Why Yakov Margoles Keeps Recalling 911

Baltimore Jewish Times ^ | 9/10/2009 | Phil Jacobs

[Saije]

Eight years ago, Yacov Margolese was driving his car, his then 2-year-old daughter Serena in the back seat. He was working that day as a massage therapist in a day spa in Potomac, Md.

It was in the car that he heard the news come over the radio, the act of terror that would change the world. In this personal story, it would absolutely change Yacov Margolese’s life.

Two years after Sept. 11, 2001, Army Spec. Yacov Margolese took cover in an outpost outside of Baghdad, Iraq, when an enemy missile, possibly a Scud, eerily whistled overhead, its deadly payload exploding and spraying shrapnel not far away.****

Yacov Margolese had to do something to help. He was a self-admitted idealist. That idealism motivated him at the time just days after the World Trade Centers fell, to walk into an Army recruiter’s office. He was 27 years old. He was educated in yeshivas and graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage. He would in a short time become a member of Bravo Battery 4-1 Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. He was a specialist in fire direction control for artillery. His guns included six howitzers. His unit called themselves the “Beastmasters.”

He went from a world of rashi, rosh yeshivas and minhagim (customs) to a world of Army manuals, lieutenants, sergeants and military code of honor.

[Saije]

Interesting and sad story near the end of article about his female interpreter in Iraq.

[marron]

Good article. Thanks for posting.