Hi Ohio Birders, As Pam R. previously posted, The Columbus Dispatch ran an article today on Ohio birder Major Randal Rogers' efforts in Iraq. It's nicely done and gives an overview of what Randy is 'officially' doing to serve his country... and 'voluntarily' accomplishing for the benefit of birds, Iraqi birders, and international relations between the US and Iraq. Randy recently wrote an article for The Cerulean (quarterly newsletter of the Ohio Ornithological Society). Members of the OOS who subscribe to an online version received a link to the fall issue last week. The paper version of The Cerulean is currently arriving in mailboxes. Here's a link to the OOS newsletter to read about Randy's efforts from his point of view: http://www.ohiobirds.org/publications/cerulean/08-10.pdf With the support of the OOS, birders across Ohio, Randy's friends, and especially folks in the Columbus area including Columbus Audubon, nearly $2000 has been raised to help Randy's efforts. The upcoming winter issue of The Cerulean will feature an update on Randy's endeavors to "build bridges between US and Iraqi birders". Randy's good works are already taking root. Here's a statement from Dr. A. Alwash, CEO and Founder of Nature Iraq, a non-governmental group (NGO) trained by Birdlife International that is restoring the southern marshes of Iraq: "Birders are a special kind of people. And like the birds they love, they do tend to flock together. Randy has helped in creating a direct link and a bond between Iraqi birders and Ohio birders. "In many ways, Randle is helping Iraqis see Americans as more than just soldiers, and helping Americans see Iraq as more than a bunch of warring sunnie and shea, arab and kurd, and the many artificial divisions visited on us by so called Iraqi experts pontificating on US screens. He is helping in the most humble way possible, using his passion for nature, to bring us together. "Birders are still "strange" in Iraq. It is kind of an oxymoron when you really think about it. Protecting nature in the middle of a war!!!.... But, war makes the task even more important, for in the midst of human tragedy, the stress on nature fades to the background. Hence, it is up to us, the strange people who love nature, to do our hardest work now. Because it is needed now more than ever. "Thanks to you all, we work harder whenever we get a pat on the back and when we know that our efforts are not lost and are recognized by others." Those beautiful words of tribute are from Dr. Alwash in response to Ohio's support of Randy's efforts assisting Nature Iraq. In Appreciation, Ann Oliver, Editor, The Cerulean Newsletter Ohio Ornithological Society FYI: other articles in The Cerulean include a profile of Dr. Jed Burtt from Ohio Wesleyan University who is the new President of the American Ornithologists' Union, a recap of 75 years of The Toledo Naturalists' Association, an update on Northern Saw-whet Owl DNA research at the Buzzard's Roost Banding Station west of Chillicothe, a calendar of events, and more. ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]