RAMADI, Iraq — Marine Cpl. Travis Friedrichsen, a sandy-haired 21-year-old from Denison, Iowa, used to take Tootsie Rolls and lollipops out of care packages from home and give them to Iraqi children. Not anymore.
“My whole opinion of the people here has changed. There aren’t any good people,” said Friedrichsen, who says his first instinct now is to scan even youngsters’ hands for weapons.
The subtle hostility extends to Iraqi adults, evidence some U.S. troops have second thoughts about their role here.
“We’re out here giving our lives for these people,” said Sgt. Jesse Jordan, 25, of Grove Hill, Ala. “You’d think they’d show some gratitude. Instead, they don’t seem to care.”
Marines were ordered to show friendliness through “wave tactics,” including waving at people on the street.
Few spend much time waving these days as the hard reality of frequent hit-and-run attacks, roadside bombs and exploding mortars has left plenty of Marines, particularly grunts on the ground, disillusioned and bitter.
Since the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, deployed in the area six months ago, 34 of its members have died and more than a quarter of the 1,000-member unit has been wounded.
Along with the heavy toll, the Marines cite other sources of frustration. High among them is the scarcity of tips from Iraqis on the locations of the roadside bombs that kill and maim Marines, even though the explosives frequently are placed in well-trafficked areas where bomb teams probably would be observed.
There, in an alleyway beside the shops, was a seat and ammunition for the grenade launcher — along with a pitcher of water and a half-eaten bowl of grapes, said Neill, who was so amazed that he took photos of the setup.
“You could tell the guy had been hanging out all day. It was out in the open. Every single one of the guys in the shops could tell the guy was set up to attack us,” said Neill, 34, of Colrain, Mass. “That’s the problem. That’s why I’m bitter toward the people.”
Then there are the hostile glares that adults in the community give to passing U.S. military patrols, and treachery from high-profile allies, such as the provincial police chief who was arrested last month amid strong suspicions that he was working with the insurgency.
“We’re not taking any chances: Shoot first and ask questions later,” said Lance Cpl. David Goward, 26, a machine gunner from Cloquet, Minn. “We’re a lot more dangerous now. I’m not going home in a body bag, and neither is the person next to me.”
The Marines are a disciplined fighting force and under orders to treat Iraqis “with dignity,” said Maj. Mike Wylie, the battalion executive officer.
The acts of friendship that Marines undertook when they arrived in Ramadi now in some cases heighten their resentment toward the city’s residents.
After a series of ambushes one April day that killed a dozen Marines, Cpl. Jason Rodgers saw a familiar face among a group of slain attackers. The dead Iraqi, who was lying inches from a grenade, was a shopkeeper Rodgers had called on several times during foot patrols, he said.
“I felt like I’d been betrayed, personally,” said Rodgers, 22, of Susanville, Calif. “I’d stood there, talking to him, shaking his hand, giving his kid candy. And he’d been studying our moves the whole time.”
Disillusioned Marines Want Gratitude from Iraqis!
Talk about stupid these idiot marines occupy Iraq and want the iraqis to be grateful for it! what do they expect how clear do they want it they not welcome what else do they need to know maybe in neon lights should be flashed outside thier fortified bases GO HOME GI JOE YOUR NOT WANTED IN IRAQ!
hello Iraq is occuppied they have every right to be angry at the amerikkkans!