The Work We Do in Iraq
March 10th, 2008 at 06:20am Mark Noonan
Never forget that there are 10,000 stories like this one - most of them un-reported, but all of them building the bonds of friendship and trust between the peoples of Iraq and the United States:
HADITHA, Iraq – A two-year-old Iraqi girl returned to Haditha March 7 after undergoing open-heart surgery at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University.
Ala Thabit Fattah, the girl’s father, and several family members traveled with Marines to Baghdad International Airport to meet Amenah, who departed Iraq Jan. 22 with his wife.
“I am very happy. I was very worried that my daughter would not come home alive,” Fattah said. “I am very grateful for the great treatment the American people gave to my family.”
The family then flew to Al Asad Airbase in Al Anbar Province, where they boarded an MV-22 Osprey for the final leg of the voyage to Haditha.
Back home, the family served a dinner in her honor.
“I’ve got four children, two boys and two girls myself; I was very happy to see a father, mother and child reunite,” said Maj. Kevin Jarrard, Company L’s commanding officer and the architect behind the medical effort.
Marines from 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, which is assigned to the Camp Pendleton-based Regimental Combat Team 5, discovered Amenah on a routine patrol through the city. They noticed her extremities exhibited a bluish hue whenever she exerted herself. The battalion surgeon, Capt. John Nadeau, recognized the gravity of her condition and coordinated arrangements with the medical staff at Vanderbilt to perform a surgical procedure to remedy her heart defect.
The 35-year-old Gainesville, Ga., native, Jarrard choreographed the international effort to transport Amenah to the United States and oversaw the entire operation. His wife, Kelly Jarrard, raised the funds to finance the journey on both ends.
“Thank you is just too small of a word to express how I feel,” said Amehah’s mother, Maha Muhammed Bandar.
We are, indeed, our brother’s keeper - or, in this case, our little sister’s keeper. Thank God for alert Marines and loving, giving people.
Entry Filed under: War on Terror
29 Comments
1. Brian G. | March 10th, 2008 at 7:34 am
They shouldn’t have to be doing this work. The Iraqi people are our adopted brothers and sisters who we beat up on and then scold when they retaliate. It’s ridiculous.
And how about the moron that threw a tiny puppy off a cliff? I understand that war has mental repercussions for combatants, but come on. What the hell is wrong with us?
2. JD | March 10th, 2008 at 7:38 am
$12 billion per month.
3. Rana Quijotesca | March 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Why are we doing things for Iraqis (ie: free health care) that we don’t do for our own citizens?
4. phil | March 10th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Mark,
We should indeed thank God for alert Marines and loving, giving people, wherever they may be. We should celebrate stories such as this whether they occur in Iraq or elsewhere. But Americans should not be distracted by those like you who would substitute “feel good” stories for the truth about the entire scope of the disaster in Iraq. The whole sorry genesis of the war has been amply debated, but part of the whole truth people like you should be telling is that it is costing us taxpayers $12 billion per month and the total costs are estimated to total $3 teillion by the time we’re “done” there, or $30,000 for every American family. Keep the “feel good” stories coming, Mark. But please include a dose of the truth about the whole operation there, your audience deserves that, too.
5. kipling | March 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
odd - if the iraqi’s love us as much as you would have us believe why do the overwhelming majority of them want the US out of Iraq asap? Why do the majority of Iraqis say that the US occupation is only mildly better than Saddam Hussien. Mark - you just want this to be true - but sadly it is not…
6. Almiranta | March 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Mark, surely you have learned by now that no good news is going to be accepted by the Lemming Left BDS contingent. The posts so far prove that they are beyond the reach of any rational discussion.
While we don’t have nationalized health care in this country, at least not to the extent they crave, no one is turned away.
Note the old whine about how the Iraqis want us “want the US out of Iraq asap..”
No they don’t. Leave it to a rabid Lib to take the results of a poll and manipulate them to read what the Left wants it to say. The question was whether Iraqis wanted the U.S. out of Iraq, and the answer was yes. But the relevant question would have been, and has been in more balanced polls, WHEN do you want the U.S. out of Iraq—when that is asked, the overwhelming response is ‘not till we have established security for ourselves’.
Look at the sheer insanity of this comment: “the majority of Iraqis say that the US occupation is only mildly better than Saddam Hussien..” What a load!! Under Saddam Hussein, people lived in absolute terror, knowing that at any time there could be a knock on the door, and that one or more family members would be hauled off in the middle of the night.
Tell us, kipling—how many anguished parents have had to watch, been forced to watch, gangs of American soldiers rape their tiny daughters, before killing them? How many limbs have been hacked off, tongues cut out, just for fun, by the American military? I could go on, but why bother. This is the same lunatic fringe that finds Bush worse than Saddam, finds America to be the true terrorist nation, and in general wallows in self loathing that, as far as I can tell from their posts, may be totally justified regarding themselves personally but has nothing at all to do with this nation or the vast majority of its citizens and its military.
The Rabid Left needs to believe that we are universally hated because we are so inherently bad. How many American troops are in Iraq? Well over 100,000. Yet Brian zooms in on one action of one man, as if that has any bearing whatsoever on the quality of our military. And if the man is found guilty he will be severely punished.
Look at crime in this country. Take a population—say, a neighborhood of 120,000 Atlanteans. One of them abuses an animal. Brian would not try to use this as a blanket indictment of Atlanteans and claim they should all be sent back to Atlantis. But when it comes to the military, any bad action is more than enough to condemn them all.
Contrary to the fantasies and ardent wishes of the radical Left, our military in Iraq are winning the hearts and minds of the non-terrorist populace. I am sure the trolls are horrified that our troops are, for example, building schools and water treatment plants—how DARE they export the kindness, generosity, and concern for humanity which define this great country of ours?
Thanks for the story, Mark
7. Darva Conger | March 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I wonder how many “acts of love” the U.S. could produce across the planet if the Peace Corps budget was $12B USD/month.
8. Magnum Serpentine | March 10th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Almiranta,
81 percent of the United States wants our troops out by April 2008 (Gallop poll) 61% say the war was wrong. We can spend 12 billion a month on this useless war of george’s, and yet cannot spend 30 Billion dollars Over 10 years on children. Also take into account that the Iraqi government is putting forth about 10% of the effort needed to become independent.
And all these feel good stories are in the minority, there are a lot of stories out there about where families have lost their homes due to the father being killed in george’s war. What about those families eh? Mark? Lots of hardships have been caused by george’s war and what about all our soldiers who committed suicide after being in george’s war over there?
“…The world wonders.” Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, World War 2, Pacific Theatre, 1945
9. BARRASSO | March 10th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
So what is the score then? Iraqi children saved by the US armed forces 1, children mistakenly killed by US armed forces 200-300, I have to guess at numbers since we don’t keep accurate track of such things as they are depressing to war boosters like yourself.
10. Obama2008 | March 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
We have liberated about 1,000,000 Iraqis from the burden of their lives.
Psst, Mark….
we have killed 1 million Iraqi civilians.
11. John Ryan | March 10th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
You really think that Iraqis like Americans ???
Try taking a short vacation over there and go on a walking tour.
12. Sunny | March 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Does anyone read Almiranta’s rants? Seriously. Just wondering.
13. BARRASSO | March 10th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Sunny,
No.
14. bozo the neoclown | March 10th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
All courtesy of our tax dollars….YYYIIIPPPPPPEEEEE! Meanwhile, a citizen of this country of the same age and medical condition could be turned away from the same procedure since their parents don’t have health care insurance. Yes Mark, this is TRULY something to celebrate
15. Dennis | March 10th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Almiranta, you say, “The Rabid Left needs to believe that we are universally hated because we are so inherently bad.”
Hey - the US incarcerates more of our own population than any other civilized nation - that MUST mean we are inherently bad, no? Or is it just that we’re meaner?
And the GOP is always trying to be tougher on crime and criminalize still more kinds of behavior, like abortion and such - so they must think Americans are even worse people than liberals do.
Plus they want firearms to be freely available for whenever the law isn’t sufficient to the task of defending them from evildoers. From its priorities one might argue that the GOP obviously has a very low opinion of inherent human goodness.
16. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
“who we beat up on and then scold when they retaliate”
Who we beat up on?? GFY
“Why are we doing things for Iraqis (ie: free health care) that we don’t do for our own citizens?”
Medicaid? Medicare? Emergency Room treatment?
“why do the overwhelming majority of them want the US out of Iraq asap? ”
The key is - ASAP, they define iy differently than you do. You mean as soon as they can drive out. They mean when its calm.
“I wonder how many “acts of love” the U.S. could produce across the planet if the Peace Corps budget was $12B USD/month.”
Africa loves us for the malaria and AIDS work. But hey, knock yourself out. Did you post from the village PC? Tired from spending a day digging wells?
““…The world wonders.” Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, World War 2, Pacific Theatre, 1945″
The actual phrase in a message to Adm. Halsey used that phrase as padding that was incorrectly not removed from the message. So, um, well just demonstrating your ignorance I guess.
“I have to guess at numbers”
Well there ya go. Can you guess at any of the circumstances? Or do you only make anti-American guesses?
“we have killed 1 million Iraqi civilians.”
Used to be on B4B that you would have to back up a stupid claim like this. Well, it IS a stupid claim and you Obama2008 are one of the stupidest posters here. And that’s saying something.
“Does anyone read” answer - no.
That about sums it up.
“could be turned away”
Or not. I could win the lottery tomorrow. Or start dating that Brazillian super-model. Could be…
“Hey - the US incarcerates more of our own population than any other civilized nation - that MUST mean we are inherently bad, no? Or is it just that we’re meaner?”
We are the third largest population. China, just executes them. And about a third of the population has been made dependent and useless based upon Democrat “welfare” programs designed to buy votes. Thanks for destroying the inner city family.
Almiranta nailed it when she called you rabid.
17. Magnum Serpentine | March 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Khan it was added to the end of Chester Nimitz’s messages.
18. FmrMarine | March 10th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
JD
Prove the cost!
19. jules | March 10th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
This is the best quote from that article:
“I am very thankful for Jarrard, Nadeau, and I consider all the Marines in Haditha father to Amenah, and I will do anything as a return favor for the generosity of the Marines helping my family,” said Fattah.
20. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
No - it was cryptographic padding that should have been removed from the message. It was not part of the message Nimitz sent. Though Halsey thought it was, he was incorrect.
21. jules | March 10th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I am stunned and appalled at the responses by so many here. This little girl needed help and got it. What if it had been your child or family member? Do any of you have a heart, a soul, compassion? Tell me, how is it that you people can sleep peacefully at night? Putting your political positions before the welfare of a child. Shame!
Rana Quijotesca: “Why are we doing things for Iraqis (ie: free health care) that we don’t do for our own citizens?”
You mean the same things (ie: free health care) that we are doing for 12 million illegal immigrants?
22. JD | March 10th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
FmrMarine -
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Iraq-War-Costs.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
23. Mark Noonan | March 10th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
JD,
So, what?
24. Mark Noonan | March 10th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
bozo,
There is a sign up at my doctor’s office - says that the law requires anyone who walks through that door to be given whatever care is necessary and to be transported, regardless of ability to pay, to an appropriate facility for further care as needed.
There is not a single person in the US who cannot immediately obtain medical care of the highest quality.
25. Mark Noonan | March 10th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Almiranta,
Its rather sad the way they are…determined to be hateful at all costs…
26. Rich | March 10th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
“Why are we doing things for Iraqis (ie: free health care) that we don’t do for our own citizens?”
Great question. Now I have one for you. Have you ever been to an emergency room? If so, do you believe that everyone in that room will be paying for their treatment? To the rest of you idiots that can’t get warm fuzzies from the story, please go away. You are not welcome here and seriously, you are just wasting your time. Especially Obama2008. You really are the dumbest of the lot, and you are not doing your candidate any favors.
27. Jonathan | March 11th, 2008 at 1:04 am
#
23. Mark Noonan | March 10th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
JD,
So, what?
You’re right. Who cares if American taxpayers are spending 12 billion on a screwed-up foreign policy adventure? It’s not like we were going to spend that money for anything reasonable?
Idiot. It’s your money that’s going down the toilet as well. Money that could have been invested into rebuilding New Orleans. Or help low-income Americans who have fallen on hard times.
But it’s nice to know that you just don’t give a damn.
28. What? | March 11th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Rich,
The little Iraqi girl did not have to pay for her treatment yet children in our own country have to pay exobinant medical costs. You find nothing wrong with this?
It is not that we deny treatment, it is that we charge so much that it places people in financial hardship. Meanwhile we toss 12bln a month into the fire that is Iraq.
Also, couldn’t we have helped this girl if we did not go to war? That is what Bush has been doing in Africa, providing aid without the war
29. Rich | March 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
“Rich,
The little Iraqi girl did not have to pay for her treatment yet children in our own country have to pay exobinant medical costs.”
Really, children pay their own medical bills? As mentioned before, poor children recieve free medical care in the U.S. if their parents cannot afford it. Even ILLEGAL chidlren. Adults pay for their care when they can, as they have throughout history. many recieve care totally free at taxpayer charge, or gratis when doctors take pity on them and perform services for free. Paying for goods and services is a major pillar of capitalism, read up on it. yes i believe health care is expensive. If you believe this, help get rid of trial lawyer shenanigans and lets make illegals pay their own share or get out. Otherwise stop griping. Anything else you want the government to pay for? Free mortgages? free hotdogs tuesdays? Free beer Sundays?