⭐️ From the Ashes of War: The Unexpected Reunion of a U.S. Soldier and an Iraqi Boy ⭐️
Fifteen years ago, in the midst of the chaos of the Iraq War, a 12-year-old boy named Sajad and his 4-year-old sister, Duah, found themselves caught in a terrifying attack. On July 12, 2007, U.S. Apache helicopters struck the Al-Amin al-Thaniyah neighborhood of New Baghdad. Their father was tragically killed, and the siblings were seriously injured. Life as they knew it would never be the same. 💔
Amidst the smoke and debris, a U.S. soldier, Ethan McCord, rushed to the scene. As a former army ranger, he was among the first to arrive after the Apache attack. Without hesitation, he carried Sajad and Duah away from the wreckage of their father's van, saving their lives. It was a moment etched into his memory forever. 🛡️
Fast forward to December 2022, when a CGTN film crew tracked down Sajad in Baghdad. By an incredible stroke of luck, they also found Ethan McCord. Upon learning that the siblings he saved were alive, Ethan agreed to be interviewed for \"The Legacy of War.\" It was the first news he'd heard of them since that fateful day. 😲
Speaking candidly to the camera, Ethan confessed, \"I feel used, I feel used for being in Iraq. We should have never been there.\" The weight of the war had taken its toll on him, and he longed for a chance to make things right. 🌍
The film crew reached out to Ethan multiple times, aware that sharing his story might jeopardize his safety. But for Ethan, telling the truth was more important. He wanted the world to know what happened, and most importantly, he wanted to say sorry. 🙏
This powerful reunion bridges the gap between two lives forever changed by war. It reminds us of the human connections that persist, even in the darkest of times. As Ethan and Sajad confront their past, they offer a glimmer of hope for healing and understanding. ✨
In a world filled with conflict, stories like these show us that compassion can transcend borders and history. Let's share their journey and keep the conversation alive. 💬
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
