 Dear Vets for Freedom Members:
Today, Vets for Freedom released our policy paper: "Report from Iraq: Results and Lessons of the Surge." The paper represents the observations and recommendations of the eight "
Back to Iraq" VFF members who traveled together to Iraq in August. Using our first hand accounts of the facts on the ground today--juxtaposed against the differences from when we served in Iraq as Soldiers and Marines--we created a document that examines the observable progress of the counter insurgency strategy from the unique perspective of the veteran. These observations are further substantiated by the milestones and benchmarks achieved by both the Iraqi military and government in the past year.
Our eight members who returned to the streets they once patrolled have seen the progress of the surge and the efforts of the Iraqi people to take back their country from the hands of radical Islamic extremists. However, the substantial gains made in Iraq are still fragile; and the paper provides policy analysis and suggestions for the way forward from a voice that has largely been absent in the discussion--that of the Iraq war veteran. We hope you find the report interesting, and be sure to send to friends, family and naysayers and help us get the facts out.
Coinciding with the report release U.S. Senator Inhofe of Oklahoma will be sending out a "Dear Colleague" letter, along with our report, encouraging fellow senators and staffers to read our findings. Additionally, we will be presenting the paper and our findings to The Heritage Foundation National Action Security Team,
informing staffers and other members of the national security community about our Iraq findings.
We also want to thank the thousands of people who donated to make this trip possible. To that end, with your continued support, we are pleased to announce that Vets for Freedom will be sending Lt. Col. Steve Russell, a member of our Board of Advisors, back to Iraq to retrace the final days of the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein. Having led the infantry battalion which was central to the capture of Saddam, Lt. Col. Steve Russell will be recounting the weeks and days before the capture for a piece to appear in TIME Magazine later this year. Stay tuned for updates from him.
Vets for Freedom will continue to bring our experience to the forefront of the discussion, educating the American people about the success of the surge and the direction of our efforts as we continue to pursue victory in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the overall Global War on Terrorism.
Move Out and Draw Fire!
Pete Hegseth
Chairman, Vets for Freedom
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