Deployment Update

Coming home soon.

Baghdad Bulletin
Post-Election Edition
March 19, 2010
Issue 23

It's difficult to believe it's been nearly 2 weeks since the historic Iraqi national election on 7 March. I'd hoped to get this out sooner, but it was not to be. The results are still being counted, but the new government will be established in "Iraqi time."

These were notes I started that Sunday morning. I had no idea how the day was going to unfold and tried to capture my thoughts....At first, I started tallying each explosion and know that I didn't count each one – some were simultaneous, others were not audible from where I was.
The weather was bright and sunny, a little cool, but the day never became too warm. It was a great metaphor. Iraq has a bright and sunny future.
By 0830, I'd counted at least 30 explosions. They ranged from loud to distant, none causing my trailer or windows to shake. By lunch, things seemed to have settled. I wondered if "they" were waiting until the lines got longer in the afternoon....

On the way to breakfast (about 730 AM), one Peruvian male guard - said, "Loud – but I have faith in God."  Later a Colombian female guard said she was afraid and looked frightened.  I said, "Don’t worry, we're in good hands," and she smiled and calmed down.

With each explosion I imagined at least one death, if it was a suicide vest, and many injuries. But there were no sirens or emergency vehicles audible. No helicopters surrounded us overhead. All was eerily quiet except for bombings. I pictured a lot of chaos and wondered where the Iraqi quick reaction forces were and how they were performing.

One colleague commented on the possibility that artillery was being used. The news reports (on Google – I don't have a TV) mentioned mortar attacks.

The total number of deaths (36) was so incredibly low with such a "high" voter turnout – over 60%. That's quite remarkable.

I've been so proud of the Iraqis. The courage they've shown by going to vote in these threatening conditions is so inspiring. I'm also proud of our soldiers who have been training the Iraqi police and soldiers. They responded well and kept the "peace" that day.

Through all this, I'm thinking of the many sacrifices over the years that have been made by US and Coalition forces to bring this day to fruition. So many thousands of lives have been altered forever – Iraqi, US, and Coalition.

This is the reason we are all here....

Here is one of my favorite photos from this tour:

My 3 Iraqi friends who work on the compound where I live and work. I see them almost daily. I'm already missing their smiles. They were excited about going to vote, and proudly displayed their ink-stained fingers! I call this "Worth It." I asked them if I could share this photo with my friends and family and they said a resounding "YES!"

These three Iraqi men work at the laundry. The young man in the middle said he was too "scared" to vote. Notice the pride in the seasoned man's face. He taught me how to say goodbye in a less formal way. He always smiled when I said it to him when I left or picked up laundry. I made sure to see him on my last day and gave him a hug.

There will be more thoughts written in the next few days. I'll be in Kuwait and hope to wind down a bit. I'm not allowing myself to get excited though until I'm further along on the redeployment process. I want to share a wonderful opportunity that I had in Kurdistan a few days ago. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and  I'm looking forward to getting home to my best friend and all of you!  "See you" soon at this same station....

Cheryl