Posted on 11/06/2005 3:34:29 PM PST by saquin
With a tear in her eye and a smile on her face, Hadiya Hussein and her father began their journey to the United States on October 14, 2005. Today she is in recovery at the Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Penn.
Soldiers with the 155th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) learned about her condition while conducting a routine inspection of the water treatment plant in the village of Tunis, Iraq. The 155th BCT is an Army National Guard unit comprised of soldiers from Mississippi, Arkansas, California, Vermont, and various other states.
Dr. John L. Meyers, professor of surgery and pediatrics, and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Penn., completed the life saving operation on November 3, 2005 and says she is recovering well. In a letter sent to the American Consulate in Iraq Meyers stated, "We have accepted Hadiya Hussein for treatment at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Children’s Hospital to correct the abnormality of the ‘Ventricular Septal Defect’."
Maj. Bradley Lauver, of Hershey, Penn., and other Soldiers of the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 155th BCT, went to visit with the other family members left in Iraq to deliver the good news of her successful surgery. "The doctors said she came through with flying colors." stated Lauver. "I am really glad that we could help this little girl."
Lauver called his home on his satellite phone and got the number to the hospital room where Hadiya and her father were staying so the girl’s mother could talk to her daughter and husband after the surgery.
While Hadiya and her father are in the United States, the Lauver family has volunteered to use their home and personal resources to provide daily care needs, which include providing food, lodging, and transportation for Hadiya and her father.
Lauver’s wife met Hadiya and Mohammed at the airport in the United States and will assist them throughout their time in America. Recovery is expected to take about two months. Hadiya and her father will return to Iraq at this time.
In Arabic, Hadiya means "God gift". To many of the Soldiers of the 155th BCT, and to her parents, she really is a "Gift from God. "If we can make an impact on these children, we can help the future of Iraq." Lauver said.
Maj. Bradley Lauver calls his home to get the number to the hospital room where Hadiya is recovering from her surgery. Her father is waiting beside her bedside as any loving father would be. (US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO)
Hadiya’s mother gets to talk to her husband and daughter on a satellite phone as Hadiya is recovering from surgery in the United States. Mr. Hussein waited all night by the girl’s bedside as she came through the surgery "with flying colors".
Hadiya’s mother wipes away the tears of joy after seeing photos of her daughter in the United States before her surgery.
(More photos at source)
Iraqi Girl’s Future Getting Brighter
Area soldier helps Iraqi girl get chance of lifetime
Iraqi girl undergoes surgery to repair heart defect
Hadiiya Hussein
Nice story. Thanks for posting it.
I am sure we will soon see an hour long special on this marvelous story on the MSM. Right? HUH? Sure, we will, huh?
Let's get Mapes and Rather on this one right away before they get scooped.
What a wonderful story. Why can't the media tell these stories?
No, we will not see this great story in the MSM. I don't read them or watch them anymore. I just read FreeRepublic. So may I say here - American soldiers - the best of the best!
What a great story. I wonder just how many children have been sent here for surgery. I've read a LOT of articles about them, there must be quite a few.
GREAT story! America is a wonderful and giving Country. Soon people will get it....I just hope they do, before it's too late.
Americans are good, decent, generous people. The men and women who wear this nation's uniform are the best among us.
The Today Show will lead with this remarkable story tomorrow morning. I'm sure of it!!
GREAT POST!!
so please tell me, why aren't the conservatives demanding a fair hearing in the MSM and denouncing the Libs lies?
/sarcasm
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