river banks that were planted
     there for future use against us.
     Iraq is far from a peaceful land; there are many political issues
     above my level that must be worked out. The rifts between the
     religious sects are as tough a problem to figure out as anything
     else ever has been...think Catholics and Protestants in Northern
     Ireland.
     But the bottom line is this...we are winning the counter-insurgency
     fight here in Al Anbar. We are winning as a result of the past 5
     years of work by thousands of Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers who
     worked tirelessly to get us where we are today. This didn't happen
     overnight and we lost many good men and women to achieve it. We
     have put the enemy on the run and we are not letting the pressure
     off. We continue to hunt him down and provide him no rest.
     My Marines, actually your Marines, are patrolling in the cities, in
     the desert, and on the river to find the enemy and destroy him. And
     the Marines do not patrol alone. Almost every operation we do has
     Iraqi Police, Army, or both with the Marines. They are brave,
     committed to winning, and they try as hard as they canto emulate
     the Marines they are serving with.
     At the same time we continue to build our relationships with the
     local leaders, Sheiks, and most importantly the Iraq people. I am
     optimistic that if given the time and support of the American
     people, we can help create a country whose vast natural resources
     and potential will make it one of the strongest and most powerful
     nations in the region. Iraq will be our Ally and they will not
     forget the sacrifices the American people have made on their
     behalf.
     I realize and understand that many back home are tired of this
     conflict and want it to end. I will not provide any argument there
     but I will offer that" wishing" away this problem is not reality.
     The Islamic extremists that wish to destroy us are not going away,
     they cannot be 'talked' to, and they will not negotiate.
     I have been here three years in a row now and I can see the
     progress. I can see the improvement in the capabilities and
     potential in the Iraqi Security Forces, I can see the willingness
     and desire of civic and local leaders to build a better future for
     their people, and I can see that most of the civilian population
     has turned its back on AQI because of their empty promises. I can
     see hope, a hope that many Iraqis have never known before, and a
     hope they do not want to loose.
     Your Marines are doing exceptionally well. They are focused, they
     are disciplined, and they continue to attack each day with vigor
     and enthusiasm. I am continually inspired by their courage,
     dedication, and willingness to sacrifice for others. I am truly
     blessed for the privilege to lead them.
     I would like to thank all of you for your continued prayers and
     support. It means the world to us to know you are all still behind
     us and that you want us to successfully complete this mission.
     Please remember all the 1/7 families and all the families of those
     serving here in Iraq that have been left behind in your prayers as
     well. Semper Fidelis and God Bless,JJ LtCol JJ Dill Commanding
     OfficerTF 1/7Hit, Iraq
     Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Another Day To Serve The Corps

   Tags: [1]Iraq [2]news [3]surge [4]success

References

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   2. http://technorati.com/tag/news
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   4. http://technorati.com/tag/success