Not long after Sept. 11, University graduate Sean Connellywalked up to an a young boy wearing a Snoopy t-shirt in Iraq.
Connelly asked the boy if he liked Snoopy, and before he couldget a response, the boy’s father approached and asked Connelly ifhe could continue speaking to his son in English.
The man told Connelly he wanted a better life for his son, so hewas teaching him to speak English. But the man said he had to teachhis son in secrecy because it was against the law.
Now that Saddam Hussein is out of power he hopes his son will beable to have a good life at home in Iraq.
Connelly, a former National Guardsman, volunteered to be sentoverseas to fight the war on terrorism. And after two extendedtours in the Middle East, Connelly is preparing to leave again.
In 2001, Connelly went to Pakistan for five weeks, then the Armytransfered him to Kuwait for two months.
When the war in Iraq broke out, he was sent to the war-tornnation to work for the Army Corp of Engineers for about fourmonths.
The well-traveled soldier came home for a short rest, but didnot wait long before he volunteered again. This time he went toAfghanistan, where he spent another six months.
While working for the Corp of Engineers, Connelly helped localsbuild roads, power plants and other large-scale constructionprojects.
Connelly witnessed misfortune and prosperity in Iraq.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” Connelly said. “Iraqis coming up tome crying [with happiness].”
On a daily basis, Connelly said he and other soldiers receivepersonal testimony from Iraqis, constantly thanking and praisingthem for their service.
While working in Iraq, military soldiers and Iraqi citizensforged relationships often, Connelly said.
Connelly said some older soldiers formed friendships with Iraqicivilians, and still keep in touch even after returning home.
“There are some Iraqis who consider [the soldiers] to be asecond father or uncle,” Connelly said.
Despite the good that is taking place in Iraq, Connelly saidmore often than not, the good news does not make it home.
“The media is the biggest enemy to the U.S. Army,” Connellysaid. “There are over 150,000 people working 15 to 20 hours a dayto do positive things.”
Connelly said the majority of news the media reports is bad.
“The news doesn’t reflect what is going on over there,” hesaid.
Connelly said he hears of bombing incidents or other accidentsfrom time to time, but it does not shut down rebuildingoperations.
“Incidents happen, and [we] continue with our job,” Connellysaid.
Connelly also said the terrorists are fearful of PresidentGeorge W. Bush.
“The enemy is scared to death of George Bush because he’sactually doing things,” Connelly said. “They are scared he’s goingto get re-elected.”
In the meantime, Connelly remains brave and dedicated to hisjob. But he still is not without fear.
“I get a little nervous,” Connelly said. “A lot of my friendsare still there.”
But his fear is not great enough to stop him from helping torebuild and improve Iraq.
No matter how much terrorism occurs, Connelly said the progressmade in Iraq and Afghanistan makes all the fighting worth it.
“Both Iraq and Afghanistan have such beautiful civilizations,”Connelly said. “Afghanistan is similar to Colorado, and the peopleare wonderful.”
Connelly said in Afghanistan most of the resistance fighting nowis done by the Afghani soldiers, not coalition forces.
In Iraq, he said coalition armies are training Iraqi soldiers todo the same.
In late July, Connelly will leave for Iraq once again — and hesaid he will keep going back as long as the country needs him.
“I can’t imagine America where once a month or once a week thereis a terrorist attack,” Connelly said. “If they need me, I willgo.”