Posted on 04/17/2004 4:43:00 PM PDT by JimSEA
A group of 32 soldiers who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in Iraq entered the monkhood yesterday to make merit for two colleagues who died in a car-bomb attack on their camp.
Three commissioned and 28 non-commissioned officers entered Wat Phutthabucha in Bangkok, while a chief warrant officer checked into a temple in Ratchaburi.
They were making merit for late CWOs Mit Klaharn and Amporn Chulert, who were killed when a car exploded next to a sentry box at Lima Camp in Karbala on Dec 27.
Among those who entered the monkhood, former task force deputy commander Col Thapakorn Chantarang said without the pair's bravery, the car bomb would have been more destructive.
Former task force commander Col Boonchu Kirdchok said the mass ordination was also dedicated to His Majesty the King and soldiers currently on duty at Lima Camp.
Navy nurse Lt Kantharot Sinnoi, 28, said she would always remember the two fallen officers as they both died in her arms.
``What happened on that day is still fresh in my memory, when the car bomb hit sentry box No. 5,'' she said. ``After the explosion, I ran to the box to give first aid. CWO Mit died instantly.
CWO Amporn died in a helicopter while on the way to a Baghdad hospital,'' she added. ``I was very sad. We did our best, but could not save their lives.''
Lt Kantharot earlier saved a 9-year-old Iraqi girl from drowning, and after the car bomb attack, received a medal to recognise her bravery.
Lt Khantharot said she makes merit for her fallen colleagues whenever she has a chance.
The soldiers were among a total of 445 troops sent to Iraq in September for a six-month rebuilding mission. The 443 who survived returned last month and were replaced by a second contingent.
Despite all the risks encountered during her posting at Lima Camp, Lt Khantharot said she had fond memories of the Iraqi people to whom she provided medical care.
Warrant Officer Mariam Chalardprom, a navy cook, said she follows the situation at Lima Camp, but is glad to be back with her family.
Special warfare officer Capt Yuthakarn Thanasathit said he was particularly happy to see his 5-month-old daughter for the first time.
Col Boonchu said the soldiers currently in Iraq would complete their six-month mission, unless the government changed its policy.
He rejected connections between the military presence in Iraq and unrest in the South.
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