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Friday, July 03, 2009 5:16 PM Wilsonians optimistic about Iraqi success By Matt Shaw | Times Staff Writer As Americans celebrate their freedoms today, Iraqis are also enjoying greater independence than they've had in decades. This week, U.S. combat troops withdrew from Baghdad and all of Iraq's cities and towns, turning all security over to the country's own forces. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki proclaimed June 30 as "National Sovereignty Day," a public holiday. Wilsonians with military ties are optimistic and hopeful that this will be another milestone for the fledgling democracy. Bobby Amerson Jr., who lives on Stantonsburg Road, has two sons currently in Iraq: Bobby, an Army specialist currently during his fourth tour, and Timothy, a mechanic in the National Guard, who is on his first tour. Amerson welcomed this week's turnover of control of the cities which he said he hopes puts us a step closer to the troops coming home. "It's something that should have been done sooner. If they're not ready by now, they'll never be ready," Amerson said. Amerson's son, Bobby, has told him that the situation in Iraq "has definitely improved. This is the safest that he's seen it," the father said Thursday. Many others also believe that the situation in Iraq is better than it has been. "Iraqi security forces have made huge strides in the past several years," said Albert Whitley, who has just retired as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. "I do believe they can do the job." Whitley, who grew up near Stantonsburg and now lives near Fredricksburg, Va., served from August 2006 to January 2007 in Baghdad, where he was involved in securing infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and sewer systems. He has remained in touch with many officers who have served in Iraq more recently. The lives of Iraqis have improved greatly since U.S. troops toppled the rule of Saddam Hussein, Whitley said. "It's been a slow process, but you have to realize that they were ruled with an iron hand for about 30 years," Whitley said. "For a long time, anyone who showed any signs of leadership was shot." In the past several years, U.S. troops have helped Iraqis greatly increase their supply of potable water, new sewer systems have lessened the threat of waterborne diseases and new infrastructure is making day-to-day life better. "The vast majority of Iraqis are mainly interested in having food, a roof over their heads, a safe place for their kids to play, just like the majority of Americans," Whitley said. But Whitley said he wouldn't be surprised to see insurgents test the skills and will of Iraqi security troops. "It could be bloody for a while, but they're ready for the long run," he said. mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 |
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Truth said...
It doesn't sound to me like the people commenting in this story truly understand the situation.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 1:49 PM
It doesn't sound to me like the people commenting in this story truly understand the situation.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 1:49 PM
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