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DEL.ICIO.USCelebrity welcome for Baby Noor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
W.A. Bridges Jr./AJC
Baby Noor and grandmother get plenty of media attention Saturday. • MORE PHOTOS
“Baby from Iraq.”
“Iraqi baby.”
“Sick baby from Iraq.”
The news photographer had staked out a front-row spot in the line of media awaiting Baby Noor at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Saturday afternoon. Now she bore the brunt of the public’s questions.
Who’s coming? asked the travelers, looking warily into the lenses of seven TV cameras before continuing toward baggage claim. A few smiled nervously or reached up to fix their hair.
But the cameramen weren’t there for holiday airport atmosphere. They wanted the money shot: Baby Noor’s grand entrance into the United States, with her father and grandmother.
Soldiers with a Georgia-based unit discovered Noor during a raid in Abu Ghraib and helped arrange her flight to Atlanta, where she will receive treatment for spina bifida. A doctor at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta agreed to perform surgery for free. Her story is now national news.
“What’s all the commotion?” asked Carlos Cuesta, 32, who was about to board a flight home to Miami.
A reporter explained Noor’s plight. Cuesta’s friend Douglas Longhini said he’d heard about the baby.
“We’re disabled, so that’s dear to our hearts,” Cuesta said, adding that he and Longhini have cerebral palsy.
Not all were as enthusiastic.
A man named Mohammad, who declined to give his last name, said the uproar over Noor didn’t make sense.
“People get killed over there every day,” he said. “What’s the big deal about a 3-month-old baby?”
About 3:30 p.m., word came that Noor had landed. More waiting followed as the family wound through customs and immigration.
The eager crowd included members of the church that one of the National Guardsmen who found Noor, Lt. Jeff Morgan, belongs to. Morgan asked the church for help in coordinating Noor’s journey.
“For us to see it culminate fully is a really wonderful thing,” said Adam Roberts, pastor of Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Douglasville. “We feel very attached to baby Noor.”
Shortly after 4 p.m., the waiting ended.
“They’re coming,” said an airport spokeswoman.
Applause broke out. The entourage approached.
The family hosting Noor, her grandmother and father greeted them with roses. They peered into the eyes of the baby who had brought together strangers from across the ocean.
Orbiting Noor like crazed satellites, cameramen and reporters moved with the group toward the door.
The baby, dressed in an orange sweatsuit, picked her head up from her grandmother’s shoulder. She watched the microphone boom floating above her.
Open-mouthed and alert, she looked curious, then bewildered, then borderline fussy. But she didn’t cry.
Her grandmother, wearing a black robe, lifted her into an ambulance waiting to take her to the hospital for evaluation. At 4:25, it pulled from the curb.
News of Noor’s progress will come largely from the hospital, spokesman Kevin McClellan told the media before the plane landed. The baby’s family will decide how much information is released.
Updates could be as meager as “good, fair, serious or critical.”
The host family has asked to remain anonymous, McClellan said.
“Please respect their privacy,” he told reporters.
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By David
December 31, 2005 11:19 PM | Link to this
I do hope Mohammad’s plane left on time.
A man named Mohammad, who declined to give his last name, said the uproar over Noor didn’t make sense.
“People get killed over there every day,� he said. “What’s the big deal about a 3-month-old baby?�
By AD
January 1, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
The last quote from ‘Mohammad’ says it all. That 3 month old baby has more of a future than you do Mohammad.
By Spc Callaway
January 2, 2006 07:20 AM | Link to this
This message is for Mohammed. I am in C Co 1-121 In. We patrol everyday for the last 8 months. When our medic found Noor it was a gift from God to our Company. If we accomplished nothing else we hopefully took place in saving that precious baby’s life. On your remark about people dying over here everyday, yes it happens. Most of the are insurgents and if not they are being killed by the insurgents. People back home need to understand that this war is not about killing, but about helping. We are here to free an oppressed people and now we are trying to help them get on their feet. WE as soldiers need all the support we can get. Keep all of us in your prayers. Thanks, Jared
By Our American Military
January 2, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
To all American military everywhere: I admire you, thank you and pray for your safety and well being every day. May God bless each of you no matter from which state you come nor where your duty station is or will be in the future - you are the protectors of America. Our military has always been our guardians of freedom and now, in Iraq, are working at extending that freedom to people who have know oppression.
While they protect America’s freedom they work at securing freedom for others. I pray that someday we shall all have freedom and know peace.
By Craig
January 2, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Spc Callaway….Jared….Don’t let the media BS get you down. Most of us here support you guys 100 percent. I makes me proud to be represented by Americans like those in your unit. If there’s anything that your unit needs over there, post back and those of us lucky enough to be here will see it gets done. Stay safe…Craig
By jen mcintyre
January 2, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
Jared, MY family and I thank you for all that you are doing, we believe in you and know that with valiant heroes like your company our country will be safe, and those in the countries you are sent to will recieve hope-Jen
By Jenni
January 3, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
SPC. Callaway…are you Amber’s cousin? If you are, I work with her and we have been talking about you. I am 1LT. Morgan’s girlfriend. I am so proud of what you guys accomplished. I wish that somehow I could give each and every one of you a hug and a pat on the back!!!!! Thank you for your service and your contributions to this wonderful cause and all the other causes that I have or have not seen and heard about from Jeff. Also, I am so blessed to have been at the airport to see her arrival! Thank all of you for that!
Keep up the GREAT work and keep your head down! GOD BLESS YOU!
Jenni Gerard