I have recently returned from a 17 day trip to Iraq. I am not in the CIA, the military or the press corps; I volunteered to go, along with four other ordinary American men from Port Angeles. Our group traveled to Northern Iraq to help build a women’s center which will be used to assist Iraqi women learn how to read, write and drive, as well as offer classes in trades so that they can earn money. Due to the devastations of war for over 30 years in Iraq, there are many widows and single women. And, due to the Muslim culture, women are unfortunately on the lowest rung of the social ladder and desperately need help.

As you can imagine, many thought we were insane taking such a risk going to this war-torn country. It’s in the news every day. American soldiers and Iraqis are dying there. We were initially concerned as well, but were pleasantly surprised by the relative peace and all the good that is going on there for the Iraqi citizens. Unfortunately, our media has painted a very distorted view of what is actually going on in Iraq. So please let me encourage you with some good news.

For most of Iraq, the war is over and it has been for more than two years. Businesses are growing and building is going on at an unbelievable pace. Everywhere I turned I saw large buildings going up, homes being built and new businesses starting — not with American or Coalition money, but with local money in conjunction with international investors. Iraqi citizens want the same things we do: freedom from tyranny and opportunity to provide for their family.

We did see lots of men with guns as you do in other parts of the Middle East. But this seemed to be more a part of their cultural heritage, like our old West, than because of this war.

We were truly astounded at how the local citizens received us as Americans. They greeted us with hugs, shook our hands, gave us gifts and thanked the United States for saving them from the oppression of Sadam Hussein.

Visiting a vacated prison which has been turned into a memorial, we had the opportunity to see first hand, the torture chambers Hussein used to quell unrest. We also saw the mass graves he had dug to bury thousands of bodies at once.

Frequently, the men we met had disfigurements or were missing limbs as a result of the torture and mistreatment under Hussein’s government. This is what the United States freed them from.

Granted there are some towns where violence is still going on, but it is the exception rather then the rule. Most of the violence is between opposing Muslim factions, which has been going on for decades and conflict will continue on in some manor regardless of who is in political control of Iraq.

Statistically, more people are killed with firearms in California than in Iraq on an average day, both having similar populations. Perhaps the only thing which could place you in harm’s way would be to tell them that we should not have overthrown Sadam and freed Iraq from his tyranny.

For some, it is difficult to accept the use of violence to help instill peace, but regardless of your political persuasion, please know that the average Iraqi thinks we did a very good thing and are thankful that we had the conviction to do it.

Whether we did it to secure our supply of oil or to help the citizens of Iraq, the people of Iraq are very glad we came.