UPDATE 10/25/06: This is from an email I received from Chief Gebhardt. Words cannot express my gratitude for men and women like him who are over there helping and healing the soldiers and the people of Iraq.
“…I suspect about the time of my departure she was transferred to an Iraq medical facility, Balad AFTH is a trauma center and not set-up for long-term medical care that she will require. She was not the first casuality of the war that captured the hearts of all the medics and I’m sorry to say she will not be the last. I can assure you that everything that should and can be done for her is being accomplished. The care and compassion of all service members is as true and as deep as yours or mine and takes place 24 hours a day everyday for Americans and the Iraq people.
…I’m a simple Airman and have been blessed with being surrounded by great people. The below was written while I was deployed and well before the picture; I’m sending it along to give you some insight of who/what I believe and what we do…
Anyways keep doing what you believe in.
V/r
jjg”
This is the article he wrote and refers to in the email: “Lead, Follow, Get Out of the Way”. I encourage you to read it as it really does let you into his thoughts and feelings about what he does and who he is.
UPDATE 10/23/06: Here is another photo…h/t: Op-For
UPDATE 10/20/06: I received a comment from Chief Gebhardt and I wanted to post it here so everyone could read it. I still hope to find out about the baby, but if we don’t please know that there are many, many other children who have been helped by our men and women in uniform and others. Despite what you might hear, there is so much good being done in Iraq!
Thank you for your kind thoughts and words on behalf of all service members. While you only see two people in the picture this picture represents countless other great Americans and coalition forces fighting the war on terrorism around the world in and out of uniform who give of themselves today so our children’s, children’s will not have to pick up a sword to defend freedom further down the road.
Again thank you for supporting your service members.
jjgAmerica will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln
UPDATE: This photo and story appear on the front page of Stars & Stripes (European Edition) for October 6, 2006!
This is an email that came from Trish, a frequent commentor here on the blog. And it really needed to be shared! (The original email was dated just two days ago 9/25)
Got a tough, but heartwarming story and a picture of John Gebhardt in Iraq.
For those that did not know John, he was our former Med Group Chief…Dave Nordel replaced him.
Anyway, his wife talked with mine last evening and sent this picture. Mindy related that this little girl’s entire family was executed…they intended to execute her also and shot her in the head…but they failed to kill her. She was cared for by John’s hospital and healing up, but has been crying and moaning. The nurses said John is the only one she seems to calm down with, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both sleep in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.
John comes home in early October.
LaMarr (CMSgt Conley)
Which was followed by these comments:
Picture and write up says it all. Pass along.
TEAM:
FYI,
Outstanding stuff from your former Chief…This is why we do what we do!!
ONE TEAM! ONE FAMILY! ONE FIGHT!
David (LtCol Nelson)
Thought you would enjoy this, David worked with the Chief, read the message below. This picture really does show how much people give of themselves over in Iraq, too bad the media doesn’t share this kind of story.
Deedee (Nelson)
Wow! What an amazing picture and story. Our troops are the greatest. Thank you for sharing it.
They are the greatest, Lady Jane! And they are not the brutes that our idiotic MSM makes them out to be! I love that picture…it tells the whole story!
Thank him with more than words can say for his service to our country and to the healing of one of God’s precious children. Hopefully someday this child will have memories of a grand man holding her in safety and love.
That picture just brings tears to my eyes, Malinda. Not only for her horrible loss, but the love and gentleness she received when she was all alone. Our warrior class is the best!
But Anna, I thought that our troops were baby killers! Are you telling me the leftwingers and MSM have been lying?
Seriously, this is a wonderful photo, and a fitting tribute to all our troops are doing in Iraq. Thanks for sharing it.
I know, Pam! How could they be so wrong!
I loved this story and told Trish I was going to post it because people needed to see it!
Gives new meaning to “a pictrues’s worth a thousand words” doesn’t it? The photo transferred beautifully, Anna. It belongs on the cover of Time or Newsweek — but, of course, we’ll never see it there. You chose a perfect title, as well. This image brought tears to my eyes (also) because who of us, with children, do not have memories of our husbands lovingly holding our very own, in the exact same way, as both slept? Chief Gebhardt’s compassion for this little girl comes through so effortlessly; he is truly a “gentle warrior” consumed by love.
now i am in tears…
God bless our troops Anna..thank u.
Anna,
I have obsconded this post, and used it to clarify Gawfer’s position. I believe this is a clear illustration to those who think America is evil, what the essence of our heart really is.
Well done, pal.
gawfer
Thank you so much for sending this to me, Trish! I cut the picture down because it’s the people in it that was most important (plus it was a huge file!) It is a beautiful picture and a truly wonderful story!
BB, I was in tears, too, when I read the email from Trish! A big part of the reason I had to post it!
Amen, Angel, amen!
That’s quite all right, Gawfer. Spread the word far and wide! We are not evil and our warrior class is awesome! Pass it on!
God Bless You, John!
I will keep you, this little girl, your family, and those there with you bravely and dutifully doing what has to be done protecting those of us who are not, in my thoughts – and will say a prayer…
May God be with you and keep you ALL safely out of harm’s way until your feet are once again set upon familiar soil.
Thank you, BT and a big AMEN to your comments!
That pic and the story behind it floored me…
Pretty awesome, isn’t it, Chris?! And yet, some still see us as evil, dictator-led, war-mongers.
What a picture and what a story,what outstanding warriors we have….God bless them and that little girl….
Pictures like this show that our military is made up of strong, kind people who have the heart and capacity to protect us from a terrible enemy, and hold on to their humanity, at the same time. What’s going to happen to that little girl when John comes home in October? Does anybody know?
Amen Chtrbx!
No, I haven’t heard, Judyrose, but I’m sure there are a lot of people willing to adopt her! I’ll see if Trish can find out when she gets home from her vacation.
If people want to know why we are in Iraq this photo says much. Just look at that poor child’s head and realize the horror that was inflicted on her and her family. And realize also that the only people who could offer her hope for healing and life are the Americans.
These aren’t the scenes of occupiers or conquerors, but rescuing angels and heroes.
Bless them all.
P.S. Having a bumper sticker/slogan contest. Come over and submit your ideas: http://mikesamerica.blogspot.com/2006/09/bumper-sticker-contest_28.html
Thanks for sharing this one … and BTW, I love your new look!
That’s exactly it, Mike. Our guys and gals are wonderful, compassionate, helpful people and are there only to help.
I saw your bumpersticker contest. I’m going to have to think about that one…
I have to say that this is probably one of the best pictures I have ever seen and it just had to be shared, Budgie! And thank you!
Ridin’ Weekend
So What’s Everybody Talking About?
September 29 – October 1, 2006
Just link and trackback to this post. Nothing to it but to do it.
Thanks for the additional link, Beth. This one really gets me!
makes me sad and very happy….I hope he gets to keep her if he wants to
Me, too, Terina. I hope that she is brought into a loving family, so that she can grow up safe and happy.
Thanks for visiting ….. Yes, this image says more things positive than a thousand negative headlines!
Very true, Gull! I just love sharing these stories, too!
What will become of the baby? I work for the VA – and you wouldn’t believe how the Vietnam Veterans are treating these new vets. Like family – they are their shields because what happened to the Vietnam Veterans upon returning home are the same as what these kids are going through. The only difference is that these kids coming back were all volunteers for the service. There isn’t a draft.
Now, if we can only submit this photo to all the media out there, maybe those “bleeding heart and soul liberals” who would rather be a human shield than to defend humanity can be ashamed of themselves.
RIGHT ON JOHN and family!!!!
I know there are many people who would want to adopt that precious baby that these worse than animalistic “people” who claim to be of the “religion of peace” (more of pieces if we look at the whole entire history of I-Slam).
The Muslims are very quiet AGAIN — their silence is deafening. Is it our fault that the truth about how they are to their own family members (now happening within our own borders) have been disclosed?
Be well all — May those who are against humanity finally get theirs!
Hi HInda,
Thank you for your comments! I know the Vietnam Vets look on the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan as “the young pups!” (Check out Old War Dogs.us) Please let those vets you work with know that they are thought well of by many, many Americans and I, for one, am so grateful for their service to our country!
I would love for this photo and story to be all over the news papers. I am just thrilled that it has made its way onto several military forums and there has been a lot of interest. I am hoping to find out what will happen to her when Trish gets back online. (She is away on vacation and I will ask her to contact her friends who originally got the news and find out if there is any additional news on the baby.) So, check back and I will hopefully be able to post an update about this baby girl and her guardian angels!
Wonderful!
[...] If you want to know something about our military, check out this and this. (Hint: they are not jackbooted, childkilling, undereducated, brutal, murderous thugs.) [...]
It would be truely interesting if we take information and time compression technologies, like the internet, to their logical conclusion. Which is to craft an ability to look into the threads of time, based upon the variables of today.
We could, for example, determine who she will grow up to be. How will she feeL about her life and others? What will she think politically, and what kind of person will she become? Would that not be a good thing to know? Our ancestors did not have access to the type of information abilities we have today, to what extent may our abilities still have to progress?
So far, we only know of it in retrospect. Anne Franken, and the diary of others. Those small and fragile spheres of existence, that we know the fate of, yet can do little to reverse.
The Vietnam generation got a raw deal. It is truly an honor to witness, the relationship between new warriors and old. The old warriors see the new, as redeeming the Vietnam conflict, and making good all the lost friends and buddies the Vietnam veteran generation lost with no closure. They see Iraq as a new chance, a chance to exorcise whatever demons might have failed, whatever doubts or guilt. The new generation sees this conflict, as a chance to prove to the old, that they are still beholden to the same oaths, traditions, and virtues that empowered American soldiers in Vietnam. That they are just as good, just as professional, just as elite as the Marines that took Iwo Jima and defended Wade Island. As good as the 101st in their first foray using helicopters as transport.
A paying of respect, for those that have gone before, and fought to ensure that there was something for the current military to defend.
It is a symbiotic relationship. Each honors the other, regardless of any bitterness they might hold inside. True respect, after all, is earned and acquired by giving it first. It just so happens that both generations of American soldiers were the first to give each other their respect.
The new, are grateful to the old, for showing them what not to do, for teaching them the ways of war and of survival. The old, are grateful for the new, in that the younger generation can still fight and win, as the old pass unto history.
There will always be problems of course, but the blood and glue that binds, the esprit de corps, will always remain given such strong bonds.
It sure is, Book!
Ymarsakar, you have a very poetic way of writing. I do agree that the old and the new guard are helping each other. Several of “The Old War Dogs” have stated that they are looking out for “the young pups” because they don’t want what happened to them to happen again. “Blog of War” has a piece which ends with veterans and young soldiers toasting a fallen warrior and how the past and present merge to leave just brothers.
I hope that this little girl (and all the other children who have been helped and even saved by our soldiers) grow up believing that there is good in the world and that there are still people who care about their fellow human beings.
Thanks for the link, Book!
[...] [...]
Anna, thanks again for the wonderful posts (this one and the “Soldier and Child” that followed. I’m a little late, but I’ve just linked to both of ‘em. You just can’t get enough of stories like this, that tell the =truth= about what our guys and gals are doing over there. Funny how we never seem to hear these stories in the “regular” media.
Thanks for the link, Kyle!
Thank you, Kyle for visiting and letting me know that I’m doing what’s right by putting the good news about our soldiers out there!
That is so sweet and heartwarming, Anna! Thanks!
Thank you, Benning! I hope she is well enough that she will be able to sleep without the Chief as he will be coming home soon.
[...] I have had a lot of inquiries about the baby girl in the Gentle Warrior post. I have an email in to Trish to see if she can get further information from her friends and their friends. It may be a little while before I hear anything as Trish and her lovely husband are on vacation out of the country…lucky ducks! I will post any and all information that I receive the moment I get it. [...]
Just Great
I thought so, too, Dennis!
I have never been so moved in my life. What a wonderful heartfelt man John is. I am glad our troops (including my dh and brother) are in the military. These are the reasons why….. (tears are rolling).
First of all, Janice, my sincerest gratitude to you and your family for their service! Our soldiers are not all about fighting and some of the very finest people wear the military uniform! It is those who are putting their lives on the line to help others achieve freedom and safety!
it makes me so very proud to be an AMERICAN and in live in this Country, looking at that picture makes our (my) every day hassels seem so silly.
My love and deepest repect to our men and women in uniform.
dmh
Thank you, Donna! I completely agree.
wow, i never thought anything like that would happen. i think that is so sweet. if there were more people in the world like that then this world would be a heck of a lot better!!!
Isn’t it a wonderful story? The sad part, this is not the only story…there are so many stories of our troops giving of themselves and from the heart for the people of Iraq. You just will not see those stories on the evening news or in the papers.
That is an awsome picture and I would like to thank JOHN’S wife for shareing it with us and May GOD BLESS HIM AND ALL OUR MEN & WOMEN IN THE SERVICE ‘S AND KEEP THE FROM HARM.
Thank you Jo Ann…I feel the same way!
Thank you for your kind thoughts and words on behalf of all service members. While you only see two people in the picture this picture represents countless other great Americans and coalition forces fighting the war on terrorism around the world in and out of uniform who give of themselves today so our children’s, children’s will not have to pick up a sword to defend freedom further down the road.
Again thank you for supporting your service members.
jjg
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln
Chief Gebhardt,
You are a wonderful man! I know that so many other people have helped with this little girl, but the picture of the two of you have inspired so many people. Your compassion has been proof to many who did not realize that there is much good being done in Iraq.
I thank you for your service and I pray for you and all our men and women in uniform as well as the Iraqis as they work to gain a free country.
Anna
Thanks Chief for reponding. This story has touched many lives, including my children who pray for this young lass.
Thank you for your service!
Gawfer, I hope that the Chief comes back to visit!
How wonderful to hear from John Gebhardt, himself! He has earned the title of “hero” just by being the Gentle Warrior he is — & he’s so amazingly humble about it! This incredible photo & story has been a living inspiration to countless others; I know I will never forget it — that special image is imprinted in my brain for a lifetime. Whatever happens to the little girl, I believe she will somehow “remember” John Gebhardt & the love he gave at a time when she needed it the most — & it will make a difference in her life! And what a powerful statement John makes when he expresses this kind of compassion is actually commonplace among other soldiers, all over the globe. I’m so proud of our American military I could almost burst!
Thank you, John, for your service to this country & for your even greater service to mankind.
Trish…all I can say is AMEN!!
Amazing post.
Thanks John. I was so moved that I just had to do a post about it.
[...] Thanks to: “An Email from Iraq” by John of OpFor. “Why We Fight, Part…I’ve Lost Count” by MikeyNTH of Cold Fury. “Chief Gebhardt… Making a Difference” by El Capitan of Dude, where’s the beach? “Gentle Warrior” by dcat of Razor Sharp Claws. “Severely Wounded Little Iraqi Girl Comforted In Arms Of U.S. Airman” by Richard of Hyscience. “Thanks, Chief” by Beth of My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. “Gentle Warrior” by Anna of A Rose By Any Other Name. “”Baby Killer” Comfort” by alan of Kim & Her Friends Explain It All. “this made me cry” by Marsha of Marsha Loftis. [...]
[...] Thanks to: “An Email from Iraq” by John of OpFor. “Why We Fight, Part…I’ve Lost Count” by MikeyNTH of Cold Fury. “Chief Gebhardt… Making a Difference” by El Capitan of Dude, where’s the beach? “Gentle Warrior” by dcat of Razor Sharp Claws. “Severely Wounded Little Iraqi Girl Comforted In Arms Of U.S. Airman” by Richard of Hyscience. “Thanks, Chief” by Beth of My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. “Gentle Warrior” by Anna of A Rose By Any Other Name. “”Baby Killer” Comfort” by alan of Kim & Her Friends Explain It All. “this made me cry” by Marsha of Marsha Loftis. [...]
Thank you for adding me to the list. It’s quite a wonderful one, too!
Well, it looks like our humble hero, Chief Gebhardt, spreads his love & compassion to many a child in need. Another great photo. Simply wonderful!
I can’t remember which blog had posted about this picture, but it really hit home. Think about how powerful that feeling is when you hold a baby on your chest like that. I’ll bet he gained as much as those babies did! Thanks again, Trish for sending me that email!
Wow, 70 comments Annanonymous!
You’re my hero
Well, Stew, it’s probably closer to 35 as I always comment back!
This post has just really spoken to so many people. It’s now all over the blogosphere!
Anna, so glad to see you had a second communication from Chief Gebhardt. For a “simple Airman”, he has a sophisticated heart of gold! His is a name I will always remember with pride. It was quite a relief to know the little Iraqi girl will have the care she’ll need. God bless our troops, some of the bravest, kindest & most humanitarian folks on this earth.
You’ll get another AMEN from me, Trish!
[...] I just received this email from Trish, the woman who originally sent me the story of Chief Gebhardt and the baby girl. This story has flown all over the internet since I posted it on 9/27 and it became such a photo of hope and compassion that I had to pass along the news that the Chief was interviewed on CNN at 5pm today and will be interviewed again on Saturday. (I just found out about it myself, so I missed the Lou Dobbs interview, too!) Anna, [...]
[...] Valour-IT: The teams reached their goal with a total of $184,538! This is so great! The team numers are: Marines: $51,228.85 Navy: $47,212,12 Army: $46,395.00 Air Force: $39,703.10 Thank you to all the teams and everyone who joined and contributed! This is a very worthwhile cause!Gentle Warrior was on CNN this weekend and though he really didn’t want to be in the spotlight, he conveyed some of the wonderful things that our men and women are doing in Iraq! There is also an article about him now that he is home on the Air Force website. The article is called “Humble Chief Gains National Attention”. The chief, who grew up in Jordan, New York, is not at home in the spotlight. When asked to talk about himself, he always tries to switch the focus to the other military people who served with him at Balad. [...]
[...] Update: Over on Blackfive fuzzybear lioness passed on these links to more stories on Chief Master Sgt Gebhardt: A Rose By Any Other Name and from the Air Force home page. [...]
Thank you so much for linking to this wonderful story!
[...] more information and other posts about CMSgt Gebhardt go here and [...]
[...] before, and Anna (of A Rose by Any Other Name) featured this “Gentle Warrior” both here and here. Her latest post includes this update on the good sergeant and his precious patient: Just [...]
Where are these type of men and why can’t I find them? That picture breaks my heart to know that there are actually caring men out there, but I can’t find them. I have a 9 year old son who lost his father when he was two years old and would love to have a father figure in his life. I have been out on enough first dates to exhaust anyone, but none of them have the compassion and kindness that is shown in this photograph. Please, please, send some of these men to Charleston, WV.
FYI: One of my dates this year was deployed to the Middle East in April and we haven’t heard from him since May 07. He was Air Force too, great guy.