A Look Back- First Memories

I really enjoyed reading this article. It talks about the beginning of the war and what has become of it in this modern day. It discusses the difficulty America had when they first arrived. Most Iraqi's were unsure if they should be grateful for our help or if they should fight us away. We were a foreign country forcing our way into theirs whether they wanted the help or not. At the time of first arrival it is understandable as to why Iraqis would be nervous and uncooperative with Americans. They withheld information about where dangerous people were located and further information on possible whereabouts of possible Al-Qaeda members.

This article has conversations soldiers had with some Iraqis when they first got into their country. Many did not want to talk to the Americans because they did not know if they could trust them. One man asks an American soldier if his son can touch him. Befuddled, the man asks why. The Iraqi man tells him he wants his son to be able to say he touched the man who had brought him freedom when the war comes to an end. It is interesting to see the different mindsets Iraqis had towards these American soldiers. It is also disheartening to know that after 20 years children like this mans are still living in a very harmful place that is far from free.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/12/03/143090345/a-look-back-the-beginning-of-the-war-in-iraq?ft=1&f=1010