Honoring Iraqis Who Help Us

[ChemistCat]

I just heard on the radio that we found out where Private Lynch was because two Iraqis dared to write and a deliver a note about where she was, that she was alive and being tortured, but could be saved--here's the room number--to some Marines. I was wondering if anyone knows if anything is being done to honor and reward people like that--maybe after the war is won, for their safety's sake. Does our country have medals and reward funds that are available for this purpose?

Saudi Arabia gave my husband a medal for his service in the first Gulf War. The French (sigh) gave many WWII veterans a medal. So there is substantial precedent for this.

I tried to figure out how to move this to chat. Maybe it's activism anyway.

[AHerald]

The reward is freedom.

[thoughtomator]

They are getting the best reward humanity has to offer - liberty!

[areafiftyone]

I don't think they would appreciate medals but perhaps a chicken would do!! ;-) Read this post Chicken Feast wins some Iraqi Hearts and Minds!

[Caipirabob]

Freedom for them, their children and the very blood of our finest sons and daughters to honor their soil for all times.

[VOA]

bump

[Steve Van Doorn]

I agree with you freedom is the reward. but we should reconize these people for taking that extra risk others did not.

[antaresequity]

The reward is freedom.

Thats not enough. Distinguished action and heroism should be distinguished and recognized. These Iraqis took great risk to their own lives and the lives of their family. They did so that our own soldier could have her freedom back.

They are no less worthy then the troops who are freeing everyone in the country.

I totally agree that Iraqis who take risks to save American lives should be rewarded and recongnized for their contribution.

[inquest]

Exactly, especially in a country where looking the wrong way at certain people constitutes a significant risk.

[antaresequity]

we should reconize these people for taking that extra risk others did not.

Bingo!

[MHGinTN]

Hear here! Let's hope they don't sully our Soldiers' work the way the frogs and Germans have.

[WildWeasel]

Give 'em KFC franchise rights to Baghdad.

[Billthedrill]

I agree. Somebody risked his or her life for this, defying people who not only make a practice of torturing other people to death but were actively engaged in it.

[Sender]

Unfortunately the only real reward we can publicly bestow upon them is to let them come to the US. Any outward congratulations for helping the US topple Saddam would mark the unfortunate samaritan for certain trouble later from less grateful factions. A US medal around his neck would be the same as a target.

[ChemistCat]

Perhaps we should ask the Lynch family what they would wish could be done for the people who risked the plastic shredder to save their daughter's life. :-)

I think the people who turned in Mitchell and Barzee and rescued Elizabeth Smart are getting $50-75K in reward money. I'm not sure of the exact figure. And they were not at any special risk for making their phone call.

[areafiftyone]

LOL - KFC is a poor excuse for Fried Chicken! I hate the stuff!!

[ZULU]

I totally concur.

People who don't take care of their friends will soon find themselves without any.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Agree. They should be rewarded. Though to do so right now, could be dangerous to them. Until we get all the "detectives" out of their cities.

(An Iraqi man called them that when being asked if he was happy to see Americans he said "we talk later, detectives, we talk later).

Perhaps even a medal from their NEW Government in aiding in the liberation of their country would be a good start. But they should be recognized for their heroism some day. Considering what is going on within their cities, this was truly a heroic act, one that saved one of their liberators. I don't think that fact was lost on those who divluged Jessica's whereabouts.

God Bless them for saving her.

[Dustoff45]

Our community in Fredericksburg Virginia meets twice daily at what we call a Prayer Point remembering our troops. We have over 110 names and pictures of local service personnel posted which we call out every time. We have also been faithful to remember the POWs, the MIAs, and the families of those who have given their all.

Today, there was much prayer and thanksgiving offered for all of the efforts to recover Jessica.

We asked the Good Lord, Our Father in Heaven to bless those Iraqi citizens that went into harm's way to notify our troops of where Jessica could be located.

We know that if we ask, they will receive a spiritual blessing. God knows them and know their hearts.

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2003/032003/03292003/923584

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20030327-11065935.htm

[IYAS9YAS]

Often time, fliers have "blood chits" on them offering rewards to those who help them reach friendly forces...I would not be opposed to those who helped being similarly rewarded.