Comments for Doing what comes naturally.

Doing what comes naturally.

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:42:29 -0600

If you have to have a foreign military in your midst, you can do much worse than that military being the United States Military and our allies. Sgt. Daniel Love CJSOTF Public Affairs BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 13, 2008) —On a warm morning in early June, a worried Abdullah Haqim walked with his daughter into the weekly Coalition medical clinic in Farah province, Afghanistan. 6 year-old Gulzana was sick and local Afghan doctors could not diagnose or treat the painful swelling that had engulfed her left eye. The father watched with a worried expression as a U.S. Special Operations Forces doctor examined the tumor that covered her eye. He was worried because insurgents in the area had warned him that Coalition doctors would not help his daughter and may even hurt her. “This wasn’t the type of thing we could treat at the weekly clinic,” the SOF doctor said. “Most of our patients here require more basic assistance. Her case required advanced medical care as quickly as we could provide it, so we had to start making plans right away if we were to have a chance of saving her.” Gulzana had an orbital tumor growing from her eye which was expanding to her cheek and eye brow. In a developing country such as Afghanistan, a child with such an affliction has an extremely low chance of survival. Soon after the American doctor looked at her, he began coordinating life-saving plans.

Comment from Fred on 2008-07-14

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:43:46 -0600

It's not clear from this if they saved her eye. Would you know?

Comment from Chuck Simmins on 2008-07-14

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:19:11 -0600

Around the wrist cartridge belt? Or garter belt like same?

Comment from AFSister on 2008-07-14

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:44:40 -0600

No better friend, no worse enemy, is exactly right. It's one of the things that makes me most proud to be an American, and proud of our military.

Comment from Justthisguy on 2008-07-14

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:52:56 -0600

Hey, Colin, as the Marines say, "No better friend, no worse enemy!" I reckon it's the Scots-Irish in us, or something. As for the girl, Awww! Cute kid!

Comment from Colin on 2008-07-14

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:31:49 -0600

Good job helping the little girl, the soldiers and their CO are to be commended for their quick action. The American soldier has always impressed me for their ability to fight and the ability to switch off the fight mode and show kindness.

Colin, Vancouver Canada

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-07-13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:50:05 -0600

Oops. Wrong post, Chuck!

That would be a reeeeely small-waisted troop!

Comment from ledger on 2008-07-13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:47:02 -0600

Great story!

Head and neck tumors can be very difficult to treat.

Comment from Chuck Simmins on 2008-07-13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:35:04 -0600

cartridge belt?

Comment from FbL on 2008-07-13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:52:05 -0600

Awwww... That is just too cool. :)

Comment from Maggie on 2008-07-13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:47:30 -0600

BZ baby. Great post.