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 members 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 hadnt 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 sons 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.
Holy cr*p, just what I need this morning at work, tears in the eyes..
For those people who think that all those arabs are just evil crazy whacko's, here is a story for you.
I hope a mod will add the missing “I” to the headline.
Regarding the article:
THIS Iraqi was a martyr.
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Number One story on Countdown tonight...
Won’t see a peep of this in the MSM.
Surprised there hasn't been a headline reading, "US Soldiers Use Civilians As Human Shields!!!"
Ping!
bump
BUMP!!!
I had the same reaction. Some people just transcend the mundane happenings of this world. God bless this young man and give his family comfort now.
Tears welling. Prayers for the repose of the soul so gallantly sacrificed.
*Sniff*
I can't believe that any major newspaper would actually print that.
I need a box of Kleenex......
How sad, but G-d will give him the peace and comfort he deserves.
Never will see the light of day. What would the headline be. Iraqi saves American Soldiers and neighbors from AQ Terrorists.
Now if the terroists had managed to get one American Soldier. It would be the lead story.
Insurgents kill American Soldier. Gen Patreaus plan failing. Congress to grill him on this death at hearing in Sept.
From another source:
Iraqi sacrifices his life to save U.S. soldiers
Intercepted suicide bomber at meeting in Iraq
ByLineBY MICK WALSH
——
An Iraqi man saved the lives of four 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team soldiers and eight civilians but lost his own life Saturday when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia.
The incident, according to the brigade’s public affairs office, occurred while soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment were talking with members of 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,” Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos, Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, told Spc. Ben Hutto of the brigade’s public affairs staff. “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 interacted with his rescuer many times before the incident.
“He was high-spirited and really believed what the group (Concerned Citizens) was doing,” Kane said. “I have no doubt the bomber was trying to kill American soldiers. It was very calculated the way the bomber tried to do it. If he hadn’t intercepted him, there is no telling how bad it could have been.”
Kane believes the citizen is a hero.
“He could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone,” Kane said. “Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he would have known the outcome beforehand, he wouldn’t have acted differently.”
Capt. Brian Gilbert of Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, echoed Kane’s sentiment.
“I spoke with the father,” Gilbert said. “He said he has no remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American soldiers.”
Later that night, the Concerned Citizens group contacted the local National Police director, Lt. Col. Samir, with the location of the al-Qaida cell believed to be responsible for the attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted in four arrests.
Despite the citizen’s death, Gilbert is encouraged by the cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi National Police.
“The effort of the Concerned Citizens group has made the area much safer,” he said. “They are proud of who they are and their area, and want to get rid of the terrorists in their area.”
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/113003.html
Yeah...read about this real hero in the print-Herald this morning.
Someone needs to give this man the highest medal they can.
....and maybe even give his family some $$$.
This guy is a true hero.
I wonder if the Iraqi’s have an equivalent of the CMH. This guy deserves it.
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