Posted on 10/14/2005 6:12:40 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2005 – Passion for his country, pride in his soldiers and acceptance of his own personal sacrifice are traits exuded by Col. Abbas Fadhil, the Iraqi military commander in Taji, Iraq, a senior Defense Department official recalled here after meeting him in Iraq. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Allison Barber, who led a group of military analysts on a visit to Iraq the week of Oct. 17, said that in the first several months after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the colonel began recruiting soldiers to join the new Iraq military. After he had been on television several times, pro-Saddam terrorists attacked his home and killed his 7-month-old daughter.
"As the colonel told the story, he said the death of his daughter gives him more motivation to do what is right for Iraq," Barber said, adding that he said, "The death of my daughter is the price of freedom."
He went on to explain that Iraq is his first country, Barber said, but that "America is my second country. I want some day to build a big bridge from Iraq to America so everyone can see how we are together."
Abbas is responsible for the Iraqi military training facility in Taji. "The colonel is optimistic about the progress of his military and their ability to capture the insurgents and protect the Iraqi people," Barber said, "but he is quick to acknowledge that the American troops need to continue helping their forces."
Barber recalled that when Abbas was asked if U.S. forces should leave Iraq soon, he put his hand over his heart and said, "Oh please, don't say that. We need you here for a few more years to help bring security to our country while we build our forces."
The colonel, Barber said, knows he has a price on his head. "Although the insurgents have offered a large sum of money for the death of Abbas, he exudes confidence and a clear vision of what he wants for Iraq," she noted, "and what he is willing to sacrifice to accomplish that goal."
I need to borrow your kleenex box. I'll bring it right back. Um, sure!
Thank you for posting this SandRat!
That's why I put out three all told.
A story that should be all over the American airwaves. But you know the despicaple partisan media, you will never hear about this guy anywhere.
Yep, this is a double boxer. Some of these men are really magnificent.
What a great story. I read about this Iraqi hero at Michael Yon's blog.
Compare the colonel to Cindy Sheehan.
He went on to explain that Iraq is his first country, Barber said, but that "America is my second country. I want some day to build a big bridge from Iraq to America so everyone can see how we are together."
How sad. Thank you for the ping!
Bump!
Bump
BTTT
By Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq TAJI, Iraq, Sept. 9, 2005 — Iraqi soldiers serving at Taji military base collected 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Iraqi Col. Abbas Fadhil, Iraqi base commander, presented the money to U.S. Col. Paul D. Linkenhoker, Taji Coalition base commander, at a Sept. 5 staff meeting.
“We are all brothers,” said Abbas. “When one suffers tragedy, we all suffer their pain.”
The amount of money is small in American dollars - roughly $680 - but it represents a huge act of compassion from Iraqi soldiers to their American counterparts, said U.S. Army Maj. Michael Goyne.
“I was overwhelmed by the amount of their generosity,” Goyne said. “I was proud and happy to know Col. Abbas, his officers, NCOs and fellow soldiers. That amount represents a month’s salary for most of those soldiers.”
Abbas read a letter he wrote after giving the envelope to Linkenhoker.
"I am Colonel Abbas Fadhil; Tadji Military Base Commander,” Abbas wrote. “On behalf of myself and all the People of Tadji Military Base; I would like to console the American People and Government for getting this horrible disaster. So we would like to donate 1.000.000 Iraqi Dinars to help the government and the People also I would like to console all the ASTs who helped us rebuilding our country and our Army. We appreciate the American's help and support. Thank you."
Thanks, I hadn't put the two together.
| The emerging Iraqi army ^ |
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| Posted by smoothsailing On News/Activism ^ 10/14/2005 1:01:09 AM CDT · 19 replies · 497+ views The Washington Times ^ | 10-14-05 | Robert H. Scales I traveled to Iraq this week with a group of military analysts. From my visit I concluded that the greatest change in the military balance over since last summer has been achieved by the Iraqis Security forces. Their story is only partially told by the recent spike in numbers of Iraqi army battalions from only a few a year ago to 117 today. But soldiers know that the effectiveness of a fighting force is better measured by intangibles such as courage, will to win, skill at arms, leadership, cohesion and allegiance to a higher cause. These are factors that media... |
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Now that make the Col. very motivated to dislike the Baathists and their Terr buddies and want a free Iraq all the more.
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