Lynch, Fort Hood’s commanding officer, talked about all the good things that have been done for the Iraqi people that are rarely reported by the national media.
“I talk about the national media being a national embarrassment,” Lynch said. “It’s a true statement.”
He said the progress in Iraq has been unbelievable, but the American public is shielded from all the good things that are going on.
“The American public deserves to know what the American Army is doing,” said Lynch, who was in Iraq last year during the surge with the 3rd Infantry Division. “This is your Army that’s in Iraq and you need to know what is taking place.”
During his time in Iraq, Lynch created a video that he showed to the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club.
The video, which lasted about 10 minutes, talked about the progress the Army has made in Iraq by creating infrastructure, and fostering the means among the Iraqi people to take charge of their own nation.
The transition has been ongoing since 2007, but has increased substantially since the summer, he said.
Within the last three weeks, coalition forces handed over control to portions of the Rashid District, and Thursday the Iraqi government took control over the Babil Province in an area formerly known as the Triangle of Death.
In fact, it is the 12th of Iraq’s 18 provinces to be handed back to the Iraqi Security Forces since the transition began in 2007.
The transition of forces has helped soldiers foster good relations through the creation of infrastructure such as water purification stations, and the building of schools and bridges.
Other improvements seen in the country include the provision of micro-grants, which have helped Iraqis create their own businesses, and Iraqi groups - like the Sons of Iraq - step up and take charge in their own country.
“The people of Iraq are tired of the intimidation, tired of the violence, tired of not being able to send their kids to school and tired of being told what to do,” Lynch said. “The people of Iraq have risen up.”
Sgt. Amanda Timmer, a 3rd Infantry Division soldier who worked to restore the Howr Rajab girls school, said in Lynch’s video clip there was a feeling of accomplishment that comes with helping the Iraqi people take control of their country.
“To be honest, I got teary-eyed twice just being here,” Timmer said as the young girls began returning to school.
Al Wahida village mayor Mushen Nader, who also appeared in Lynch’s video, praised the American forces for their help in rebuilding a soccer stadium.
“This is very important for the Iraqi people,” Nader said in the video clip.
At the end of his clip, Lynch closed with a familiar phrase coined by legendary newsman Walter Cronkite.
“That’s the way it is,” he said. “We need to get the word out. That’s what we are fighting for.”
Lynch took questions, although just a few, before leaving.
Ward Critz, a local defense contractor, said it was great to hear about the good things coming out of the Iraq war.
“I think it was refreshing to hear an honest assessment of the progress in Iraq,” Critz said. “We are here in Central Texas because we all have friends and neighbors there, and we often read about it in our local papers, but nationally he’s exactly right.”
Mary Hanik, a telecommunications professional, agreed it was good to see positive progress in Iraq.
“It’s really nice to hear about all the nice things going on there, the things that they’ve accomplished,” she said. “I think this gives everybody a sense of accomplishment because all we ever hear about is that somebody died ... this makes us feel like we’ve accomplished something, that we’re trying to build a community again over there and make it a safer place to live.”
