ChrisOhle

July 17th! My retirement from the Air Force!

Operation Southern Watch, Saudi Arabia-1998 OIF, Balad, Iraq-2003,2004

My guess would be to help alleviate the distrust the people may have with a new democratic system. The sooner the results are released when they anticipated they would be available, the more likely the announcement would be accepted?...

Tabi, I was in Iraq in 2003-2004, I feel I have a vested interest in the success of their country. I do hope they do well and hope they become a strong nation again. While in Iraq, I was about 30 miles from where Saddam was pulled out of a hole like a rat...I'll never forget the excitement from the Iraqis, Pakistanis, and Indians I was near when the announcement was heard. Like everyone else, I want the exchange rate of the Iraqi Dinar to be significantly increased in our favor. But more importantly, I want the people of that region of the world to experience a life more than fear and oppression. Jesus said I come that you may life and have it more abundantly...that is what I want for the people of Iraq. Why now...the timing is right. I have read many posts on this forum regarding dinar speculation, some good, some bad, some funny, some far out. This was a message from my heart that I believe could encourage others and hopefully encourage those that pray to remember Iraq, not for their financial gain, but for the people of that nation. Also, without a successful election, stable government, etc., a revaluation of the Iraqi dinar is probably farther away than we would all hope for.

Lord, I pray that the people of Iraq will be able to vote without fear from those that oppose their views. I pray the elections will be successful and without controversy or violence...that this will be the beginning of a more stable government, allowing for a more peaceful region. I pray for the people of Iraq who were physically, emotionally, and financially beat down for generations to rise up in this fledgling democratic state and pridefully select their representatives. I pray for their leadership, whether newly appointed or incumbent, to continue to build the government, infrastructure, and economy...ensuring the defense and welfare of the citizens of Iraq. I pray this experiment in democracy will be favored and serve as a wake up call to the peoples of Iraq's neighbors. Thank you, Lord, for the people of Iraq and their resiliency...help them now Lord to select the representatives that will positively lead them into the future.