2008.08.06
On Kuwaitis (response to Ed Summers)
Ed Summers of Roanoke recently wrote asking, "What is the general feeling you get from the Kuwaitis regarding the American (and other) troops and Iraq?" The following is my response.
Kuwait is a country full of foreign workers. The only people that I have met in Kuwait, besides US and British servicemen and women, are the Indian contractors that work on the camp.
However, I visited Kuwait while studying arabic in 2003. Kuwaitis are very hospitable towards Americans, especially servicemembers. I cannot understate how ruthless Sadaam's army was in the invasion of Kuwait. Kuwaitis will not forget. Many of them that I met would show me pictures of the carnage, and it had been a decade since the invasion. It is strange to think that we could wake up tomorrow, and the violence in Iraq could be over. The country could be peaceful, just as wealthy as Kuwait and, more importantly, just as thankful to us.
Thanks for sharing your story. The war has gone on for so long that we sometimes forget. I look forward to walking this journey with you. Good luck!!
Comment by Linda Childress — August 7, 2008 @ 7:49 am
Thank you for your articles. I pray for our service men and women every day that they will come home safe and very soon. This war is so needless.
Comment by Patsy Porterfield — August 7, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Thanks for telling roanokers the positive side of Kuwait. It's good to hear from a soldier about how grateful kuwaitis are for what america has done for them. Keep your head up in Iraq. Being that I'm ex-military know the feeling when steppin into a tough situation I'm with you in heart.
Comment by yero al-rashid — August 7, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
I was working at "Nightline" when Kuwait was invaded. I'll never forget the images that came through on the satellite feeds that never made it to air. Heartbreaking. I look forward to reading your posts. Take care of yourself.
Comment by Roanoke RnR — August 7, 2008 @ 5:31 pm