Since I have been here, I have had the opportunity to tour several of the sites in the International Zone (IZ) that I would like to share a little bit about. The first is the Grand Festivities Square. This area is comprised of a large parade ground, extensive reviewing pavilion, reflecting pool, and the Hands of Victory Arches that mark the parade ground’s two entrances. Apparently Saddam was confident of an Iraqi victory in the Iran-Iraq War, as construction of this site began in 1986, 2 years before the war ended. Saddam was known to review the Republican Guard from the pavilion while firing a rifle into the air.
The Hands of Victory Arches at the ends of the Grand Festivities Square are impressive in themselves. To celebrate his “victory” over Iran, Saddam decided to build a pair of triumphal arches that mark the entrances to a large parade ground. Each arch consists of a pair of massive hands emerging from the ground, each holding a 140-foot long sword. A small flagpole rises from the point where the swords meet. The arches were made from guns of dead Iraqi soldiers that were melted and recast as 24-ton blades of the swords. Captured Iranian helmets are in a net held between the swords. Surrounding the base of the arms are another 5,000 Iranian helmets taken from the battlefield. The hands that hold the sword aloft are replicas of Saddam’s own hands. The German company that built the monument was given a photograph of Saddam’s own forearms to use as a model. Additionally, an impression of one of Saddam’s own thumbprints was taken and added to the mold for one of the arches’ thumbs. When Saddam inaugurated these triumphal aches, he rode under them on a white horse – an illusion to the steed of Hussein, the Shiite Muslim hero martyred at nearby Karbala. The arches are also known as the Swords of Qadisiyyah, an allusion to the historical Battle of Qadisiyyah. This battle was a decisive engagement between the Arab Muslim Army and the Sassanid Army during the first period of Islamic expansion, which resulted in the Islamic conquest of Persia. Saddam often characterized the Iran-Iraq War after this conflict.
Finally, the Monument to the Unknown Solider is said to be inspired by the glorification of a martyr from the Iran-Iraq War. What looks like a flying saucer frozen in mid-flight represents a traditional shield dropping from the dying grasp of an Iraqi warrior. The monument also houses an underground museum. The artifact hill is shaped like a low, truncated cone, 820 feet in diameter. It is surrounded by slanting, triangular girders covered in marble. Elliptical red granite, stepped platforms lead to the dome and cubic sculpture. The steel flagpole is entirely covered with Murano glass panels fixed with stainless steel arms and displays the Iraqi flag’s colors. The cantilevered dome is 138 feet in diameter and follows an inclination of 12 degrees. Its external surface is covered with copper, while its inner surface features pyramidal modules of alternating steel and copper. The promenade is covered by a semi-circular, flat roof supported on triangular steel bracing. The monument does not include a burial vault.
God has also provided plenty of Christian fellowship for me in Iraq. I met Maj. Tim Barrick at Futenma Chapel back in Okinawa. I knew that he was stationed in the IZ, and I had planned on looking him up as soon as I got settled. It seems that God had different plans for us, and I ran into Maj. Barrick on my very first week in Baghdad at the chow hall! We had lunch together, and he told me about a Sunday morning worship service and a Wednesday evening Bible study that he was attending. Maj. Barrick and I have been meeting regularly at these two events and enjoying each other’s fellowship. Even more exciting (for me anyways) is the time that he and I have gotten to talk after Sunday morning service. We typically get a cup of coffee and sit outside for about an hour and Maj. Barrick has been giving me some informal marriage counseling – we’ve had some great discussions!
As I mentioned earlier, I have several Iraqi employees that work for me. Recently one of my employees received her visa to move to the United States. Her name is Eman and she has been working for and helping Americans since the beginning of the war in 2003. Initially she served as a translator for Army Special Forces, leading them in nighttime raids on insurgents in her neighborhood. She worked at GRD for over two years by day while still serving as a translator for U.S. Forces by night. Everyday she put her life at risk while traveling to and from work, and she had to conceal her actual employment from most of her neighbors for fear of kidnapping by the insurgents. Unfortunately, she has not been untouched by the violence in Baghdad as she recently lost a brother. Eman’s courage has been an incredible testament to the bravery of Iraq’s citizens and their willingness to stand up to insurgent violence. She has been an encouragement to me and the true embodiment of Deuteronomy 31:6 which states, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”Another great opportunity that I have out here is to collect donations for people in Iraq. A lady named Paula in GRD’s G-1 (Personnel) section collects items for injured American soldiers at the Combat Support Hospital(CSH), injured Iraqi children also at the CSH, children visiting the nearby Prosthetic Clinic, local Iraqi families in the IZ, and other Iraqis outside of Baghdad. Here is an excerpt of an email from Paula:
Here's a list of “stuff” I could use. For the hospital, we take small baggies full of individually wrapped candy, granola bars, rice krispie treats, Little Debbie’s, etc. In addition, we take crossword puzzle books and cards. There are also Iraqi children who have been injured who love coloring books, crayons and small toys. We also need personal hygiene items, i.e., shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, deodorant, soap, razor blades, shaving crème, lotion, etc. I also collect clothing for the Iraqi’s and we have a huge need for children’s and infant’s clothing. ’ll take anything as long as it’s in decent shape, conservative and doesn’t have any American logos on it. We’ve got a couple of families in the IZ we deliver to and what’s left over we give to my contact civil affairs person and they deliver to remote tribes throughout Iraq....the poorest of the poor. There is also a Prosthetic Clinic in the Freedom Building that we give snack items along with toys the children can play with while waiting in the lobby. That’s about it. Anything your friends and family can donate will be put to good use…..I promise. Thank you so very much Daniel!!If you would like to send a donation, please mail your care package to my address listed at the bottom of this email. Just this week we had a “Sorting Party” with G-1 where we opened lots of care packages, sorted the items, and repackaged them for distribution with in the IZ and the country. I even had some coloring books and crayons to donate that the Cashatts sent, and that some little Iraqi girl, about Amelia’s age, will love.
Erin and I have been busy making plans for our wedding on September 1st. We have also just finished our applications to Oregon State University. I am applying to the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Department’s Masters program in Ocean Engineering, and Erin is applying for the Contemporary Hispanic Studies Masters program. Our electronic applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation are all in. Now we are just praying for acceptance and Erin to pass her Spanish assessment test! That’s all for now – take care and God bless.
In His Grip,
Daniel
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Mailing Address
LT Daniel Lutz
GRD 1, G-4
APO AE 09348
Email Address
daniel_e_lutz@yahoo.com
danielanderin2007@gmail.com
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