Iraqi Security Force

Today a group of us were touring the Green Zone and had a unique experience.  We were at the famous "Crossed Swords", site of a huge parade field where Saddam Hussein used to watch his troops march up and down the field.  The arms holding the Crossed Swords are modeled after Saddam's own arms.  The new Iraqi government has expressed their plan to tear down this monument in the near future. 

Anyway, on today's tour, there were several of us walking around and taking pictures.  As we were doing this, a group of "uniforms carrying firearms" approached us.  We recognized that they were not U.S. soldiers, and for a moment wondered if we were in an "off limits" area.  But they seemed friendly enough as they approached us from their Humvee.  As they came over, we recognized them as Iraqis, serving in the Sons of Iraq program.  These are similar to "community watch" guards, usually assigned to a local community and keeping an eye on everything.  This has been a huge success as it pays "military aged males" to help with security, as opposed to having them unemployed (and potential recruits for Al Qaeda).  

They approached us and stuck out their hands and spoke to us, in very good English.  They asked if they could get a picture made with us!  We were excited to join them for a photograph to commemorate our visit to this landmark.  No, it wasn't excitement about the landmark, it was excitement over the historic moment that we shared with these young Iraqi soldiers.  As we chatted with them, one of the guys asked me quickly if I could help him emigrate to America.  He stated that his brothers and sisters had made it to England, but he wanted to come to America.  I was only able to give him a quick word of advice, we shook hands and parted ways.  I was glad that we'd exchanged greetings with them, and had our picture made together.  The upcoming change in political leadership in the States makes us all wonder what the future holds for both our reconstruction efforts, and the future of Iraq.  I know that I speak for all of us in the picture when I say that we hope for peace in this war-torn country.