Detroit News dated 14 June carries a report from Eric English/Associated Press

After years of running railroads in Michigan, Richard Van Buskirk Jr. decided to take his expertise to Iraq and help with a dangerous mission.

The 58-year-old East Tawas executive and Vietnam veteran spent the past year working as a consultant for the U.S. Department of State, helping Iraqis rebuild their national railway system.

“Their railroad had been severely damaged when the country was taken over by coalition forces,” said Van Buskirk, who returned home in April. “We’re helping them glue back together the things we destroyed.”

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It was 12 months he’ll never forget.

“I’ll be honest with you, it was a great adventure,” he said.

Van Buskirk said he applied for the job in 2006 when he saw an Internet advertisement for a position as a railroad adviser in Iraq.

“It sounded incredibly challenging, and it’s about doing the right thing,” he said.

“They need our help over there and they need people with experience.”

While overseas, Van Buskirk said he was able to reopen 720 miles of rail lines to allow train shipments to resume.

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Van Buskirk said Iraq is rich in natural resources, and its railroad is modern and well built.

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