Marines make presence known, win hearts and minds
BAGHDAD — U.S. Marines continued counterinsurgency operations in Haditha Sunday in an effort to win the hearts and minds of Iraqi citizens.
“Showing a presence in the area does a lot more than people would think,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joseph A. Cervantes, squad leader, 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2. “We mainly do two types of patrols, one being security patrols, which are designed to have a deterrent effect on anything that happens in the area.”
Marines assigned to 1st Sqd., 3rd Plt., conduct up to three patrols a day. Patrols allow Marines to find the enemy and learn about the populace.
“We also do ‘meet and greet’ patrols. We go out and meet the families, and we start a relationship with them,” said Cervantes. “We speak to them and get their feelings on current situations and take their suggestions on what could be done differently in the city.”
The locals warmed up to the Marines, and now talk to them regularly.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Edward G. Martin, an automatic rifleman in the unit, said the people didn’t act this way upon their arrival late March 2007.
“They seemed a little distant and cold at first,” said Martin. “They’ve always been friendly, but you can tell we’re now winning them over. They’re beginning to trust us and (they’re) glad we’re here.”
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Winning the hearts and minds, a recurring theme for US Forces in Iraq and one that seems to be paying off. As more and more Iraqis discover that US Forces are there to help them achieve and better life and understand the sacrifices that US Forces endure, many times for a people they've never met before now, the Iraqis are coming to trust the US more and they are developing a sense of national pride because of it. As Iraqi units more into the area that pride will only blossom and hopefully it will blossom into a country that the world can be proud of.
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