SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

This was surely a unique day.  The ten year anniversary of the day that changed not only the world as we knew it but the day that inspired so many to be here in Iraq, fighting for freedom, the safety of America and the safety of those that are oppressed.  There are certainly controversial ideas and thoughts surrounding Iraq and Afghanistan but one thing is clear.....when you talk to the locals, when you learn of their lives before we came in, under a ruthless dictator, under a rule that killed their family members for having an "opinion" that wasn't in line with the regime or killing their children (in the case of a 7 year old) for kicking a soccer ball during a street game, that happens to bounce and hit a poster of Saddam Hussien.  These people are now free to vote and they are proud of that.  There is a daily flight from Baghdad International Airport to Paris.  Other nations are in here working and enjoying the benefits of trade and opportunity.  In school the kids can actually learn about world events from a perspective that takes into account the world as seen from a variety of perspectives....not a world where their dictator was like a God and every textbook praised him and required complete obedience.   

For those reasons and so many more I am proud to be here and I have realized that on that day, ten years ago, part of me knew that I would be more connected to that event than I realized I would at that time.  For the rest of this post I am going to do it in pictures.  There are a bunch but it was such an honor to have the opportunity to fly flags over our headquarters here in a combat zone.  Each flag was marched out to the pole, raised properly with Soldiers saluting and after a time was lowered with honor while Soldiers saluted.  Then it was folded in the proper manner and marched from the area.  This was a great day!

      This is our headquarters building for the 478th Human Resources Company

                                Presenting the flag to the Soldier that will be raising it.

                             Not necessarily in order but this is my raising one of the flags.

                                                             Lowering the Colors.

                                Luckily 4 of us there were Eagle Scouts.  That came in handy today!

                                                    Raising another flag

                               I love these last three pictures. They capture the day for me perfectly!