As I mentioned earlier that day the Company was doing what they call a good neighbor.  They go out into the neighborhoods and talk with the adults about the conditions.  Trying to learn what it is they need and what it is they can do to help them.  Letting them know that they can trust in their own security forces.  They always do these in conjunction with the local Army or Police station.  

 

On this day we went out to an area where they had built a brand new school.  The community was very appreciative to the Coalition Forces and the local security forces... Until the insurgent came in and blew it up.  Now they were back try to win over the neighborhood again.  Trying to convince them they can protect them.  But they need to help themselves and help the Iraqi Police and Army with information.  This is where I see them taking control of their Nation and us leaving.  On many fronts this is happening.  But at the same time they are afraid.  Afraid that they can’t count on us to stay the course with them.  Where are we going to be the next time the insurgent come to blow up a school.  They are attacking the communities because they now they can’t fight us conventionally.  So they try to intimidate the community.  All across Iraq they are attack the civilians... so they won’t inform on them and then we come in and kill or capture them.  But who wants to support the coalition forces when all they hear is that the US government is now will to stay and support them.  Who wants to stick the lives of his family on the line with someone they can’t count on.  On this page it does sound like Vietnam.  here in Iraq one of the freedoms they do enjoy is more information than they have ever know before.  And they see and hear all that is going on at home.  The last time I was here I spoke to an woman on the street.  She was a professor at the Univesity.  She asked me in perfect english, “Are you going to Cut and Run”?  The eyes of Iraq are upon us. Here and at home.  They are afraid we are going to get them to commit to something that we are sure we can not commit to... at least not our politicians.  So they just say “I know nothing”.  Afraid that if they support the efforts of freedom they will be killed by the insurgents... Can you blame them.   If our politicians don’t have the stomack to fight for what they believe in than why should they?

 

I was able to see one youngman.  An Iraqi Lt. that was not afraid to show his face.  He was proud to be out amongst the people defending his City.  He and his Commanders asked me to film them.  I asked if I need to cover their faces... they laughed and said “we have nothing to be ashamed”.  People who (insurgents) hide their faces are cowards”.   These are the men that have not been afraid to go out and fight for their families freedoms.  Just as ours forefathers did  more than two-hundred years ago... but I guess many have forgotten our history and are destine to relive it.

 

These are the MEN that are excited to see Soldiers like Captain Tegge, First SGT Volk, Colonel Welch and SGM Pippen.  Because they know they will support them at all cost to achieve their freedoms.  When they stand up... the boys come home.

 

In the background you can  see the guard tower of a Iraqi Police station????