I have read before (a few years ago) that many mid-east countries request that the US not use troops of Jewish faith as they could not guarantee their safety and feared the political outfall. Until I saw this hillside display I assumed such requests were being met, that was a mistake.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Carlton
A memorial in Lafayette, CA to the troops lost inIraq. Click on the image for a hi-res version...
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Article-1:
Being Jewish adds risk for soldiers, journalists in Iraq
http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/20074/edition_id/409/format/html/displaystory.html
MICHAEL J. JORDAN
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Friday April 4, 2003
Quote:
"What is your religion?" a beaten, bloodied and blindfolded Marine Capt. Michael Craig Berryman was asked, according to testimony from Jan. 28, 1991.
"Baptist," he replied.
"No, you are a Jew!" they screamed.................."The Iraqis were apparently unaware that many American males are circumcised, regardless of their religious beliefs," Moore said.
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Article-2:
Jewish Soldiers in Iraq Celebrate Holidays in Saddam's Former Palace
http://www.ujc.org/page.html?ArticleID=47185
Joe Berkofsky
Quote:
More than 100 Jewish members of the U.S. forces stationed in Iraq attended the High Holiday services at the former Iraqi dictator's Baghdad compound.......................
Generally Iraqis welcomed the U.S. forces, he said, and he made a point of telling many of them he was a Jew who "put my life on the line to free their country."
Typically, he said, that declaration met a "sour" reception, with many Iraqis blanching and walking away or asking him to leave a house where he had been welcomed moments before.
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Article-3
From the NYT way back in 1991.
Exhibit Examines Difficulties Facing Jewish Troops in Gulf
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE7D91330F93BA25750C0A9679582 60
By IRVIN MOLOTSKY, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: March 18, 1991
Quote:
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One letter, from Staff Sgt. Alan Adler, a marine from Toms River, N.J., to his rabbi, spoke of the paradox of his service. "You know the world political situation is changing when Jewish guys are standing in defense of Saudi Arabia," he said. "When I returned from Israel in 1979, I would never have believed that I'd be involved in a situation such as this."..................
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I have started this thread not to bash anyone, but to marvel at the
paradox of service troops of Jewish faith must be experiencing.
I marvel and are somewhat puzzled by our mission and purpose in Iraq in general.
Iraq, a country we fought and paid to have to destroyed, and now fight, die and pay to build better than new, and all the reasons for this have fluttered away in elusiveness many times over.
The paradox of Christians and Jews and even other Muslims in US uniform, serving in a country which by any public opinion poll taken over there does not want us to stay.
Be political if you want, but there is an awe and beauty to this paradox.