An e-mail from a Soldier

The following was forwarded to me via a chain of friends. It is reported to be e-mail from a soldier who was back on leave and getting ready to head back to Iraq to finish his tour. I guess some good is happening there even if the nightly news isn't reporting it.

This is from one of Mike's firemen who is packing to go back to Iraq from a two week leave. It's amazing the differences he reports than the media.

As I head off to Baghd ad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing) -Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq. -Over 400,000 kids have up to date immunizations. -Over 1500 schools have been renovated and ridded of the weapons that were stored there so education can occur. -The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off loaded from ships faster. -School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war. -The country had it's first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August. -The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war -100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed compared to 35% before the war. -Elections are taking place in every major city and city councils are in place. -Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city. -Over 60000 police are patrolling the streets. -Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country. -Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers. -Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever. -Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs. -An interim constitution has been signed. -Girl s are allowed to attend school for the first time ever in Iraq. -Text books that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years. Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many many people from Iraq that want us there and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC Iowa Army National Guard 234th Signa l Battalion

Posted: Sun - May 9, 2004 at 10:30 PM

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An e-mail from a Soldier

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