OIF cause understood by many Iraqis

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 332 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  I vividly remember the day when President Bush first declared that American troops were going into Iraq. I remember the incessant news coverage of some Iraqis’ negative comments about the war and about Americans. But my recent arrival in Iraq has shown me the side of Iraqis that the media ignored then.

On that first day, the war was the lead headline in every paper, the lead story on every news channel. MTV even aired specials on what was going on.

I remember footage of those first blasts and our troops going in. I remember the president coming before the American people several more times. But most of all I remember the news media’s footage of Iraqi citizens. In interview after interview you heard Iraqi men and young boys degrading Americans. The news stations showed footage of Iraqi men protesting our help and attacking our people.

Now, I’m not saying that this type of belief isn’t felt by some Iraqi citizens. I am fully aware it is the belief of some that Americans are bad people and have no business in Iraq. If this were not the case then the Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq instead would be at home with their families right now.

But I can’t help but believe that they fought for a good cause and that their efforts are appreciated by many Iraqi citizens. As Americans we understand the importance of freedom. And that is our “good cause” -- to share freedom with people who could not achieve that goal on their own.

In the few days that I have spent here in Iraq I already have experienced the respect and kindness of Iraqi men. Two incidents in particular come to mind when I think of this kindness.

This first incident happened when another Airman and I were driving through a muddy field and got our vehicle stuck. As at least eight different people walked or drove by and ignored our predicament, two young Iraqi men stopped what they were doing and came over to help the best they could. Both were wearing dress shoes. They went to the extent of taking them off, rolling up their pant legs and pushing the car with my troop as I put the pedal to the metal. The four of us spent at least 30 minutes in the cold and mud trying to get it out, until we finally gave up and walked to our office to get the car towed. These two gentlemen may not have been able to fix our problem but they did everything they could to help when we were in need.

The second act of kindness was a little simpler, but meant just as much to me. It happened when I was making a purchase at a small BX trailer on base. As the young Iraqi gentleman behind the counter rang up my purchase I couldn’t help but appreciate how kind and courteous he was. He carried a friendly smile the entire time and after handing me my bag extended his hand and said thank you. He actually shook my hand. I realize to some this may not sound like much, but in my 23 years of existence I have never had anyone working at a store shake my hand and say thank you.

It is incidents like these that make me proud to be a member of the United States Air Force and proud to be part of such an important mission as Operation Iraqi Freedom. I ask those who question our mission because of the negative things they may have seen and heard to remember these little incidents. There are those men and women in this far-off country who want to be free, deserve to be free, and with our help can be free!