Another update on Captain Furat
Yesterday Maya Alleruzzo had an update on Captain Furat in the Washington Times.
Capt. Furat is an Iraqi soldier who fought for his country, and who has fought along side US soldiers. (I know someone who fought with Capt. Furat and thinks highly of him.)
Capt. Furat was severely wounded, and received care in a US military hospital in Iraq. He is now in Georgia undergoing rehab. Ms. Alleruzzo writes:
Do read all of it. (And see my previous two posts for the first part of the story.)
It's a story of a brave man, and of good people from the US of A who are helping him.
Previous posts
The future of Iraq
Update on Captain Furat
Capt. Furat is an Iraqi soldier who fought for his country, and who has fought along side US soldiers. (I know someone who fought with Capt. Furat and thinks highly of him.)
Capt. Furat was severely wounded, and received care in a US military hospital in Iraq. He is now in Georgia undergoing rehab. Ms. Alleruzzo writes:
Iraqi Army Capt. Furat surveys the therapy gym as he stands erect for the first time in nearly four months, every inch as tall as he was before insurgents' bullets left his legs lifeless on Christmas Day.
All around him, paralyzed patients are toiling, striving for their own personal victories.
"Where are you traveling to right now in your mind?" asks Basle Roberts, a therapy technician at the Shepherd Center.
"I wish that I could stand without this equipment," Capt. Furat says, resting on a frame used in physical therapy. The rigid metal device is a relief from sitting or lying down, restful positions that aren't always relaxing anymore.
Every 30 minutes, he must shift positions to prevent potentially fatal pressure sores from developing on his paralyzed lower body, one of the many daily battles the former platoon leader is learning to deal with solo.
"It is just me on this mission," says Capt. Furat, 28, whose family is 7,000 miles away and still at risk from insurgents for his decision to fight in the nascent Iraqi army.
On some days, it's nearly too much to bear.
With newfound hope, Capt. Furat begins to rebuild the muscles in his arms and chest that had not been used for months.
He learns -- by repetition -- to seamlessly move from his wheelchair to his bed or to a car seat and even the shower, and other skills he needs to master for independence.
His occupational therapist offers the chance to try cooking in Shepherd's specially modified kitchen. He chooses a dish from home: kubbeh, a fried dumpling stuffed with ground meat and onions.
The smell and taste of the food floods him with memories of his mother -- and the rice she made better than anyone else.
Downstairs in the garden, he reflects.
"Every day at this time, I think about my mother," he says. "I miss her cooking."
Do read all of it. (And see my previous two posts for the first part of the story.)
It's a story of a brave man, and of good people from the US of A who are helping him.
Previous posts
The future of Iraq
Update on Captain Furat
18 Comments:
At Tue May 23, 05:07:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Thank you for the update on Captain Furat's first time standing. I wish there were pictures. Tell Maya to tell Furat that it's me, his American Mother. I spoke with Airman 1st Class Salinas today who is still held up in Iraq for 1 more week. He asked if Furat still had the Zippo lighter that my son gave him as a gift with an ingraving. My son was the escort of Furat's cousin when he would visit him in the hospital at Balad, and met his mother also. Airman Salinas wants to extend his blessing to his friend, so please forward this to Maya.
Captain Furat was wrong about one thing: He is not going through this alone. I talk to his picture everyday, pray for him, and feel his presence in my home. The people that my children care about become my treasures. I'm a correctional sergeant at the Idaho State Correctional Institution and am very familiar with "Time. Captain: Please keep fighting and working hard to re-train your body. Speak of healing daily, and the day you shall rise up from this. You now have a testimony which will save even more lives. You've inspired my son, and to us, you are still "Rambo.
Captain: I'm glad you're cooking, and only wish you were cooking for me. Typically I don't eat much when my husband is out of town. Probably because women in America strive to be thin and beautiful. I will think of you when working in my wonder garden promising you a picture when you have your e-mail up and running.
Thank you Lord for Captain Furat's healing.
His American Mother
At Wed May 24, 11:25:00 AM, Anonymous said…
Lord God:
Thank you for delivering, unto us, "A King Of People, A King Of Hearts. Empower Captain Furat this very day to believe in you as you continue to heal him, as you work within his nerves to wake them up as they soon will find one another to provide feeling in his legs.
Thank you for Furat's infectious smile, his laughter, and his ability to have emotion_That he will share with other men, the importance of "Love Of People. Thank you for his love of his mother, his desire for her food_for her touch, his will to live, his big heart, his ability to wipe out the enemy that threatens others.
Give him today, peace like a river, joy_unspeakable, as he will one day "Rule a nation.
Airman Salinas sends his blessings again.
Your American Mother
At Thu May 25, 11:29:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Captain Furat, "My Iraqi Son
Today I worked with inmates who are doing life-sentences for murder, in an effort to help troubled kids. The teenage kids are brought to the prison and my team of inmates, (all leaders in this environment) work to counsel and teach the "importance of change. Our battlefield here in prison is very different than yours, but I've found my way of touching those men who thought they could never care about other people. Even those who once killed and have fiercley ruled their prison environment are smiling now, and have experienced a new leadership, which has brought them joy.
Furat_I hope one day to embrace your mother here, on free soil as she's worried enough. I share her wonder for you and her passion. I hope one day to work with you to touch lives, to bring joy to hardened hearts, so that one day Iraq is free. So, one day Iraq is no longer a prison.
You will walk again. Thank you God of all people, creator of the land, for my Iraqi son_his strong legs that are only resting.
Love to you this Friday May 26, 2006. Airman 1st Class Salinas should be state side tomorrow.
I love you my Iraqi Son, King of Hearts.
American Mother
At Thu May 25, 11:31:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Thank you to Maya for supporting Jeff's efforts for us to communicate. Thank you for watching over my Iraqi Son. You are our angel and have been choosen to link us.
Renee
At Thu May 25, 11:33:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Jeff:
Thank you for the time and efforts.
Renee
At Fri May 26, 11:20:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Maya:
My son will call at any moment with news of his return from Iraq, to America. I hope to see him in a few weeks when he comes for a visit. I wonder if my Iraqi son could be reunited with him. Please speak with Furat and advise.
Renee
At Fri May 26, 11:33:00 PM, Anonymous said…
My Iraqi Son:
I'm with you in spirit, and you with me as I drive through the desert to the prison where I work. I finished an investigation and reported to my unit, after completeing my weapons qualification today. Your American mother did quite well shooting dead center with a mini 14 at 300 yards. Hang guns aren't my bag but I shot very well as I kept visions of you from the pictures Maya took of you on the battlefield. The 12 gauge bruised my arm, probably because I'm a girl.
This evening I await a phone call from Airman 1st Class Salinas, my son, your brother_in hopes to hear he has arrived safely in the US. I hope to see him in a few weeks. Please join us for a reunion.
Continue this weekend to speak of healing and thank our God for the healing that your nerves have already received. Thank him as your legs are resting_but soon will take you everywhere. Only two foot prints are in the sand right now because God carries you, not because he's left you. Dream of rice and dumplings and thank your mother for giving you life. Thank her for giving birth to a "King of Hearts. Angels are with you.
I miss you
You inspire me
You are "My Joy!
Your American Mother
At Sat May 27, 08:55:00 AM, Anonymous said…
Furat:
My son called last night and he's in America. I hope to see hiim in a few weeks. He sends you blessings. He told me that Iraqi men love their mothers more than life. That you kiss her picture and regard her with all your heart.
So much we can learn from you.
Your American Mother
At Sat May 27, 11:42:00 AM, Anonymous said…
Capt Furat,
Hello my brother, it's me SrA Salinas (Ahmed). Guess what, I am finally home in the United States. It seems like it was only yesterday that I brought Ali to come and visit with you the first time.. I saw Ali right before I left and we spoke about your trip to the United States. Ali, Lt. Mohannad, Omar and I all got to spend some time and take pictures together before I left.
I miss you Sir. After you left I couldn't go to the hospitol anymore. It was all very hard for me. I felt like there was no reason left for me to be there because you were gone. I felt like when I was there and you were gone, I was stuck with just the spirit of you being there and that wasen't good enough for me. I needed to hang out with you and I also got tired of talking to myself in the smoke pit. Just Joking man.
The very last day that I went to the hospital I walked around all over to find you. I was told that you had just left. After I was told that I went outside to where I always would take you to smoke and sat down under the moon and stars that looked down on Iraq and thought about how hard it would be for me to get over you being gone for good. In the middle of my gloomy thoughts we began to recieve indirect fire and sounds of explosions began to sound from every direction. In that second I had moved on and re-entered the fast pace life of being at LSA Anaconda.
I miss you homie. I hear you stood up! I told you that you could do it! See, life ain't that bad is it? Keep up the good work, and I know you can do it. You came this far and there are no limits to what you can do.
Tell your mother and brother I said hello. I hope they are doing well too. I also hope you get to see your mother soon. I know you love your mother they way I love mine and it's tough being away from them.
Maya, I hear you have been helping my mother with communication between her and Furat. I appreciate your help. When I finally got to go on this website I couldn't believe how much my mother has dedicated to writing and praying for my friend Furat. I honestly thought I would never communicate with him again because when he left Iraq, his location in the states was a classified location. I figured that my experience with him was just another memory I would have to keep in my back pocket for those hard times to think of. Thank you for doing what you do, you do it so well.
If you could pass on my note to Furat tell him I am always thinking of him, I am so proud of him, and I will hopefully see him one day.
Take care and I am glad to be back in America.
By the way, my rank is no longer Airman First Class, it is Senior Airman now.
Respectfully,
-SrA Salinas
At Sat May 27, 05:48:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Everyone:
My son is Senior Airman Salinas, not 1st class. This is my fault as I mixed up his rank with my cousin.
Furat's American Mother.
At Sun May 28, 10:17:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Captain Furat, My Iraqi Son:
This weekend is Memorial Weekend. I'm thinking of you. I e-mailed Jeff a photograph to post for your viewing. We miss you and love the feel of your spirit in our home.
Your legs will walk again. Our God in heaven is watching over you, has assigned you Angels, and is looking over your heart.
Smile my dear one, laugh each day, speak to God, and know that you are loved.
Your American Mother and Father.
At Thu Jun 01, 10:55:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Captain FUrat_My Iraqi Son
Senior Airman Salinas will attempt contact with you and try for a reunion on the 17th of this month.
We miss you.
Your Iraqi Parents
At Mon Jun 05, 09:04:00 AM, Anonymous said…
My Iraqi Son:
I hope You're well. Senior Airman Salinas returned to Texas refussing to take a first class seat as offerred to him on the plane by a civilian who appreciates the young soldiers. Finally, at the orders of his sergeant he obliged. The plane would site idol until then. In some of the airports, people were rude to the soldiers that offered their bodies for someone's freedom. In texas though, his malaria (which is what I'm pretty sure he's going to be diagnosed with once a civilian blood draw is done)didn't go unappreciated.
My 22yr. old son wasn't able to return to the AirBase Dorms though as he was advised that due to high enlistment, Airman would be given the fees for housing off base. He new that he would have to find housing but didn't know what post- traumatic stress and homelessness would do to him with his airbase just minutes away. So, my son has wandered around homeless, on foot, since his return, staying in motels, eating out, and feeling very alone. Miss "D", a retired Master Sergeant who he met when he was stationed at Keesler, came to help him get around so he could get an apartment. He pays for food, gas, and lodging, and appreciates that Miss "D" came into his life some three years ago.
He asked her to go home though, that he new he'd be okay now as he was taught to never let someone over-extend themself. He is only homeless for two more days when he moves into the apartment he finally found.
He misses Iraq because his military family was there, a chow hall, a bed. He still hears bombs in his sleep and smells the polluted Iraqi air, hears the voices of his workers, and misses Captain Furat. He came home from the war, and wasn't even given a bunk to sleep on because Lackland was full due to graduations. As a mother, I talk him through his days and am anxious for the 17th when he flies here to spend 10 days with family. He still wants to see you Furat.
His cell phone was activated. Here's the number. 210-878-5273
He'd love to hear from his Iraqi brother. Maya, please forward. Jeff, please forward to Maya.
American Mother
At Mon Jun 12, 11:38:00 PM, Anonymous said…
My Iraqi Son_Captain Furat:
Today is June 12, 2006. Senior Airman Salinas will arrive at our local airport this weekend. I've taken the day off from my work, at the largest prison in my State, where I'm blessed to be working with men whom fight battles very different, but somehow similar to yours.
I love you "My Iraqi Son. You are of God. You have no idea of the positive energy you have brought to my day. Today you are blessed. Today your legs continue to only rest. Today, you touch the lives of people who need hope and will learn from you.
An Icon and Hero, still so powerful, you will do powerful work, and one day_my Iraqi Son, you shall stand.
I love you and send the palms of my hands to your face, with a smile, and wonder when we shall sit in my garden together.
Mother
At Tue Jun 13, 07:47:00 PM, Anonymous said…
Furat, my son:
Today is June 13, 2006.
I walk through my garden and wonder how I will honor you. I shall soon paint your name, maybe where the grapes will grow, and remember always that you are delivered unto us_this day_from God our creator, as a warrior of peace. You will help change Iraq, you will humble all men, all women, and all children, and those in America who have never had to fight.
Through you, many will understand that we can submitt and come together as brother and sister, for we are of one blood.
Mother
At Wed Jun 14, 08:33:00 AM, Anonymous said…
Furat, my son
Today seems grim and you are sad. You have thoughts of your family and friends from back home, and you feel sick inside. Joy is near, and God hasn't left your side. Run to your new battle, my son. I'm watching, and know I'll be proud.
Mother
At Sun Jun 18, 10:04:00 PM, Anonymous said…
I'm so glad that I got to speak with Furat on Saturday. My son arrived at the airport and during lunch he handed me the phone. Furat had contacted my son only a few days prior, and was on the phone again.
Furat and I were excited to talk and the joy of his voice was overwhelming. My Iraqi Son:
I love you. We shall walk together in my garden.
American Mother
At Sun May 20, 09:15:00 AM, Anonymous said…
Furat:
Jesus brought life back into your legs, and now you're walking.
American Mother
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