July 7, 2009

BASRA, Iraq --- The temperature is nudging 120 degrees here with more frequency, but our troops are taking it in stride. You can be proud of the great work that our Soldiers are doing throughout Multi-National Division South.

Our first full month in command has been very eventful. On June 30th we reached a major milestone in Operation Iraqi Freedom — the official date that US combat forces turned over security of Iraq's cities. This has been the case in the southern nine provinces for quite some time; nevertheless, I have been meeting with local provincial leaders to reassure them of our commitment to the stated U.S. goals.

I've met a lot of interesting people in my travels. One of them is Imam Al-Moosawi, the leading cleric in Basra. I spent the day with him just last week where he showed me his 500-acre farm. He invited me to join him in a short ride on one of his Arabian horses, something I thoroughly enjoyed. Afterwards, we visited one of his businesses before he hosted a luncheon for the civic leaders in Basra. Imam Al-Moosawi gave me a great deal of confidence that there are people in Iraq that can and will step forward to help this nation reach its potential.

In early June I joined Ambassador Christopher Hill, US Ambassador to Iraq and General Ray Odierno, the senior US military leader in Iraq, at our base near Nasariyah to bid farewell to the Romanian army. The Romanian president personally presided over the end-of-mission recognition event. On the same day one of the units in my area — the 4th Brigade of the 1st Cavalry, was replaced by the 4th Brigade of the 1st Armored Division. The quality of the Soldiers in all five of the brigades throughout Multi-National Division South is top-notch.

I have one Soldier in particular who is getting a great deal of attention lately. Sgt. Brenda Bushera, from Wausaukee, Wisc., is saxophonist in the 34th Infantry Division Band. She has a background in music and is a phenomenal singer. Although she does not speak Arabic, her trained ear allowed her to learn the Iraqi National Anthem. She has performed it at a number of joint events, and I am constantly getting complements to pass on to her on how she has touched those who hear her perform. Sgt. Buchera is just one example of the commitment of the service members serving here in Iraq.

Thanks to everyone who has sent cards, care packages, and emails of support to our Soldiers. It certainly means a great deal to them as we settle in for the remaining seven months of our mission here in Iraq. I also want to thank all the great employers for their continued innovative support of their deployed employees. Congratulations to Target and Marvin Windows for earning the first "Yellow Ribbon Corporation" award from Governor Pawlenty this month — these great Minnesota companies are setting the standard, and my Soldiers are grateful for your efforts.

Finally, keep supporting our families at home. Lending a hand to our loved ones in the form of helping mow the grass, bringing a plate of cookies or simply passing a kind word go a long way in helping our families cope with this lengthy separation.

On the 4th of July I traveled to Baghdad to attend a naturalization ceremony at the Al Faw Palace and witnessed Vice President Biden administer the oath of citizenship to 237 Soldiers. Of the more than 15,000 Soldiers in my division, there were 32 that took the oath. It was an emotional ceremony for the Soldiers who became an American citizen while serving our nation on Independence Day.

I hope that you had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day, and know that the Red Bulls were proud to serve our nation over the holiday. Keep our troops, families and employers in your prayers.