One more story from Iraq (IRAQ THE MODEL Blog)

IRAQ THE MODEL | June 22, 2004

[Valin]

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Here’s a story from David Zadel, a marine in Iraq:

I feel compelled to write of an experience that occurred a month ago. We had recently driven an insurgent force out of a small town north of Fallujah. The insurgent force left without fighting and the town was largely abandoned. We had expended much effort clearing the town of the weapons and ammunition that the insurgent force had left behind. People in time occupied the town again and we were determined to provide security for those returning.

My platoon and I were on a security patrol in the countryside on the outskirts of the town when one of our vehicles became stuck on a narrow road bordered by a canal. It was in danger of rolling into the water. We had to stop our vehicles which can be very dangerous.

A family that lived nearby came out of their house and began to move toward our patrol. They were smiling and waving. There were children playing everywhere. The women prepared food and the eldest males met with us. Our vehicle was badly stuck and we needed chains to remove it. At this point, the surrounding families joined us and showed us tremendous hospitality. This is remarkable because often times, local terrorists will sometimes intimidate those who help us or show us kindness.

Without prompting the men brought out shovels and began to dig out the wheels of our vehicle that were stuck. With much effort, working together, we succeeded in removing our vehicle from danger. It then struck me. In the middle of the Al Anbar province, where so many Marines and Iraqis were dying together in such senseless violence, this one tribe reached out to us. During all that was transpiring around us, the maelstrom of violence in Fallujah, the negative reporting from self-righteous media, and mistrust that arises from unfamiliar cultures, there was this tribe that we shared smiles with and feelings of goodwill.

With a tremendous language barrier they acted without prompting, bribery and without fear of reprisals from terrorists. I believe what I witnessed was humanity in it's truest form. Through their actions alone they seemed to say "we know you are trying. You have shed blood for us and we thank you." When I return to America, I will tell all American civilians that ask: Iraqis are people of honor, compassion and strong family bonds. There is nowhere I would rather be than here. A Marine

*David Zadel is a Lieutenant in the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in Iraq.

- posted by Omar @ 22:14

[Valin]

IRAQ THE MODEL
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/

[OXENinFLA]

BIG LIST of Iraq blogs

http://www.justinalexander.net/iraq/

[OXENinFLA]

http://iraqataglance.blogspot.com/


One of my favorites...

[nuconvert]

Great Post.
Thanks

[Liberty Valance]

Bump and a salute to Lt. David Zadel and all the Marines in Iraq!

[nuconvert]

So rare to read the good stuff.
Thanks.

[Maigrey]

Pingin' the Queen of Positive News

[Valin]

I hit the Iraqi blogs everyday.

[OXENinFLA]

So rare to read the good stuff.

the power workers are working hard in many neighborhoods in Baghdad.. I took this photo for them when they were repairing one of the towers....

Seeing is even better!

[Camel Joe]

Just sent my Nephew back, that was harder to do than the first time. We know the cause is just, in fact today the threat against the PM vowed to "fight until Islamic rule is returned to the world". That is one scary thought! With the help of good people from both inside and outside of Iraq we can stop this madness.

[Valin]

NO NO NO! Tubby Teddy and the NY Times have told us over and over that Iraq is a mess and a quagmire. And all the Iraqis live but with one thought...kill Americans.
Now who are you going to believe tubby Teddy or your lying eyes?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, Valin. Beautiful post.

Thanks for the ping, Maigrey. (^:

During all that was transpiring around us, the maelstrom of violence in Fallujah, the negative reporting from self-righteous media, and mistrust that arises from unfamiliar cultures, there was this tribe that we shared smiles with and feelings of goodwill.

With a tremendous language barrier they acted without prompting, bribery and without fear of reprisals from terrorists. I believe what I witnessed was humanity in it's truest form. Through their actions alone they seemed to say "we know you are trying. You have shed blood for us and we thank you." When I return to America, I will tell all American civilians that ask: Iraqis are people of honor, compassion and strong family bonds. There is nowhere I would rather be than here. A Marine

        

Ping!

[OXENinFLA]

Tubby Teddy

turn on the Seante(c-span2)

[TexKat]

Thanks for the ping RC.

Thanks for this great accounting by one of our marine heros Valin .

Soothing to the ears and heart.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You're very welcome.

Soothing to the ears and heart.

Amen.

(Hugs)

[TexKat]

Hugs back at ya!!

[sns5151]

Thank you so much for your posts.

I now think, I have something to pass on and read to my parents waiting on word from my son.

After a long night reading because sometimes you just can't sleep, I found it. You have helped me a lot.
I just didn't feel I could stop reading until I could find them a good word from over there.


I will take a nap in a few minutes or so, after I get the thread printed up to read. I will snail mail a copy to my son as well. He is just so busy right now to email us, this I am sure of.

Thank you
And
God Bless

Marine wife/mom nanna of6
Semper Fi

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[McGavin999]

You need to read all of the Iraqi blogs. They are the only thing that keeps you sane in this world of media blackout. Just go to the link above and you will see links to other blogs, I recommend (in addition to Iraq the Model) Hammorabi, Iraq at a Glance (AYS), Road of a Nation, Healing Iraq, the Mesopotamian and a new one from Egypt Hello from the Land of the Pharaohs. There is also one from Saudi Arabia but he's gone on vacation.

Check them daily. They don't always post daily but then there will be a stretch where they do. The comment section is great as well. There are also some very negative ones (they DON'T have comment sections HA!

There are also some great military blogs where you can keep up with what is really happening over there.

God bless your son and keep him safe.