Iraq: The war up close
by M.C. Kauffman
March 31, 2005
Thursday
Ketchikan, Alaska - Writing from Camp Victory, Iraq in the heart
of Baghdad, Army Staff Sergeant Ed Irizarry of Ketchikan, wanted
to tell the people of Ketchikan about the good things the troops
are doing. Irizarry said, "We see enough of the bad things
here and want you to see the other side."
American troops pose
with the 3-year old child that was recently helped by our troops.
The young boy is held by his father. SSG Ed Irizarry of the Alaska
National Guard is standing to the left of the father. Standing
to the left of Irizarry is Ben Miyasato from Juneau.
Photo courtesy SSG Ed Irizarry
SSG Irizarry who servers in the Alaska National Guard said in
a letter to SitNews, "We roll out the gate every day into
harms way to try and bring a little of our freedom to these people.
We could not be prouder than we are right now." He said,
"In a war torn country we are doing such good things to
help these folks get back on their feet. It is such a heart breaking
feeling to see how these people were treated and even how they
still live in squalid conditions."
Irizarry said there is raw
sewage everywhere and the U.S. is aiding the Iraqis in cleaning
up and repairing the lines in some places. Another job they do
to help is to conduct security operations for some villages so
workers can lay in electrical lines to provide power to run appliances
in the homes. Irizarry said, "We have been conducting police
operations to ensure there are no insurgents entering these villages.
The insurgents continue to try and disrupt the building of the
infrastructure but the Iraqi people are holding steadfast."
SSG Irizarry said, "The reception we have gotten from the
Iraqis has been overwhelming. They also do not want the insurgents
around."
An Iraqi family village.
In the background is the new Playground
emplaced by the U.S. for the children.
Photo courtesy SSG Ed Irizarry
As one gentleman explained to Irizarry, "We do not want
Alibabba (the bad guys) here. You help us and we are happy. Go
USA." Irizarry said, "It's hard to express how that
feels to hear but all my men here from Ketchikan and throughout
Alaska are very proud to be here and be a part of this."
Sharing their experiences Irizarry
said, "So far we have helped to destroy seven unexploded
bombs that were in family yards in a farm area. The children
stopped us and took us to the bombs. The parents also showed
us the scars on children from bombs that had [been] exploded
by children. So many scars, missing limbs, disfigurements. I
then at that time called for the E.O.D. team to come out and
get rid of them. They arrived quickly and destroyed them making
it safe for the children."
SSG Irizarry's patrol
waiting for the E.O.D. team to arrive...
Photo courstesy SSG Ed Irizarry
Recently Irizarry's patrol was called to respond to a family
with a very sick child. He said the child was 3 years old and
had a seizure disorder. "I was given permission to bring
the child and his father into the base where the doctors deemed
the child in a critical state. I then was requested to escort
the father to the green zone with the child by medivac,"
Irizarry said. At the end of the day the child was better and
given the proper meds to help him deal with his condition of
epilepsy. Irizarry said the child is doing much better now.
Medivc operations...
Photo courtesy SSG Ed Irizarry
SSG Ed Irizarry said, "To all the families who have someone
here with me, be proud of what your son is doing. They all are
doing an outstanding job. I could not be prouder of them than
I am right now. I know there is a lot of action going on here
in Iraq - some more than others - but this is our little part
of the war here."
In his closing remarks, Irizarry
said, "Everyone take care in Ketchikan. We here are looking
forward to the day we can come home."
Irizarry is the husband of
Shari Irizarry of Ketchikan.
E-Mail M.C. Kauffman
:mc@sitnews.us
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