By Daniel Hamon
On a military patrol in Haditha, Iraq, U.S. Marines encountered a little girl whose lips and fingers were tinged blue. Upon further examination by Marine physicians, they determined that Amenah Fatah had a congenital heart defect. Amenah's family knew she was very sick but had not been able to secure the medical care she needed. The Marines pitched in their own money and raised over $30,000 from people in the United States to bring Amenah to Tennessee for treatment.
The surgery to repair Amenah's heart at the Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt was successful. Two months later, back in Iraq, Maj. Kevin Jarrard, the commanding officer of the Marine unit that had arranged for Amenah's care, escorted Amenah and her mother back to Haditha to reunite with her father, Ala Thabit Fatah.
Cpl. Shawn Coolman, who was also there, passes on Fatah's reaction: “I am very grateful for the American people for their great treatment of my family, I wish from the bottom of my heart good blessings to the American people. I am very thankful for the (Marines) in Haditha, and I consider all them fathers to Amenah.”
As we begin 2009, let us be inspired by the example of character and generosity shown by these American Marines serving our country by going beyond their duty to save the life of this Iraqi child.
Dan, was very tired and discouraged tonight, and needed something inspirational to end the day. Thanks for what you're doing here. It's very cool!
Posted by: Don Riddell | January 13, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Dan - Thank you so much for sharing such and inspiring event - that's the kind of news that should be shared with the world in the national and international news agency's - it's called responsible reporting which we usually don't get to see nor hear much of.
Posted by: Dana Borowka | January 14, 2009 at 06:17 AM
Vere interesting report, God Bless those American Marines and all American people that with generosity help a person as Amenah.
Posted by: Ligia Hamon | January 23, 2009 at 05:43 PM