Posted By:
Melanie Morgan
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When we were at the Interior Ministry, we heard that there were US troops in the building.  We asked the Minister if we could see them, and he sent someone out to fetch them.  They didn’t really know what was going on until they walked in the room.  Our delegation of Gold Star Families started applauding as did all of the Kurds.  It was quite an emotional moment—one of many. 

Gold Star Mother, Debra Argel Bastian, received the following email from Colonel Thomas Johnson, who was leading the group of soldiers.  Please take a moment to read it!

Dear Family of Captain Derek Argel,

This past week while attending a meeting in the building of the Kurdistan Ministry of Interior, someone came in and said there are some people who would like to meet you and your Team.  As we walked down the hall I asked who are we going to meet and was told the “Gold Star Families.” When we entered the Minister’s office, all of us were at a loss for words.  In our midst were the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the war over here.  After being in the military a good number of years, one is always prepared to make a few comments at a gathering albeit at the spur of the moment.  I didn’t know what to say and felt an overwhelming sense of loss for all of you.  My Team personnel all felt the same way.  We had a bit of a time discussing it even after we returned to our base later in the day.  We have all lost friends over here or in Afghanistan and worked our way through it.  We always seemed to know what to say to each other to during those times but this day was much different.  As we walked into the room you applauded, as we stood in line you approached each of us with a warm smile and as you shook our hands you thanked us.  Without a doubt it should have been the other way around - we should have thanked you and applauded you for your courage.  I received Derek’s card from you and it will be carried with me well after this deployment is over.  I know it is a little late but I just want you and the other families to know that we mourn your loss and only pray that God keeps you ever so close in these challenging times. 

Warmest Regards,

Colonel Thomas Johnson

Posted By:
Melanie Morgan
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We are grateful to these blogs for reporting on the historic trip to Iraq by the families of fallen U.S. Troops.  Each of the links listed below will take you to the write up by each blogger.  Have you written about the delegation’s trip to Iraq, but don’t see your Blog listed?  Just email our press division at: press@moveamericaforward.org and ask to have your blog listed.

Posted By:
Melanie Morgan
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Gold Star Families Visit one of Saddam Hussein’s prisons.

One of the torture rooms serves witness to Saddam Hussein’s heinous acts of cruelty and violence.

Hangman’s noose from Saddam’s reign of terror, torture and murder.

Gold Star Father Joseph Williams in front of Saddam’s tanks - supplied to Saddam’s regime by the Soviet Union.

Gold Star Families with schoolchildren in northern Iraq.

Our delegation with the children of northern Iraq.

The delegation meets with the Minister of the Interior in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Gold Star Father Mike Anderson meets with children outside one of Saddam Hussein’s concentration camps.

We enter one of Saddam Hussein’s concentration camps.

Gold Star Mother Jan Johnson consoles those who suffered under Saddam’s Anfal genocide.

Our delegation meets with survivors of Saddam Hussein’s Anfal genocide campaign.

Gold Star Father John Holley with the children of northern Iraq.

Gold Star Father Joseph Williams with the children of northern Iraq.

Gold Star Families with U.S. Troops in northern Iraq.

The delegation meets with the Minister of Finance of Iraqi Kurdistan.

John Holley with troops in northern Iraq.

Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Nerchivan Barzani and the Gold Star Families delegation.

Debra Argel Bastian with U.S. troops in northern Iraq.

The delegation met with Prime Minister Nerchivan Barzani of the Iraqi Kurdistan government (center).  On the left is Gold Star Mother Debbie Argel, on the right of Barzani is Gold Star Father, Joseph Williams.

Gold Star Father, Joseph Williams, with our troops in northern Iraq.

Gold Star Fathers Mike Anderson, Joseph Williams, Gold Star Mother Jan Johnson, and the children of northern Iraq.

The delegation meets with Massoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, in northern Iraq.  The KRG is comprised of the three northern most provinces in Iraq.

Our delegation presented this pro-troop banner (signed by hundreds of Americans) to troops stationed in northern Iraq.

Mike Anderson with Peshmerga security personnel in northern Iraq.

Iraqi children give thumbs up!

Thumbs up from an Iraqi.

Another friendly child in northern Iraq.

Todd Bastian & Joseph Williams in Iraq.

A friendly Kurdish girl in northern Iraq.

Kristinn Taylor records a message to the American people from Iraq.

Debra Argel escorted by security personnel.

Our caravan winds through the streets of Iraq.

The view of Iraq from our airplane as we began our descent.

In the airport leaving Jordan for Iraq.

Debra & Todd Bastian

Gold Star Families before they left Amman, Jordan

Gold Star Families receive a briefing on the Middle East

Joe & Jan Johnson

Gold Star Father John Holley records a message for the American people while Gold Star Father Joseph Williams looks on.

Amman, Jordan where the delegation left for Iraq earlier today.

Picture of Amman, Jordan from the Gold Star Family delegation.