Gold Star Mothers of fallen U.S. soldiers see Kurdistan’s progress
A group from the Gold Star Mothers visited the Kurdistan Region in early August to explore the progress of the region and witness what their families’ sacrifices have achieved.
Gold Star Mothers represents mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the United States of America. The visit comes as part of a two-week trip to explore and recognise the Kurdish history and suffering, and seek areas of cooperation.
The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Amy Ball, founder of the Friends of Kurdistan Foundation, an organization providing support and partnerships for local NGOs and institutions. Two correspondents from The Washington Post also accompanied the delegation during part of their stay to cover their visit and, the group says, to ensure awareness of the success in the Kurdistan Region.
In their meeting with Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), they spoke of the very warm and friendly hospitality they have received. Eric Southerland, father of Michael Rodriguez, killed in Iraq in 2007, said, ‘Your graciousness is beyond measure, the hospitality has been very warm, and we are very honoured to be here.’ They also presented Minister Bakir with a glass plaque and coins representing the fallen soldiers as a token of their friendship with the Kurdish people.
The five-member delegation expressed their children’s belief in the ‘noble mission’ to liberate Iraq from dictatorship, and how pleased they are to know their sacrifices have not been in vain. Minister Bakir said the Kurdish people understand their pain and suffering as last week we commemorated the 28th year since the killing of 8,000 men from the Barzani tribe. He also highlighted the role of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, who fought alongside the US forces to liberate Iraq from tyranny and dictatorship, and spoke of the painful Kurdish history. Minister Bakir said attacks of Halabja and the notorious Anfal operations produce ‘a shared feeling’ of sacrifices.
The group shared their thoughts on their efforts to establish a charity in partnership with the Friends of Kurdistan Foundation to help those in the region seeking urgent medical attention, and means to attract American doctors to the region to provide free treatment. Minister Bakir said the KRG strongly supports and welcomes such efforts, but also hoped for more ties between US and Kurdish universities, saying scholarship programmes would greatly benefit the people and their future.
Minister Bakir stressed that the Kurdistan Region is a success story of the U.S. and the international community, a success story that has only been achievable because of the sacrifices made and the long and friendly relationship. He said, “Our history with the United States dates back to 1991 and beyond, and we are proud of this relationship. The fact that no solider has been killed in the Kurdistan Region shows it was the right decision to remove the former dictator.” However, the Minister added, the mission is still incomplete and there remains much to do.
In July this year, the U.S. upgraded its Regional Reconstruction Team office in the Kurdistan Region to a full Consulate General. Minister Bakir said the KRG hopes the broadening relationship will attract key investors from the US to take advantage of the region’s rich investment opportunities, and, ‘To strengthen the bond between us.’
The group also met with Minister of Education Safeen Mohsin Dizayee, Minister of Health Taher Abdullah Hussein Hawrami, Minister of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs Sabah Ahmed Mohamed, and with the Barzani Charity Foundation. The group plan on visiting several towns and villages in the region, including Barzan and Halabja. The delegation included:
Amy M. Ball – Founder of the Friends of Kurdistan Foundation (Canadian citizen)
Lorie & Eric Southerland – Fayetteville, North Carolina and the parents of Michael Rodriguez killed in Iraq in 2007.
Ken Katter – Michigan, former sgt. of Michael Rodriguez, injured in Iraq and medically discharged from the US army as a result.
Ann Hampton – North Carolina – mother of Kimberly Lewis Hampton, helicopter pilot & the first woman killed in U.S. combat – Fallujah 2007.
Tagged in: Amy Ball, Ann Hampton, Eric Southerland, Falah Mustafa Bakir, Friends of Kurdistan Foundation, Gold Star Mothers, Iraqi Kurdistan, Ken Katter, Kimberly Lewis Hampton, KRG, Kurdish democracy, Kurdistan, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Michael Rodriguez, The Other Iraq, U.S. consulate, U.S. troops and Iraq
