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Richard H. Schmidt III of Patten is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
In the summer of 2004, I was in Iraq with the Maine Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery (Forward), out of Waterville. Our unit was assigned to a military police mission at Abu Ghraib prison, where incoming mortar and rocket fire was a frequent event. Decisions about our safety were anything but abstract.
We lived in hardened concrete cells within the 250-acre prison compound. At one point, we learned that our unit and others at the prison might be moved into metal trailers elsewhere on the grounds so detainees could occupy the more protected facilities. With incoming fire a daily reality, the prospect of leaving our hardened quarters was deeply concerning.
We relayed our concerns to family members back home, who contacted Sen. Susan Collins’s office. We hoped someone in Washington would listen.
I do not claim to know every conversation that followed or what influenced the eventual decision, but we remained in the hardened quarters. I remember many of those trailers sitting unoccupied for the remainder of our deployment. I have long believed that our families’ outreach and Sen. Collins’ help played a role.
I also remember a civilian contractor whom we frequently escorted outside the prison walls. He lived in one of those trailers. As I recall, he believed someone was knocking at his door, opened it, and was shot in the chest. His death remains a sobering reminder of the dangers we faced. I cannot know what would have happened had our unit been relocated, but I believe the decision to remain in hardened quarters saved Maine soldiers’ lives.
Since returning home, I have had opportunities to meet Collins personally and thank her for whatever role she played in helping our unit. I remain grateful to her for helping protect us when our safety was at stake.
My respect for Collins does not mean I agree with every position she takes or every vote she casts. I do not. No elected official will represent all my views, and we should always hold our representatives accountable.
What I respect is her willingness to explain how she sees an issue and why she makes the decisions she makes. I value listening, engaging with differing viewpoints, and working through disagreements rather than dismissing those who think differently.
Washington needs more of that approach. Public service should be about finding common ground where possible, not simply scoring political points or satisfying one side of the aisle. I believe we need more leaders like Collins, who are committed to working together for the common good rather than putting political or individual interests first.
My experience at Abu Ghraib taught me that decisions made far from the battlefield can have profound consequences for those serving on it. It also taught me the importance of having representation that is willing to listen when concerns are raised.
I believe Collins was effective for our unit at a critical time. I will always be grateful to the families who spoke up for us and that their voices reached someone who could help.
We do not have to agree on every issue to respect a willingness to listen, explain, and work together. As a veteran who remembers what was at stake in Iraq, I believe that spirit of service deserves recognition, support, and the opportunity to continue serving our great state.
Thank you to Sen. Collins. I have not forgotten!