Nate Burgett, son of John & Terry Burgett who live near Weston, nephew of Roger and Sandy Conrad of Three Lick, sent us an announcement of his graduation from WVU in civil engineering. With the announcement was the following note from his assignment in Iraq.23 September 2009
Greetings from Iraq,
I apologize for the fact that this announcement is reaching you so late. In March of this year, I was notified that I was being transferred to a unit that would be leaving for Iraq shortly after my graduation. I did not have the chance to send these out before I had to leave. Now, over four months later, I finally have managed to find the time to send this to you. In a way, getting to send this to you from here makes this a little more special.
After all, how many people can say that they received a college graduation announcement from Iraq?
Things are going well. This is a very critical time to be here in this war. Even though we are preparing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, there are many projects and challenges that we will face in the months ahead. It is a very pivotal time where we are transferring complete control back to the Iraqi military, police, and civilians.
I have received the privilege and honor, along with a handful of other soldiers, to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to help oversee some of the projects in the Kirkuk region. It is very exciting to get to use my degree to help with the development and reconstruction of this country. Even though there is still violence and fighting, there are a lot of great things happening here.
The majority of the people here are very grateful for our help. We are helping to provide them with things that are often taken for granted back home. In this region alone, USACE is overseeing the construction and rehabilitation of drinking and waste water treatment facilities, roads, hospital additions, schools, courthouses, libraries and irrigation systems. These projects will impact the quality of life of several thousand Iraqi citizens.
In an effort to help build the economy of this region, these projects are contracted out to local construction companies and use materials obtained from local businesses when possible. Our primary job is to assure that the contractors are providing what is specified in the contract while adhering to standardized safety and building codes. As this formalized process is new to many of the contractors and laborers, it is our additional duty to guide them as they become more proficient in their responsibilities.
Greetings from Iraq,
I apologize for the fact that this announcement is reaching you so late. In March of this year, I was notified that I was being transferred to a unit that would be leaving for Iraq shortly after my graduation. I did not have the chance to send these out before I had to leave. Now, over four months later, I finally have managed to find the time to send this to you. In a way, getting to send this to you from here makes this a little more special.
After all, how many people can say that they received a college graduation announcement from Iraq?Things are going well. This is a very critical time to be here in this war. Even though we are preparing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, there are many projects and challenges that we will face in the months ahead. It is a very pivotal time where we are transferring complete control back to the Iraqi military, police, and civilians.
I have received the privilege and honor, along with a handful of other soldiers, to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to help oversee some of the projects in the Kirkuk region. It is very exciting to get to use my degree to help with the development and reconstruction of this country. Even though there is still violence and fighting, there are a lot of great things happening here.
The majority of the people here are very grateful for our help. We are helping to provide them with things that are often taken for granted back home. In this region alone, USACE is overseeing the construction and rehabilitation of drinking and waste water treatment facilities, roads, hospital additions, schools, courthouses, libraries and irrigation systems. These projects will impact the quality of life of several thousand Iraqi citizens.
In an effort to help build the economy of this region, these projects are contracted out to local construction companies and use materials obtained from local businesses when possible. Our primary job is to assure that the contractors are providing what is specified in the contract while adhering to standardized safety and building codes. As this formalized process is new to many of the contractors and laborers, it is our additional duty to guide them as they become more proficient in their responsibilities. Left: Old photo of Kirkuk, from the internet.
The job isn’t over when the construction is complete. Before the facilities are turned over to the public, local citizens are hired and trained in the operation, upkeep, and maintenance of these facilities. Our focus is not only to provide the local populace with quality products, but to set them up with the foundation to maintain these products for many years after we are gone.
I am grateful to be part of this process, and to have the opportunity to serve USACE, the Army, and our great country. May God watch over and bless you, your family, and our nation.
Respectfully,
Nathaniel Paul Burgett
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