The Latest from Spirit of America

[Text of email from Jim Hake to Spirit of America volunteers]

Greetings,

I'm back from my trip to Iraq. This message provides observations,
conclusions, implications for Spirit of America moving forward, a few
photographs and an interesting story or two.

This is a long message so if you read no further please understand
three things: (1) there is hope for Iraq, (2) the support of the
American people can make a critical difference to the Iraqi people and
their future, and (3) our job at Spirit of America is to help the
American people make that difference.

My goals for the trip were to:
1. Validate - or not - the key assumptions behind our plan to increase
the scope and scale of Spirit of America's activities in Iraq.
2. Define the support most needed by Americans serving in Iraq for
improving the lives of, and relationships with, the Iraqi people.
3. Determine the best approach for having SoA personnel in country to
support our expanded activities.
4. Identify the ideas, people and programs with the greatest potential
to effect an immediate and lasting improvement in the lives of Iraqi
citizens at the grass roots level.

The trip was invaluable. The goals above were largely but not entirely
achieved. On #3and #4 we made good progress but more work is needed.

The situation in Iraq is difficult and dangerous. The bad news we see,
read and hear does happen even though it isn't nearly the whole story.
But my most important conclusion was an encouraging one. There is hope
for a positive, free and peaceful future for Iraq. A key part of the
hope is the American people can engage and help the Iraqi people build
a postive future. That opportunity is based much more on the
involvement of the American private sector and citizens . much more
person to person/people to people than government to government.

With the inevitable ups and downs in Iraq, it will be challenging to
remember that there is hope. It is only hopeless if we give up. I know
that may sound simplistic or naïve but it is true.

Those serving in Iraq - military and civilian - face a very tough
situation. They deserve our full support. So do the Iraqi people,
especially those who are working hard at great risk to build a better
future for their country.


THE TRIP
My trip was from May 28 to June 4. I spent 1-½ days in Baghdad, 4 days
in Ramadi and 1 day in Fallujah. These are three of the most difficult
areas in Iraq today. Ramadi is approx. 60 miles west of Baghdad.
Fallujah is 30 miles west. While in Ramadi and Fallujah I was a guest
of the 1st Marine Division. I stayed and traveled with them. I was in
Baghdad as an "unattached" civilian but took the necessary steps to
move about safely. I was also in Amman, Jordan coming and going.

I was accompanied by LtCol David Couvillon (the first Marine that SoA
supported last summer) and two retired members of U.S. Special Forces.
All have had extensive experience in Iraq. They were along to provide
insight and analysis on our next steps. LtCol Couvillon was a
Battalion Commander during the war last spring and after war served
for 5 months as the Governor of Wassit Province. There are 11
provinces in Iraq and his position was akin to a Governor of one of
our states. Couv has a great connection to and fondness for the Iraqi
people. He also has a great understanding of how to make progress at
the grass roots level.

During the trip I was able to spend time with and talk to Iraqis (from
the Ministerial level to local leaders to "ordinary" people - mainly
men, boys and girls), civilians working in Iraq, CPA personnel and, of
course, the US Marines at all levels (Commanding General to Private
First Class).

With the Marines in Ramadi we visited a neighborhood where the Marines
were helping to build a mosque and a health clinic. We traveled in a
Humvee convoy. There were about 25 Marines, an interpreter and us
(four civilians). The Marines were led by an exceptional young
officer: Capt. Egan. We spent time with the local Imam as well as boys
and girls of all ages. We distributed school supplies, soccer balls
and Frisbees that had been donated by Spirit of America and our
supporters earlier this year.

Here's a photo of us playing Frisbee and me throwing one. Given my
performance in windy conditions I don't think I'll be coaching Frisbee
teams in Ramadi any time soon.



bWith the group of boys below I was talking about soccer (with the help
of our interpreter). Two of the guys were boasting that they are
excellent goalies. I told them my son had scored four goals in his
game the week before. They seemed doubtful until I pointed out I was
sure that goalie wasn't as good as they were. We all had a good laugh.



The adults and children were happy to see us, happy to talk and play.
And, like children anywhere (at least mine!) happy to get gifts. The
women of the community made flatbread for us during the visit. Fresh
and hot it was excellent. Clearly, not every visit to a neighborhood
in Iraq would be like that one but it was one of those nice human
moments. It was also instructive to see how the Marines operate and
relate to local communities. Very impressive.

After we returned to Camp Blue Diamond we videotaped a few of the young
Marines talking about their experiences in Iraq. We'll get these up on
the Web soon. Just before we left a Staff Sergeant Delgado approached
me and said, "Sir, if you could get sandals for the kids around here,
it would be a big help. Lots of kids didn't come out today because
they don't have anything to wear on their feet and the streets are too
hot." THAT is one great example why it's important to spend time in
the field and with the men and women who are in it every day.

We're getting on this and you'll soon be getting a message about SSgt.
Delgado's sandal request.

In Fallujah we spent time at a center where Iraqi civilians meet with
the Marines to work on civil affairs and rebuilding projects. The
center also serves as a training site for the Iraq Civil Defense Corps
(ICDC). There I had a chance to discuss with the son of a local sheikh
ideas for a neighborhood sports program that Spirit of America is
considering supporting. He was positive on the idea and asked that we
come back to meet with other local leaders to explore it further.

Also in Fallujah we visited a village on the outskirts of the city
where the Marines were rebuilding a road. It was a rural village of
about 20 homes. People largely live off the land - crops, goats and
sheep. The Marines came to talk about the road project. We also passed
out Frisbees, toys and school supplies to the local kids. Here are
some children from the village with Spirit of America school supply
kits.




Back at Camp Blue Diamond we met with the two officers (Maj. Chandler
and Maj. Dunham) responsible for providing the TV equipment donated by
Spirit of America to the 7 Iraqi stations in Al Anbar. When we met
about ½ of the equipment had been delivered to the stations and
technical training was being planned. With the new equipment Iraqi
personnel at one of the stations took to the streets with camcorders
to do "man in the street" interviews. When they broadcast the
interviews the received numerous calls with positive feedback. Things
like that associated with a free press that we take for granted are
entirely new inmost of Iraq. We'll be getting a more detailed update
on the TV gear and stations in the next few days and will email you as
soon as we have it.

Also back at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi we met with the Director of
Economic Development for Al Anbar Province. He is spearheading the
creation of women's sewing centers in the Ramadi-Fallujah region.
These centers will provide women with a chance to make money, some for
the first time, and improve their lives and their families'.

Marines' Commanding General Jim Mattis is very enthusiastic about the
project- both for its economic impact and because it will provide
women a place to discuss women's issues (day care is provided). He has
asked if we can help by providing the sewing machines. For starters we
are looking for people to buy the first 50 sewing machines costing
$475 each. You can support that request by clicking here: .
http://www.spiritofamerica.net/requests/1086384717.html . If things go
well with those, we'll do our best to provide 950 more, thus helping
1000 women.

The Marines are in frequent-enough danger in the Ramadi and Fallujah
areas such that safety is never taken for granted. Each time we left
base to visit a local village or community we were briefed on recent
threats to Marines convoys (usually from IEDs - Improvised Explosive
Devices). The base at Ramadi (Camp Blue Diamond) was mortared while we
were there. After they were launched it was a nervous 45 seconds
before they landed uneventfully about 400 yards away from our trailer.
Fortunately, no one was hurt. Attacks are not constant but occur often
enough to restrict the military's freedom of movement and action. To
get around requires traveling in armed Humvee convoys or helicopters.
We owe a great debt to the men and women that risk their lives every
day over there.

As odd as this may sound, it is good news that things are not worse. It
is a small, small percentage of the people that are fighting the
coalition, our troops and the new Iraqi government. If that weren't
the case we would hear much more bad news. It is easy to attack, easy
to terrorize. That things are not worse evidences, in my view, that
there is more hope than one might think and that the vast majority of
Iraqis are not aligned with the future the terrorists and coalition
fighters represent.

Conclusions and Implications for SoA
* There is hope for a relatively free, peaceful and prosperous society
in Iraq even though the situation is very difficult and the challenges
are enormous,

* The support and assistance of the American people (as distinct from
the US Government) is essential to the progress of the Iraqi people.
The best hope of Iraq turning out well in large part lies in the
support and commitment of the American people.

* We will continue to support requests from and needs identified by
Americans serving in Iraq. These projects currently support Marines,
Army, Air Force and SeaBees and we're the things providing range from
sandals, soccer balls and school supplies to sewing machines and TV
and radio equipment.

* It is essential that we also support those Iraqis that are champions
of a new Iraq and who are taking the initiative to improve the country
in ways small and large. These people represent the future of the
country and, in many ways, of the Middle East. By standing for freedom
and a better life they are risking their lives

* There is an opportunity to increase the scope and scale of Spirit of
America to positive effect in Iraq with the potential to "be the
difference that makes the difference" in key areas. In the face of
enormous needs and an infinite number of good things to do,
accomplishing this requires a focused strategy.

* There are 3 areas of strategic focus for Spirit of America that
deserve our greatest attention. They are the areas about which both
the US Military and Iraqis are most enthusiastic.
1. Economic development programs - such as job training and
microfinance. Our providing tools and sewing machines fits in this
category. Housing and construction related projects emerged as high
impact because of the jobs and visible signs of progress they create
in addition to needed housing stock.
2. Youth programs, especially sports programs and support for
education.
3. Media and information projects - such as training and equipment for
Iraqi-owned and operated television and radio stations.

* In cases it will be better to conduct some of our projects as the
American people without a direct or apparent link to the military or
US Government. This approach will make it easier to establish the
person-to-person, people-to-people links that we seek. In some cases
it will increase the results we are able to produce - both in the eyes
of the military and the Iraqi people.

* It will be essential to have a Spirit of America in country presence.

* There is no way to operate in Iraq without physical risk; i.e., SoA
in country personnel includinng Iraqis, will be at risk of attack.
Anyone who visibly works for progress in the country is an enemy of
terrorists who seek chaos and a potential target for criminals who see
financial opportunity in murder or kidnapping. We are still assessing
the best way to structure our in country presence. In any scenario
much of our work will be managed and executed by Iraqis (and, we are
developing good contacts in that regard).

Next Steps
In the coming weeks you will hear more from us about:
* Status of projects you've already supported in Iraq and Afghanistan
including the television station equipment and tools for Iraq and the
soccer gear and
* New requests from Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* Our plans for increasing the scope of our efforts in Iraq and
Afghanistan and providing focus to the desire of the American people
to help

Lastly, I want to thank the men and women of the Marines who put
themselves in harms way to host us and ensure that we were able to
move about safely. LtCol John Lutkenhouse went to great lengths to
arrange meetings, trips and travel so that our visit achieved its
goals. In fact, our "dance card" was so full that one of our team fell
asleep standing up during one meeting. Fortunately, he caught himself
before hitting the ground. I was doing the same sitting down.

As always, thank you for your support - whether that involves donating
your time or money or simply reading these messages and considering if
there are ways you can help.

All the best,
Jim Hake