Libernation

LibernationSocial Justice:

The U.S. Marines

In Iraq

In the mix of emails I received this

was written and forwarded:

Super...thanks, Ed. Will let you all work direct w/ Ms. Soria. No need for

me to be in the middle. Sounds like a good venue for getting out "the rest

of the story" on what's been going on over there to an impressionable

audience. Thank goodness for "former Marines.!"

Subject: [U] RE: Marine Requests

Assistance

Importance: High

Donna,

Stand by. Rounds coming down range.

S/F,

Max

www.MarineEA.org

Doug TurlipColonel, U.S. Marine Corps

Chief of Staff, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

Forwarded as requested by Col "Digger" Rotelli. FSA, when he's not helping to establish the rule of law in third-world countries, Col Rotelli is a commercial airline pilot. Yes, we do windows too. :-)

Hope you get what you need for your presentation. Thanks for reaching out to help tell the rest of the story.

Col Digger RotelliDeputy Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader Al Anbar Province, Iraq

“… what may be the most significant event in the social arena here

in Anbar Province. While great progress has been made in living

conditions, women's rights, economic development, and rule of law

at the end of the month Provincial Elections will occur here.

Taken for granted in the US, the idea of a free and open election

amongst the entire populace is quite new here. You probably

remember the pictures a few years ago of Iraqi citizens voting

(purple thumbs), played up by the media- in reality, only a few

thousand ballots were cast- this time, the expectation exceeds the

average voter turnout in US elections.

The Iraqis no longer fear repercussions from exercising the new

found right to vote…

Col Digger RotelliDeputy Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader Al Anbar Province, Iraq

…Truly, the first step towards representative governance. The

previous Iraqi generation knew only dictatorship- talking about

voting could very well result in imprisonment, or worse. We hope to

be on the dawn of a new age, and should a peaceful transfer of

power occur here in Anbar Province, we set our sights on National

elections toward the end of the year. Hope this helps you. If you

would like other issues to cover, consider that business is recovering

here in Iraq, which will help alleviate significant unemployment

issues, the restoration of essential services continues (water, sewer,

and most importantly, electricity), which has a positive impact on

the lives of everyday citizens, increased education opportunities for

all, etc. Again, each of these topics could cover an hour or so, but I

suggest you run with the election thing.”

Steven McKinleyColonel, Fifth Civil Affairs Group

“This is a simple act of kindness in a world froth with violence but it was

significant enough to make the front page of the New York Times in 2005.

On a patrol in Fallujah, while we were visiting a school, I stopped to help a

young Iraqi child tie his shoe. The photo was caught by a pool journalist

and in 48 hours was on the front page. Though some would say nothing

significant, it gave that young boy a view into the American serviceman.”


“We were charged with helping return the governance of Iraq back to the

people. As such, we helped each town develop and establish a city council.

In the beginning, the USG decided the projects and priorities as it related to

the spending of capital. Our goal was to ultimately get the province to do

this. We started in each city and towards the end of our tour, worked our

way to the provincial capital of Ramadi where the provincial government

was located.


In our process, we worked with the leaders of each village telling them that

it was their responsibility to determine what needed to be done in each of

their localities. They would prioritize their needs and then present them to

the provincial government who would in turn prioritize them from a

provincial overview. The downside as we began was that the provincial

capital would attempt to disperse the money in it's capital of Ramadi but

over time, we were sure it would begin to spread the wealth. This would be

an ongoing process and one that we would help initiate but which would

require continuous work.


We began across the province with each team but II MEF was

headquartered in Fallujah and it was the focal point given the recent

battle. Hours were spent trying to win the trust of the city elders

and it culminated in the first city council meeting in March of 2005.


Once we relocated to Ramadi, our work began with the "Provincial

Reconstruction Committee" to help them understand that they were

the leaders responsible for the entire province and just not Ramadi.

The work began with educating the local city leaders that they

needed to travel (difficult given the period) to Ramadi to present

their list of priorities for their towns. In turn, the Reconstruction

Committee would prioritize the projects throughout the province.

Trying to bring together people who never had the freedom or

responsibility to do so was not easy but we did get our first meeting

and project lists started. At one point the CG asked me why I hadn't

spent all the USG allocated monies and I said that our goal was to

develop a process and let the …


…Iraqis determine how and when to spend the money. In the

end, the procedures established remain in place and our efforts to

help establish a democratic process was well received. Our mission

of helping the Iraqis help themselves was achieved. Until they took

or continue to take responsibility for themselves, the USG can never

leave.”

Governor's Office, submitted by Col

McKinley

(Note Governor / Assistant Div Cmdr holding hands)


Chad BridwellRetired CW-03 (U.S. Marine), Deputy Project Manger (Support),

currently working in Mosul, Iraq

“One of the most prolific changes implemented through the Multi-

National Coalition Forces initiatives is the Vocational training for

Iraqi Citizens to learn a trade

(Carpentry, Masonry, Electrical, Plumbing, etc.) to support the

infrastructure rebuild of the country of Iraq. Another key initiative

is restoring power to the cities, which has been rebuilt and

maintained by the Iraqi Citizens. The freedom of electing

individuals to support and lead the citizens of Iraq is also key to

their success and future development as a leader in exports (oil) on

the world trade market. All of these initiatives were created by a

free nation and will continue to flourish with the support of all free

nations.”

Chad Bridwell, retired U.S. Marine

Taken 2008. “this picture was taken at the South Gate entrance of Camp Fallujah just as you clear the controlled access point of the base.”

Favorite photos submitted by T.E.V.

Favorite photo 2 submitted by T.E.V.

Favorite Photo 3 submitted by T.E.V.

Jim Lint Chairman, Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc

Special Agent (Retired)

You have a great project!

Once you make that briefing, you should send it to our Blog www.LintCenter.info or for posting on our website.

Keep in touch. My Director of Communication is in the CC line. He too is a student.

JRL

Jim Lint, Chairman


Lint Center

for National Security Studies, Inc

IRS Approved 501 (c) (3) Charity

Major Paul Wendler Operation Iraqi Freedom, Executive Officer, reserve infantry company

My 1stSgt's, now SgtMaj, parent were born in

Baghdad. He is Christian, but was fluent in Arabic.

During our move up, he talked with hundreds of Iraqis

and we both gained a perspective that changed our

lives. The stories that told, the statements that were

uttered have assured, that regardless of the current

situation, that what we did was correct.

I called him today and asked him if you could

contact him. Of course, he was more than willing to

help. His name is SgtMaj Jejjoni.

Major Paul Wendler Operation Iraqi Freedom, Executive Officer,

reserve infantry company

“Near Al Fajr, south of the Qalat Sukar airfield.

Meeting with the village elder, 85+ years old, a few sons killed by

Saddam's forces, who lived in what used to be the fertile fields of

Babylon, but had since been dried up due to Saddam re-routing the

water. Early April 2003, he told us that Iraqis are violent and six

months later, they will be fighting us. He asked us to remain

focused on the „big picture‟ because they will not be able to succeed

without our help. Very prophetic.”

Major Paul WendlerFour quick memories that I would like to share

“While two other companies were fighting in Baghdad in Sadr

City, an old man walked by our unit as our vehicles were staged on

the road waiting for the word to support. SgtMaj Jejjoni engaged

him in conversation. It was extremely animated and boisterous.

Afterward, SgtMaj Jejjoni told me that the old man said that he

hated us, hated that we were destroying his home, hated the fact that

innocent people were dying, but now that Saddam was removed

from power he can die in peace knowing that his sons have the

chance for freedom.”

Major Paul Wendler Four quick memories that I would like to share

“In late April 2003, our unit conducted a random urban patrol.

They stopped by a school. The school emptied and surrounded our

Marines cheering, chanting, going crazy. One of the school

teachers, in broken English, led the group in songs thanking us.”

Major Paul Wendler Four quick memories that I would like to share

“In late May 2003, in Ad Diwaniyah, I told an Iraqi citizen who

engaged me in conversation (he was a college student) that I was

leaving to go home to see my newborn son, he started crying. He

told me that I can't go. Iraq needs us and needs the Americans. He

was full of hope for a free Iraq.”

MGySgt John A. Vanatta JrI MEF (FWD) G-9 (Ramadi), G-9 Chief

“I'm with the G-9 Civil Affairs staff for MNF-West (Anbar).

I'm a reservist with a job back in Michigan as a

Firefighter/Paramedic, and when I got here I was given the

opportunity to help the Iraqi firefighters in Anbar. The Iraqi

Civil Defense (fire dept) was poorly treated under the Saddam

regime, and we have helped them increase their resources

immensely. I‟ve made contact with other reserve/National

Guard firefighters who are doing the same things I am. This

includes equipment, donations, a new fire academy, and a

safety awareness program. All of this is done in concert with

the Iraqis.”

Submitted by MGySgt John A. Vanatta Jr

Baghdad fire academy, taken on or about 12 Nov 2008

Submitted by MGySgt John A. Vanatta Jr

Haditha, picture was taken on or about 20 Dec 2008

MGySgt John A. Vanatta JrI MEF (FWD) G-9 (Ramadi), G-9 Chief

Attached are some pics of the training at the fire academy. The instructors are USAF, the Academy Director is US Army (NYC fireman). You don't see us in the photos because the Iraqi Information Ministry was there, we are trying to showcase them, not us. Pic Baghdad 42 is all of us American firemen with the top fireman in Iraq, MGen Rassool.

Good luck in your upcoming tour. Mine has been the highlight of my career. If you need anything else, hit me up in the next couple days, as I'm on my way out of here soon.

S/F

MGySgt John A. Vanatta Jr.

MSgt David GoodwinSupply Chief, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC

“ I was In Iraq from July 2004 to February 2005. In the triangle of

death.

Sorry I have no photos for you. But here are some of the things I

remember we did. Passing out backpacks, soccer balls to school

children; playing soccer with them.

We paid Iraqi contractors to do such things as installing a Latrine at

the school. They had no plumbing. Paving roads.

We protected the electric power plant to keep it from getting

attacked.

We passed out water bottles to people on the streets. The first week

, there was an angry mob and the men were throwing bottles on the

ground and shouting ...

MSgt David GoodwinSupply Chief, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC

…We had to leave in a hurry . As time [went] on, the people were

friendlier to us. By the end we were bringing them water and candy

and they would come asking for more. Some of the Marines got

invited into homes and drank tea or something but I personally did

not witness that.

When our base got hit with rockets sometimes Iraqi's were injured

, also third nation workers. We patched them up in our medical tent.

We were at a Forward Operating Base where some Iraqi police were

being trained. We were about an hour south of Bagdad.

We hired civilians to fill sand bags for us.”

Jim Lint Chairman, Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc


Donna,

You provoked me into adding my USMC time to my LinkedIn. I do know what S/F stands for!

I did 7 yrs in USMC and then got lazy and worked 14 yrs in the Army. Life was good.

Tim did have a good point, you should look into our future scholarships at http://www.lintcenter.org/scholarships.htm

Jim, 0311, 0369, 0211

Jim Lint, Chairman


Lint Center

for National Security Studies, Inc

IRS Approved 501 (c) (3) Charity

Justin W. ReavesSecurity Director, Silver Hawk Security Specialists

“My name is Justin Reaves I was a Sergeant with B Co 1st Battalion

5th Marines. I served 3 tours in Iraq. The most influential tour was

my first. My unit was a part of the invasion force into Bagdad. We

did not have much interaction with the people other than EPOW‟s

until we got to Saddam city a suburb of Bagdad. On the day we took

Bagdad the heavy fighting was over by noon and that afternoon

people were flooding the streets around the palace we were

headquartered out of trying to give us food, praise and trinkets.


On the second day my platoon was tasked with security on a Army

Medical unit, the focus was on helping those wounded by collateral

damage and common illness. As the day progressed my platoon was

overwhelmed with the true impact of what had happened in the prior

days attacks. A mother came to me near the entrance holding her

daughter and she was burned and charred from a mortar that her and

a friend found and tried to roll away from their houses. She also

had one eye swollen shut and covered in mucus and had been

that way since mid 2002 the mother told us. I took the girl into

the medical tent and helped the corpsmen with her treatment.


The Medical Officer said it was Chlamydia in her eyes (a non STD form) and that she would be virtually unscarred from the burns they were mostly were her clothing melted to her skin. About two weeks later the Mother showed up and asked for my unit and the little girl gave us all friendship bracelets and hugs.

The second event was a few days prior to rotating back to the states we were providing security on a mass grave site behind one of Saddam‟s secret police stations. Families were rioting trying to get into the site to find their loved ones. The stories of how the secret police would kidnap known and suspected persons who defied Saddam‟s way of thinking, were interrogated and tortured there, part of the torture was they had to dig their own graves and if they could not prove their innocence…


…or prove they converted to Saddam‟s way of thinking they were

often shot in the arms and legs then buried alive. We were also

charged with the excavation of these graves and then escort families

as they searched for their loved ones. As a human this was one of the

hardest scenes to take, as a Marine it was a culmination of

Honor, Pride and Courage to be able to help put closure to the unrest

these people had to have been under. Before we left for Kuwait city

a family I helped brought me photo of their family a small gold key

that once belonged to a governor in a Bathe Party Headquarters

building, they told me it was their most valued possession. I took the

picture and told them I could not accept the key.


My follow on tours had meaning and many experiences that are

forever going to change me and who I am. These two experiences

drove me on my return tours to continue to try to make positive

change. „Perception is reality‟ is one of my favorite expressions;

although we live in a world where media, peer pressure and other

things direct our actions and way of thinking, the experience where I

know without a doubt I helped the Iraqi people and saw their pure

unconditional gratitude will forever sit in my heart as justification to

the adversities I have faced to get to them. ”

Respectfully submitted

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