My Life and Why I love this country….

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

September 11

September 11…Marks 7 years since the attack on America.  We go through the whole year not remembering this day.  When a member of a household is attacked the family comes together in the time of need and fights back.  America did just that and those responsible will be brought down for their actions.  It saddens me though that the attack by the terrorists is what caused the American family to bond for that one day.  That one day we all come together and the next we seem to forget and jump at each others throats.

 I remember the day the towers fell…I was in high school and had no clue what and for that matter where the twin towers were, that Tuesday morning I was walking to school with one of my closest friend and she looked at me with a look of terror saying a plane flew into one of the twin towers.  We got to school and everything was fuzzy.  I remember a teacher pulling me aside and making sure that I was not being picked on, being “Iraqi” and all and I was very lucky to have friends that took care of me. 

As time went on I learned more about the twin towers, pentagon and the significance of them.  Every year September 11 would come around and I would find myself glued to the couch from the moment I got home from school or work and watch the news as President Bush gave his speech.  They showed images of the attacks, I am not an emotional person, but I always found myself crying as images of the firefighters, police officers, service members, county workers and civilian men and women from all over removed rubble and images of the planes hitting would replay. 

The National Geographic Channel did a documentary of September 11, 2001, I recommend you watch it, there is much for us to learn from the men and women that selflessly put their lives in danger to save others.  Had they not courageously acted the death count would have been greater than it was.  To those who bravely went back to retrieve and help others only to lose your life you are not forgotten.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sona