More Scenes From Iraq

These two shots are the exact place Saddam was standing in that video where he's in a suit wearing a 1950's style hat shooting a riffle up in the air. I wonder what he would say if he knew a few years later some privileged American would be standing on his podium like a tourist taking pictures of his precious Parade grounds.

(Looking East over the Parade Grounds)

(Saddam's perch)

Ok, somebody's head was just a little too big. I've been told the hands holding these swords were actually modeled after Saddam's.

This is the front side of the Palace that sits above the Parade Grounds. The people standing by the SUV's are part of a security detail I was assigned to. Those Toyota's are hardened (armored). We all had M4's and AK-47's. Crazy huh...

Note the bullet holes in the side of the middle SUV.

The next pic is inside the Parade Grounds Palace.

This pic says it all...

I came across this graffiti while exploring the deserted parade grounds.

Army Spc. Michael J. Stokely, 23, of Sharpsburg, Georgia. Stokely died in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, Griffin, Georgia. He died on August 16, 2005.

My heart goes with you Michael and with your family. Thank You for your service and your sacrifice...

A long walk to the Gym...

I use to think traffic was a pain in the ass when I'd drive to the gym. Things are a little different here...


Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
ALL HANDS:

The threat of kidnapping is still a real and credible threat in the International Zone (Green Zone). This has been displayed by past actions of Anti Iraqi Forces throughout theater. This threat can be mitigated through personal protective measures. These protective measures include, but are not limited to:

1. Never travel alone inside the International Zone.

2. Always carry several means of communications.

3. When military and civilian members travel inside the IZ (GZ), outside of a FOB or the Embassy Annex, they are required to be in UP3 and have their weapon with them. Two to three people armed are much harder targets for a potential kidnapper and/or weapons fire than a single unarmed person running along the side of a road.

4. Maintain your situational awareness when traveling around the International Zone. Look for suspicious activity or things that look out of place. Report any suspicious activity to the IZ Police at MCI 112.

5. Avoid setting patterns in your movements. (ie. Time or Route)

6. Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

The IZ Security Forces go to great lengths to ensure we all have as safe and secure International Zone as possible. You need to do your part, and make yourself a HARD TARGET to potential kidnappers. A few easy personal protective measures can go a long way to preventing a tragedy.

A Hard Life...

I've met some interesting people while in the Iraq. Believe it or not there are a lot of locals who work here. In fact many of them actually handle security for private firms throughout the GZ. Every Iraqi I've met has been very kind and polite. The Iraqis speak little English, just a few words, enough to get them through their job requirements. But kindness and sincerity seem to transcend the language barrier. Most of the people doing the dirty work (sweeping, cleaning, laundry, basic maintenance, etc) are Iraqis and most of them are young men who are trying to save a few dollars for their families. Despite their age (late teens to early twenties) they are very polite and respectful. They exhibit none of the typical immature bravado and posturing that most young men do. I don't know whether this is a cultural thing or because life affords them so little options that they don't have the luxury of adolescent arrogance. They work all day in the sun then offer me water when I walk by. It's humbling. Where I work we have two ladies who come in and clean all day, six days a week. One is Christian, the other Muslim and they are very good friends. I have befriended both of them and we are trying to teach each other our native languages. They are better students then I am. One of these ladies, Hifia, is a single mother of three teenagers. She is raising them on her own in a war torn city. Her kids cannot go to school because it is too dangerous. She risks her life every day just walking to and from work. If she is seen cooperating with the Multi-National Forces who occupy the Green Zone she would likely be killed yet she comes here every day because she has to provide for her family. I am constantly surprised by Hifia because despite the conditions she's forced to live in she still finds a way to joke and laugh with me. I don't know what the future holds for her and her kids but I hope very much that it will be better then their life is now.