COMFORTING EMBRACE

DoD Daily News ^ | December 30, 2006 | David W. Gilmore Jr./U.S. Air Force (photographer)

[Albion Wilde]

What magnificant men we have in uniform! This little child has lost her whole family by the hands of murderous insurgents (terrorists). She was also shot in the head, but she is being treated at an American hospital in Balad, Iraq.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt, of the 332nd Expiditionary Medical Group is said to be the only one who is able to calm this precious child. You see them here sleeping as he has done for the past few nights.

[Albion Wilde]

Photo courtesy of David W. Gilmore Jr./U.S. Air Force

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt, of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group at Balad, Iraq, cradles a young girl as they both sleep in the hospital. The girl's entire family was executed by insurgents; the killers shot her in the head as well. The girl received treatment at the U.S. military hospital in Balad, but cries and moans often. According to nurses at the facility, Gebhardt is the only one who can calm down the girl, so he has spent the last several nights holding her wile they both sleep in a chair.

[silverleaf]

Poor baby!


(somewhat of a contrast from John Kerry giving CPR to a hamster)

[Albion Wilde]

Ping!

[Mrs. Don-o]

This touches my heart. This man, John Gebhardt, is like the best men in my life: my father, holding me so many years ago; and my husband, holding our sons. There is nothing like a father. Nothing in this world.

[Rte66]

Precious!

[jazusamo]

Great photo, AW!

[DollyCali]

awe geeze..

how would you like to bet he tries to bring her back to US?

prolly not probable/possible..but they will/have bonded.

[Albion Wilde]

There is nothing like a father. Nothing in this world.

Amen to that -- how I miss mine. The feminsts/homosexualists are so lame. Even our cat knows the difference between male and female humans and relates entirely differently to the male and female humans in our household. Every child needs mothering and fathering. This child knows needs to feel securely protected after what happened to her and her family.

[Albion Wilde]

...bet he tries to bring her back to US? prolly not probable/possible..but they will/have bonded.

Hi, Dolly, Happy New Year!

It's a heart-grabber, innit? Let's hope a family will be found for this little girl, who will need ongoing care.

Vietnam babylift

Adopted Vietnamese International

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for pinging me, Albion Wilde!

[kittymyrib]

This one admirable man is worth 400 preening politicians in D.C., who aren't good enough to untie his boots. God bless him and all the honorable warriors in our armed forces.

[Albion Wilde]

Amen to that, kittymyrib!

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Thanks for posting this; what a blessing our troops are!

[3D-JOY]

Darn, I feel so helpless when I see things like this. I guess that is why so many of us continue to lend support wherever we can. It all adds up doesn't it?

Please let me know if you get any updates to this "love" story.

[Albion Wilde]

I was amazed to receive this story from a "bleu" friend who has often clashed with me over the war, but we go back 40 years, so she sent it to me knowing I'd like it. That's true friendship, and I'm grateful. There was no attribution on where the story originally appeared, and all I could find by Googling it was reprints in various blogs. It wouldn't hurt to Google the soldier's name now and then to see if anything comes up in the future.

[samiam1972]

How absolutely wonderful! I had to go hug my husband after seeing this! What an awesome daddy/protector this man is for this precious child. *sigh*

[Albion Wilde]

You are welcome for the ping, Jan in Colorado! Happy New Year!

[Albion Wilde]

I had to go hug my husband after seeing this!

Lovely! God bless you both, and your marriage.

[Bigg Red]

What wonderful men we have fighting for our liberty!

I have seen this pic on FR before, but I certainly enjoyed seeing it again and reading the wonderful comments.

God bless you, FRiend. May your New Year be full of joy.

[Albion Wilde]

Many thanks, Bigg Redd, and many blessings to you and yours in the New Year!