2009.07.17
17JUL09--Farewell with Interpreters; Posturing for Redeployment
The time has come to turn the page on this deployment. Yesterday evening was my last at the patrol base that my team built and included several farewells. This morning, half my team took its last mounted combat patrol along with half of our gear to the airport, where we await the rest of our team and our flight date.
I will no longer meet with the Iraqi Army to offer advice, guidance and friendship. Subsequently, as combat troops are drastically reduced in Iraq, the upcoming 30,000 Soldiers that deploy to OIF will all deploy as combat advisor units with a similar mission to that of my team's.
Meanwhile, just as my 11-man team is maneuvering towards redeployment in sections back to the States, so will drawing down troop levels in Iraq. After all, we transported our team in sections to the airport in order to have enough space for bags, weapons, gear and our bodies. Imagine taking connexes, vehicles and parts.
On our last evening, we presented certificates of appreciation to our interpreters, who suddenly took our departure with heavy hearts. We had meaningful goodbyes together, and then each one came to our room last night to thank us and wish us safe travels individually. I trust that most of them will one day be American citizens.
We could not have done our jobs without these guys. A certificate and a handshake is the least that we could do.
The second terp from the right looks surprised mostly because I had just handed him the wrong certificate. The last terp on the right is the one that points it out in a second.
Sergeant Kevin Connaughton and I pose for a photograph with our former terps.
Bond the terp came to visit our room rather late. Recently, he has been visiting the gym and taking supplements. I was always teasing him about 'roid rage.'
Captain Connaroe, I've learned to appreciate your candor and honesty so the awarding of these well earned certificates really comes across as a sincere showing of gratitude. I hope they are received as such and if citizenship is the goal of some maybe they will be another source of recommendation. Best wishes for you and your fellow soldiers on your trips back home. And thank you and all of those home and abroad who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Comment by LarryS — July 17, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
Larry, our interpreters were sincerely sad to see us go. They were full members of the team.
After working with US forces for one year, they are eligible to apply for a Special Immigration Visa. The majority of my terps will likely be US citizens and vote in the next elections.
And thank you for being a reader and following the posts.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — July 18, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
God speed, Richard; looking forward to seeing you back here in the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia very soon!
Steve
Comment by Steve McGraw — July 19, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 07/20/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
Comment by David M — July 20, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Hi Captain Thanks again for your service and those that served with you. Also greatly appreciate your time and effort to give us back home a front line side of the operation. Hope you consider putting together your articles and other thoughts in a pamplet of the history of your time in Iraq. Also don't forget to try Henry's Memphis BarBQ when you get back to Roanoke.
Comment by George Fischer — July 21, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
I will definitely remember to try Henyr's Memphis BarBQ, George. I look forward to meeting you. I think that my wife is going to have all the entries that I made bound into a book. She is a swell lady.
I will probably write again in the future but probably not on this topic.
Steve, I can hardly wait to be back in good ol' VA. I am sure that we will catch up some time soon.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — July 23, 2009 @ 3:53 pm