IRAQ: Six Years Later

We haven’t heard much from the Middle East and Iraq lately. That’s probably because things are going relatively well. ABC News takes a look at IRAQ, six years after the U.S.-led invasion that changed life as Iraqis know it: (I recomend watching in High Quality)

Hat Tip: Thanks to YouTube user MrTacoJosh for posting the video online.

Fmr. CRNC Co-Chair Nick Miccarelli Heading Back to Iraq

Current Pennsylvania State Representative and former College Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Nick Miccarelli is heading back to Iraq for another tour of duty with the Pennsylvania National Guard. 

This from the Deleware Co. Daily Times (www.delcotimes.com):

MEDIA — State Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-162, of Ridley Township, was given a royal sendoff Friday night at the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum as he prepares to leave for his second tour of duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard.

ov. Ed Rendell called Miccarelli at the museum to wish him well. The governor spoke to the guests by speakerphone.

“I want to take a minute to thank Nick for his service,” Rendell said. “He was a student of mine. I taught a course in political science (at University of Pennsylvania).”

Rendell called Miccarelli one of the “young turks” who will change things in Harrisburg. He said the Ridley Park resident is “extraordinary, intelligent and will be a great legislator.”

“But before that, he will be a great American,” Rendell said, referring to Miccarelli’s upcoming deployment.

Miccarelli laughingly recalled how Rendell had seen him dressed as a hot dog and cheering at Penn’s basketball games.

“The governor came up to me and said, ‘what’s your major?’ I told him political science, and he said if I took his class and showed up in class wearing the hot dog costume, he would give me an A,” Miccarelli said. “I did, and I got an A.”

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Sestak said. “Here he is going to Iraq for a second time. He is serving his country twice, in government and in the Army.”

The 26-year-old Miccarelli, a member of the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Pennsylvania National Guard, is also a member of Ridley Park Borough Council. He plans to continue serving on council while in Iraq via webcam or teleconferencing during council meetings. His seat in the state Legislature will be waiting for him when he returns from active duty next year.

Miccarelli was deployed to Kosovo in 2002-03 as part of a United Nations peace-keeping mission. While in Iraq, he will serve as a Chinook helicopter machine gunner. During the reception, Miccarelli cut a large cake with the word “duck” in yellow icing across the top.

I want to extend well wishes and good luck to Nick (or Rep. Miccarelli) on his upcoming deployment. Thanks to him for serving our country and putting himself in harms way for the good of others.