Life In Iraq

I’ve often spoken about the real Iraq. When we hear the word “Fallujah” we automatically think terrorists, insurgents, death, hate, destruction, etc. But, that’s the Iraq I remember. At least not all of it.

Of course, there are people and places that hated me. Within Fallujah, there were many. But, also within Fallujah there were a lot of people that frequently invited my team into their home and fed us and offered tea and coffee. I frequently certain areas of the city to meet with “friends” who helped us quite a bit. There were Iraqis that would visit us at our outposts and security points and bring us freshly baked bread and sodas.

I say this because it’s good to read a recent story in the Army Times about some Iraqis who have come back here to both learn about the real American culture and talk about their homeland.

“Iraq is not a place just for bombing … not a place just for American soldiers to be killed. There are people living there, they have their own life. There are some cities that are safe and some places that have their danger,” [Nawras Mahmood] said.

But many Iraqis are educated, open-minded and eager to learn, Mahmood said.

“They are wearing jeans and T-shirts and having their normal life. We don’t have camels that we ride in the city,” she joked.

“When I started thinking about America, I thought tall buildings, lots of people, traffic. That’s not what it’s like here. People are very relaxed,” said Veyan Agha, a medical student, as she discussed the group’s weekend trip to St. Louis.

I tell my wife all the time that I have a real desire to see Iraq become a safe and prosperous country to which I can one day take my family. It’s a beautiful country full of history and great people. I’m glad to see that there are people willing to come over here and tell their story. I just wish we could do the same and send people over to also talk about our culture. People besides Code Pink!

You can read about some of my experiences on my other blog HERE.