The turn of Iraq is pretty amazing.....

Well, we are on track to close this month as the lowest month for coalition casualties since the war begun. The last few months have seen a downward trend and if things continue to go as they are now....I would say most of the combat here in Iraq is done. Overall, most, if not 99% of our time here, has been involved in reconstruction efforts, weapons cache sweeps, detaining possible insurgents and partnered patrols with the Iraqi Army, Police and Provincial Security Forces. What Iraq is now compared to just a few years ago is pretty amazing. Those of us who know that anything worth something huge takes time and patience. It is sad that there is a small majority of Americans that are so LOUD that they cloud the majority and cause them to forget what we, Americans, are truly about. The future of Iraq is still fragile and probably will be for quite awhile. There will be those upticks in violence or sporadic events around the country. But the Iraqi's will and desire to be free and live in peace will keep the momentum moving forward. There have been a lot of "new openings" these past few weeks...to name a few, the reopening of an oil refinery in the Al Anbar province that will bring oil to all the residents of that province, with that is a new power plant that is scheduled to open for the first time in that province within the next year or so. The oil refinery producing oil for the generators will make electricity and help the Al Anbar province head back to a normalcy for them. Another "new opening" is the Najaf international airport. A prime way of bringing residents to spend money in their economy and spark tourism. Ten of eighteen provinces are turned over to the Iraqis, that's over half!! Oh, and the fact that more parks in Baghdad are seeing activity....the good kind, kids playing, families enjoying is a testament of the return of life back to Iraq. These are just a few examples of the good Iraq is finally seeing. Who knows what the future will hold for these people. It has been a long hard tough road for them and for us. Cautious but optimistic, there is a light somewhere down the end of that tunnel. As for me....as I have said before, I am proud to have served here and my country. It may not have been as "glorious" as some of us maybe wanted to experience, but that's probably for the better in the long run. At least I didn't have to send any of my guys home wrapped up!! Ten years from now we will be able to really see how this all turns out. Nothing is as it seems at the moment it is going on. Looking at the big picture, being patient, persevering and sticking to strong beliefs and values is what makes it to the end. Soon we will be heading home...soon life will be back to "normal".

Doc