neurotic Iraqi wife
April 11, 2008
The Hearts and Minds Award...
So do you still have family here? The new CAPT asked. No, no I don’t, they all left. So do you get out much? No, but umm I did manage to last month and it was amazing. The look on his face asked me to elaborate. To elaborate what can be so amazing in a war torn country filled with the stench of death and tainted with the colour blood.
The CAPT has replaced our Col. And this post is not about Baghdad, nor my Amazing Baghdadi Day, nor is it about the new Captain. This post is going to be about something, or rather someone, someone who really cared, yet you will never read about anywhere in the media. Nor will you see it all over the news. You know why? Because its done with real genuine feelings.
Its not like what you watch on the AFN channels trying to market the “US Military Love” to the Iraqis by distributing school bags to children. Or Generals sipping Iraqi chai with local tribes and pretending to smile into the cameras. Oh no, this is not like that. This is not like that because this is REAL. This is not for the cameras waiting for the man behind it to say, one, two three action. Or for the interviewer to edit what he likes and adds what makes things look rosy or muddy depending on his/her affiliations. No. This is something I have seen in my own eyes and I have felt in my own heart.
I was asked to work with Col M about 8 months ago. When I was told the news, I was extremely flabbergasted and very disappointed. First off I felt I was being clutched from an environment I knew too well, knew by heart, to an environment that I had no clue about. It’s the same place, same job, but different program, different people. Secondly, from having to work with AF COL’s for almost 2 years, I wasn’t really sure that Id be able to deal with an Army guy. To me Air Force was the epitome of perfection. I just loved that “umph” they emitted. Not only Col M was known for his bad temper but he was also notoriously known for his honest bluntness, kinda like me. Hmm, maybe that’s why we got along afterall!!!
But little did I know then, that I will be working with one of the greatest men ever. Col M, (just like Col K, who I worked with 2 and a half years ago) may not have achieved what he came here for in the first place, but I believe he achieved something far beyond the so called reconstruction efforts. Not only achieved but gained the love of every Iraqi he worked with. And I emphasize IRAQIS because he went out of his way to get them the US visas. He reviewed each and every one of those packages. He assisted them in providing the correct info. He hand carried them himself to the General for the signature. He did a lot for them. He encouraged them continuously, always took the time to ask how they are and how their families are. And you know what, he was never obliged to do that. Not obliged at all. Nor did he do it for his personal gains, cuz that definitely wont get him a star.
Unlike many who work here, be it both military or civilians, he is one of the very few people that I have seen and met that genuinely cared and not “pretended” to care. And because he was against the bureaucracy that we work in, and because he made it obvious how wrong they are, people couldn’t accept his views lightly, hence he wasn’t that much liked. But to me, he was a real gentleman. He was never afraid to say his opinion, and he was never afraid to show his affections to his wife through the phonecalls he shared with her. I just love it when a man as stern as him, can be so soft, so soft and loving. Im sorry HUBBY but that just melts me :)
So no, you will not read about Col M’s small treats he leaves on the Iraqis desks from time to time in the NY times or the Washington Post. Nor will you hear the admiration and love my Iraqi coworkers have for this man on CNN or BBC. Oh no. You will never sense the aura he emits when he enters a room, nor feel the charisma in his voice when he encourages the Iraqis for their hard work. And although I know he will never get to see these words, I write them with great sadness. Theres like a heavy feeling in the air. I see people coming and saying bye to him, and I just cant stop myself from staring at this man. I just cant stop thinking how much he will be really missed.
Now that’s what I call winning the hearts and minds. That’s exactly what it is. He found the secret that both the US and Coaltion forces failed to find. Because Col M won both the hearts and the minds of all the Iraqis without any exceptions. He won the hearts and minds of all the Iraqis no matter what their sect is, their religion is and most of all what their political views are about this war. Col M, deserves not only one star or two or three stars, he deserves an Award. Simply, The Hearts and Minds Award…
The CAPT has replaced our Col. And this post is not about Baghdad, nor my Amazing Baghdadi Day, nor is it about the new Captain. This post is going to be about something, or rather someone, someone who really cared, yet you will never read about anywhere in the media. Nor will you see it all over the news. You know why? Because its done with real genuine feelings.
Its not like what you watch on the AFN channels trying to market the “US Military Love” to the Iraqis by distributing school bags to children. Or Generals sipping Iraqi chai with local tribes and pretending to smile into the cameras. Oh no, this is not like that. This is not like that because this is REAL. This is not for the cameras waiting for the man behind it to say, one, two three action. Or for the interviewer to edit what he likes and adds what makes things look rosy or muddy depending on his/her affiliations. No. This is something I have seen in my own eyes and I have felt in my own heart.
I was asked to work with Col M about 8 months ago. When I was told the news, I was extremely flabbergasted and very disappointed. First off I felt I was being clutched from an environment I knew too well, knew by heart, to an environment that I had no clue about. It’s the same place, same job, but different program, different people. Secondly, from having to work with AF COL’s for almost 2 years, I wasn’t really sure that Id be able to deal with an Army guy. To me Air Force was the epitome of perfection. I just loved that “umph” they emitted. Not only Col M was known for his bad temper but he was also notoriously known for his honest bluntness, kinda like me. Hmm, maybe that’s why we got along afterall!!!
But little did I know then, that I will be working with one of the greatest men ever. Col M, (just like Col K, who I worked with 2 and a half years ago) may not have achieved what he came here for in the first place, but I believe he achieved something far beyond the so called reconstruction efforts. Not only achieved but gained the love of every Iraqi he worked with. And I emphasize IRAQIS because he went out of his way to get them the US visas. He reviewed each and every one of those packages. He assisted them in providing the correct info. He hand carried them himself to the General for the signature. He did a lot for them. He encouraged them continuously, always took the time to ask how they are and how their families are. And you know what, he was never obliged to do that. Not obliged at all. Nor did he do it for his personal gains, cuz that definitely wont get him a star.
Unlike many who work here, be it both military or civilians, he is one of the very few people that I have seen and met that genuinely cared and not “pretended” to care. And because he was against the bureaucracy that we work in, and because he made it obvious how wrong they are, people couldn’t accept his views lightly, hence he wasn’t that much liked. But to me, he was a real gentleman. He was never afraid to say his opinion, and he was never afraid to show his affections to his wife through the phonecalls he shared with her. I just love it when a man as stern as him, can be so soft, so soft and loving. Im sorry HUBBY but that just melts me :)
So no, you will not read about Col M’s small treats he leaves on the Iraqis desks from time to time in the NY times or the Washington Post. Nor will you hear the admiration and love my Iraqi coworkers have for this man on CNN or BBC. Oh no. You will never sense the aura he emits when he enters a room, nor feel the charisma in his voice when he encourages the Iraqis for their hard work. And although I know he will never get to see these words, I write them with great sadness. Theres like a heavy feeling in the air. I see people coming and saying bye to him, and I just cant stop myself from staring at this man. I just cant stop thinking how much he will be really missed.
Now that’s what I call winning the hearts and minds. That’s exactly what it is. He found the secret that both the US and Coaltion forces failed to find. Because Col M won both the hearts and the minds of all the Iraqis without any exceptions. He won the hearts and minds of all the Iraqis no matter what their sect is, their religion is and most of all what their political views are about this war. Col M, deserves not only one star or two or three stars, he deserves an Award. Simply, The Hearts and Minds Award…
11 Comments:
Salutes to Col. M. No you won't see stories like this in the media. It doesn't serve their agenda. All the similar stories I've read are on the Net. Winning hearts and minds is simply the ability to see past the differences, and gettin' down to the nitty gritty of how much the same we all are. It's not just about winning hearts and minds of Iraqis, but y'all winning our hearts and minds. That couldn't happen without blogs. Solo
Shut the fuck up you traitorous whore. How much lower can you get by polishing the image of our invaders and occupiers who still bomb our cities and kill our children and making them look like humanitarian workers? Let's hope the next Mahdi Army mortar shell lands in your lap.
There a pest in here? Seems to me it's the Mahdi criminals that are the traitors. Solo
NEUROTICA LUV; WE NEED ALL THE POSITIVE PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER; ASSIST; PRACTICE& PRAGMATICALLY LEND A POSITIVE HELPFUL; ENERGETIC;KIND HAND IN LIFTING IRAQ & THE REGION TO A PROGRESSIVE PROSPEROUS ;LIBERALL- TOLERANT FUTURE :) COL.M & MANY COL.M LIKEMINDED PEOPLE SHOULD JOIN UP I.E. YOU SOLO ;USAMA: & MANY BESIDES TO FULLFIL THE DREAM OF OUR OWN SIR T.E. LAWRENCE OVER A HUNDRED OR LESS YEARS AGO;"THE7PILLARRS OF WISDOM" BUILD THE REGION AS IN THE ARABIAN GULF -ABU-DHABI &DUBAI "THE ANGLO-ARABIAN-PENNINSULA"THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH & ALL THAT ENTAILS IN EDUCATIONAL; BUSINESS;& COOPERATIVE-CULTURAL PROGS.THAT TRAVERSE THE GLOBE .IF WE WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE JOINING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF COL.M.& ASSIST ALL IRAQIS TO SEE HOWTHEY MAY ALSO ENJOY AN ABU-DHABI-BUBAI STANDARD OF LIVING;JOIN IN THE G.C.C. PROJECTS & LEAVE BEHIND THEIR PETTY ETHNIC DIBILITTATING THUGGERY-TEARING THEMSELVES APART AT THE BEHEST & ONLY TO SERVE THEIRANIENAXIS OF EVIL;SO GOOD ON COL.M ;MAY THERE BE MANY LOVING FORTHRITE KIND HEARTED PEOPLE LIKE THAT HELPING AS ONCE OUR OWN SIR T.E.LAWRENCE TRIED MANY A YEAR AGO & FORSAW HOW AFFECTIONATELY THE REGION MAY BE BUILT INTO A FLOURISHING KIND LOVING TOLERANT PEOPLES ;INSTEAD OF THE BLINCKERED RETARDED AXIS OF EVIL APPROACH. MAY MANY A COL M. COME ALONG TEAM UP & OBLITTERATE THE AXIS OF EVIL ONCE & FOR ALL. THE VERY BEST OF GREETINGS NEUROTICA DARLING & KINDEST OF REGARDS TO YOU & ALL WHO TRY HELPING PUT THE REGION ON THE RIGHT PROGRESSIVE -ABU-DHABI-DUBAI-TRACK A LONG LASTING DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING FOR ALL:)WWW.bfbs.com."YOURS AS ALWAYS OLAFF:)
NEUROTICA LUV; FORGOT MENTIONING IF YOU´VE ;BILLY IDOL´S""MY SWEET SIXTEEN";DEFF LEAPPARD; THIN LIZZY;THE TURTLES ;THE FORTUNES;THE MARMALADE"RAINBOW";RONAN KEATING"ROLLER COASTER";STEELYSPAN"ALL AROUND MY HAT"LEVEL42"lessons in love" SQUEEZE"BOTTLED LOVE";STING"MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE";SIR PAUL MC ARTNEY´S "SILLY LOVE SONGS" THE BEATLES" "SHE LOVES YOU"-LOVE ME LOVE ME DO";BUT MY FAVS. are:-ABBA´S HONEY HONEY" & PETER SKELLERN´S "HOLD ON"-TO LOVE;SIMPLY RED´S " IT´S ONLY LOVE YOU´RE GIVING" ANN LEE "BRING IT BACK" MOLOKO"SING IT BACK TO ME" & KIM WILD´S"YOU CAME" SAMANTHA FOX´S "TOUCH ME NOW";THE LOVE AFFAIR; SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTER;"TAKE ME HOME":);SOPHIE B.hawkins "right beside you";OH & RICK ASTLEY IS REVAMPING HIS TITLED ALBUM BEST SONGS"TOGETHER FOREVER" ALL THE VERY BEST LUV & KINDEST OF REGARDS WWW.bfbs.com"YOUR OLAFF:)
Well this is the type of man that made the US what it is, I just wish there were more of him in the world. The type who can see the world for what it is and does good regardless of the religion/sect/ethnicity of those he does it to.
salaam and thanks for the nice post
Solo, i cannot tell you what a real gentleman this guy was. The Iraqis here were very adamant to do a go away lunch for him. Ech paid about $60. Now for normal ppl 60 bucks may be nothing, but for them its a big deal, and for them to volunteer and do it for this guy, means quite alot and says quite alot!!!
Anon, you know what, just shut the hell up. I know you're jealous, poor thing, I pity you and people like you, tsk tsk tsk
Olaff, infact he did look like Lawrence of Arabia. We got him an Iraqi Abbaya and a yeshmakh for his go away present. He wore it and wow did he look good in it. I joked with him and said Col, you look like the Awakening tribes,lol
Ph, salam to you too. I think the US lacks people like Col M. We need more of him this world!!!
do you have a blog email address we can reach you at?
NIW,
That anonymous jerk's comments simply prove that they exist on both sides of the fence and his words confirm he is one of them.
Having served in the USAF for 10 years, I have worked with some of the worst AND best people in the world. I totally understand how you feel to say good bye to someone you truly admire. Someone who has earned your respect instead of demanded it. Someone who lives by what he or she speaks. Someone like that is truly amazing. Just kinda makes you stare in disbelief trying to blink away the facade you swear is there, only to discover this person is real through and through.
I think I had mentioned before that I am a nursing student (I graduate in December). I will go into the Reserves when I finish school. I really miss that comraderie. One of my most favorite people who is now a General, has accepted my request to commission me. I am so honored and I look forward to that day.
While it is always less enjoyable to learn from those who serve as an example of what not to do, people like your Colonel make it so worth while to be patient and wait for the next mentor to come along.
Always,
Melanie
NEUROTICA LUV:)PLEASE TAKE & KEEP A SOUVENIER PHOTO OF COL M. TO LOOK UPON IN YEARS TO COME & RECALL THE "GOODENS" OF THIS GLOBE:) MAY THERE BE LOADS OF COL M. GOOD PEOPLE ROBED IN LAWRENCE OF ARABIA´S TYPE ROBE & HEADDRESS" ALA3BAAAT ;AL CHAFFIYA WAL" AA3iGAAAL"OR ALG3UUUTRA WAL A3IGAL-COL M. MUST´VE LOOKED GOOD & SHALL HAVE GOOD TIMES & FEELINGS TO LOOK BACK UPON:)ARE YOU EAGERLY LOOKING FORTH TO YOUR WELL DESERVED HOLS:) DARLING;ENJOY IT & SPECIALLY THE DELICIOUS SNACKS IN BEIRUT ;TRY "MAROUSH" RESTAURANT THERE IF IT´S STILL THERE;?JUST LISTENED ON LINE WWW.bigL.co.uk "-RADIO BIG L "HOMEBIG"L" TO SOME 60s lovely tunes i.e. J. DURHAM´S " HEY THERE GEORGIE GIRL" :)MY NICKNAME IS GEORGE:)SO I HAD TO SMILE;ALL THE VERY BEST OF GREETINGS LUV & HAVE A NICE TIME & KINDEST REGARDS WWW.bfbs.com" YOUR "OLAFF":)
OH & SIR T.E.LAWRENCE SHALL HAVE BEEN DELIGHTED :)SURELY & SENT HIS FULL SUPPORT & APPROVAL EVEN IF IT IS SPIRITUALLY ;FROM THE BEYOND;GLADLY INVITING ALL & SUNDRY WHO´S INTEREST IT IS ;BEING CONSTRUCTIVE & WELL INTENTIONED TO THE PEOPLE´S OF THE REGION IN REALISING THAT LONG LOST DREAM OF BUILDING A PROGRESSIVE ;PROSPEROUS;ARABIAN PENNINSULA ;VIBRANT IN BUSINESS; CULTURE;& TOLERANT LIBERAL SOCIAL STRUCTURE PROVIDING A PLACE FOR ALL ;)THE VERY BEST OF GREETINGS NEUROTICA LUV; WWWW.bfbs.com" AS ALWAYS OLAFF
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