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By Spc. Carlee Ross
25th Infantry Division Public Affairs
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Retired general Georges Sada spent the day with Schofield Soldiers to tell his story as a respected military commander during Saddam Hussein's reign of Iraq, Jan. 17.
Sada's began his morning by visiting the Nehelani Club for a prayer breakfast held in his honor and hosted by Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon and his wife. He also spoke at a leader professional development conference later that morning.
Sada is a former Iraqi air force general, who served as an advisor to Saddam Hussein. His testimony during the prayer breakfast confirmed his belief that sending American troops to war has proven to be a justifiable action. Most of Sada's opinions can be read in his book, titled "Saddam's Secrets: How an Iraqi General Defied and Survived Saddam Hussein."
Chap. (Lt. Col.) Thomas Wheatley described Sada as a modern day Daniel. Wheatley also believes he is an amazing man with an even more amazing testimony.
When he was invited to Schofield Barracks by Mixon he jumped at the opportunity and immediately said yes. "I felt very proud and honored," said Sada.
Sada wanted to talk to U.S. Soldiers so he could explain what Saddam's regime consisted of and the evil he was building and preparing to expand. He believes that invading Iraq was the right move at the proper time.
"Only God knows what he (Saddam) was going to do," said Sada.
"This is a live view of someone who has, as they say, been there and done that," said Mixon.
As an Assyrian born Christian, Sada makes up a very small minority of the population in Iraq. When asked what it means to be a Christian in Iraq, he believes it is a very normal thing. The Assyrian's and Christians are indigenous people of the area now known as Iraq.
To this day Sada wonders how he was able to attain the positions he held being a Christian. Most recently he has been asked by many people, "Why not run for president of Iraq?" Sada's response is simple, "A Christian cannot run a Muslim country."
One of the most controversial testimonies in Sada's book deals with Saddam's elusive stockpile of weapons of mass destruction while he was in power. They were removed only days before the coalition invaded in 2003, said Sada.
Although Sada thinks American's should have finished the job in the Gulf War he wants American's to hold fast. This is why he claims to have written his book.
Excerpt from book:
"I never set out to write a book about these things... I was only persuaded to undertake this project after a series of speaking engagements in America... But after much thought, prayer and consultation with my family and friends, I have decided that such a book may help the people of my country and shed new light on our situation." (Secrets...Page 18)
Sada strongly believes great things are happening in Iraq. "Time will only tell," he said.
"But remember, all lives we have lost there, whether American's or Iraqi's, they were the sacrifices for a great cause and a great reason; to liberate a country from an evil dictatorship regime, and liberate 27 million people. The Iraqi's will never forget that for all their life. And then remember these young men and women were killed because America was fighting the terrorist in the best way of how to fight a terrorist, as far away from your country," explained Sada.
Sada's visit had a positive impact on the audience who listened.
"I was really interested in what he had to say," said Spc. Jacob Mitchell, A Troop, 3-4 Cav., Cavalry Scout. "It gave me an insight on why we're doing this war," he added.
Spending time with such a dignified individual, who reaffirms why Soldiers are fighting and spending time away from their families motivates others to continue the ongoing mission.
"Sada has explained today how important it is to finish this mission," said Mixon.
Time will certainly reveal the fruits of our labors in the U.S. assisting and helping the Iraqi nation. But for one former Iraqi general, asking and telling us not to leave, our presence has already proved to be worth the fight and created hope for an entire country.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2008 19:06 |
| Story ID: | 15728 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 298 |
| Downloads: | 265 |
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