It's been almost a year and a half since the Vermont National Guard's Task Force Sabre were in Ramadi. When they served there, Ramadi was the most dangerous city in Iraq. Task Force Sabre lost six members during the 11 months they spent there.
After they left, the Awakening occurred; the Sunni tribal leaders finally realized that it was al Qaida, not America who were the real threats. Then things improved dramatically in Ramadi. Most Vermonters haven't heard the news, because, well, most Vermonters are anti-war.
But just in time for Veterans Day, some of those Sunni Sheiks came to Vermont to thank the members of Task Force Sabre for their part, and their sacrifice, in the liberation of their country from the Islamists.
Three Iraqi political leaders from the once-dangerous Anbar province visited the Vermont National Guard headquarters on Thursday to thank soldiers for helping them combat al-Qaida forces in the provincial capital of Ramadi.
The three men are among the growing number of Iraqi Sunni Muslim leaders who are now working with American troops to rid their country of al-Qaida forces.
As a result of those efforts, in the last year Ramadi and Anbar Province have turned into a model where peace is being restored and civil government is reappearing that some feel could be used as a way to restore peace to all of Iraq.
"We have achieved great victories against them," said Sheik Ahmed Abu Risha, the chairman of the "Awakening Movement," a coalition of tribal sheiks that expelled al-Qaida. He spoke through a translator. "I specifically express our appreciation to the state of Vermont as well as the families of the victims in the two towers on September 11th."
The Iraqis met with Vermont National Guard Col. Mark Lovejoy, who commanded Task Force Saber, the Vermont group that was in Ramadi from July 2005 until June 2006. During that time six Vermont soldiers were killed.
"From the very beginning when we first arrived there, I was introduced to one sheik, and that was Sheik Ahmed Abu Risha and his brother," Lovejoy said. "Those were the only people we were dealing with at that time because everyone else, through intimidation from insurgents and al-Qaida would not deal with U.S. forces."
They also visited Governor Jim Douglas.
Noticeably absent were Senators Sanders and Leahy. Representative Peter Welsh also did not make the meet and greet, though we can probably forgive him because he was busy being roasted by the Vermont Leftists who supported him during the election, for not being able to single-handedly end the Battle for Iraq:
...Vermont war protesters have focused their fury on Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., the state's lone representative in the U.S. House. Two weeks ago, they showed up at the congressman's Burlington office seeking a phone interview with him in Washington. They walked away instead with trespassing charges for refusing to leave the office at closing time.
Those protesters have since won a measure of victory -- a meeting with Welch. Sunday, they will sit face-to-face with him at the Barre public library, where they will likely tell him he hasn't gone far enough to stop the war and he will likely tell them he's on their side doing every bit he can.
"That's what he ran on. That's largely why he beat Martha Rainville," said Michael Colby of Worcester, one of those arrested at Welch's office last month who is looking forward to Sundays' meeting. "We want him to be a leader."
"Every chance I've had to take tough action on Iraq, I've done it," Welch said.
During the meeting, things got ugly
The Veteran's Day meeting at the Aldrich Library in Barre was confrontational. Palmer Legare of Cabot pressed Welch to answer a series of yes or no questions about the war.
(Legare) "Are you afraid of the questions?"
(Welch) "I'm not afraid of any question you want to ask. Here's what's fair."
(Legare) "Congressman Welch we've allowed you time after the questions to speak without interruption for ten minutes. That's the agenda. And the first question of the day: is will you vote against any and all bills that include funding for the Iraq War."
(Host) But others in the crowd of about 70 people wanted Welch to speak, and the meeting turned briefly into a shouting contest.
In fact, there are few enclaves in Vermont where the thankfulness of these Sheiks would be a appreciated
message.
Vermont is a State whose legislature busies itself with trying to impeach the President and Vice-President, as if they could, instead of fixing the problems in Vermont.
But it doesn't matter, because these Sheiks came to visit the people who helped them when they needed help.
And that is greatly appreciated.
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