Flying the Flag
Interesting times in Iraq...historic even. I've been thinking this evening that this is truly a unique time to be back in Iraq. Iraq's second round of national elections will occur next month. I heard someone say that the test of a democracy is not its first elections but its second. In addition to the upcoming elections, Iraq and the U.S. have a security agreement that sets the stage for a changing U.S. role in Iraq.
Yesterday I heard someone describe it as things are beginning to contract. Most of the initial U.S. funds identified for Iraq's reconstruction have been spent, or are in the process of being spent on projects nearing completion. Troop numbers are starting to decrease in Iraq and ramp up in Afghanistan. The International Zone will soon be handed over to the Iraqis and U.S. troops will begin to pull out of Iraqi cities, stationing more on the outskirts and in remote areas. I won't see all these changes in the 6 months I'm here but I will see the start of it.
Additionally, the Presidential Palace will soon be turned over to the Iraqis as the Department of State and Multi National Force - Iraq organizations are getting ready to move into the newly constructed U.S. Embassy.
At the Palace there is a flag pole where people can raise flags over the Embassy. So a group of us took advantage of having Friday morning off on the 5th and went to fly some flags. Our Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major will sign a certificate stating that the flag was flown over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. I flew one for Tom and I.
Here is me helping raise the flag. Jim, standing next to me, is in the U.S. Navy and works here with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. GRD is multi service. I've seen every branch represented but the U.S. Marine Corps. Jim saluted every flag we flew.
All total we flew about 20 flags and we folded each one afterwards. We had quite the production line going. I love this picture showing us all at different stages of paying respect to the colors.
Here is the group...only person not in the picture is Doug, who took all these great photos. The flag we are holding is the one that normally flies on the pole. We took it down while we were raising our flags and then we put it back up.
It was a really great day and a unique experience. We were a bit late getting back to the office but I just reminded myself that this was a once in a lifetime experience and I should enjoy it and not be worried about being a bit late.
Yesterday I heard someone describe it as things are beginning to contract. Most of the initial U.S. funds identified for Iraq's reconstruction have been spent, or are in the process of being spent on projects nearing completion. Troop numbers are starting to decrease in Iraq and ramp up in Afghanistan. The International Zone will soon be handed over to the Iraqis and U.S. troops will begin to pull out of Iraqi cities, stationing more on the outskirts and in remote areas. I won't see all these changes in the 6 months I'm here but I will see the start of it.
Additionally, the Presidential Palace will soon be turned over to the Iraqis as the Department of State and Multi National Force - Iraq organizations are getting ready to move into the newly constructed U.S. Embassy.
At the Palace there is a flag pole where people can raise flags over the Embassy. So a group of us took advantage of having Friday morning off on the 5th and went to fly some flags. Our Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major will sign a certificate stating that the flag was flown over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. I flew one for Tom and I.
Here is me helping raise the flag. Jim, standing next to me, is in the U.S. Navy and works here with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. GRD is multi service. I've seen every branch represented but the U.S. Marine Corps. Jim saluted every flag we flew.
All total we flew about 20 flags and we folded each one afterwards. We had quite the production line going. I love this picture showing us all at different stages of paying respect to the colors.
Here is the group...only person not in the picture is Doug, who took all these great photos. The flag we are holding is the one that normally flies on the pole. We took it down while we were raising our flags and then we put it back up.
It was a really great day and a unique experience. We were a bit late getting back to the office but I just reminded myself that this was a once in a lifetime experience and I should enjoy it and not be worried about being a bit late.
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