AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHours drag for mother left behind
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Curtis Compton/AJC
Neurosurgeon Dr. Roger Hudgins bonds with Baby Noor at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Abu Ghraib, Iraq — Tears rolled down Iman’s cheeks, her gaze fixed on a reporter’s computer screen that lit up one corner of the dark living room. In front of her were images of the baby she gave birth to three months ago.
Now, almost 8,000 miles separate the young mother and her first-born child, who was flown to Atlanta for treatment of a life-threatening spinal cord defect.
Iman had treasured the tiny girl that doctors in Iraq said would not survive long. She had never imagined she would be separated from her except in death.
Noor al-Zahra, the Iraqi baby discovered by soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team during a raid last month, arrived in Atlanta on Saturday for desperately needed medical care.
Since then, the family home in Abu Ghraib has fallen silent.
Iman said the entire family was grateful to the soldiers who made possible Noor’s treatment. But for Iman, the days are achingly slow; the nights long, lonely and often sleepless from worry.
“I am her mother and I am not with her,” Iman said, her eyes locked on photographs of Noor in her arms and of Noor at Baghdad’s Camp Liberty, on the plane to Atlanta and finally at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
“I wanted so much to go with her to Georgia,” Iman said. Only two adults could be flown out of Iraq with “Baby Nora,” as soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment’s Charlie Company came to call her.
The family decided that Noor’s grandmother, Soad, the matriarch of the family would go along with Haider, the baby’s father. It is customary in more traditional Iraqi households for male relatives to accompany women when they travel.
“I miss everything about her,” Iman said through an interpreter as she wiped her face with a black head scarf. “I miss holding her. I miss her tears. Most of all, I miss her smiles.”
Soad’s sister, Sajda, said she thinks of Noor every time her cellphone rings. The phone’s ringtone is a familiar Arabic melody that mesmerized the baby. When Sajda’s phone rang, Noor would stop crying and smile.
“Our house is empty,” Sajda said.
Noor’s family crammed around the computerized slide show of Noor. Iman clutched the laptop, asking if the photographs could be shown over and over again.
Soad’s daughter Zainab pulled out a camera phone and clicked away at the pictures on the screen. It was the only way for the family to have copies — they don’t have a computer on which to view a photo CD. “When will my baby have her operation?” Iman asked. “When will she come back to me? In two weeks? How many weeks?
“I want everyone to know I love her,” Iman said. “I hope she gets better very soon. I am very happy she is getting treatment. But I am very sad that I cannot see her.”
Doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta have tentatively scheduled Noor’s surgery Monday.
Dr. Roger Hudgins, lead neurosurgeon at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, examined Noor on Tuesday and found her in shape for surgery next week, the hospital said in a statement.
Noor was discharged later Tuesday and will stay with her father and grandmother at the home of an Atlanta host family, until she returns to the hospital for the operation.
During the surgery, Hudgins plans to place the spinal cord down the center of Noor’s back and cover it with muscle and tissue.
It is too early to tell how long Noor and her guardians would have to stay in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued them six-month visas.
Tuesday night, Charlie Company soldiers returned a bag full of Soad’s belongings that she could not take with her when she left for the United States.
First Lt. Jeff Moran, a full-time Guard soldier from Ball Ground, asked Khalaf, Noor’s grandfather, if the family felt its security had been jeopardized. Many Iraqis live in fear of being targeted by insurgents if they are publicly identified as sympathetic to Americans. The full identities of Noor’s family members have been withheld in this report for their protection.
Khalaf said the family is doing fine, even though he said, “everyone here knows about it now.”
Iraqis have been able to watch Noor’s story unfold on CNN and Fox News Channel, both of which have shown footage of the family and interviewed Georgia soldiers and the doctors who examined Noor here.
“I am concerned about their security,” Moran told the interpreter to explain to Khalaf. “And is it OK for us to come back?”
Khalaf said the soldiers were welcome anytime.
“We are very appreciative of what the Americans are doing,” he said. Khalaf said it had been difficult to run the household without Soad and Haider. Soad and her sons run a small grocery shop in the Abu Ghraib market.
“It’s not easy to not have my whole family here,” Khalaf said. “But we will go through any hardship for Noor.”
Staff writer Mark Bixler in Atlanta and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By What about our Soliders?
January 3, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
Wow, another story on baby Noor and her poor mother, that was left in Iraq.. OKay, I may sound hatefull here, but our soliders had to leave us and we can barely hear from them at times. We thought that by having reports go with our soliders, that we would be able to see and read stories of them.. Guess the ajc got tried of doing the job they were sent to do. Now we get to read about an Iraq mother missing a baby that she chose to let go without her. We didn’t have a choice in our soliders going. My comment probably won’t be posted again, since I have replys for several days now, on stories and nothing seems to be posted.. Guess I have voiced my oppion too loudly, even though I have said the truth in alot of these issues.. Yes, I am sadden for this baby and her family. But what about us- our soliders. What about the soliders we have lost. What about the other children there, that has nothing.. Please help us out, by getting back to why you all are sent to Iraq.. I think it is to report on our soliders—the soliders of the 48th..
By me me me me
January 4, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
Why does it always have to be about “me”? This is a great story and I for one am greatful for what Lt. Morgan and the rest of the 1/121 have done for this baby and her family.
Its nice to get a change of venue every once in a while.
Let the media bask in this great and wonderful news story. Maybe they will quit reporting that this war is unwinnable.
By Me Too!
January 4, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
I also have a family member with the 48th, but I seldom read the blog anymore because of the downright embarrassing way that some family members have written here. I don’t know how they got a brave & courageous soldier in their family with them being such whiners! Kudos to the AJC for any information they can give us from Iraq. And - it is about our soldiers. They’re the ones that had the hearts to try and help this precious baby. Thoughts and prayers with all of our militiary heroes….
By Paulina
January 4, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Noor has the chance at life, why be grudge her that - the soldiers are there, they are doing their jobs, and from what I have read and seen, they are thrilled that Noor can get help here. maybe this incident will win one insurgent over and that is one less to worry about for our brave men and women over in the Middle East, one less to plant a roadside bomb, or fire a mortar at our brave brave soldiers away from home. This is what war is about - the helplessness of the people and how this helplessness can be turned around by the removal of a dictator like Hussain. Freedom comes at a price, but freedom at any price should be worth it… Yes I am a military spouse and I support whole heartedly the soldiers over in the Middle East and Noor’s chance at life.
By Debby
January 4, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with the last comment. It was so wonderful seeing something good happen on ajc instead of hearing about how so many of our soldiers are getting killed in iraqi . Yes there has been alot of good men and women killed in iraqi and i was really getting tired of seeing it everywhere i looked (getting sick to my stomach). So the wonderful new on noor was a great change to see. Dont get me wrong i love and pray for every soldier there and may God keep them safe until they come home. But a change on ajc was a wonderful change . But again dont let us forget why ajc is there to report on the war.I think ajc is doing a Great Job on covering noor and the 48th.But also in my own thoughts 48th is not the only soldier’s there. we have troops from our home town that we never see or hear anything about and its starting to upset me. THEY ARE SOLDIERS TOO.
By Lisa Bulis
January 4, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
I think that we all need to have a human interest that shows our soliders are not monsters. I think it is wonderful that we have people out there who is willing to go the extra distance to help someone in need.
By REGINA
January 4, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
FOR ALL YOU OUT THERE WITH THE SAD COMMENTS ABOUT THIS STORY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A REPORTER HAS REPORTED ANYTHING ON OUR UNIT. I AM VERY PROUD MOTHER OF MY SOLDIER WHO’S WITH THE 1/121. MY VERY THANKFUL THAT MY SON HAS A VERY CARING HEART. HE THINKS OF OTHER PEOPLE. SGT. SPEEGLE AND ALL THE SOLDIERS OF THIS UNIT KEEP UP THE GOOD DEED’S, AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED IN GOD’S HEART. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL THE SOLDIERS. A VERY PROUD MILITARY MOM
By Delores
January 4, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
Debby, let’s just brush all those deaths under the rug and forget about them since it makes you so sick. Let’s only have happy stories appear in this blog from now on. Whatever you do, don’t check iraqcasualties.org because then you would really be sick when you see more names added daily. I have enjoyed the articles about Baby Noor. I hope she does well and I have nothing but praise for the soldiers whose compassion is responsible for getting her here for treatment. However, I think it’s time to move on and return to reporting on other soldiers in the brigade. By the way, Debby, this blog is for the 48th brigade. The Atlanta Journal pays the salaries of the reporters and photographers to report on the 48th. Maybe you should check with your hometown newspaper and see if they have imbedded a reporter with your local troops. And me, too and me me me, call me a whiner if you want to. Time will tell. I do have a brave soldier regardless of my whining. Since the American citizens have been given various and everchanging reasons for this war, it does make me wonder why we’re there in the first place.
By Jenny
January 4, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
When my husband was over there, there was no reporter with him. The only information I had about where he was and what he was going through came from the few phone calls and letters I got. Some family members need to get a reality check and see how good they have things with these AJC reports. I am enjoying the articles about Baby Noor! Yes, she is just one of thousands of Iraqi kids who need medical help, but she is at least getting it - thanks to our wonderful soldiers! I’m proud of you guys! We need more stories like these to show the world that not only does America have strength, but also compassion. Keep up the good work!
By WOW
January 4, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Its amazing the things people say on here. Now I know why my husband has stopped reading the blog. I think someone should report on Baby Noor and another reporter report on our troops. Baby Noor is here now and is getting the best treatment the US has to offer and I would like to follow her progress. Even if this ONE Iraqi family sees the kindness the US has then we are doing the job we set out to do. Free the Iraqi nation from a dictator. I’m sorry “What about our Soldier” is so bitter on the human interest story. I read your post and I was appalled that someone could feel this way. Our soldiers have had a morale booster with Baby Noor. Thank you guys for giving our country a good name*
By Lisa
January 4, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this
I’m happy to hear some “good news” from Iraq and my hats off to the members of the 48th and others.
It’s still hard for me to fathom a mom not going with her baby to a foreign country for life-saving surgery. Yes, I read the comment: “The family decided that Noor’s grandmother, Soad, the matriarch of the family would go along with Haider, the baby’s father. It is customary in more traditional Iraqi households for male relatives to accompany women when they travel.” but even though the custom is for a male to accompany them, I still think the baby’s mom should have gone.
hopefully the surgery will go well for this child. hopefully the attention that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is receiving will remind all of us that there are many, more children right here in our own country that are ill and need help.
By Debby
January 4, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this
Dear Delores, i have been to the website u talked about above.I am keeping up on the war just as much as anyone else is a matter of fact i am doing a book for my child . So i am aware of all the deaths and my heart goes out to each and everyone of there familys.As for the website here i was told by a friend that has a son in iraq that this is where i can go to get info on them i was just stating that i have never seen anything on them yet.(no dispect to anyone whats so ever) and i am also glad that noor is getting the help that she needs and thankful for the soldiers who found her.
By anonymous
January 4, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
I am glad for the happy stories coming out of Iraq. The people of Iraq and most of the middle east do not have the opportunities we have here in the states. I am proud that our troops helped others rather than feeling sorry for themselves. Yes, there have been many sacrifices but that is what the men signed up to do. I will continue to support and pray for these soldiers no matter what the story is. Try and be a soldier yourself and you will long for stories like this…
By Michelle from Gainesville, Ga
January 4, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% with Delores!!! Sorry Debby you don’t “approve” of us talking so much about our proud 48th Brigade for which this blog is for but in this hard war it is refreshing to hear and see that among all the death and saddness which we should hear and see that our men and women are making a huge difference EVERY time they go out on patrol over there. I am VERY proud of my Gainesville based soldier that is over there defending my country and my rights of freedom!! God Bless ALL of them over there and I believe we should do what we can over here to help keep them positive and help boost their spirits and moral.
By Delores
January 5, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this
Debby, Maybe I misunderstood you. Is your soldier a member of the 48th brigade? What unit is he in, from what town? If you post a comment asking the reporter to do an article on his unit and they are part of the 48th maybe she will. I’ve seen it happen before.
By Debby
January 5, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
Michelle, I never said I didnt approve of all the talk about the 48th,I am also proud of them and what they are doing for noor and her family.I did state that it was nice to see something on her wonderful for a change except talking about all the deaths of the troops all the time.Like I said (no disrecpect) to anyone on here i think all the service men and women are doing a wonderful job and i wish them all safety until there return. I was just wondering why i havent seen anything on our soldiers here at home but i keep being told this is for the 48th well then so be it im happy for all of u to have this to write your thoughts down.I was just told i could find info here as well because i troops here went to geroiga for there training that was all i was stating and i get hit by everyone for my comment. I JUST ASKED A QUESTION? sorry if i offend anyone by no means did i mean for that to happen. thanks
By Michelle from Gainesville, Ga
January 5, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
Debby, I too apologize if I came across as being somewhat mean. I understand your point and also that you were just asking a question. I wish I had more info on where you may could find info on the soldiers from your area. You may could try calling some of the local radio stations I know we have WDUN 55o here and they are really good about reporting. You are so right that it was good to about Baby Noor and that there is so much positive that is going on I mean there is even an amusement park over there now that our military helped with. I think in the long run we all are just wanting to see all our men and women come home safe and speaking just for myself I do find myself sometimes taking things the wrong way and snapping at someone before I think and its just because I am missing the one I love so very much. So if I too offended anyone I apologize. God Bless all that writes in your thoughts.
By Emily
January 5, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
To What About Our Soldiers-All of the soldiers of the 48th have been scattered to different bases. Do you really believe that the reporters should only stay at the base your soldier is at? I believe that is selfish for the other military families. This is the first story that has been written about my soldiers from Gainesville Ga. If the baby had not been found, there might not have been anything written about them at all. Every soldier’s situation is different. I am sorry if your soldier cannot stand in line for hours for the phones or the internet to communicate a lot with you. Some guys were lucky enough to get wireless internet and split the cost so I can instant message with my husband almost every day. And from what I hear, the mother did not have a choice in staying behind. The grandmother rules the roost and she was the one that planned on going no matter what. I think this story should have been written for Americans to see that even everyday things for the Iraqis are completely different than our own. Hopefully when the guys return, maybe they can keep communications open with Noor’s family and we can know how she is doing months, even years from now. I think it is awesome that a company has “adopted” Noor. Hopefully she brought some happiness to the soldiers and we can bring happiness to her family.
By Jennifer
January 5, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
To “What about our soldiers”: you dishonor our soldiers and the efforts they have made; this story is as much about our soldiers as it is the baby. Their efforts to save Baby Noor are a testimony to whom they are and what they are doing. Not only do I know more about the integrity of these men since this story unfolded, I now care alot more about them and what they are facing. This put a face on our brave men, and this is the story they will tell their grandchildren one day. I’m sure each of them would tell you that out of all the things they have done over there, this is probably the most important. A child will live because of the efforts they have made; I don’t think any other story could be a better testimony for our soldiers.
By R2
January 5, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Let’s stop all the fussing and just enjoy what the ajc has to offer us! Sure some of it we don’t like, but it’s a newspaper so you can choose to read it or not, so either open your eyes or shut them. That choice is yours.
By Statement and Question
January 5, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
EXPLANATION: This comment is not intended to offend anyone, to insult anyone or to demean any unit serving in the United States Military, active, reserve or guard. This comment is intended only to recognize there are more units as part of the 48th than the ones from Georgia (my home state) and to question why other units are not receiving the same treatment by their home state newspaper(s). END OF EXPLANATION
I, and I am sure others, realize that there are soldiers from other states serving in Iraq as part of the 48th Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard. I have read that the 10th Mountain from the northeastern states is under the command of the 48th. Having been associated with the regular military I also realize that men and women from all over the Nation and from US commonwealths and possessions, i.e., Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa, etc., are in the United States Military (the entire active military - 5 services) and that individual State Guards are combined into a fighting force when necessary.
So, personally, when I speak of the 48th I also mean the units of the 10th Mountain and Puerto Rico and any other unit which is currently part of and under the command of the 48th. They are all OUR SOLDIERS.
It takes all of our soldiers to fulfill a mission. They have a special bond with one another and most military families share the bond. I know because I experienced that bond of military families in the past.
I am a native Georgian but live in another state and I am as proud of and supportive of my ‘adopted’ state and any other state represented in the 48th as I am of Georgia.
The first soldier to see Noor was PFC Justin Donnelly, a 19-year-old medic from Oswego, NY, who took a picture of Noor’s back. A PFC isn’t high enough rank to get things like this well-organized because he isn’t in command, so the officers took the ball (so to speak), ran with it and with the help of a lot of people made this happen. But that PFC is responsible for getting it started. He could have just as easily been someone who looked the other way. Thank you PFC Donnelly. His superior officers could also have been the type to look the other way as could all involved. I thank our Lord they are not that callous.
Infant ruled fit to fly to U.S. By MONI BASU, mbasu@ajc.com | Thursday, December 29, 2005, 05:09 AM (para 22 & 23)
“One of the women in that house mentioned to me there was a sick baby,� said Pfc. Justin Donnelly, a 19-year-old Charlie Company medic from Owego, N.Y. The family showed Donnelly the tumor-like growth on the baby’s back.
“I brought a photo back. That started the whole ball running pretty much,� Donnelly said as he walked over to the baby’s trailer with a fresh supply of baby formula purchased at a local market. “To be honest, I didn’t think we’d be able to do anything to help her just because of the situation here right now.�
QUESTION; why aren’t all hometown (or state) papers represented by an embedded journalist and photographer with the unit their soldiers are part of? There are months left. It must be good advertisement for the paper - the AJC is being read by some who would never have looked at it previously.
As to judging the mother - don’t. We would have to be part of her culture to understand. Surely she misses her baby - that is natural. Bear in mind, the correspondent is the one who wrote the article. Perhaps Noor should have a blog of her own so that we will see articles of our military members on this one. It could be linked here.
Every kindness shown to the people of Iraq, or to any nation, by our military can only create good will toward the people of the United States.
Thank you to all involved in helping this child and to those who have helped other Iraqi people. Those stories were posted in previous articles but not expounded upon by the media or made a daily article. They did not involve a baby who was brought to the US for treatment. But they were kindnesses and were funded by individual soldiers. God bless all of our military and their families. Peace
By What about our Soliders
January 5, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
Thank You—By Statement and Question — Your post is one that I enjoyed reading. If other’s want to read this blog and disagree with what I and other’s say, then so be it.. This is freedom of speak..But like I stated above and other’s hated it.. I do support the 48th and several units attached to it. I have family and friends in Several of the units, not just one. And to speak, one of these units has not even been reported by the AJC YET—so Emily and Jennifer-both of you, need to get over yourselves, and what Your unit has does..AS far as most soliders being able to be on line every day cause they have wireless— well some units are still in a danger zone and well they can’t have wireless, let alone a way to get hooked up to the internet Everyday.. So, myself and alot of others, try to connect to the Ajc, in hopes to see and read what may be going on..But like I said above and I don’t take it back—-I am sadden for this baby and her family. But what about us- our soliders. What about the soliders we have lost. What about the other children there, that has nothing.. Someone wrote a comment recently, about a unit dumping our soliders Human Waste right off a Roadside.. But yet, No One has made a comment abut that or even checked into… I would want to worry about that, for the simple fact, that alot of children there have no shoes, and they stand on the roadside, just to get free items from Our Soliders… So what about other children there?? I still stick by what I said earlier.. And if you want to write a remark against it, then so be it.. This is a blog and AJC desides on what they will post.. I am just glad that Statement and Question above—Wrote the real truth about the first sighting of this child / family. Don’t give credit where credit is not due… Look at the Whole Story…… I do support our soliders and I do care about them all.. Not just my husband/ unit but all..JENNIFER— I never dishonered our soliders—maybe that is something you did by posting what you did, to try and get your point across..And as far as being the most important—well every solider will have their own to tell-Don’t speak when you know nothing of what you are speaking about—You really shouldn’t speak for our soliders..
By disappointed reader
January 6, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
I have always been told that our future begins with our children.If we don’t want all the fallen soliders death to be invain then we need to create a future of caring and compassion in Iraq. And if has to begin with BABY NOOR than so be it. This what we are there to teach and show the Iraqi people that we are not a tirant and dictator like Saddam. That we do have a heart and want to have a better future for them. Otherwise we are just there to tell them how to run there country. I am gratefull that we are showing this side of the conflict in Iraq. It is called progress. And I am a wife of a 48th solider so I do understand what all the others are going through and has been through. But I also have been where baby noors mother is. You see my son had brain surgery at the age of 4yrs.And the same doctor that is doing baby noors done my sons. So BRAVO to DR. Hudgins. And to the mother of baby noor, be strong and have faith. And to all the others that are complaining about a life being saved the only thing I can say is that judgement day will come for all of us someday, on what side of the pearly gates do you want to be on.
By d. nigro
January 6, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this
Our soldiers have heart! They are our heros! and what is important for them, should be important to us..I say hooray for charlie co.! and may God bless all of our soldiers and keep them and keep them safe!!Donna
By 48th Wife
January 7, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this
In response to the questions,”What about the other children?” and “what about our soldiers?” I have a question myself: What are you doing to help the other children, and our soldiers? Are you really concerned? If so, there are plenty of things you can do. The 48th FRG is in the process of getting 200 wheelchairs, and as many canes cruches and walkers donated by Joni and Friends/Wheelchairs for the World, to Radwinyah clinic, started by our Brigade Surgeon LTC. John Vogel back in Sept. Also collected is a complete X-ray room set-up, donated by an Alabama medical supply company. Larecia Gill of Pheobe Hospital in Albany, Georgia has made this need known, and Pheobe is donating supplies as well. Among those supplies are infant isolettes, baby scales, 3 youth hospital beds (I do not have an updated list of their contributions.) We are working hard to get these supplies over. We have one business who can ship the Wheelchairs, but we have at least one more container to be shiped. We also will need a frieght carrier to transport these supplies to Port. We need somone to donate storage space (for hopefully a short time) to keep these supplies together until they can be shipped. Many individuals, including wounded soldiers have donated items for this clinic.
These stories ARE about our soldiers. They are not only out there flushing out insurgents, but seeing the needs of the people and trying to help. Both of these things go together in winning this war. We at home can not help with the first part of their mission. But we can help with this part. Ask your self, “What can I do?” You don’t have to do it all- pick something-and do it. The Radwinyah Clinic is now run by the 101st Airborne. The clinic liaison is Major Mark Cuttle, C/490th Civil Affairs, 101st Airborne. Our US Army, Airforce, and the Iraqi Army, are all working together on this project to provide medical care for this area. The key is working together. Let’s stop quibling about “who is, who isn’t, and what about all the others” and take our soldiers lead - Work together and do what we can. It will not make a perfect world, but a better one. If you want to help on this or would like to know how you can make a difference in other areas, you can contact me at: tsaperstein23@charter.net. Thank you
By Kathy Singleton
January 8, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this
My son is with the Gainesville 1/121 also, although we are from NC. I miss him very much and don’t get to talk to him often because of the long wait for phones and internet. All I can do is pray for him, and treasure each time that I do hear from him. I also send him packets as often as I can, I try to remain positive when I talk to him, but of course I am very worried for his safety. I am also very glad for baby Noor and proud of what the soldiers did to help. So, Spc. Dutsch your mom loves you very much and waits with great anticipation for May 2006 to come!!!!!
By 48th Wife
January 8, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
For all those who are upset about this coverage and want to get on with stories about our soldiers- This is about our soldiers!!!!!! What our soldiers face every day, seeing the horrors of war- I can’t believe you would deny them this humanity. This little girl and her family will go on to spread more light and good than we will ever be able to imagine. Our soldiers are over there fighting this war- but with these acts they are doing more- they are winning it!!!! God bless all our soldiers over there- Keep up the good work! You make me proud to be an American!!! Praying for you all - all the time!
By BATT
January 8, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this
Great story. I wish I could get that support for children around Scaina.
By 48th Wife
January 9, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
This is to BATT What do you need? We will do what we can. Please let me know. tsaperstein@charter.net My husband is at Scania now- I have been asking if anything is needed there. Please contact me.
By J.King
January 17, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this
I am tired of hearing about this. I think we should take care of our own children before treating others. The damage is already done. She will never walk. If the medical treatment couldn’t be done in Iraq, who is going to treat this baby for the rest of her life? Shunts fail, and the almost perment bladder infection.