One of the Iraqi medics that I work with had been spending a great amount of time with one of our interpreters. As I observed their time together I noticed that the medic (his name is Heidel) was trying to learn the English language—and that intrigued me. My relationship with Heidel to this point had pretty much been strictly professional, only because the majority of my time was spent with his supervisor Lt. Hashim. But the more I watched his interest in our language, the more I wanted to get to know this guy, and as I did I found that he is an amazing young man—full of hope for the future of Iraq.
As I spoke with Heidel I asked him why he had joined the Army—and as he told me his story I was encouraged, very encouraged. He said that he had gone to school to become a nurse, and started his education just before the invasion of Iraq in 2003. As Saddams government was crumbling he found himself in limbo with his dream of becoming a nurse. This concerned him because the main reason he wanted to become a nurse was for the benefit of his ailing parents, he wanted to learn how to take care of them. His education was on hold only for a short time—and he soon returned to complete his schooling. Now encouraged Heidel returned home to his parents—and cared for them as best he could. Shortly after that his father thought it would be a good idea if Heidel went out and found a job—because the money he earned could provide a better living for the entire family. Being the good son that he is—Heidel obliged and found a job with the Ministry of Health at a nearby hospital.
Now both working to support the family, and taking care of his ailing parents—Heidel was living his dream. His family no longer poor, his parents living a little more comfortably, and he doing the work that he enjoyed so much. He went on to tell me that one day he was approached by an officer from the Iraqi Army (which falls under the Ministry of Defense) and asked if he would like to join the Army and put his medical skills to use helping the soldiers. He was initially afraid, because he explained to me that under the old Iraqi Army the procedure was to ask you first—then when you said no—you were forced to become a soldier. Heidel had never wanted to become a soldier, because he knew that would mean he would have to leave his family—and that was never an option for him. Most Iraqi families are like this—family always comes first, they take care of each other their entire lives. Most people never “leave home,” typically they stay in the same village, or a house just down the street—or sometimes an additional room is built on the home when a son gets married.
Heidel was concerned for obvious reasons and chose not to tell his family right away. A few days later the same Iraqi Army Officer visited him again at his place of work—only this time he had another man with him. Only this man did not look like a soldier—no uniform, no weapon on his side—this man wore a suit and carried a briefcase. Naturally, Heidel was worried and thought this was the part where he was told he would be joining the Iraqi Army. To his surprise Heidel learned that the second man was from the Ministry of Health—his current employer. They asked for a meeting with Heidel at his convenience, and Heidel requested that his father be present as well. The men agreed and a meeting was set for the next day. Heidel went home after work that day and explained the entire situation to his father, worried that his father would be disappointed because he had not shared this with him earlier. His father understood, and thought it was good of Heidel to take the steps that he did—saying that any sensible man that was concerned for his family would not share this news until he knew for certain that it would mean a change of some sort.
Tomorrow came; the men showed up at Heidel’s parent’s home and were greeted by the entire family. This was no surprise to the men—because most business like this is meant for the entire families input—once again, the Iraqi family is a very tight-knit group. The men explained that the Iraqi Army needed good men like Heidel to take care of the sick and wounded troops. They went on to explain the compensation package that Heidel would get, and assured him that if he decided to join the Army he would be stationed only a few minutes away at the closest military installation. Heidel told me that the meeting went well, but he and his family were very nervous—they assumed that at any moment the men would tell him when he would be leaving and the family was prepared for this. But then to the surprise of them all—the Iraqi Army Officer told Heidel that this was his choice, and whatever he chose to do would be honored by both the Iraqi Army and The Ministry of Health. The man in the suit assured Heidel that the new Army is not like the old Army—and it truly was Heidel’s choice. They also went on to tell Heidel that he could take as long as he wanted to decide—and that neither man would visit him again. They left their contact information, thanked the family for the hospitality, and were on their way.
As the men left—Heidel told me that the entire family was in shock, not believing what they had just heard. Some members of the family said that Heidel should not trust either of the men—saying that they were just trying to trick him. Others thought that if the men were being sincere, then Heidel should stay in his current job and stay with the family. The conversation went for a few hours, but Heidel told me that the advice he valued most was that of his father, and he knew that only when they were alone his father would share his thoughts with him. Later that evening that moment came, and as Heidel went on to tell me the story it almost brought me to tears (I know, I am a softie at heart…).
Heidel and his father sat alone in front of the modest home that they had built over the last 20 plus years. They sat in silence for a few moments and then his father broke the tension by saying—“Iraq is finally changing for the good of the people.” Heidel asked his father to explain his comment—and the explanation is what persuaded Heidel to make the decision that he did. His father went on to tell him that at no time in his life could he remember someone in Heidel’s position actually being give a choice—with no consequences. His father trusted the men, especially the soldier—he knew of his father and told Heidel that they were an honorable family. His father went on to tell Heidel about how the old Iraq would never give people a choice in matters of joining the military, if they wanted you—they simply came to your house and took you away, and if you would refuse—any number of terrible things would happen to you and your family. Heidel asked his father what he would do if he were in his position—he simply said that he would do whatever he wanted to do—because once again—not many people had ever been given a free choice as to what to do with their lives. And more importantly his father told him that he and the entire family would support whatever decision Heidel would make.
Heidel milled over the decision for nearly a week, and once his mind was made up he immediately went to inform his father. He wanted him to be the first to know—he respected his father and needed his approval to make the decision final. Heidel explained that he felt like Iraq was changing as well, and that if he truly had a choice in the matter—that meant that the future of Iraq was already looking better. He told his father that he was choosing to serve in the Army, because he felt like the future freedom of all of Iraq was largely dependant on the effectiveness of the Army—and as a nurse he could keep the fighters healthy, and keep the dream of a free Iraq alive for another generation. He went on to say that because he had a choice—he felt like he needed to make the choice that would help the most people, and that meant serving in the Army.
As Heidel waited for his fathers response he admitted to me that he was a little nervous, but once again his father’s words confirmed his decision. His father simply said “You made the right choice, and I am proud to call you my son.”
Heidel is serving in the Iraqi Army because he can—he had a choice, a new concept for most of Iraq. And he chose to serve because he wants future generations of the Iraqi people to have the incredible feeling of making their own choices. Heidel and I created a bond that day, and I will never forget him. He was with the group of Iraqi soldiers that left to go back home a few days back, and I was totally excited for him because I knew that he would be seeing his family soon—and he deserves a break from this terrible conflict.
As Heidel left I gave him an Arabic to English dictionary and phrase book that I had found on one of the American bases. I have never seen anyone work so hard to learn English—and I had to do something for the guy. When I gave it to him he was overwhelmed with emotion—he asked me why I would do such a thing for him. I told him that it was my choice—I chose to do something for him because he did something for me. I went on to tell him that his story reminded me that I should never take for granted the freedoms that my family has in the United States. I also told him that I was proud to have served with him—and that Iraq was a better nation because of the choice that he had made.
God Bless,
SSG Joel Cushing
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February, 2007
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