>I spoke over the holidays with a fellow from the Army who just got
>back from Tikrit. He hates Rumsfeld, is not re-enlisting, has horror
>stories about the military, etc. But he was absolutely insistent
>that most people in Tikrit were very pro-American, ecstatic about
>being liberated, and were terrified that the U.S. would leave; and
>that the media is not reporting this. Very young fellow, very
>earnest, couldn't possibly be saying this merely on behalf of his
>superiors. Just offer this up as an observation.
***** January 06, 2004 North Adams, MA Article Published: Friday, December 26, 2003 - 11:37:11 AM EST
Michael McCarron, who spent most of the year in Iraq, returned home recently and in time to spend the holidays with wife, Marie, and their children, Kaitlyn, 11, David, 13, and Andrew, 16. Missing is Christopher, 17. Photo: Gillian Jones/North Adams Transcript
At home, soldier reflects on Iraq
By John E. Mitchell North Adams Transcript
. . . When the convoys passed through towns, the trucks were often confronted with families begging, especially near the Kuwaiti border, which was defined by poverty and desert. Closer to Baghdad, he [Michael McCarron, an Army Reserve Specialist E4] said, the land became greener, the houses became nicer, and the people became more plentiful. Engagement with the Iraqis was often limited due to security reasons, but that didn't mean there was no interaction.
"While you were there with them, they would say things like 'Saddam bad. Bush good. We love America,'" said McCarron. "But you would think that's because you're there. I mean, you're standing there with a weapon in your hand, what are they going to say?"
McCarron is under the distinct impression that the rhetoric changed according to which army was in the town at the time. He often found the children who were approaching the soldiers were reflecting their parent's views more openly.
"They would tell you right out, 'We hate you,'" said McCarron. "It would make you mad, but there's really nothing you could do with it. It's not like you could go running after these children or any of these people because they say something to you." . . .
<http://www.thetranscript.com/Stories/0,1413,103~9054~1854102,00.html> *****