Iraqi Hero Dies to Save 4 Soldiers, 8 Civilians
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 09:59PM Bottom Line Up Front: Don't believe it when you hear that all Iraqis hate Americans.
From Multi-National Force Iraq:
An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug. 18.
The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community group, at a member’s house.
“I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around the corner,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos, Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, 3-1 Cav. “I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he pushed him away, the bomb went off.”
The citizen’s actions saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians.
Kane believes the citizen is a hero.
“I spoke with the father,” Capt. Brian Gilbert said. “He said he has no remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American Soldiers.”
“I consider many in the town friends, and I know they feel the same,” Gilbert said. “This is a tough situation, but we’ll move on and try to prevent things like this from happening again. I’ve talked with his family and told them how brave their son was. This is a huge loss for everyone involved.”
I attended the funeral of COL James Harrison here at Fort Leavenworth, KS in May 2007. He was killed in Afghanistan when an Taliban fighter wearing an Afghan police uniform, who shot him at point blank range, along with the colonel’s driver. Brigadier General Safiullah, the Afghan General who worked closely with COL Harrison. sent a very emotional to Harrison’s family.
Part of BG Safiullah’s letter read:
Please count us as a member of his family; I truly wish I was killed instead of him by that soldier. It would be a great honor to me and my team, it would not be a big embarrassment to us, my team and Afghan Army, had I died instead of him. We lost our best friend, who was a guest in Afghanistan, who came to help us, guide us, and show us what is the better way to run the mission successfully. I loved him much more than my brothers. He was a very active and enthusiastic man to work with; every day he came to meet me and helped me on my duties and affairs. I have lost many of my commanders, friends, soldiers and members of my family during the combats with the Russian army and Taliban party, all who were very close to me. But I did not feel so sad and disappointed then as now; I have a hard and difficult time.
When people say Iraqis and Afghans aren’t really in the fight, don’t believe them. They are dedicated and human as our own troops. They are our brothers.
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Reader Comments (10)
When people say Iraqis and Afghans aren’t really in the fight, don’t believe them. They are dedicated and human as our own troops
I really get a bit puzzled by those who say, "Iraqis need to start stepping up to the plate", without really backing it with any evidence. Democracy doesn't happen overnight, on our timetable, and based upon our impatience. Iraqis have been fighting and dying by the droves against those who wish to sabotage the democratization of Iraq.
wordsmith, Democrats have been accusing Iraqis of not stepping up to the plate for years. It is Democrats who are frustrating the political system in Iraq as well with their "we need to leave yesterday" talk. Who is Maliki to turn to if we leave? Should he align with Iran? Certainly not Sunni al-Qaeda who will do what they can to destroy Iraq and the government along with Shiites.
GEN Petraeus has been saying that it is Iraqis who are invested in this fight and the evidence is that they are enlisting and dying a numbers greater than ours.
Amy, I really like the work you do, but you really need to step back on stories like these and don't drink the Koolaid. You have no idea the hate in Iraq. Of course never being their (you) pick and chose the news you get.
Save some cash and make a trip and go read the faces of the LOVE the Iraqis have for us.
And this comes from a guy who agrees mostly with you. Trust me its papable hate in all Muzzie land and for you to cosistantly paint a brite rainbow is misleading to your readers. I know you can do better. Not sure why you paint a pretty picture for a screwed up mission. Blah!
I partially agree with dtodeen. the hate against non-Muslims by all Muslims is indesputable. However, I do believe there are those that do appreciate our presence and are willing to commit - however they are not mentioned by the MSM and are afraid to step up because of the stranglehold the Islamofascists have on the region and that ideology.
dtodeen, what are you basing your assertions on?
As I recall, you've never been there, either. My husband has and we're in routine contact with many troops in theater, including our Muslim Army officer friend, MAJ Guidry.
I'm not suggesting there is no anti-American sentiment in Iraq. We have that anti-Americanism here in the U.S., why should we expect more from Iraqis? If that weren't enough, we've let them so totally down for over a decade that much of the resentment they feel is justified.
I highly recommend you watch the video I posted in my Cheney Wrong on Iraq in 1994 entry. It's 10 minutes but an amazing look into Iraq during and after the first Gulf War. Shiites were waiting for our assistance and attempted an overthrow of Saddam, at the urging of George H.W.Bush and Saddam slaughtered them. The footage includes Iraqis huddled in mosques crying for their lives as Saddam's army approached. It's chilling but if you want to debate this issue, you need to watch.
Iraqis hate the U.N. only slightly less than Saddam for the Oil for Food program.
I'd also suggest that Iraqis have a right to feel some level of contempt for the rhetoric used by reckless Democrats. They have insulted Iraqis since day one, calling them lazy and incapable while they bear the weight of the war. They are an educated people, which is another reason why Iraqis are susceptible to this monumental change going on in their country.
I'm not drinking any Koolaid and find that an insulting remark. I am very realistic about the good and the bad regarding this engagment. I'm surprised your comments are so insulting and frankly ignorant (Muzzie land??). You are clearly not following the counterinsurgency or the movement within Islam to purge itself of violent apostates. It's better that people with your sort of rhetoric remain on the sidelines so as not to affect the outcome of the war.
Douglas said:
What are you basing that on? Newsreels of angry Muslims rioting in the streets? By the same token, why are the 100 acts of progress in Iraq ignored for the 1 sensational suicide bombing? I think that's unfair. THAT is MSM KoolAid I refuse to drink.
I recommend the Pentagon Channel, Multi-National Force-Iraq, and the other links on my sidebar under "Military".
I'd suggest steeping put of Middle America and the Green Zone! I'd suggest placing a M-240 between your shoulder blades and laying down fire. I'd suggest quit making this little excursion a rosy shade of pink everyones happy and paint the real picture.
As far as Iran above, thank God Boltons gone because anything near a strike on Iran would be a cluster F&%$ the size of unimaginable proportions. We can't politically fight in Iraq, thanks to Godless and fearless political leaders! Good God, Bolton needs to be beat!
As far as what I watch and get my info from, really matters little. Fact is politics have taken over a FUBAR!
I'm not drinking any Koolaid and find that an insulting remark. I am very realistic about the good and the bad regarding this engagment. I'm surprised your comments are so insulting and frankly ignorant (Muzzie land??). You are clearly not following the counterinsurgency or the movement within Islam to purge itself of violent apostates. It's better that people with your sort of rhetoric remain on the sidelines so as not to affect the outcome of the war.\
Next you'll tell me that my IQ is not of a level to have a vote in American politics. Next we will pick only blond blue eyed pasty whites.
Seems odd comming from a puritain Christian girl as yourself! Your little view of the world is nice a sweet. Not calling a spade a spade disturbes most. trying to argue a speech pattern to your liking is a low blow.
Blow them up and then say how much they love us. Odd! Before you go you better be planned to face all the little set backs. Now we wait for them!
Amy, let not your heart be troubled over dtodeen. You are absolutely correct in your assertions. As a marine, I have been to several coutnries where America was not appreciated until we had to pull someone's butt from the fire. The entire world, whether they admit it or not, stands in awe of the freedoms and success of America.
I have been in Saudi, Kuwait, and Iraq. People there hate us, but if you look at the media they have company in American citizens. The love and respect for us is also present, but you don't hear of it in the MSM, just in non-traditional sources.
This man saved many lives, and instead of recognizing the love and heroism of his actions it is being dismissed and ignored.
Thank you for pointing it out, as I had not heard this story. Posting about the positive side of things, and having confidence and dedication to a cause is not kool-aid, it is admirable.
Robert, thanks for your comments. dtodeen has an internet radio show and has interviewed me several times, and he never treated me this way (although some of his comments on this blog have been similar) so it's a bit disappointing, particularly since I thought he supported OIF.
Again, thanks for your comments.