Patterson Moses is usually called Mr. Moses as assistant principal at Bainbridge High School, but last school year it was Lt. Col Moses.

Moses was deployed to Iraq in June of 2006 and returned this summer. He spoke at the weekly Rotary Club about his tour there. (Article of his leave last December)

Moses has been at Bainbridge High School for eight years and in the Army for 26. While in Iraq he was assigned to the 322 MITT group. MITT stands for Military Transition Team and the work is very similar to what he does as an educator; teaching, coaching and advising.

While in Iraq, Col. Moses and his American team lived with their Iraqi counterparts. According to Moses, "the Iraqis could 'bring the fight', they have been fighting for years."  Their trouble was sustaining the fight due to logistics. He recounted several incidents of raids and captures where American forces assisted the Iraqis and different ways the information was used.

Moses stated that since his return, people are always asking him 'how do you feel about the war?' and 'should we be there?'. For Col. Moses the answer seemed a simple one, "The assignment was tough. If they asked me to go back, I'd go back. That's what we (soldiers) do."

Moses stated that he was also asked questions while in Iraq by Iraqi civilians and soldiers, "how is it in America, how do we get there,".  He told the Rotarians, "Most of the Iraqis are good people, they want the same things we want, homes, school and medical care."

The experiences that Moses witnessed while deployed will probably remain with him through his life. By his expression, some were good and others not so good.

Now back in the United States and home in Bainbridge, he is still doing some of what he did in Iraq, teaching, coaching and advising. He's just doing it in different clothes, in a different language, with a community glad to see him and grateful for his service to his country.