1st Brigade commander meets with key Iraqi leader
By Pvt Jason Jordan
September 8, 2005
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept 8, 2005) —A newly-arrived brigade commander from the 10th Mountain Division met with a prominent Iraqi leader of the Khadamiyah district Aug 28 at the Khadamiyah Shrine.
Soon after arriving in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 3, Col. Jeffrey Snow, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mtn. Div., met with the Ayatollah Al-Sayuid Hussein al-Sadr to discuss operations and introduce al-Sadr to the 1st BCT.
“Al-Sadr is an incredibly influential figure not only in our area of operations, but in all Iraq,” Snow said. “He is a very connected man and he just happens to reside in the (1st BCT) AO (area of operations).”
“I just wanted to meet with him to introduce myself and to let him know that our brigade is committed to doing our part to make our portion of Baghdad a safe and secure environment,” Snow said. “It is very important to the success of our mission that we establish relations with both political and religious leaders here.”
Al-Sadr began by expressing his thanks to the Coalition for their efforts to create a free democratic Iraq, and he warmly welcomed the 1st BCT to the task at hand.
“There is still work ahead of us, but both Iraq and the U.S. have the same goal for our country and we must continue to work together,” he said.
Snow commented on the fact that al-Sadr was a very learned man and very connected to the people, therefore able to give sage advice and counsel.
“Although we work hard to understand the dynamics that exist in this area, he clearly has the pulse of the people, and as such, he can point out things to us that we may not see or know,” said Snow.
“America and its Soldiers are so successful because of the message of human rights they convey and fight for,” al-Sadr said.
Al-Sadr believes that the Iraqi Army is stronger now because of American guidance, and he said that it still needs the training and cooperation from the U.S. Army.
While he stressed that the Iraqi Army still needs American support, he expressed appreciation for the increasing responsibility being given to them.
Although much work is still to be done in securing Iraq’s future, al-Sadr expressed his confidence in the mission.
“Deciding on a constitution is a very important step toward our country becoming free and democratic,” he said. “While this will be difficult, I am confident that Iraq will succeed.”
Snow expressed his good fortune on being able to meet with al-Sadr, but explained that thousands of troops in his command would never have that opportunity.
“Most of my Soldiers do not have the opportunity to meet with such influential individuals as you,” Snow told al-Sadr during the meeting. “Is there anything you would like me to pass on to my Soldiers?”
“Let your Soldiers know that they are contributing to a noble cause,” responded al-Sadr, “and that their support is vital in the success of Iraq’s efforts to create a democracy, and to establish a safe and secure environment.”
(Editor's Note: Pvt. Jason Jordan works in coordination with the 1/10th Mountain Division PAO)
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