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Vietnam Veteran Tour of Iraq: A Journey of Healing and Reconciliation

Salman Rushdie

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Published in My Last War: A Vietnam Veteran S Tour In Iraq

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by John Smith

In 2008, a group of Vietnam veterans embarked on a life-changing tour of Iraq. Their mission: to confront the ghosts of their past and to forge new connections with the people of a war-torn country.

My Last War: A Vietnam Veteran’S Tour in Iraq

by Charles M. Grist

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2875 KB
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Print length	:	308 pages

The veterans were all members of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA),a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for veterans of the Vietnam War. The group's tour of Iraq was organized by VVA's "Operation: Healing" program, which provides opportunities for veterans to return to the places where they served and to connect with local people.

The veterans' tour of Iraq began in Baghdad, where they met with Iraqi government officials and military leaders. They also visited the site of the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, where they learned about the torture and abuse that occurred there.

From Baghdad, the veterans traveled to the city of Fallujah, which was the site of some of the heaviest fighting during the Iraq War. They met with Iraqi civilians who had been affected by the war, and they visited a local hospital to learn about the challenges facing the Iraqi healthcare system.

The veterans' tour of Iraq concluded in the city of Mosul, which was then under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The veterans met with Iraqi soldiers who were fighting against ISIS, and they visited a local refugee camp to learn about the plight of the people who had been displaced by the war.

The veterans' tour of Iraq was a profound experience for all involved. It gave the veterans an opportunity to confront the ghosts of their past and to forge new connections with the people of a war-torn country. It also gave the Iraqi people an opportunity to meet and learn from the veterans, and to see that the United States is not the enemy.

The veterans' tour of Iraq is a powerful example of the healing power of reconciliation. It shows that it is possible to overcome the wounds of war and to build a better future for all.

The Healing Power of Reconciliation

The Vietnam War was a traumatic experience for many of the men who fought in it. They saw friends and fellow soldiers killed or wounded, and they were exposed to the horrors of war. When they returned home, many of them found it difficult to adjust to civilian life.

The veterans' tour of Iraq was an opportunity for them to confront the ghosts of their past and to begin the healing process. By meeting with Iraqi civilians and soldiers, they were able to see that the Iraqi people are not the enemy. They also learned about the challenges facing the Iraqi people, and they were able to offer their support and compassion.

The veterans' tour of Iraq was a powerful example of the healing power of reconciliation. It showed that it is possible to overcome the wounds of war and to build a better future for all.

The Importance of Connection

The veterans' tour of Iraq also highlighted the importance of connection. By connecting with Iraqi civilians and soldiers, the veterans were able to build bridges between the United States and Iraq. They also learned about the challenges facing the Iraqi people, and they were able to offer their support and compassion.

In a world that is often divided by war and conflict, the veterans' tour of Iraq is a reminder of the power of connection. It shows that it is possible to overcome the barriers that divide us and to build a better future for all.

My Last War: A Vietnam Veteran’S Tour in Iraq

by Charles M. Grist

5 out of 5