Here’s a little bit of good publicity for National Guardsmen, and definitely nobly earned.
The Iraqi woman had been in hiding with her children since her husband was pulled from his truck and shot in front of one of his sons.
This weekend, they began a new life, brought to America with help from soldiers who befriended the slain man and were tormented by the idea that their relationship contributed to his death.
The woman and her seven children arrived in Fargo on two flights Friday and early Saturday. One of the boys greeted waiting North Dakota National Guard soldiers with a cheery ”Hi, guys.”
The children were presented with gifts, including toys and a soccer ball.
”They didn’t kick it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Shayne Beckert. ”They just sat there and stared at it.”
The Guardsmen have been working on this gift of a new beginning since their return in February. I would imagine this moment was truly magical for them.
Beckert and a fellow guardsman, Capt. Grant Wilz, worked for months to bring the family to the United States, appealing for help on radio and television and contacting Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., who helped arrange the trip.
Pomeroy, who met the family earlier this month during a trip to Iraq, described them as ”bright and strong and wonderful,” and said their resourcefulness would help them adjust to life in the United States.
Pomeroy said the mother described the journey as ”her birthday … the beginning of a new life.”
”This isn’t the end of the story. This is the beginning of the story,” Pomeroy said. ”They don’t know English. They have never seen winter.”
Wow! Iraq to North Dakota — that’s quite a climate shift. I doubt these new residents will be concerned about global warming in the near future. Methinks the next charitable drive for the Guardsmen will be for parkas and firewood.
Seriously, this is a touching story. Go read the rest, especially if you have any doubts about who the good guys are in this war.