9/26/06

This morning a memorial service was held for LT A.H., who died from a VBED 6 days ago. She was a proud individual who loved her...OUR...country.

She did great things for, and with, Iraqis here in the struggle for this country to stand Free on it's own two legs.

And a struggle it continues to be.

Ramadan started a few days ago. I was told by an interpreter, the true meaning of it. It is a month long fast during daylight hours. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith, and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday life. It is a time of worship and contemplation.

However...as those of you who have been here "in country" before know. Somehow, it is twisted into something else. It is a time when attacks on Coalition forces, (us), are increased. I still have not found anyone who can tell me why it seems something that sounds so good, is turned into something so evil.

And a struggle it continues to be.

Being as far north in this country as we are, we have many Kurds that we interact with, and that work here with us.

I have come to understand from them, that they do not want to be a part of Iraq. They want to break free, and have a country they can call their own.

There are millions of Kurdish refugees in Syria, Iran, and Turkey that left certain death here in Iraq under Saddam's regime.

They want to return now, but they are not Arabs. They don't want to be part of an Arab country. They want their own country.

By all reports, and even my first hand dealings with them, they are a very peaceful people.

Soldiers that venture further north in the heart of Kurdish territory tell me they feel like they are in another country. They can go to restaurants, and walk the streets with no fear, without even their battle rattle on. There is no safe haven for a terrorist there, the soldiers are told by them.

This desire to break free, as has happened all over Europe in recent memory with oppressive regimes, will become another factor in this whole mess here.

Sooner or later something will have to give.

Guaranteed though, IT IS going to be a factor in any kind of peace in this country.

The Kurds I interact with are quick to point out to me, they were the FIRST to join the Coalition. They want the coalition, and the world, to help them separate from Iraq. How this plays out with the Sunni's and the Shite's could take generations. All 3 groups have pretty much been killing each other for many, many years now.

I saw something in the news the other day. About how the citizens of Tikrit held a protest rally saying they wanted Saddam back in power.

Due to the fact that Tikrit is Saddam's home town, and many there are now without the power they enjoyed with Saddam's regime, and disinfranchised with the new government. Well, of course they would say something silly like that.

So if you saw any of that flummery on the news, don't give it too much cred.

This morning for the first time, I have noticed the TV station in Mosul started broadcasting news from Al-Jazeera. Instead of the news they were doing, from a very hokey looking news set.

Al-Jazeera is much more polished, like something you would see in the states. I found out too today, U.S. soldiers guard the TV station in Mosul 24 / 7 because it is constantly under attack, trying to knock it off the air.

Now that's a real shame.

The sun will rise over Mosul soon.

Hopefully...God willing, we have seen our last casualty for awhile.