2/28 BCT Iron Soldiers

Today I received an e-mail from my father that caused me to spend some time thinking about the real situation in Iraq, particularly in light of the President's recent address to the Country. After sending my father a response, I decided that I wanted to respond, not just to him, as a son to a father, but rather to all of you that I care for and maybe more accurately as one American to my fellow Americans. All of you receiving this are friends or family that I care deeply about, and miss a great deal. I also respect all of you and know that we don't always agree on the decisions made by the leadership of our nation. In all of the discussions, debates, and sometimes heated disagreements among us, what has always remained clear in my mind is this: all of us, in the end, want what is best for our country. I will tell you that in my view what we are doing in Iraq today, and more importantly the decisions our nation's leaders make in the weeks, and months ahead about what we will do in Iraq define and will define what and who we are as Americans. In truth, I believe nothing less than the future of our country and our way of life is at stake.

I actually just got to see the President's address this morning, and I think he did a good job. I also listened to Senator Biden and a few others talk about Iraq. I have also heard my Congressman, Congressman Murtha over the last couple of weeks. Here is my opinion:

Congressman Murtha is WRONG. Moreover, some politicians in D.C. and elsewhere that are, in my opinion, using Iraq for political leverage for the upcoming elections, are not just wrong, but seriously misguided in their efforts. I know that there are many, and maybe Congressman Murtha is one of these, that have legitimate concerns, and are seeking honest and open debate about whether or not we should remain in Iraq. I think that honest and open debate is good and that this process is at the heart of what it means to live in a free society. I expect nothing less from those we have entrusted with the leadership of our nation. They must ask the hard questions. I also know that this very debate appears to lend strength to our enemies because they are able to point to it and say: "we are having success with causing the Americans to doubt themselves". Many of the enemies of freedom see our questioning of ourselves as a lack of resolve; an inability to see a thing through. Those of us that are blessed to live in a free society know that they are misguided. However, it is also the responsibility of those that would seek to engage in this debate to be educated in the reality, the facts if you will, about what is actually occurring in Iraq. Those politicians (and unfortunately, from what I have heard from him, Congressman Murtha is one of these) that claim to KNOW what the story is in Iraq and that we are not being successful, are either misled by their own staffers, or are ignoring the facts to gain political advantage in the upcoming elections.

Here is the truth in Ramadi, Iraq:

We are now, and we have been, making tremendous and yes to quote the Vice President "remarkable" progress! I have personally seen and been part of the efforts of an Iraqi Battalion that has come from a thrown together militia force to the point where they now control some of their own battlespace. Now what does that actually mean?

It means that a portion of Ramadi, Iraq that was completely lawless, with citizens that were terrified of what would happen to them if they were even suspected of supporting the coalition or the Iraqi government even two months ago now openly support the Iraqi soldiers living in their community because they provide a return of the Rule of Law and an end to the Rule of Might.

It means that the children of that small community now are able to play outside, and see their friends, and go to school, without being afraid of inadvertently being caught up in an explosion aimed at whoever happens to be in the area when the insurgents decide to initiate it.

It means that the Sunnis that live in Ramadi, those that want nothing more than an end to the violence, and that is the vast, vast majority of people here, could freely exercise their RIGHT (yes, they have RIGHTS now because of our successes) to vote for the future of their nation, and their community. Moreover, that very freedom, at least in this small part of Iraq that 3-1-7 controls, an area of Iraq that is inhabited almost exclusively by Sunni Muslims, was provided by mostly Shia Muslims. More importantly, the members of this community know that, and are extremely grateful for their presence- the presence of the Third Battalion of the First Brigade of the Seventh Division OF THE IRAQI SECURITY FORCES (regardless of their religious customs).

It means that bit by painful bit; the insurgency is being crushed by the efforts of Iraqis that truly want a free society. Not just the efforts of the soldiers, but also the Iraqi contractors that support them, and the people of the communities that support them.

It means that the quality of life for the people in this small part of Iraq is growing better on a daily basis. Water, power, roads, sewage, schools, food, all these things are getting better. Slowly, painfully, sometimes, agonizingly slowly, but consistently getting better.

It means that the Iraqi Army, under strength, under equipped, living in conditions that make the worst slums in the U.S. seem like a great place to live, are daily putting their lives at risk (and sometimes losing their lives) to safeguard the free future of their country. Why? Not for the pay (it isn't very much, and most could make enough to support their families doing something else), but because they know that the only way to ensure their families safety and freedom in the future is to stand up and be counted with those that want the Rule of Law to govern and not the Rule of Might. They are uneducated, poor, and unskilled, but they are brave, and they are dedicated, and they will WIN!

It means that Victory is attainable in Iraq. I have heard the detractors say that no one has defined Victory in Iraq. Victory in Iraq is easily defined. When the Iraqi people have attained the ability to ensure that the Rule of Law and not the Rule of Might governs their land, when children can play outside safe from senseless violence, when the Iraqi quality of life consistently gets better on a daily basis, when the Iraqi people take ownership of their problems and seek to find a solution to them even when this involves personal sacrifice, when Iraqis can put aside religious differences to work together for a better way of life, then Victory will be achieved in Iraq.

In the small part of Iraq that 3-1-7 controls, a part of Iraq that is in the very heart of the insurgent's stronghold of Ramadi, Victory is coming ever closer. We are not there yet, and they still need our help, but they are winning.

Finally it means that the only way that we will fail to gain Victory is if WE give up. If we now, as a nation, say: it is too much money, too much sacrifice, too much blood, the Iraqis that are working, sacrificing and fighting for a better way of life will fail and the Rule of Might will return to Iraq with all of the horror it can muster. Regardless of the reasons for us being here in the first place, right or wrong; we are here. We as a nation have a true obligation, and a DUTY to see this through. We, as a country, are truly living up to our ideals for one of the first times in our nation's history. We are living up to those ideals, not because we came here, but because we are willing to STAY here. We have given the Iraqi people HOPE. God save our nation if, in our selfishness, our impatience, and yes our arrogance we decide to quit now. We would make of ourselves the very thing that our enemies say we are: a people and a country unwilling and unable to live up to the standards and beliefs that we claim. I do not believe that our country is a purveyor of false hope and hypocrisy, and I do not believe that we will allow ourselves to fail in this war. We must "Stay the Course" in Iraq, just as our forefathers have in every great challenge to our Nation since its birth. Nothing less is acceptable.

I love you and miss you all. As a person, as a friend, as a nephew, as a cousin, as a son and a grandson, as a husband, and as a father, I would far prefer to be at home with my family and my friends, but as an American, there is no place I would rather be right now, than Ramadi, Iraq.

Written by Maj. M. T. Vesely - USMC