Young Iraqi Men Once Cheered Us. Do They Still?

My favorite picture from Iraq, circa. May 2003. Smiling faces surrounded our vehicle at a stop. I still wonder how many of these young men survived the war, how many of their families were decimated, and how many are no longer smiling about the United States.

I wanted to share this picture I took on deployment to Iraq in 2003.

It captures a moment not long after the invasion, just weeks into our occupation, when young men still smiled and cheered our arrival.

Now, over decade later and blocked from asylum in America, I wonder how many of them are still alive, and if they still think fondly of the United States.

All of this matters because policies that cause pain and suffering also generate anger and distrust towards America, which ultimately weakens our National Security — not the other way around.

We should all support policies that keep America safe, but President Trump’s immigration ban is not one of them.

Lone child raises his arm in support as our armed convoy passes by.

Kids being kids, outside our annexed compound “Hotel Karbala.”

Truck full of people cheer as they pass our convoy. Early part of 2003 invasion.

With our Translators. I will never forget the policeman on the right. He had the sharpest uniform, and really seemed to care about making a difference. I hope he’s still alive and well.

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