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Story from Iraq

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DeTwang
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 268 Shingletown, Ca. (Near Redding)
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2005-02-21          106527


This is an e-mail a friend of mines father passed on.I'm assuming it's from a direct friend of his, since it was adressed to him. So, it's probably legit. Sounds reasonably believable anyways.
_______________________

Subject: A child and her bear


WHY CANT OUR MEDIA COVER STORIES LIKE THIS????- - -


This is a neat story...a true one that shows it's not
all in vain!!

Subject: short story from Iraq



As you know, I asked for toys for the Iraqi children
over here and several people (Americans that support us) sent them over by the box.

On each patrol we take through the city, we take as
many toys as will fit in our pockets and hand them out as we can. The kids take the toys and run to show them off as if they were worth a million bucks.

We are as friendly as we can be to everyone we see, but especially so with the kids. Most of them don't have any idea what is going on and are completely innocent in all of this.

On one such patrol, our lead security vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. This is not normal and is very unsafe, so the following vehicles began to inquire over the radio. The lead vehicle reported a little girl sitting in the road and said she just would not budge. The command vehicle told the lead to simply go around her and to be kind as they did.

The street was wide enough to allow this maneuver and so they waved to her as they drove around.

As the vehicles went around her, I soon saw her sitting there and in her arms she was clutching a little bear that we had handed her a few patrols back. Feeling an immediate connection to the girl, I radioed that we were going to stop. The rest of the convoy paused and I got out the make sure she was OK. The little girl looked scared and concerned, but there was a warmth in her eyes toward me. As I knelt down to talk to her, she moved over and pointed to a mine in the road.

Immediately a cordon was set as the Marine convoy
assumed a defensive posture around the site. The mine was destroyed in place.

It was the heart of an American that sent that toy. It was the heart of an American that gave that toy to that little girl.

It was the heart of an American that protected that convoy from that mine.

Sure, she was a little Iraqi girl and she had no knowledge of purple mountain's majesty or fruited plains. It was a heart of acceptance, of tolerance, of peace and grace, even through the inconveniences of conflict that saved that convoy from hitting that mine. Those attributes are what keep Americans' hearts beating. She may have no affiliation at all with the United States, but she knows what it is to be brave and if we can continue to support her and her new government, she will know what it is to be free. Isn't that what Americans are, the free and the brave?

If you sent over a toy or a Marine (US Service member) you took part in this. You are a reason that Iraq has to believe in a better future.Thank you so much for supporting us and for supporting our cause over here.

Semper Fi,

Mark J. Francis

GySgt / USMC




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Story from Iraq

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cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-10-22          118291


Just saw your story, thanks for posting it. ....


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Story from Iraq

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oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1490 south central pa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2005-10-23          118322


Very good story. ....


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