Iraq & Voting
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
My son is in Iraq as we speak. Lord-willing, he will be home soon. I have been reading letters of what some say is being said in Iraq, by not only our military, but the leaders in that country.
We receive a battalion newsletter approximately once a month from my son's family readiness officer. This newsletter keeps us up to date with what our Marines are doing and any promotions, etc. Each company in my son's division writes specifics on that particular company. I would like to share an excerpt from weapons company commander.
"We had a little bit of excitement in Haditha this month when we hosted a Congressional delegation visit. The delegation included Rep. Bordallo (D-Guam), Rep. Turner (R-Ohio), Rep. Loebsack (D-Iowa) and Rep. Hinojosa (D-Texas). They conducted a round-table discussion with the Haditha mayor, city council and some other leaders where they addressed both the current status, and the future of Iraq. During their meeting, the mayor of Haditha made sure to endorse Senator McCain for president and voice his support for all of the Republican Congressional candidates. This visit was a great opportunity to show members of Congress a side of Iraq they don't normally see on the news. They were able to personally observe and experience a maturing city with lots of construction, commerce and a strong municipal government with energetic leadership. The fact that we were able to walk through a crowded market with American politicians using Iraqi police for security shows the fruits of five hard years of work by thousands of Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen."
This excerpt shows that, not only are we doing good, but the leaders of Haditha would like us to continue what we have started so they themselves can take over the policing of their own country and have the freedoms they so richly deserve. I am sure the leaders of one of the largest cities in the country of Iraq voicing support of United States politicians does not come lightly. The other good news is that Haditha has now become a thriving city with citizens being able to roam around as they wish without the fear that someone will persecute or kill them.
I send this to you as I have read many letters stating that our own military persons are planning to vote one way or the other. I am sure that many of them will vote for the Democratic candidates and many for the Republican candidates, just as us ordinary citizens will. I caution those that read the letters to the editor to not take their right to vote lightly and to make an informed decision. Please do not vote for one candidate or the other because you have "heard" or read a particular group or someone else is voting for that person. Please weigh the candidates by their values, beliefs and histories, their voting records are easily obtained, then go out and vote for the one who best mirrors your beliefs. Make our ancestors proud and honor them by going to the polls and casting your ballot, a right many shed blood for.
Rhonda Elliott
Tippecanoe, via e-mail
[[In-content Ad]]
My son is in Iraq as we speak. Lord-willing, he will be home soon. I have been reading letters of what some say is being said in Iraq, by not only our military, but the leaders in that country.
We receive a battalion newsletter approximately once a month from my son's family readiness officer. This newsletter keeps us up to date with what our Marines are doing and any promotions, etc. Each company in my son's division writes specifics on that particular company. I would like to share an excerpt from weapons company commander.
"We had a little bit of excitement in Haditha this month when we hosted a Congressional delegation visit. The delegation included Rep. Bordallo (D-Guam), Rep. Turner (R-Ohio), Rep. Loebsack (D-Iowa) and Rep. Hinojosa (D-Texas). They conducted a round-table discussion with the Haditha mayor, city council and some other leaders where they addressed both the current status, and the future of Iraq. During their meeting, the mayor of Haditha made sure to endorse Senator McCain for president and voice his support for all of the Republican Congressional candidates. This visit was a great opportunity to show members of Congress a side of Iraq they don't normally see on the news. They were able to personally observe and experience a maturing city with lots of construction, commerce and a strong municipal government with energetic leadership. The fact that we were able to walk through a crowded market with American politicians using Iraqi police for security shows the fruits of five hard years of work by thousands of Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen."
This excerpt shows that, not only are we doing good, but the leaders of Haditha would like us to continue what we have started so they themselves can take over the policing of their own country and have the freedoms they so richly deserve. I am sure the leaders of one of the largest cities in the country of Iraq voicing support of United States politicians does not come lightly. The other good news is that Haditha has now become a thriving city with citizens being able to roam around as they wish without the fear that someone will persecute or kill them.
I send this to you as I have read many letters stating that our own military persons are planning to vote one way or the other. I am sure that many of them will vote for the Democratic candidates and many for the Republican candidates, just as us ordinary citizens will. I caution those that read the letters to the editor to not take their right to vote lightly and to make an informed decision. Please do not vote for one candidate or the other because you have "heard" or read a particular group or someone else is voting for that person. Please weigh the candidates by their values, beliefs and histories, their voting records are easily obtained, then go out and vote for the one who best mirrors your beliefs. Make our ancestors proud and honor them by going to the polls and casting your ballot, a right many shed blood for.
Rhonda Elliott
Tippecanoe, via e-mail
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092