Written by Spc. Jennifer L. Montagna, 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 3rd Infantry Division Sunday, October 03, 2010 12:55
SULAYMANIA – Nine mothers of fallen U.S. service members attended a three-day conference here Sept. 26, seeing first-hand what their loved ones were fighting for as the war that claimed their lives enters its final stage.
Colleen Parkin, of West Valley, Utah, hugs Staff Sgt. Joe Waterman during a Gold Star Mothers conference in Sulaymania, Iraq, Sept. 26, 2010. Parkin lost her son, Cpl. Matthew Reed Smith, of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, when the helicopter he was in crashed in 2005 near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jennifer L. Montagna.
These special visitors were members of the Gold Star Mothers organization, created to provide emotional support to U.S. women who have lost a son or daughter in the line of duty.
The conference began with speeches from the First Lady of Iraq, Hero Talabani, a representative from the Iraqi Martyrs Office, and the Task Force Marne Deputy Commanding General for Support, Brig. Gen. Tom Vandal.
“It's an honor to participate in today's events to recognize the sacrifices made by the Gold Star Mothers and to thank them for the sacrifices of their loved ones,” Vandal told those gathered at the Sulaymania Arts Center.
“As revered members of our military community, your love and devotion to the families of the armed services gives all of us strength and confidence knowing that you stand with us honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
Among those attending the conference were Iraqi women who had lost loved ones in the line of duty while working to make their country a better place.
“Regardless of differences in culture, we can all agree on the importance of family and the sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves,” Vandal said. “It is obvious as we see the fruits of their sacrifices that Iraq is on its way towards improved security and economic development. Those men and women that died for a noble cause in Iraq would be proud of what we see today in the Iraqi Kurdistan region and Sulaymania.”
Talabani also spoke of her gratitude for U.S. and Iraqi forces working together to change the lives of her people.
“Your sons came and liberated Iraq,” she said to the U.S. mothers. “They managed to take down dictators of destruction; we are honored to meet you here today, and we will never forget what your kids, your sons and your daughters, did for us. Terrorist could never stop the progress of our nation and with the help of the U.S. we've rid Iraq of Saddam forever.”
A documentary film was played to show the mothers how their sons and daughters had helped to liberate the Iraqi people. It was an emotional event, where mothers connected with each other regardless of which country they were from.
“We stand for families united for universal respect; we are sowing the seeds of friendship and we feel as though we have much in common,” said Joan Betros, one of the event’s organizers, on behalf of the Gold Star Mothers.
The U.S. and Iraqi mothers mingled before the event, sharing stories of pride and loss. Emily Shields, of Columbia, S.C., spoke highly of her son, 1st Lt. Andrew C. Shields, killed here in an apache helicopter accident in 2004 near Mosul.
“My child did what he could to help the people of this country and now I feel like I have the chance to do the same by coming here and connecting with others who have been through what I have,” said Shields. “We've been treated very nicely and welcomed so kindly by the Iraqi Martyrs and everyone else involved in this event.”
The bond between the U.S. and Iraqi mothers was evident, and both expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Tom Vandal, Task Force Marne Deputy Commanding General for Support, meets with nine Gold Star Mothers at a conference in Sulaymania, Iraq, Sept. 26, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jennifer L. Montagna.
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