Iraq is an agrarian country where you find many farmers and shepherds. Most shepherds are nomads and live like the Bedouins who still roam between all Arab countries. Some own land and stay in one place. It is important for our own safety and theirs that we get to know all of our neighbors.
A few days ago, the son of a local shepherd came to our front gate and reported that the dogs had returned home but not the father. Subsequently they found some of the sheep outside a nearby abandoned Ammunition Supply Point (ASP). The ASP was not secure and is full of live unexploded ordinance (UXO).
Fearing the worst, the son asked us to help find his father.
Our officer in charge of security carefully considered the risk and asked our input, and we decided to form a search party to find him in the ASP. We found the body of the shepherd directly adjacent to a small crater, which was obviously caused by the detonation of a relatively small UXO.
We used a technique to roll him onto his back from a remote location in case the body was booby-trapped with an IED (improvised explosive device). On close examination we determined that in addition to entering a dangerous restricted area, the shepherd had obviously been tampering with the UXO, which led to his own demise.
There were no morbid jokes. If we were callous and uncivilized, we could have left the body for the dogs and wolves. No one would know. If we were barbarians with hatred in our hearts we could have done things barbarians do to bodies, which perpetuates more hatred.
Because we are professionals, we carefully documented and retained his personal possessions for his family, and we contained his remains in a coroners pouch; and we placed that in an American body bag.
Because we don’t have hatred in our hearts, we took our translator out to the family to notify them of the death and to provide grief support. They specifically requested to see the remains of their loved one. So we prepared them for what they would see and then we brought them in and respectfully showed them. Then we presented the intact right hand of the shepherd for them to touch and caress. We waited with them while they prayed Muslim prayers (even as some of us were praying silent Christian ones). Finally, the U.S. Army expedited the arrival of the local Iraqi Police authorities so that they could bury the remains before sunset, which is their tribal custom.
You know my heart God, and I know what you want of my heart. Teach me to be broken and contrite. Prevent hatred from entering the space I reserve for you.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)