Posted on 08/29/2005 4:02:47 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick
WASHINGTON: Hatim Kathiria’s dreams of becoming a software sultan and a U.S citizen brought him from Dahod, Gujarat to Dallas, Texas in 2003. Like some recent immigrants, he took the shortcut to success and citizenship, joining the U.S Army in 2004 in the hope that a stint in the forces would fund a college scholarship and the American dream on his return.
Last Monday, 23-year old Hatim’s hopes ended in the battle zone of Baghdad. He was killed in a rocket attack, the U.S Department of Defence announced, making him the second U.S soldier of Indian origin to die in Iraq. In November 2003, Sergeant Uday Singh, 21, became the first such Indian-American victim.
"He was such a smart kid, he looked forward to coming back and finishing his education," his uncle Nuruddin Kathiria, a reliability engineer with Lockheed Martin, said in an interview to ToI. "He came to me in Dallas after doing a bachelor’s degree in software in India and he had done all the homework about joining the army and getting a scholarship to earn a master’s degree after serving."
"How am I going to explain this to his parents?" he sobbed over the phone.
Nuruddin Kathiria’s shock is compounded by news that Hatim had gotten married just weeks before he left for Iraq, a fact that he had not told his uncle or his parents. His wife, Esther Perez, also serves with the U.S forces in Iraq, and Nuruddin fears that it may complicate the process of returning Hakim’s body to be buried in his native place, which is what the young man had desired.
The death of Army Specialist Hakim Kathiria and Sergeant Uday Singh, has a remarkable sub-text. One was a Muslim and the other a Sikh, and together with Lt. Neil Prakash, who recently returned from Iraq after winning a Silver Star for courage under fire, they represent the very best of India’s secular traditions at a time when some countries specialize in exporting fundamentalist jihadis.
Sikhs and Muslims have also been singled out for attention in the U.S homeland security context.
According to the year 2000 U.S Census, there were some 450 India-born people of Indian-origin serving in the U.S armed forces. Latest figures are not available but anecdotal accounts suggest that number may have increased significantly as many recent immigrants are signing up at the prospect of a quick citizenship even as native-born Americans are balking at enlisting.
Hatim’s parents live in Dahod, Gujarat, a town that saw communal rioting in 2002, although Hatim was studying in Chennai at that time. Shortly thereafter, he came to Fort Worth, near Dallas, and worked as a gas station attendant while working on enlisting.
Although some members of the family tried to dissuade him from joining the Army because he was the only son (he has two sisters studying in Ahmedabad and Surendra Nagar), Hatim was determined, Nuruddun Kathiria said.
He signed up last year and went to a boot camp in Louisiana before being assigned to the 703rd Forward Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Designated a Specialist, he ran a computer system that kept track of supplies and parts.
DoD did not release the circumstances of his death beyond attributing it to rocket fire. His body will be brought back to Washington for a military service before the next step will be decided.
In the case of Sergeant Uday Singh, he was cremated with full military honors in Punjab -- the first time a foreign military held a ceremonial funeral for one of its soldiers in free India -- and his ashes were later buried at the Arlington National Cemetary outside Washington DC.
I thank Hatim for his service
The death of Army Specialist Hakim Kathiria and Sergeant Uday Singh, has a remarkable sub-text. One was a Muslim and the other a Sikh,Both would have been seen by some ignorant people as "the enemy" in the wake of September 11th. Yet both made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of this nation.
Our war against terrorism and its supporters has a far broader base of support than some would like to claim. Indeed, those who would make the likes of Specialist Kathiria into our enemies based purely upon their religion do at least as much damage to our cause as the anti-war flakes ever could.
-Eric
Thank you for your sacrifice Men. God, receive and cherish these brave souls.
I do not know if it has been spoken about on FR. But if not, read it. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
http://www.avengerredsix.blogspot.com/
First let me say that Hakim is a hero of the highest order and I thank him, from the bottom of my heart, for protecting and defending our country. I find it intersting that the uncle is so sure that Hakim would want to be buried in India. Maybe not. The uncle didn't know he had a wife ~ that says a lot. I hope this doesn't cause even more heartache for all involved - especially Ms. Hakim. God be with them all.
"In November 2003, Sergeant Uday Singh, 21, became the first such Indian-American victim. "
Ummmm...'victim'....HELLO! How about 'Hero'? Why are they trying to paint these two brave warriors as lost little lambs simply trying to 'get degrees'. Like they were idiots who thought they were joing the boy scouts. It burns me that they denegrate military service with such comments.
That was bugging me too, but I couldn't put into words why -- thanks for saying what I was feeling.
Some immigrants "get it" so much better than do some of our native born citizens. Americans are made, not born.
"Americans are made, not born"
You get the quote of the year award - and character is built, not acquired.
Thank you for your service to our country, and for raising a son who serves. How terribly sad that those parent have nothing left of their son. But they know they raised a hero. God bless them.
Americans are made, not born.Absolutely. And that's because unlike many other nations, America stands for something above and beyond a piece of real estate.
-Eric
:) I like that.
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