Yes, another "When-Johnny/Jane-Comes-Marching-Home" (WJJCMH) Diary where I feature an Iraq II veteran who has returned and needs our help. For those of you who are not familiar with this WJJCMH Diary series, it is dedicated to welcoming and helping our Iraq II veterans as they Come Marching Home. Details on the origins of this series can be found at WJJCMH #1.
But before I get to this weeks "Vet.-of-the-Week", I would like to take a little time to discuss the recent uptick in violence in Iraq and what role, if any, it will play in our withdrawal time table.
So join me after the jump /\ for a little discussion about ending our Iraq debacle and this week's Iraq II veteran who could use our help. But if not you need to move on (perfectly understandable in these busy times), please at least take a look at USATOGETHER, a fabulous site which helps unite people who want to help our troops with individual soldiers who need our help.
Since Thursday, around 160 Iraqis have died in bombings, with scores of others injured, according to news reports. The attacks appear to be flare ups of sectarian Sunni verses Shite violence that has plagued Iraq since shortly after the US invasion. There is a lot of finger pointing going on as what is causing these Sunni on Shia attacks. Some say its political because the predominantly Shite lead Government has allowed ethnic cleansing of Sunnis from Shite neighborhoods and is preventing the Sunni minority from having any meaningful role in Iraq’s government. Some say it has to do with the Sunni "awakening" councils seeing the US aid they were given to fight AlQuida-in-Iraq dry up and getting the cold shoulder from the Shite government. Some US Generals say that it may be due to a new wave of "foreign fighters" streaming into Iraq from across the porous Syrian border. Whatever the cause, even if its "all the above", I can only hope that it will not change our withdrawal policy.
Another ominous sign can be seen in the NY Times Article on behind the scenes discussion between US and British diplomats and a former Sunni General of Saddam’s Army who is in exile in Jordon. US and British diplomats were apparently trying to get former Iraqi commander, Lt. Gen. Raad Majid al-Hamdani to take part in a Sunni reconciliation with the Shite government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, but the General would have no part in such an olive branch offering.
After a year of halting talks mediated by the Americans, he said, he concluded that Iraq’s leader, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, simply was not interested in reconciliation.
The American appeal, described by General Hamdani and not previously reported — illustrates what could become one of the biggest obstacles to stability in Iraq. Mr. Maliki’s pledges to reconcile with some of the most ardent opponents of his government have given way to what some say is a hardening sectarianism that threatens to stoke already simmering political tensions and rising anger over a recent spate of bombings aimed at Shiites.
On March 28, Mr. Maliki’s Shiite-led government arrested a prominent Sunni leader on charges of heading a secret armed wing of Mr. Hussein’s Baath Party. A week later, the prime minister accused Baathists of orchestrating car bombings that killed more than 40 people. On Monday, he lashed out again, saying the Baath Party was "filled with hate from head to toe."
Mr. Maliki’s retreat risks polarizing Iraqis again and eroding hard-fought security gains. One hundred sixty people died in bombings on Thursday and Friday alone. There is no evidence that Baathists were involved, but fears are rising that they and jihadi insurgents are increasingly cooperating in areas, Baghdad especially, that have been largely quiet over the last year.
Mr. Maliki has changed his tone despite American pressure to reconcile with some officials under Mr. Hussein, most of them Sunni Arabs.
As you can see, the signs are definitely not pointing to political stability and a decrease in tension and violence in Iraq. So does any of this indicate that the Obama administration may be getting "cold feet" about their Iraq withdrawal plan? Lets look at what SoS Clinton is quoted as saying in this CNN Report during her recent trip to Iraq:
But Clinton said she and Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, share the same perspective about the high-profile bombings in Diyala province and Baghdad.
"They do not reflect any diversion from the security progress that has been made," she said. "The reaction from the Iraqi people and the Iraqi leaders was firm and united in rejecting that violence and refusing to allow it to set Iraqi against Iraqi, which is obviously one of its intended goals."
Like Clinton, Zebari [Iraq’s Foreign Minister ti the US] said he doesn't think the recent attacks will halt Iraq's progress.
"I personally don't believe these deadly attacks will derail the government's determination to pursue plans to stabilize the country," Zebari said.
Well, for now I have a "warm fuzzy" that the current administration is not showing any signs of back peddling on bringing our troops home on schedule. But we will have to wait and see? As the violence continues, as seems likely, or gets worse, the Republicans will start blaming Obama for losing the "hard fought gains made by the Bush administration in Iraq." They will accuse Obama of "Losing Bush’s War". Now I know that’s all a lot of hogwash, but the pressure to slow the withdrawal may increase as the violence increases. Personally, I think President Obama will "stay the course" [where have I heard that phrase before] with the withdrawal timetable. But we will have to stay alert (Fingers Crossed), and be ready to counter at any sign that we might be "changing course."
Before I get to highlighting this week’s veteran, I thought I would look let you know how you can help. In addition to USATOGETHER that I mentioned in the Intro.’ there are also a number of other similar sites set up to help our troops. Like SOLDIERS ANGELS, HEROES TO HOMETOWNS and MILITARY CONNECTION. Also, if you know of a veteran who needs assistance, please alert him/her to the USATOGETHER site and these other sites where he/she can post their story and their needs so the country as a community can help them. If they do not have access to a computer or are not "internet savvy" you can offer to post for them, I think that’s allowed.
Now for my WJJCMH Vet.-of-the-Week!
This weeks Iraq II Veteran is a repeat from a previous week who has a compelling story and unfortunately still needs our help.
He is Iraq II Veteran:
Name : Daniel S.
Service Branch: Army
Rank: E-5
Current Address: North Augusta, SC. 29841
Here is his story, in his own words:
Hello, my name is Daniel. I'm a retired Sgt. US Army, nine years active, five years National Guard, and one and a half years Army Reserve. In July 2005 I was sent to Fort Lewis, WA in order to train for our deployment to Iraq. On May 28, 2006 my vehicle was hit by an IED. I walked away from blast with what I thought were only minor injuries, a severe headache, and a blown out ear drum. When you are deployed you feel like you need to do what you have trained for all your life. So, I knocked off the dirt and got back to work . The CSH (Combat Support Hospital) wanted to keep me overnight, but they let me go back to my room. A day later I woke up with blood all over my pillow. To make a long story short, in addition to my other injuries, I sustained a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). At a much later date, I found out that I had broken my T-11, T-12 and L-5. I am currently receiving treated for these issues at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and Walton Rehabilitation Health System.
I met the one god chose for my life, my wife, Faith, in 1992 while active in Ft Gordon, Georgia. We have had a tough time as I live with my TBI. Sometimes it seems as if the symptoms are worse because of being away from the structured life of the service. We are working hard to get our life back. Thank you for what you are doing to help service members such as myself.
Daniel's Request:
After breaking my back in Iraq, I have great difficulty sleeping on our old bed. I wake up all hours of the night hurting. A doctor suggested a Select Comfort. My wife has been working to find a Select Comfort for me. She spoke to several stores and the company corporate headquarters trying to get the best, discounted price possible. The company directed her to an outlet, but the cheapest bed is $1600. We can not afford it alone as our money situation is very difficult. My wife lost her job in December 2008 after taking family leave to help care for me. She is looking for another job, but no luck yet. If we can have $1000 help, my brother has offered to pay the remainder. Thank you.
Daniel is currently $900 away from the $1000 he needs to get his bed, and hopefully a night of rest. He is looking for any financial help he can get, no matter how small.
If you can help Daniel and his wife, or know someone who can, please visit USATOGETHER and click on "Offer Help" and plug in "South Carolina" as the search State and he'll pop up. Give him some support and/or send him a message of encouragement and let him know we appreciate his service to our country, through the comment feature on USATOGETHER.
Thanks for reading this diary.
Peace All!