It's taken a while to write about the below events, and much like the Crocker post, I debated whether or not to post this. However, you've read all the news reports and seen the TV anchors. I wanted to wait for all the fresh debate about women in combat to subside before I posted this -- I didn't want to add to the din. You come here for the real gouge, and I think of this as adding to the existing tributes to our fallen and documenting the heroism of those who were there.
By now you've all heard about the SVBIED (Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improved Explosive Device) attack on our convoy on 23 June in which 5 Marines and a Sailor were killed, and 13 more were wounded. Some of those killed and wounded were "our girls" as we called them, meaning they worked right here at the CMOC, searching female Iraqis before they were allowed to enter our perimeter. I've attached a couple of pictures so you can remember CS1 Regina Clark (KIA) and Cpl Sally Jane Saalman (WIA) and pray for them and their families, as well as the other Marines who were killed and wounded in the attack.
Sgt Kent Padmore (a reserve Marine from the Miami area, an EMT in his "civilian" job -- and a native of Trinidad like my good friend Dave Roberts, MSgt, USMC (Ret)!) is the NCOIC of the CMOC guard force. After a long day of keeping us safe, he typically brings his team inside the CMOC where the can get some chow, work out, check their email, etc. while awaiting their evening convoy ride back to Camp Fallujah.
On the 23rd, Sgt Padmore's team had just shoved off when we heard the bomb go off, and just had a horrible feeling that our convoy and "our girls" were the targets. The helplessness of being here, 1/2 mile away and not being able to go out and help was not a feeling I'd like to experience again soon.
Ironically, the SVBIED attack occurred just 2 days after we formally dedicated a room here in the CMOC to the memory of Maj Ric Crocker, whom I wrote about below. We delayed the opening of the CMOC that day so that Sgt Padmore's team could participate. At the dedication, LtCol Haldeman said a few words, and Cpl Sally Jane Saalman closed the ceremony with a stirring a capella rendition of "America The Beautiful." There were few dry eyes in the house when she finished, even among our Iraqi friends.
Immediately following the attack, the disabled vehicles came under small-arms fire. The terrorists were shooting our stretcher bearers and those giving aid to our WIAs. So much for peaceful religious beliefs. Nevertheless, our Marines returned fire, maneuvered against the despicable enemy, performed first aid, and evacuated the wounded. Sgt Padmore risked his life several times by entering the burning wreckage to pull wounded Marines free. I am certain that you will be reading more about this fine Marine in the future. Cpl Saalman provided first aid to others before she finally submitted to the corpsman and allowed herself to be treated. As the vehicle carrying the wounded raced for Camp Fallujah, I'm told that -- despite the trauma they had just experienced, the shock, and the pain they were all feeling -- Cpl Saalman kept everyone calm. How, you may ask? What did this young Marine do to try to ease the pain, reassure the frightened? She did one of the things she does best: she sang "America The Beautiful" over and over until they reached the safety of Fallujah Surgical.
The next day, the guard force was back on the job. It makes my heart swell with pride just to be in the same grid square as these young heroes.
I understand that Cpl Saalman will soon be released from the burn center at Ft Sam Houston in Texas, and she is expected to make a full recovery. The attack was a tragedy to be sure, but we've got to press on and get this thing done. These people are experiencing freedoms for the first time, and every day I tell at least one Iraqi how great it is to have a representative form of government and stress the importance of their participation in it. Slowly but surely, we're getting there. The sooner these people can stand on their own the sooner we can go home!
CMOC Guard Force - 21 Jun 05 - CS1 Clark is in front, along with Sgt Padmore. Cpl Saalman is in the back row. The Iraqis are members of the Public Order Brigade (POB). They and the Marines work together to screen the CMOC entrance so that the city government can conduct its business and we can work in relative safety.
Cpl Saalman and Hondo - This was taken just after the Crocker Room dedication ceremony. CS1 Clark is just over Hondo's shoulder.
