Sam's Story
A young man in Iraq admired greatly American soldiers when they trained the Jordanians in the 80s. He used to dream about becoming one of them--a dream that, if known, could get him killed under Saddam. When the Coalition invaded Iraq, his dream came one step closer.
He had gotten a degree as a civil engineer but became a translator for the Marines, which he soon came to love. Now he talks like them, walks the swagger, and after 3 years of helping them is highly trusted and good friends with them. He often mitigates dangerous circumstances by cluing the soldiers in on what locals mention to him (like newly abandoned cars, often used for hiding bombs).
Speaking of the Marines, he says, “I love them. How they’re brave to do whatever the mission is, to always keep fighting. I’ve seen many Marines get killed and injured for people that are not his people. Guys 18, 19 years old. They protect me.”
Isn’t that awesome? Sam, by the way, is 25 and that is not his real name. Soldiers originally gave him the name of “Al Pacino,” but he changed it to Sam, “like Uncle Sam” he says grinning. He hopes to gain a special immigration status for his service, which brings both himself, his friends, and family into great danger.
“I want to be an American citizen, a Marine, have an American wife. Even my car will be American,” he says with his “trademark” enthusiasm. Asked how he envisions America, he says without hesitation: “Almost heaven!”
Well, isn’t that refreshing??? I stole this article, often word for word, from the Stars and Stripes newspaper over here, an interview by Megan McCloskey. Often this rag shamelessly echoes denigrating tripe that can often be heard stateside from the disconnected, but it also has these more relevant and positive articles by indigenous soldier reporters. Isn't it nice to hear a fun story? Thought I‘d share.
He had gotten a degree as a civil engineer but became a translator for the Marines, which he soon came to love. Now he talks like them, walks the swagger, and after 3 years of helping them is highly trusted and good friends with them. He often mitigates dangerous circumstances by cluing the soldiers in on what locals mention to him (like newly abandoned cars, often used for hiding bombs).
Speaking of the Marines, he says, “I love them. How they’re brave to do whatever the mission is, to always keep fighting. I’ve seen many Marines get killed and injured for people that are not his people. Guys 18, 19 years old. They protect me.”
Isn’t that awesome? Sam, by the way, is 25 and that is not his real name. Soldiers originally gave him the name of “Al Pacino,” but he changed it to Sam, “like Uncle Sam” he says grinning. He hopes to gain a special immigration status for his service, which brings both himself, his friends, and family into great danger.
“I want to be an American citizen, a Marine, have an American wife. Even my car will be American,” he says with his “trademark” enthusiasm. Asked how he envisions America, he says without hesitation: “Almost heaven!”
Well, isn’t that refreshing??? I stole this article, often word for word, from the Stars and Stripes newspaper over here, an interview by Megan McCloskey. Often this rag shamelessly echoes denigrating tripe that can often be heard stateside from the disconnected, but it also has these more relevant and positive articles by indigenous soldier reporters. Isn't it nice to hear a fun story? Thought I‘d share.
posted by Ernest at 11:08 AM
4 Comments:
Fun to read your blog and know all is well. Keep up the good work. We enjoyed sharing your experiences.
Best wishes from the YSA's in Boca
Hey, great to hear from you! Hope all is well you you, your husband, and the gang. Please give my best to everyone there!
Good find! I love this story... One has to be on the look-out for these good stories, you know. :#
There are so many good stories and good news like this over here. I wish I could share more of them...if I just had your talents and my contacts...
:-)
Post a Comment
<< Home