with the bombs in the background and the death on the news we can often lose site of why we are here. i am not talking about the reasons for war - those have long been debated - but i am talking about why we must care about and be vigorous in the reconstruction of iraq.
today i had the enormous honor of joining a team of military and state department folks destined for a baghdad elementary school to teach students about dental hygiene. the team was led by yasir bahrani, an iraqi-american dentist who is serving in the naval reserves at the embassy. yasir is set to go home on sunday but he was sure to get in this visit with the children before he left. over 200 students received a new tooth brush and tooth paste thanks to colgate.
as i sat in the crowded auditorium at the school i was filled with hope for this country as i saw the faces of a new generation of iraqis. these kids are not going to have it easy. they will be responsible for the future of their country more than any generation before and we will be counting on them. but the light in their eyes indicates that the country will be in good hands.
as a photographer i always miss one shot; you know the one you wish you had taken. i missed one today. as one group of students was filing out of the room, the children were finding their way to the americans in the room to thank them. i was positioned next to navy commander bob collins just as a little boy moved beyond the typical handshake for a hug. while the camera missed the shot, the image will be etched in my memory.
this is why we are here.
