Eric Newell's - 6th Grade Science

My Cousin is currently serving in Iraq.  I asked him about the schools over there, if they are in operation and what the conditions are like.  He sent the following e-mail response.

Hey Cuz,

 I appreciate all your thoughts. You have a fine since of what is of real value in this world. Just the fact that you realize the value of sleeping in your own home without worry shows that you see and feel life more than most folks. Your feel for history also says a lot. I like Lincoln too. The main reason is that he kept our nation together. This was of course done at incredible cost but he felt it was that important enough that he did not waver in the face of almost two years of military defeats. He always knew he was doing the right thing and history has shown him to be correct.  I hope history will show that Pres. Bush was right to send us here. I can not tell yet.

 
The state of the schools in Iraq differs from place to place. Some that I visited in the rich parts of northern Baghdad were fine. Open, staffed and doing well (see the picture above).  Other schools in Baghdad were looted and have nothing but the four walls. On the other hand I was in a Kurdish village this morning where there are no schools at all. Every town is different every school is different.  

Say Hi to your students for me,

 
Tom