Update from Najaf

IRAQ THE MODEL (Iraqi Blogger) | 9/28/04

[Valin]

I received an e-mail from one of our dear readers who’s a father of a marine serving in Najaf now. The marine sent his father the message below in which he provides some interesting observations from there. He’s also asked for some help in providing stationery for kids in Najaf.

Dear Dad:
1. Not much to report on here in Najaf. Its been quite but we have heard about things being hot in other parts of Iraq so we are still being vigilant. Just recently the Mosques here in Najaf have re-opened and people are returning to them for prayer for the first time in almost a year.
When the militia came into the city they took over the Mosques and used them as hideouts, even though it's against their own religious beliefs to use a holy site in such a way, but they did so because they knew that we wouldn't bomb there.
The people kept asking us to just go in and get them, but we didn't want to destroy their Mosque, and some of my friends died as a result of sniper fire from inside, but we know it was the right thing to do.

As we were driving through the city on a security patrol the other day we drove by the newly re-opened Mosque. As we drove by many people came out and waved at us and some parents even held up their children and said "thank you America." I remember thinking that how lucky I was to be able to be from a country where I don't have to worry about someone using my church as a battle position, or that someone might shoot me and my family for trying to go to church.
Some times I forget how lucky I am and I can't ever believe that I thought of going to church as being a "chore" We should feel blessed to be able to go in and pray as we choose. And I thank God every day that you and my family are safe and sound in the U.S.
I love you guys so much that I would gladly lay down my life so that you never loose a single freedom that you enjoy today. And if anything should happen to me, don't worry there are a lot of guys like me out there who will never let that happen.

Lately we have been doing public affairs stuff, going around to different schools and seeing what kinds of stuff they need to be fixed. Things like desks and chalkboards and stuff. The hard part is dealing with all the little kids that come out to see us and they all think that we are going to be giving away food and candy.
And it's not like it's just a couple of kids, we get mobbed by like a hundred kids. Instead of more candy or chocolate or stuff me , if you could send some basic school supply stuff to me we can get it right to the school kids. Things like pens, pencils, protractors, rulers, etc and we will get it out.
I will also get some pictures of the kids for you that I will send. Oh, and don't forget those little hand held pencil sharpeners. Apparently they need some of those too......

Love,
David Jr
- posted by Omar @ 20:57

[Valin]

He’s also asked for some help in providing stationery for kids in Najaf.

If you want to contribute, you can contact his father at this address. david_cole@acordia.com

NOTE I am NOT the father just the poster of this piece.

[M. Peach]

Awesome - My contribution is on the way...

[M. Peach]

I know you from here over the years - so I trust what you're saying -

[Henchman]

God Bless him and his buddies. Sorry to say, I do not think it was worth one American life to save a Mosque that could be rebuilt. Use a BIG BOMB, not American lives. I know soldiers have to look at it the way he does or it wouldn't be bearable.

[Valin]

My head is swelling even as we speak. :-)

thank you.

[Space Cruiser]

I'm very proud of the US Military. I feel very indebted every time I hear of them.

I believe the biased American media is guilty of making things hard on our military and should be called to task. I can't stand to watch ABC CBS or any of those ilk anymore.

There's a site that's devoted to letters from servicemen but I lost the url. Anyone have it? It starts with the word green.

[grobdriver]

Just emailed Mr. Cole offering assistance.
These things are important to their work over there, but trivial to us here in the States.

[Valin]

I can't stand to watch ABC CBS or any of those ilk anymore.

Pretty much the same here.
All I want is for them to throw me a bone (say) once a week, is that asking too much...I don't think so.

[Space Cruiser]

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God Bless him and his buddies. Sorry to say, I do not think it was worth one American life to save a Mosque that could be rebuilt. Use a BIG BOMB, not American lives. I know soldiers have to look at it the way he does or it wouldn't be bearable.

---

I agree 100% with you. Either way, the Iraqis are still better off without Saddam. If the Mosque people see fighting they can go to another part of the country or somewhere to hide. We are remodeling their world for crying out loud. Sometimes you have to leave the house when your house is being remodeled! They should warn the city if war is near and if they stay around they could be shot and then go in wherever the insurgents are in the mosques and eliminate them. They can do it without crumbling the mosque, if not build a new one. Then they'll have a reminder of what the insurgents caused to their landscape. And save our troops. Furthermore, in the leaflets they are dropping in Falluja, rather than warning them of no civil services, they should threaten to spray pig juice with a crop duster and cover every part of their city. A terrorist tainted by touching hog fat will negate his trip to paradise with the 7 camels.