© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

Col. Will Grimsley capitivates Rotarians
Brigade leader tells stories from Operation Iraqi Freedom

OCT. 14, 2003 — Colonel Will Grimsley, son of Rotarian Alex Grimsley, captured the attention of Rotarians this week with first-hand, highly descriptive tales about Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Grimsley, leader of the 1st Brigade Combat Division, 3rd Division, started 2003 in Kuwait with his troops preparing for the military's entry into Iraq. Having been at the Pentagon during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Grimsley learned to view the terrorist attacks as an opportunity to change the "strategic landscape of the world", including Iraq. He knew Americans had to "stand up for what is right."

Grimsley's brigade was at the forefront of the invasion of Iraq on March 19. He shared with Rotarians the progression of his troops from the "arid, inhospitable desert" on the border of Kuwait all the way through Iraq to Baghdad, where they captured control of the airport in a surprisingly quick period of time. Grimsley said that the military's movement through Iraq was a "brilliant military maneuver" that will be studied "for many years."

Grimsley described the harsh physical conditions in Iraq, the "corrupt, fanatical regime" that the American troops were opposing, and the many varied enemies they encountered, including suicide bombers, snipers, foreign soldiers, enemies who used women as human shields, freed Iraqi criminals, and fighters in various types of vehicles, including taxis, buses, dump trucks, and trucks. His vivid portrayal of these combat exercises left many Rotarians spell-bound. Grimsley was quick to commend his troops, some of whom were in attendance.

Grimsley acknowledges that there is work left to be done in Iraq but says that at least now, "it is a whole lot better than it was."

-- Amy Jenkins

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