I thought that I should do a blog about the life of Sona… It’s not something I talk often about as I am usually sarcastic.
My name is Sona I was born on 27 December in Baghdad, Iraq. My family was persecuted for being Christian and working with Americans because the government in Iraq did not approve of my family going into Muslim towns, giving first aid and preaching to the villagers. When Saddam threatened all those working with the Americans, America took us out of Iraq as part of Operation Pacific Haven. I left Iraq at the age of ten. My family and I landed in Guam and the first thing I saw was men and women in the Armed Forces, it is an image that has been ingrained in my mind ever since. When 9/11 happened I did not know what the Twin Towers were (come to think of it, I didn’t know much English) my best friend Whitney explained everything to me and still helps me when it comes to grammar…Growing up in Iraq has made me appreciate all that I am given no matter how little it may be and to make the best of every situation because someone out there has it much worse. I enlisted in the Marine Corps when I was 18 and shipped out on 11 September 2005. I am currently a Cpl and plan on making the Marine Corps a career. I finally got my citizenship and can finally vote…(something I have dreamed of for a very long time.) I recently hit my three year mark in the Marine Corps and I have loved every minute of it. If it were not for this country I would not be alive today. I love this country and all it stands for.
Sona
Dear Sona,
Thank you for publishing your story. I am a midwife and was in the Navy during the time of Operation Pacific Haven. I was in Guam, where I was put in charge of finding all the pregnant women and getting them started in prenatal care. I remember several of those women very fondly and count myself privileged to have served them in some small way.
There is one young woman in particular that I’d like to know is safe and secure here in the US. She had to leave her husband in Iraq and was in Guam with her mother (who taught English in Iraq) and her father, wh was paraplegic. She wrote me a beautiful letter after I delivered her baby, and told me she’d named her Parvuna (butterfly).
Do you know of any way of contacting others who got to the US via Guam?
Thank you again,
Kay Jackson, CNM, ARNP
I would like to start by saying thank you for all you did during OPH, it is because of service members like you that I am currently serving. Unfortunately ma’am I don’t know of a way to contact those that were part of OPH. It was a large group but if I find out anything or if my parents know anything I will let you know. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Sona