Posted on 08/23/2007 6:38:33 AM PDT by PajamaTruthMafia
An Iraqi man heroically sacrificed his life to save four U.S. soldiers and eight Iraqi neighbors when he tackled a suicide bomber on Aug. 18, the U.S. military reported.
Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with the al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community group, at a member’s house.
“I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around the corner,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, according to a military press release. “I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he pushed him away, the bomb went off.”
Kane felt the loss personally because he had met and dealt with his rescuer several times.
“He was high-spirited and really believed (in) what the group was doing,” Kane said. “I have no doubt the bomber was trying to kill American soldiers . . . If he hadn’t intercepted him, there is no telling how bad it could have been. ... (He) made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone.”
Capt. Brian Gilbert said, “I spoke with the father. He said he has no remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American soldiers.”
The military reported that the citizens group later gave Iraqi police the location of the al-Qaeda cell believed to be behind the attack. A raid netted four arrests.
The heck with the Iraqi medals. Our government should give him one.
God Bless this man.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.