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We have to choose who and what we want to be!
January
28th, 2005
Written
by Jamal
S. Baadani
I
wanted to personally reflect on, and share my thoughts with you about issues
that affect Arab Americans in
America
– specifically, as to how we (Arab Americans serving in the military) are
perceived by some in our own communities.
Most
recently, APAAM has sent out articles and letters regarding subject matter
relating to Arab Americans in the military, whether it is related to the
desertion of Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun, or the loss of Arab American lives, or
injury of those brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines serving in
Iraq
. The criticisms to our e-mailings
that have been received have been greater than any other period since the
founding of APAAM shortly after 9/11.
We
have received so many hateful comments and so much negative criticism by Arab
Americans living among us in our communities.
I am amazed at the extent of “hate” and “anger” that is directed
towards us by those who are displeased and angry with Bush Administration’s
Middle East
and Iraq Policy. The specific
criticism directed towards the death of Sergeant Rostum, and the injury of Lance
Corporal Al-Thaibani, while serving in
Iraq
, is in my view wrong and crosses the line of citizenry.
“Sgt
Rostum’s and LCpl Al-Thaibani’s sacrifice is a testament to their courage
under fire, responsibility of duty to both their country and the Arab American
Communities in
America
.” Their sacrifice reflects the
true sentiment of the majority in our communities.
However, to those within our community who criticize our “Duty”, I
say to them….,
We
have to choose who and what we want to be!
I’ve
always said this and will continue to say this to my fellow Arab Americans and
others of differing ethnicities in
America--
“If
you live in
America
, and you want to prosper in
America
, then you have to contribute to
America
.”
“Duty” is an obligation that is required of everyone who is a citizen
of this great country. Duty, as an
obligation, dates back to the earliest historical days of mankind.
Those who serve in the military could have chosen to be fireman,
policeman, members of the Peace Corps, America Corps, or civil servants, as
their “Duty” to our country. But
they didn’t. They chose to serve
in the military, recognizing that the ultimate sacrifice is to serve in the
defense of freedom for one’s own country.
As an example of the ultimate sacrifice, 228 years ago, a young Arab
American Syrian Immigrant to the American Colonies understood the obligation of
“Duty” to country by joining the 18th Continental Army; he helped
fight for and win freedom for America from the tyranny of England-- Nathan
Badeen gave his life in the revolutionary war so we could be free today.
Those
serving in the military don’t always agree with the policies of the
administration that guides our country, but do support the obligation of
“Duty” to their country. The
policies are left to the citizens of this country.
Those who don’t agree with the current administration’s policies have
a chance to affect change at the voting booth every two years.
I serve my country on behalf of Arab American communities, honorably and
faithfully, as a US Marine. I’ve
served for the Reagan, Bush I,
Clinton
, and Bush II administrations. There
have been numerous policies throughout my service in the military, yet the
following has remained constant – that I volunteered to serve in the US
Military and that I swore to uphold the constitution of the
United States
.
I
know what it is to live abroad in a third world country, because I was born and
raised in the
Middle East
. I immigrated to
America
at age 10. I am proud of my Arab
culture and am proud of my heritage and Muslim religion.
But that doesn’t excuse me from military service just because the
US
is engaged in war in the
Middle East
. Nor does it excuse me from
military service because the
US
, for the past 25 years, has been engaged in some type of military operation in
a Muslim country. I served in
Beirut
,
Lebanon
to help ensure peace of passage for the Palestinians in
Lebanon
in the early 80’s. I have served
in operations to provide humanitarian assistance to citizens of
Algeria
and
Tunisia
, as well as serving in the Persian Gulf in 1988 to protect world-wide shipping
from bombings and attack by
Iran
. Most recently, I served in the
Global War on Terrorism, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, to help rid the
world of terrorism - terrorism that threatens everyone in the world, even those
who criticize us for serving in the military.
In
the 90’s, the US Military helped give freedom to Muslims in Kosovo and
conducted humanitarian operations in Bangladesh – a Muslim country - when it
was hit hard by a catastrophic typhoon. Today,
the
US
military is involved in helping the victims of the Pacific Tsunami providing
the largest humanitarian operation the world has ever known.
Semper
Fidelis!
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