A U.S. Planner's Experience In Iraq

"Bennett said being activated and going to Iraq was good for him professionally in his Army career, but also in his civilian job as planning director for the city of Haines City."

"'In a lot of ways, they are dealing with the same issues I am dealing with here at the city of Haines City,' Bennett said. 'They have annexation issues, they have problems with urban-growth boundaries.'"

"'I got to meet some great people. I sat in the same room while leaders were talking about the plans to rebuild Baghdad. I had a front seat to history.'"

"Bennett said he was surprised to find that city planners in foreign countries have the same issues as U.S. planners."

"'They have the same frustrations we do. In planning, there is the frustration that we do these plans and then they sit on the shelf,' Bennett said."