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May 31, 2005 He introduced himself as “Tony”. His name is much longer in his native Lebanese. At 42 years, Tony was in Iraq drumming up business as a private contractor. His trade is electrician, but he works heating and plumbing as well. Tony came to Iraq with two of his brothers and several hired men who were helping with security of worksites and storage areas at the various project buildings he had sealed bids on. But Tony was at the airfield this day because one of his work trucks had been attacked by terrorists. One of his brothers and one of his security men were killed in the attack. Tony had to get into his next contract site though. He needed a signature on a permit to begin the project. He was not discouraged. He was not going back to Lebanon, defeated in his business venture. He was saving for his future wife and family. There was no work in Lebanon. I asked Tony why he would risk coming to Iraq. He told me that he had family here and where there is family there is help and support. He and his brothers know their craft and can command good pay from the new Iraqi government because they have built a reputation as good workers; capable of completing contracts on time and within cost. When he told me that, I thought: “Only in Iraq.” Tony and his brothers were accepted as contractors for Iraqi government projects supported with American rebuilding funds. He is permitted to use government assets for travel and subsistence, but he must negotiate all contracts with the Iraqi government. There are hundreds of such men here trying to help the Iraqis gain back some semblance of society. Tony and I shared a couple of MRE’s over a cot at the PAX (Passenger Terminal) and spoke of family and work and opportunity. As we talked he noticed I was shaking a little as the temperature had dropped to fifty or so degrees and the lone tent heater wasn’t really doing the job. Tony asked: “Where is your jacket?” To which I replied: “Coming out of the 90 degree temperatures of Kuwait, one does not think in terms of long sleeves.” Tony promptly, and with no argument he would accept, gave me the long sleeve shirt off his back. I was not permitted to refuse the gesture. Thank you, Tony. Please, keep safe. Find a wife; grow a family, and thank you for the shirt. ------------ About the Author: Michael John McCrae has contributed over 300 articles to Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: macswordV@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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