2005: Mr. M -- a Man of Integrity & Courage

2005: The 141st Engineer Battalion of the North Dakota National Guard worked for months in Iraq, clearing roadside bombs. Sadly, four members of the Battalion were killed while clearing those bombs.

One day, while on patrol, the 141st Battalion encountered a stalled vehicle at the side of the road. As they cautiously approached the vehicle, they were greeted by Mr. M, who would later invite the Battalion to his home for dinner. Mr. M appreciated the presence of the soldiers in Iraq because he knew of the horrors of Saddam Hussein's regime, and he so desperately wanted change for the people of Iraq. While Saddam was in power, Mr. M worked in the resistance against Saddam. When Mr. M was caught opposing Saddam, he was sent to Abu Gharaib prison and tortured. Mr. M befriended the soldiers and assisted in their work by warning them about roadside bombs and giving them information about insurgents. Mr. M worked hard to assist the Battalion while also working to bring freedom and peace to Iraq. Mr. M stepped forward to help the Battalion without being asked, even after having suffered so much--he was a man of integrity and courage.

Mr. M paid with his life for assisting the soldiers. Insurgents forced Mr. M's truck off tthe road, ordering Mr. M and his eleven-year old son out. Mr. M was then shot 30 times--right in front of his son. (I had to take a breath while reading this--the trauma on that child is unimaginable.) The child survived but the entire family has been threatened by insurgents, and went into hiding. The news of the murder of Mr. M hit the Battalion hard--he was family to them.


Soldiers of the 141st Battalion have worked hard to bring the family of Mr. M to the US to live a better life. The Battalion raised money to pay for plane tickets so the M family could fly to Fargo, North Dakota. The Department of Defense said the family can come to the US and apply for political asylum. The wife of Mr. M has a brother living in Fargo, who fled to the US after being persecuted by Saddam. Many of their family members were killed by Saddam. The brother went on to assist Special Forces fighting in Iraq.

The family of Mr. M, which includes seven children, were able to move from Iraq to Fargo. After landing in Fargo, the M family was greeted by the soldiers who offered hugs and gifts. Unfortuneately the two-year old daughter of the M family was hit by bomb shrapnel and suffered severe injuries to her eye. She will be receiving treatment in the US. The family was also blessed by the birth of Mrs. M's youngest child--born six weeks early but also was able to make the trip to Fargo. Things that will be new to this family in Fargo include snow and tator tot hotdish. Please keep this family in your prayers.


For More Information:

MPR: North Dakota soldiers repay a debt to Iraqi family
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/04/29_gundersond_iraqifamily/

Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota - News & Events
http://www.lssnd.org/htmls/events.asp?NewsID=85
(Includes contact information on how to help the M family)

Soldiers save Iraqi family - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - May 23, 2005
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050522-115737-9342r.htm