After the news of a U.S. soldier charged with murdering Afghan civilians, mostly women and children, the story of Spc. Dennis Weichel of the Rhode Island National Guard bears telling.
The official Pentagon news release says he died "from injuries suffered in a noncombat related incident." But there is much more to the story. Weichel, 29, of Providence, died saving the life of a little girl.
According to the Rhode Island National Guard and the U.S. Army, Weichel was in a convoy a week ago with his unit in Laghman Province, in northeast Afghanistan. Some children were in the road in front of the convoy, and Weichel and other troops got out to move them out of the way.
Most of the children moved, but one little girl went back to pick up some brass shell casings in the road. Afghan civilians often recycle the casings, and the girl appeared to aim to do that. But a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle was moving toward her, according to Lt. Col. Denis Riel of the Rhode Island National Guard.
MRAPs, as they are known, usually weigh more than 16 tons.
Weichel saw the massive truck bearing down on the girl and grabbed her out of the way. But in the process, the armored truck ran him over, Riel said.
The little girl is fine. Weichel died a short time later of his injuries.
"He was a big kid at heart. He always had a smile on his face, and he made everyone laugh," 1st Sgt. Nicky Peppe, who served with Weichel in Iraq, is quoted as saying in an Army story.
"But as much as Weichel was funny, he was also a professional. When it was time to go outside the wire for a combat patrol, he was all business."
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has ordered flags in the state lowered to half-staff until Weichel, who was posthumously promoted to sergeant, is laid to rest Monday.
Weichel is survived by his parents, his fiancee and three children. His family will be awarded a Bronze Star and other awards for his sacrifice.
That was so brave of him. This is what soldiers are supposed to be doing. Saving people. Sad that he died.
I was looking at myself talking to myself and I realized this conversation...I was having with myself looking at myself was a conversation with myself that I needed to have with myself.
Help me to escape from this existence
I yearn for an answer... can you help me?
I'm drowning in a sea of abused visions and shattered dreams
In somnolent illusion... I'm paralyzed
I do not doubt that there are righteous people among soldiers but the sad truth is that in a lot of armies the soldiers are mindless idiots who sadly most of the time their idea of fun is something that is at the expense of others. I believe this because I have been in that shoe and I have been surrounded by these idiots. I'm glad my time is over. I also learnt that the "leaders", the senior officers are most of the time just thinking about covering their butts or impressing their seniors so that they get promoted. Sad truth but as I said among them are a few who truly deserve to be called soldiers.
I was looking at myself talking to myself and I realized this conversation...I was having with myself looking at myself was a conversation with myself that I needed to have with myself.
a day will come when one's hands, skin, tongue among other things... speak for themselves.
i can expand if you like.. but i would not bring any happiness to you if i did.
that is the mercy of allah swt, that all eyes are opened on different days.. each to his own and each to his own end.
edit(i dont like what is implied by that sentence, i have no power of imbuing knowledge.. but i could explain how it works in my eyes and its not nice)
the message has always been here, read it again until you understand.. maybe one day the veil is lifted.. do not hasten towards it.
about shahadat.
a mans end may be sudden or prolonged.
but each word has been heard.. not by our ears.
..edit again, i know a lot of people will find my post patronising, i would hope so.. i expect more from you.. if you found it threatening it was not meant to be, it was intended as a warning originally.
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
A mysterious one post stranger comes and tells us of the lone good soldier in light of 16 cvillians who recently got killed .. Sorry but I ain't buying the save face PR.
A mysterious one post stranger comes and tells us of the lone good soldier in light of 16 cvillians who recently got killed .. Sorry but I ain't buying the save face PR.
I hate their brazen arrogance you know.. the headlines first read of how the U.S is giving money to the 'alleged victims' like their crappy blood money is equivalent to one human life lost.. And if that doesn't work then they'll tell you of one selfless immolating soldier..
ugh.. I am so sick of the world walhi.. not sure where one can migrate to be at peace with sincere people away from all this strife.
The world's problems appear to be so numerous and endless. We hear about human tragedy every single day all thanks to the internet and cable news. No human being should be expected to digest such horrendous events all at once.
70:28 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure
You'd think one would become accustomed by now.. but it is so emotionally jarring.. I can't even get a decent night sleep with or without medications walhi.. yesterday I had a dream about Syria and Asad pointing to people to kill them.. one wakes up with the same heavy heart that one sleeps with and the Muslims on here aren't doing much to cheer one up either.. even when you try to muster some hope it is always nipped in the bud
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
And verily for everything that a slave loses there is a substitute, but the one who loses Allah will never find anything to replace Him.” [Related by Ibn al-Qayyim in ad-Dâ' wad-Dawâ Fasl 49]
it is on the HP I don't feel like googling it myself but it was the first thing you saw signing into AOL yesterday.. just like today the first thing you see is OBL eating ladoos while watching VHS on his 1980 state of the art RCA TV because where else but the U.S can a tall athletic Arabic man end up a ladoo eating chubby Asian with a glued on beard while his wife confesses in a 'tell all' of his life on the 'run' They live sycophants with a superiority complex and wish to have that be the way of the world..
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
You'd think one would become accustomed by now.. but it is so emotionally jarring.. I can't even get a decent night sleep with or without medications walhi.. yesterday I had a dream about Syria and Asad pointing to people to kill them.. one wakes up with the same heavy heart that one sleeps with and the Muslims on here aren't doing much to cheer one up either.. even when you try to muster some hope it is always nipped in the bud
I think it is best avoid watching negative news for some time. It is making you upset and does not sound healthy when you cannot get a good night sleep.
I was looking at myself talking to myself and I realized this conversation...I was having with myself looking at myself was a conversation with myself that I needed to have with myself.
You'd think one would become accustomed by now.. but it is so emotionally jarring.. I can't even get a decent night sleep with or without medications walhi.. yesterday I had a dream about Syria and Asad pointing to people to kill them.. one wakes up with the same heavy heart that one sleeps with and the Muslims on here aren't doing much to cheer one up either.. even when you try to muster some hope it is always nipped in the bud
Sis its good to know that atleast some muslims feel pain for their fellow brothers and sisters, many will go on with life with their ears closed and pretend nothings happening
Reminds me of this hadith:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) as saying: ‘He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do that, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do even that, then he should (at least abhor it) from his heart; and that is the least of faith.” Sahih Muslim Hadith 79 Narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri
Insha'Allah you'll be rewarded for your concern of the ummah
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
Insha'Allah you'll be rewarded for your concern of the ummah
And you insha'Allah.. but it isn't a concern when we're in the through of it, I mean who isn't touched by this? It is happening to us we're the ummah.. and if not happening to us it is a matter of time before it does..
And you insha'Allah.. but it isn't a concern when we're in the through of it, I mean who isn't touched by this? It is happening to us we're the ummah.. and if not happening to us it is a matter of time before it does..
I pray not.
The internet can be a powerful tool...one we must utilize.
As hard as it is for me to comprehend all of Middle Eastern culture, including Islam, I am trying to. That is why I am here.
In America, we are bombarded with documentaries like "The Third Jihad" and "Islam: What The West Needs To Know". I probably don't even need to elaborate on what we see through the media. While this portrays ignorance, it is what we see perpetually.
Boards like this are different. We see real peoples' perspective from all over the world. Here I have found a most wonderful community full of people that are trying to better understand other peoples' viewpoints and religious beliefs. With few exceptions, I see a group of people exhibiting love to all of mankind. There many Muslims here whom I admire, enjoy and respect for their intelligence and steadfast faith.
Please, please, please continue to do so. You can help make the difference. This is what our citizens need to see....truth. Bombard them with it! I will preach on my side of the ocean, of that you can be sure. Americans are already beginning to sway, protesting our foreign policies and the portrayal of Muslims in a negative light. Without question, you, through the media, are seeing the worst of our behavior as well. I beg us all not to generalize in viewing either aspect of culture and religion.
Things can change. I will be a beacon of tolerance and acceptance at every opportunity. I hope we all will.
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