Chaplain (Major) Carlos Huerta, Ph.D. of the 101st Airborne division came to my school for a PTK sponsored lectured today. This was actually the first time that I participated in any society sponsored lecture program. And it really was quite moving.

The Chaplain described his experiences in Iraq with a backdrop photos from Iraq marking his entire time in Iraq as an Army Chaplain in charge of rebuilding schools in Northern Iraq, mostly in the Kurdish areas around and in Mosul. His presentation focused on rebuilding of Iraqi elementary schools, a part of the society neglected under the previous regime because Saddam feared educated the ordinary people could be hazardous to his rule. Synagogues were used as garbage dumps and the heritage of the diverse Iraqi population were in ruins.

Also shown were pictures of Iraqi children, who the Chaplain noted are no difference in their innocence and love than children anywhere else.

So war, which although may have not been the best choice that could have been made last year, wasn't a lost cause for either side: the U.S. military and the ignored Iraqi people.

Here's the slide show that the Chaplain ended his presentation with...

We Support You

Very moving indeed.