Iraqi native returns home as U.S. soldier

[unhappycamper]

Iraqi native returns home as U.S. soldier
By Randy Dockendorf - Yankton (S.D) Press & Dakotan
Posted : Saturday Mar 14, 2009 13:43:35 EDT

YANKTON, S.D. — Sarah Abdalkreem left her native Iraq as the target of insurgents. Now, she is returning to that nation as a United States soldier.

Spc. Abdalkreem saw her brother killed and her father kidnapped — never to be seen again — from their Iraq home. She and the rest of her family barely escaped with their lives, relying on others to get them out of the country.

The family was targeted because Abdalkreem’s mother, Mayasa Abass, translated for U.S. and coalition forces. Maj. Lyle LaCroix of Yankton, who worked with Abass, pressed for her family’s safe departure from the country under a special immigration program for Iraqi interpreters. LaCroix then welcomed the family into his home while they resettled in Yankton.

Nearly 18 months later, Abdalkreem has joined the South Dakota National Guard. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Abdalkreem will serve as a translator during her 400-day deployment in Iraq.

“This is my first time back to Iraq since we left (as a family),” she said.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_iraqi_turned_us_soldier_031409/%2e