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View Full Version : Iraqi orphan who aided troops starts over


hrscowboy
10-20-04, 09:11 AM
Associated Press

Boys Town Neb- An iraqi orphan credited with helping U.S. troops capture insurgents in baghdad started a new life tuesday at girls and boys Town, the storied home for troubled youngsters. Wearing a boys town windbreaker and holding a plastic U.S. flag on a stick, 16 year old "Johnny" the nickname U.S. soldiers gave him, said he was happy to be in the United states. Everything is OK he said. This is real cool.

Soldiers in baghdad met the boy living on the streets and discovered that he knew a lot about the people behind insurgent attacks in the city. Lt Col Mckierman said tuesday that he took Johnny into the unit as a janitor in September 2003 and that the boy learned some english. The boy eventually helped U.S. Troops apprehend more than 40 insurgents and seize several weapons caches, Mckierman said.

Johnny came to identify with the soldiers and admire them, He is a unique individual with alot of heart, and very loyal, Mckeirnan contacted girls and boys town in Neb about helping the boy, He stated he feared that Johnny could be targeted by insurgents for helping the americans. I thought if we could give him a better lot in life, a fresh start, It would be worth it, Mckiernan said.

Johnny arrived Monday in the United states and ate a Mcdonalds hamburger for his first american meal. At Boys town he will live with a couple who have seven other orphans and two of their own children. Although Johnny had little schooling in Iraq he said he wanted to get a high school diploma and join the military...

hrscowboy
10-20-04, 09:39 AM
This is one deal that i think is so cool heres a young man that helped the US servicemen and in return the servicemen helped him, I hope he suceeds in his future...

seandayley
10-20-04, 10:08 AM
What ever his future has in store for him I am sure that he will become a good man. I hope the best for him.

yellowwing
10-20-04, 12:00 PM
Great story, maybe we'll see him as a poolee here at Leatherneck!

hrscowboy
10-20-04, 12:36 PM
brother now that would be awsome indeed..

hrscowboy
10-20-04, 01:10 PM
soundoff jarheads

hrscowboy
10-20-04, 05:44 PM
heck who knows maybe he'll run for the senate

CAR
10-21-04, 04:48 AM
Kid had some "steel ones" to have turned in his own father to help the Americans. This is an awsome story and from what I have seen on other stories about Johnny, the guys in the unit have set up a college fund for the boy. Awsome! He deserves it.

Proof, that doing the right thing sometimes has a bumpy road, but in the end, good will come of it.

hrscowboy
10-21-04, 01:13 PM
aint that the truth brother..

decuervo
10-24-04, 03:21 AM
Gotta respect him. What he did took some cajones.