Posted on 12/21/2005 4:28:58 PM PST by SandRat
AL ASAD, Iraq -- The people of Iraq voted in a general election to decide on a permanent 275-member Iraqi National Assembly, Dec. 15. Throughout the country, Marines, Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces provided protection so Iraqis could vote in secure locations.
One of the important roles in providing security for the elections was that of the female U.S. service members who searched female Iraqis at voting stations. Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Al Asad eagerly volunteered to play a part in history and help the women of Iraq secure rights for themselves in a free society.
Corporal Jessica M. Hereford, an avionics technician with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266, volunteered to be part of Operation Liberty Express. She left the safety of a secure installation, experienced the groundside of the Marine Corps and the ever present threat of improvised explosive devices while enabling the women of Haqlaniyah, Iraq, to vote.
“I never expected for there to be so many voters,” said Hereford, a New Market, Ala., native. “There was a huge turn out. I thought I would be searching a couple women, and we ended up searching more than 500. In the first hour alone, more than 200 women showed up.”
Hereford said she and other Marines attempted to keep count of the voters, but it soon proved impossible as the voters didn’t stopped coming. She said the women were very friendly and she didn’t have trouble searching any of them.
“One of the women was blowing us kisses and gave us some Iraqi candy,” said Hereford. “An elderly woman was smiling and trying to thank us in Arabic. I couldn’t tell what she was saying at the time, but the one English word she knew was democracy and she kept saying it and smiling.”
For many of the Iraqis in western Al Anbar province, it was their first time voting as the current military operations have freed their towns from the death threats of the insurgents.
“All the cheering and smiles made me feel really good,” said Hereford. “The experience helped me to see the bigger picture in Iraq. Working on the flightline, sometimes you forget about what is going on outside the wire and you feel like what you do isn’t so important. Now, that I’ve been on the receiving end of air support I see how important our work is.”
Hereford remembered sitting on Haditha Dam, cold, dirty, hungry, tired and ready for air support to fly her to Al Asad.
“Seeing the birds flying in made me feel so happy,” said Hereford. “There is no doubt in my mind the work we do here makes a difference.”
Hereford said as soon as she returned to HMM-266, Marines from throughout the squadron asked her about her experiences outside the wire.
“Our commanding officer does his best to keep the Marines informed on what we as a squadron have accomplished, but unless you are outside the wire viewing IED scares and the threat of death, you may not have a solid grip of what your work is for,” said Capt. Jennifer Schrantz, a CH-46 pilot with HMM-266 and a Seaford, Va., native. “During the election, Hereford had an excellent opportunity to see the people she is here to help, and enable Iraqi women to vote.”
Schrantz said this was a great opportunity to spend some time walking in another person’s shoes. She said ground and aviation Marines do not often have a clear understanding of the challenges faced by one another, but her unique experiences, including riding in convoys, has broadened her perspective.
“A Marine is always a rifleman first,” said Warrant Officer Herman E. Holley, the avionics officer for HMM-266 and an Ocilla, Ga., native. “This is what makes us all well-rounded Marines. Hereford is a talented avionics technician who constantly tries to broaden her knowledge of all the avionics systems on the CH-46E. She continually tries to help other Marines out in any way she can.”
Holley said Hereford is an outstanding Marine, who earned a meritorious promotion to corporal while stationed in Iraq. He said she had previously said she would like to participate when the Iraqis held the referendum in October, but during this election she got her chance.
“Hereford joined the squadron only two months before our deployment to Iraq and she hit the ground running,” said Master Sgt. Henry Kunzig, the avionics division chief for HMM-266 and a Wilmington, Del., native. “She is motivated and eager to learn. When a job she was working on is completed, she asks to go out and join the Marines working on other jobs. She doesn't want to limit herself to avionics, and wants to become an aerial observer.”
Kunzig said Hereford fits right in and gets along with everyone at HMM-266. During the election, he said her chance to interact with the local population was a great opportunity when considering the magnitude of what was taking place here.
“I wanted to play my part in history,” said Hereford. “One of the reasons I joined the Marine Corps was for these experiences. I volunteered for the mission, and if I could do it again tomorrow I would.”
Marine PING
SpankenTruppen alert
Lady Marine Ping
Why didn't we think of this in the 2000 Presidential Election; call out the Marines to HELP the folks in Broward County and West Palm Beach, Florida vote.
Did the marines pay you to post this article on Free Republic?
Nope, the Army pays me every month when it sends out my retirement check.
But, but , but...its good news. :)
Yep, it most certainly is! As are all the rest of of the threads I've posted tonight.
Corporal Jessica M. Hereford, an avionics technician with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266, volunteered to be part of Operation Liberty Express. She left the safety of a secure installation, experienced the groundside of the Marine Corps and the ever present threat of improvised explosive devices while enabling the women of Haqlaniyah, Iraq, to vote.
Thanks for the ping!
;-)
BTTT
OOH-Rah! You GO GIRL!!!!!!
thanks for posting this.
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