A True Story That Doesn't Make The News:MAYBE!!!
All,
>I tell you, you can never predict what the day will bring. Some days
>are rough, some are odd, some good &then there are some that you will
>never forget. Yesterday was one of those days that I will never forget
>as long as I live. I tell you, I was totally blown away. What happened
>to me yesterday out does all of the photos I have sent and all the
>stories I have told to you about my experiences over here. The day
>started off as any other, planning the mission, briefing it, and
>heading out the gate. It was about 120 degrees and we had been on
>mission for about 3 hours. Everybody was miserable and no one in the
>community was cooperating. It was just a plain old bad day. The kids
>were the usual, always there to get a toy or candy. I was not in the
>mood that day to be pleasant, so I separated myself from the group
>passing out the gifts and just pulled rear security. I even told kids
>to keep away, but this one child, who appeared to have down syndrome,
>just kept watching me. Every time I moved, he moved. He was literally
>like my shadow. I pointed to the guys giving out gifts and told him to
>go to them and he shook his head no. I just looked at him like what do
>you want.
Now here is the part that just broke me down. He slowly
>walked over, looked up at me, stuck out his hand and said, in
>English, 'Thank you for making me safe!'
I didn't know what to say, My
>words just stuck in my throat. All I could do was smile and do my best
>to keep it together, he wouldn't even let go of my hand. He just kept
>looking up at me and shaking my hand. I mean what do you do? It was
>absolutely the best thing that could have happened to me on that day
>or even on my whole tour over here, totally unbelievable. I didn't
>know it at the time, but one of the other guys had a camera and caught
>the moment. During de-brief the unit was showing slides on the
>projector for the days mission and this photo popped up. I lost it and
>I had to walk out of the room. It took me several minutes to shake it
>off. Unbelievable!! Remember this picture/moment every time the news
tells you about all the bad going on over here! We are absolutely making
a difference, even if it is only one step at a time!!! I hope all of my
last 15+ days go this way.....See you all in August.
>WOW!!!!
>
>v/r
>Brian
>
>BRIAN A CISSELL, BMC(SW/AW)>
>BMC(SW/AW) BRIAN A CISSELL
>OPERATIONS OFFICER / NCOIC
>2/101st BCT RO, FOB MAHMUDIYAH
>MNC-I7
>USACE-GRC
>APO, AE 09342
>Office: 540-542-6769 or 540-678-3864
>Iraqna: 0790-236-0774
>brian.a.cissell@tac01.usace.army.mil
The picture has been said to have been taken by a member of unit named SSG Peck.
(None of the above is varified.)
