On a day when threats of danger were at the height they'll probably ever be, I watched a Tennessee National Guard from Knoxville step up and provide security for a United Nations high ranking official as he visited the polls to support the voting process. This official also happens to be a high value target for Al Qaida.
Every type of threat was a deadly option we possibly had to face... Improvised Explosive Devices along the main and alternate supply routes. Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices. Suicide bombers. Sniper fire. Small arms ambushes.
We had briefing after briefing to make sure everyone stayed 100% safe at all times. But I could tell these troops, whom freshly arrived in Iraq were given their first mission which was the most dangerous, were afraid for their lives. The last thing we did before we started our journey was prayer. This prayer was so powerful and moving. I have seen Soldiers say prayers before as a group but never when they thought they were possibly going to lose their lives.
The dangers were worth the responsibility. These elections were historic and we were directly influencing change in Iraq, and ultimately the world. Iraqis throughout the country proudly displayed their purple inked fingers. Many of them voted for the first times in their lives. We helped make that happen. There will be chapters about us in history books.
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