Ted Meinhover

Following the events in Iraq from a vantage point outside of the United States has given me an interesting perspective on the events both in the Middle East and in the US. While I might have a better understanding of what the international community is saying, I sometimes feel that I am not overly connected to the dialogue taking place back in my roots, and how the situation in far-away countries is affecting life back in rural Minnesota.

I was very surprised, for example, to hear that one of the music teachers that I had, way back in middle and high school, is being sent to Iraq on a tour with the Minnesota National Guard. He is 47 years old. He is a high school choir teacher. This is an interesting article from the local paper: Perham choir director receives emotional send-off to duty in Iraq