Letter to the Editor:

I'm currently serving in Iraq as the Gulf Region District Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responsible for reconstruction efforts in Central and Northern Iraq. As the on-scene commander, I have a unique perspective to offer regarding our efforts here. 
Some critics argue the Iraq reconstruction effort has been wasteful resulting in unwanted facilities that will not likely be maintained by the Iraqis following the withdrawal of U.S. Forces. Leaving this assertion unchallenged may be somewhat misleading to those not fully informed on the issue. 
While it's true that there have been setbacks and lessons learned during the reconstruction period starting in 2003, it's important to note that this is the largest reconstruction effort since the Marshall Plan with one major difference: this effort is being undertaken in a war zone under hostile conditions.
Our efforts here have focused on rebuilding vital infrastructure such as water supply systems, sewage treatment centers, electrical power plants, schools, hospitals health clinics, housing and transportation networks, as well as developing the capacity for Iraqis to operate and maintain these facilities. It is a complex and an ever-changing environment. 
Although there have certainly been some disappointments in the past, we've also witnessed many successes improving the quality of life for Iraqis across the nation. We are, in fact, providing hope for the citizens of Iraq by helping them become self- sufficient in providing essential services. Over time we've learned to build what they need, can operate; and can maintain while all along building intellectual capacity and teaching acceptable construction and design standards. 
For example, the Nasiriyah water treatment plant near Baghdad, which was once a dumping ground for trash, was completed more than one year ago. It is well maintained and provides approximately 24 million gallons of clean water to more than 500,000 Iraqi citizens every day. More than 200,000 of those residents never had clean water hook ups to their homes before the project was built. The plant will be able to handle additional capacity once the Iraqis expand the service area. 
I'm not saying there haven't been some challenges along the way but we have learned and applied our lessons. For instance, water treatment stations built years ago to provide clean water to remote villages have fallen into disrepair without adequate upkeep and maintenance. We're currently refurbishing water treatment stations and ensuring, through a series of agreements, that these projects will be maintained after they are turned over to the Iraqis before proceeding with the project. 
Within the city of Kirkuk, we have built a fully functioning solid waste collection system that consists of trash pickup to transfer stations as well as an environmentally sustainable landfill. A similar system is being considered for Mosul. Currently, this system is operating so far above expectations that we are building a second larger one north of the city based on the same design. These trash stations are employing hundreds of Iraqis, bolstering the local economy, while taking trash off the streets and improving living conditions for local residents. 
Finally, we continue to leave a legacy of engineering expertise. A prime example is our partnership with Universities of Baghdad and Anbar where we coach, train and mentor Iraqi engineers and managers across multiple city planning functions, Geospatial Information Systems, and across several engineering disciplines. These initiatives will have a sustainable and positive impact as the Iraqis take control and re-build their nation one brick at a time while improving the lives of their citizens. 
I am extremely humbled and proud to command a workforce constantly seeking and striving to deliver quality facilities and services to the citizens of Iraq, the Iraqi police and the Iraqi Armed Forces. Each and every one of our civilians and military workforce are making history as others write about it. As the Iraqi parliamentary elections approach and as we plan and execute a responsible draw down, I am thankful for a workforce that dares to dream of things that never were and make them real. Thousands of our facilities and trained Iraqi associates were nothing more than figures on a spreadsheet at one time. Today they are a reality due to the hard work and deep commitment of our soldiers and civilians serving in Iraq. 
We must not allow a few disappointments to cloud the overall success of our efforts to rebuild a sustainable Iraq. The bottom line is that the Iraqi people have a much brighter future now with new schools, clean water, and more reliable electricity than they've ever had before. It's far from what we're used to in the U.S., but it's heading towards the right direction. Despite what critics may say, the American public can be proud of what our soldiers and civilians have accomplished here in Iraq.