Local Soldier Agrees With Bush, Iraq Has Been Hit Hard

Besides the economy, the president stressed the progress he believes is being made in Iraq.  He told the country that 'our enemies have been hit hard,' and a Green Country soldier agrees with him.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports PFC Billy Ward is stationed in Iraq, but he's spending a couple of weeks at home in Sapulpa, where he was paying close attention to Monday night's State of the Union Address.

Like it has been for the past five years, Iraq was a center point of President Bush's State of the Union Address.  The president stressed that the military is making progress, and that last year's troop surge is paying dividends.

President Bush told the nation that Al-Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and the enemy will be defeated.  It's an assessment that Private First Class Bill Ward of Sapulpa agrees with.

"Yeah it's getting better, it's getting a lot better.  Lot, lot better, I think it's working," said US Army PFC Billy Ward.

PFC Ward is a member of the 541st Transportation Company.  He's spent the past eight months driving supply trucks in Iraq.  He's been so successful that he was recently nominated for a Professional by Choice Award.

Ward says he's seen first-hand evidence of the progress Bush is touting.

"From what I've seen before we left, it's getting better, it's getting a lot better," said PFC Ward.

Ward's been on leave since the January 20th.  He's spending quality time with his wife and mother in Sapulpa, before heading back to Iraq on February 8th.

While he is excited about what he sees as progress in Iraq, he says it will be nice to come home for good.

"Hopefully we'll be able to get out of there really soon. It would be nice," said PFC Ward.

Ward joined the Army last year, making an eight-year commitment.  He says he doesn't plan on making the military a career though.

He plans on getting out when his contract expires.