MUDIQ, Iraq (Oct. 13, 2006) - Marines of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment found out they are on the local Iraqis’ "A" list when they went house-to-house recently.
An Iraqi college student told Marines they were making the grade. He was at home with his family, spoke English well and said the locals were pleased with the troops’ regular presence and performance here.
"It’s good to know that you’re doing something right," said Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince, a team leader with I Company.
The 24-year-old rifleman from Knoxville , Tenn. , said some of the time cultural or language differences keep the locals and Marines in "different worlds."
Positive feedback like this helps "bridge the gap" between Americans and Iraqis, he said.
"It’s going to help us stabilize this place by helping us fight the insurgency by picking out the bad guys," said Lance Cpl. Sean L. Prindle, a 23-year-old team leader with I Company, from Pepperell, Mass. "Picking out the bad guys is half the fight right there."
The student wanted to do nothing but help Marines find a solution. He wished Marines and Iraqis could talk face-to-face all the time. Insurgents just get in the way, he said.
In the meantime, Marines are working toward the day when Iraqis have the freedom to speak to whomever they please. They conduct daily patrols in the streets just to keep Iraqis safe.
"Some people said that we’re down there so much that they feel like we’re citizens of Mudiq," Koprince said.
It's GREAT to hear something positive coming from a native Iraqi...why can't this get into our newspapers???
Posted by: iluvpopcrn | October 24, 2006 at 10:32 PM
It happens too often to get into the papers. But for every Iraqi who DOES help us out...
OORAH!
Posted by: GunnNutt | October 24, 2006 at 11:02 PM
LOVE IT.
If the MSM picked it up, I'm afraid they'd use that last line to imply that our Marines are "invading" Mudiq and taking over the town, instead of the real meaning which is that the locals consider our boys a Local now.
It's a wonder more reporters don't go into politics- they already know how to spin a story and get press time better than any politician.
Posted by: AFSister | October 26, 2006 at 01:14 PM
Outstanding report...
Posted by: Michael | October 29, 2006 at 12:53 AM
IT IS TOUGH TO PICK OUT THE BAD GUYS FROM THE GOOD. MY FIRST TOUR IN NAM WAS MOSTLY GORRILLA WAR FARE. YOU KNOW,THE GUYS THAT WERE FRIENDLY BY DAY BUT WILL KILL YOU AT NIGHT,DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO TRUST,WE TRIED NOT TO HARM THE INNOCENT BUT SHIT HAPPENS WHEN IT HITS THE FAN.ONLY FOR A PERFECT MARINE OR SOLDIER CAN WE WISH FOR, OR A POLITICIAN WITH US TO TELL US WHAT TO DO. OF COURSE THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN,THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE OUR GENERALS TAKE THE FLACK. LET OUR MEN AND WOMEN DO THEIR JOBS.ISN'T THATS WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR?
GETTING CLOSE TO 2300 HRS, SO YOU ALL CAN JOIN ME FOR A SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS ( HEY PAIN THE SMOKING LAMP IS LIT AFTER THE SALUTE)
Posted by: big bro jim i | December 28, 2006 at 10:34 PM