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DEL.ICIO.USUpdate: Baby Noor leaves Baghdad, arriving in Atlanta Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Baghdad, Iraq — Noor al-Zahra, the baby born with a severe spinal cord defect who was discovered by soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard during a raid, left Baghdad Friday for Atlanta, where she is to receive desperately needed medical care unavailable to her in Iraq.
Cradled in her father Haider’s arms, Noor took off in a C-130 military transport plane from Baghdad’s airport after soldiers of Gainesville-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment bade her farewell at their headquarters at Camp Liberty.
“We are very excited about this trip,” said Soad, 45, Noor’s grandmother, who is accompanying the baby to America. “We are thankful to the people of Georgia.”
The C-130 arrived in Kuwait late Friday afternoon. Noor and her family are expected to arrive in Atlanta on a Delta flight about 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
On Thursday, Soad said she would name her granddaughter Georgia in honor of the people who tried to help Noor.
Born three months ago with spina bifida, Noor has a large growth on her back where her spinal cord did not properly close. She requires immediate surgery to correct the problem.
Iraqi doctors told the family they could do nothing for the baby and that she did not have long to survive. Charlie Company soldiers found the baby during a search of the family home in the slums of Abu Ghraib, just west of Baghdad.
They were determined to help save the life of the frail child.
“Just knowing she’s going to get a chance in life she will never get here gives you a warm feeling,” said Staff Sgt. David Squires, who works for a hearing aid company in Gainesville. “The children of Iraq are the country’s future.”
The soldiers worked with charitable groups, hospitals, lawmakers, U.S. Embassy staff and military officials to shuttle the child out of Iraq a feat that can be difficult given the current violence and political climate in Iraq.
Soad and Haider hid their faces as they walked from Charlie Company headquarters to vehicles waiting to take them to Baghdad’s airport. The family is afraid of retribution if they are publicly associated with the U.S. military. Their full names are being withheld to protect their identities.
As they waited in a VIP tent, they saw themselves on CNN. They watched keenly as Noor’s big brown eyes and wide smile lit up the screen.
Soad picked up her mobile phone and called home one last time to speak to Noor’s mother, Iman. The traditional Muslim family decided it would be improper for Iman, only 18, to make the trip with her baby.
Iman said she was happy to have seen her baby one more time, even though it was on television.
Air Force Capt. Robert Farkas carefully pared down a pair of neon green earplugs so that they would fit in Noor’s tiny ears.
“There’s something unique going on here every day,” Farkas joked about his unusual assignment.
Curious soldiers came in and out of the tent to catch a glimpse of the baby who has captured a host of military hearts. Soad and Haider munched on fried shrimp nuggets while cameras clicked constantly on Noor’s face.
Then at 3 in the afternoon, it was finally time to go.
After weeks of negotiations and diplomatic wrangling, Noor and her guardians boarded the Air Force plane waiting to fly them to Kuwait. From there, the family will be flown on commercial jets first to Amsterdam and then to Atlanta.
They are scheduled to arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Saturday afternoon.
“This is a very special day,” Soad said. “We are very happy.”
Noor slept during the almost two-hour flight to Kuwait’s Ali Al-Salim Air Base. Soad and Haider, who had never flown on a plane before, peered out the small windows to get an aerial view of their homeland.
It’s unsure how normal a life Noor will be able to lead even if the surgery in Atlanta goes well. But the Georgia soldiers were determined to give the baby a chance.
“It’s nice to see something we started come to a final result,” said Pfc. Justin Donnelly, a 19-year-old Charlie Company medic from Owego, N.Y., who first took the photos of Noor three weeks ago that started the ball rolling. “It’s a pretty good feeling for us today.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By ra
December 30, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this
Hey Luckovich, have you read this? Why, indeed.
By lynn d
December 30, 2005 10:02 AM | Link to this
Is there anyone arranging things that the family might need once they are here?
By A
December 30, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this
We are so proud of our GA soldiers for helping this baby girl. Seeing these photos of that precious baby helps confirm that we are doing the right thing over there. Maybe someday, because of what our guys are doing over there, these medical procedures will be available to all of the children in Iraq. Bless and keep this family safe-they have taken the chance for this child to have every possible chance at a great life!
By dg
December 30, 2005 10:18 AM | Link to this
How did Baby Noor and her family get into this country legally? Is taxpayer money paying for their transportation and medical expenses? Will baby Noor and her family be required to leave the U.S. after the surgery?
By paul02085
December 30, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this
I am so proud of our soldiers and our country. The U.S is a nation of compassion and i am proud to be a citizen of this great country. And thank you so much to our brave men and women in the military for showing people of other lands that we care about them.
By BGF
December 30, 2005 10:35 AM | Link to this
It is heart warming and causes me great pride that our soldiers and our country is trying to help this family and this little innocent child. If taxpayer money is being used, I consider it a better use of taxpayer money than we usually see! As for whether they are coming here legally, who cares, surely humanitarian concerns out weigh the legal considerations, she is an innocent child for goodness sake!
By Carolyn Krigline
December 30, 2005 10:57 AM | Link to this
What an amazing gift for this child! I am so increidbly proud of our soliders who would go out of their way to make this possible for her! This is such an amazing reminder of how priviledged we are to be Americans. Our troops are amazing and I am so thankful for them!
By AS
December 30, 2005 11:34 AM | Link to this
Another great testament to how wonderful our country is. Thank you brave men and women of our military for your compassion at the same time you face such tyranny and hostilities.
By Karen
December 30, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this
I just want to say how very proud I am of our troops! This is the real way to make a change in the way the rest of the world sees America!!! How can anyone find fault with this kind of compassion? I will pray for success of her operation and for the well being of our wonderful troops. Hopefully, there will be a miracle and little Noor will be able to live a normal life.
By Debbie
December 30, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this
I am very proud what of what the soldiers did for that family, at least baby Noor will get a chance in life that she might have never got before….. Who cares who paid for it at least she is getting a chance to live a life now.
By rss
December 30, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this
In response to dg’s comment/questions: Even if it is taxpayer’s money paying for transportation of this child, it is considered “goodwill to others” and helping mankind in general, kind of like when the taxpayer’s money helped after the Tsunami and helped after Katrina. It is a child in need and the soldiers have done a wonderful job in helping this child get to a place where she can get the help she needs and thrive. If you followed the stories and updates regarding this process, you would have noted that the father and the grandmother, along with the baby, went through the process of being allowed visas to enter the country for this time and whether are not they will be required to leave, I do not know, but I suspect that they will want to leave to go back to where their homeland is and the baby’s mother is still residing.
Thank you Georgia Soldiers and all that have been involved in showing kindness and goodwill toward men (and babies too). You have made me very proud.
God Bless You Baby Nora (Georgia). We pray that you surprise everyone with great progress and recovery!
By Marie
December 30, 2005 12:26 PM | Link to this
dg, Are you here legally and do you pay your taxes? Will you be required to leave the US after your stupid comment?
By trista
December 30, 2005 12:29 PM | Link to this
god bless our troops and especially the ones who found this beautiful baby and giving her a chance at a normal life, it does make me proud to be an american, all the troops there are doing a wonderful job and thank yall for protecting us and helping the iraqi people.
By Taxpayer's money - who cares?
December 30, 2005 12:30 PM | Link to this
According to what I have read the US issued this family a VISA. If memory serves correctly a VISA is tempoorary. That means they will return to Iraq - that’s where their family is and probably where they will want to be. I pray they take a healthy baby home with them. God bless our wonderful military and let Noor survive her ordeals and live a good life in Iraq. God bless the hospital, the doctor and all others involved in donating their time this operation. It isn’t taxpayer’s money footing the bill - it is the love for a child in the hearts of professionals who will do their job without monetary compensation. When you care for the ‘littlest’ you show your love for Jesus.
IF you care to donate to help defray the cost of care for the family while they are in Georgia you can visit the website of the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Douglasville, GA:
http://www.sothumc.net/Lifeover/index.cfm?pageType=Home
You can follow this story from the beginning by reading the previous blogs on the 48th Goes to War. They began on Dec 22.
To our heroes - the Troops = only 5 more months and then we can welcome you home with love and open arms. Those we know and those we don’t but have ‘adopted’ as Georgian’s own. Our American heroes!! Thank you for your service. Keep up the good work and stay safe. God bless each of you.
By Leslie Long
December 30, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this
Tell us what is needed when they get here - how can we help???
By WOW
December 30, 2005 01:24 PM | Link to this
WOW…what a heartwarming article this was. It reminds all of us how wonderful we have it here in the good ole USA!! I dare anyone to say anything about our country….we are the most generous nation there is out there. Does it really matter if taxpayer dollars paid for this trip?? So many people have given their hearts for this little girl. Our soldiers are so wonderful and being able to help this little girl is definitely a morale booster!!
By Saanya
December 30, 2005 01:29 PM | Link to this
I am very proud of our troops and Glad that i live in this Country. Who cares who paid for it, if its my tax money who cares. Atleast for once are taxes are going to right place.
By Mike & Kathy
December 30, 2005 01:29 PM | Link to this
God Bless our Troops and the USA. We are so proud of our military and their compassion for others. These are the type of miracles those opposing our troops being over there need to see. We would like to know if the family needs help in anyway. Does baby Noor need any clothing, etc. Please let us know.
By chg
December 30, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this
I’m sure taxpayer money is being spent on this, and I can think of no better way to spend our money than in an attempt to save a child’s life.
By Brenda
December 30, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this
for “dg” How in the world could you question how the flight and care of this precious little girl is being cared for…apparently you haven’t been keeping up with the articles one little bit!! I am proud of the soldiers who have risked their lives day in and day out fighting for our country and at the same time, finding and making time to take supplies to the family of this adorable little girl!!!
By Vera
December 30, 2005 02:02 PM | Link to this
That’s a lovely and heart-warming story, but what about the other tens of thousands of Iraqi children and babies suffering from equally painful and life-threatening malformations and lethal diseases, mostly due to the US’ and the UK’s use of tens of thousands of tons of depleted uranium in Iraq, both from 1991 and since 2003, and for whom the vital medical attention and treatments simply don’t exist in Iraq?
By Priscilla
December 30, 2005 02:18 PM | Link to this
We mothers of Soldiers in Iraq are proud of what they are doing to keep peace over abroad and here at home. We pray for the safe return of our loved ones. We listen everyday to what people say about this war and at times we may no always agree what they say but, we know that this has to be done. I feel that the Soldier of the 48th Brigade from Georgia was sent over there to help in the saftey of the Iraq people so that all the soldiers can do just that return home to there loved ones. May God Bless all the Soldiers in Iraq and there families here on the homefront. I feel that the President has been rediculed and talked down in so many things but when it comes right down to the truth if they had to do it all over again they would agree with the things he has done.
By Heather
December 30, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this
I am so proud of our troops! Not only do they risk their lives to save this country and the people in it they also try and save the life of a little baby! God Bless Our Troops and everyone else who is helping this Baby. I pray all is well and Baby Noor is safe.
By Pat
December 30, 2005 02:34 PM | Link to this
I think saving a child life is very important no matter where the child is from. I am proud that I have a Soldier in the 48th Brigade that has done just that. The Children of those countries in this war were not asked to be born. They did not asked to be brought into a world of fighting and violance, and where people cannot put aside there differences and get along. Maybe one day the Presidents and Senators of this world will learn what we teach our Children, to play and get along well with others. We have family fighting to save childrens lives when they are children themselves. We should not find reasons to fight just to get what we want. We should learn how to comprimise and solve problems without violance.
By Kim
December 30, 2005 02:46 PM | Link to this
To all of our brave men and women that made this trip possible for baby “Georgia” I want you all to know that you have passed this baby into the most capable and loving hands in the world. We are your family and friends here at home and every day we are eager to do what we can to help in this great task that you have taken on, so we will embrace baby “Georgia” and love her and keep her until she is returned a happy & healthy baby, to the safe and happy home you are all working so hard to provide. God bless you and keep you until your safe return home.
By Coop
December 30, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this
Thanks to AJC for this story. There is also news of 4 Iraqi children having heart surgery in NYC recently. And, a front-line story of our soldier’s compassion in Iraq (“A New Set of Wheels”) at the soldier’s blog:
http://thunder6.typepad.com/365arabiannights/2005/11/newsetof_whee.html
Proud to be an American? You bet!
By kathie
December 30, 2005 03:15 PM | Link to this
WOW…I write this with tears in my eyes. I think a higher power had his hands on this child to bring her the courageous soilders… God bless them & her..She will be in my thoughts & prayers…
By RLP
December 30, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this
I agree with dg…and yes i am legal and do pay taxes!!!!
By tia
December 30, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this
im am so happy they are bringing that baby here for help and ssg.clark is my daddy and im so proud of him cuz he is takin care of that baby like it is his.Daddy if you see this i love you
By mamatat
December 30, 2005 04:55 PM | Link to this
As the parent of a toddler with Spina Bifida, I can only send my thanks to everyone who has helped this family so far: let us not forget how much assistance they’ll continue to need for little Noor/Georgia’s lifetime.
If there’s any way I can get in touch with thhe family or hospital, I’d love to, and would love to send her a handmade blanket as a reminder that there are many families (1 in 1000) like theirs, and that each child deserves what their child was blessed with receiving: the best life possible.
This shows just how dire the need is for medical treatments and technologies in Iraq; even just 30 years ago here in the U.S., many of these kids would have been given the same ‘death diagnosis’ this girl was.
It’s good to see more miracles happen!
(This will surely be on my blog very very soon, and I’ll continue to follow it there, too: http://blog.myspace.com/mamatat/
By Mike
December 30, 2005 05:13 PM | Link to this
This story is very special to me as I am a 27 yr old with Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida and also a former patient of Dr. Hudgins. Although Dr. Hudgins did not close my back at birth he did perform several of my surgeries. Baby Noor is in very good hands with him and his team. When I first read the article at work yesterday it took everything I had to hold back my tears and even then I still cried. My prayers are with Baby Noor, her family, Dr. Roger Hudgins and his team.
By PFC Justin Donnelly
December 30, 2005 05:15 PM | Link to this
To all the loving people who support our cause. I am so glad to see that there are so many people back home that possess an overwhelming amount of kindness. I appreciate your willingness and eagerness to help baby Noor. I thank God that I was attached to the Georgia National Guard as a medic and given the opportunity to help this little girl. To “dg”, I saddens me greatly that there are people who place a higher value on money than an innocent child’s life. I would like to let you know that if it isn’t legal, I think that our government, who buy the way approved of all this and has been working on it for the past three weeks, would know and wouldn’t allow it. Once again I thank the people who support us in all that we do.
By Kat Orr
December 30, 2005 06:53 PM | Link to this
YIPPEE!!!!! GOOD JOB Y’ALL!!!!! :-)
By Rickey
December 30, 2005 07:51 PM | Link to this
To PFC Donnelly and all the soldiers of the Georgia 48th: God Bless You and keep you safe. Thank you for giving us at home some extra special Christmas Cheer.
God Bless little baby Noor and her courageous family.
God Bless all the doctors, nurses, church folks, and the gov’t officials who cut through all the red tape to make this possible. And finally God Bless the USA! Indeed,the most passionate country in the world!
By ahinds
December 30, 2005 08:03 PM | Link to this
As heartwarming as this story may be. Is one story about people in that country that have been affected by U.S. gunfire followed-up as to their wellbeing? I haven’t seen one.Why do I feel spinned?
By Marie
December 30, 2005 08:59 PM | Link to this
Gosh I get so mad at the people that say negative things that I just have to say to the soldiers that made this happen….WAY TO GO GUYS !!!!!! You do us all PROUD !!!
By LT Jeff Morgan
December 31, 2005 04:30 AM | Link to this
Dear fellow Georgians, I am taking this opportunity to say “Thank You” to the many organizations and individuals that made Baby Noors trip possible. When I started trying to get this child some help, I never dreamed that so many people would step up to assist.
Senator Chambliss and Ambassador Khalilzad were key in making the government processes smooth. They are excellent representatives of the American people.
Children’s Health Care, ChildSpring, LifeOver, Delta Airlines and countless individuals have contributed to make this possible.
Dr. Hudgins has donated his services to this child. Doctor, thanks for passing on Gods blessing to this young girl and her family. You are in our prayers.
America is still the best nation ever created. I am concerned though when our focus shifts from humans to money. The human factor in war should weigh heavy in all our decisions. Once we leave Iraq, we will leave a lasting impression the Iraqi people. How better to ensure that we, or our children, will not have to return to fight again, than by establishing solid “human” ties to the Iraqi people.
Like so many of my fellow soldiers, I am proud to call Georgia my home, and the people of Georgia “family”. It has been an honor to serve with the fine soldiers of C Company, and the 48th BDE.
By JessN
December 31, 2005 07:40 AM | Link to this
Are there places where we can send donations for the family and their needs while in the US? I would love to have this information for my blog, as I am writing about Baby Noor, and I’m sure some of my local readers would be interested to have this information.
Jess http://journals.aol.com/aurielalata/CIWTheOtherInvisible
By Lynda
December 31, 2005 09:40 AM | Link to this
I think this is a wonderful thing our country is doing for this child. No child should be left without medical attention. Thanks to our military for all they are doing for our country. Happy New Year, and come home soon. Your the best.
By Sheryl
December 31, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this
It’s wonderful to hear such a heartwarming story about the Georgia Army National Guardsmen in Iraq who gave little 3-month old Noor a second chance on life. What a beautiful act of kindness. I’m so proud of all our US troops who make sacrifices for us every day. May God watch over our US soldiers and bring them back home safely & soon.
By lynn d
December 31, 2005 10:44 AM | Link to this
I have to say that while I don’t always agree with the policies of this administration — I do believe that the way to “win friends and influence people” is by acts like this. It could be members of this child’s extended family that are future leaders of Iraq.
I am very proud of the soldiers of the 48th. They are giving this baby a shot at life — and it is truly heartwarming how much these young men and women persevered for a child in need. Your parents obviously raised you right. Again, I am so proud.
Blessings to the baby and a safe and speedy return home to the wonderful men and women of the 48th.
Happy New Year.
By Hayley
January 1, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this
Baby Noor your a beautiful little baby girl!You will go on to lead a full and normal life with just a few setbacks along the way.You will be in great hands and given the best care. I have been following your story since seeing it on CNN. Me and my family and friends will continue to follow you through your stay in the States. I am a 13 year old girl with Spina Bifida and do very well! Best of Luck we are all rooting for you. Hayley
By Katie
January 3, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
As an employee of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, I am especially proud of the work we do providing medical help for our children. We have remarkable staff that care for not only patients, but their families as well. I am so deeply touched by the military in Iraq that have facilitated Noor’s visit to Atlanta to get her the help she desperately needs. My prayers are with you and hoping for your safe return. My thoughts are with this family and Noor’s recovery.