Local linguist helps deployed Airmen, shows his pride as an American

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  A good part of his life was driven by a quest for money and success in America.

In his younger days, he fought oppressors as a militiaman in his native country, Lebanon. Now, as an American citizen, he uses his energy and wisdom to help bring peace to this nation.

The locals call him “Sam the Lebanese,” a title he finds amusing -- since considers himself as American as “Honest Abe.” On Ali Base, he’s just Sam to Airmen who’ve been here more than 24 hours. Iraqi schoolchildren refer to him as “Uncle Sam,” a title that makes him happy because it sums up what he’s trying to do here: to be as close and as trusted as a family member to every Iraqi. The name simultaneously captures the passion he has for America.

Sam believes this fight is the noblest cause of his life and that those he works alongside epitomize the ideals of selfless service to mankind.

Sam is a Department of Defense-contracted Arabic linguist assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here. He has been in Iraq for almost a year and has helped coalition forces understand the people and landscape of southern Iraq.

“He has literally linked me to local sheiks, civic leaders from the city of An Nasiriyah [Iraq], and established a tactical information network that guarantees a crystal clear level of situational awareness,” said squadron commander Maj. Erik K. Rundquist.

The “situational awareness” Sam provides is used by the Air Force, Army and coalition partners, and is the product of time Sam spends in the community with Iraqi citizens, community and civic leaders, sheiks and Bedouins. All of the organizations that benefit from his knowledge are briefed by Sam on a regular basis.

Although Sam has nothing but the highest praise for the Airmen and Soldiers he works with, he is not a military man. He talks about what he does, how he does it and his successes using less militaristic language.

A different culture
The key to understanding and helping the Iraqi people move away from their immediate history and into the world community is to talk to the people face-to-face, Sam said.(His full name is not used for security reasons).

“The culture here is built on trust and personal relationships. I visit the [Bedouin] camps and talk to the people. I explain that I have chosen America and the American way of government. I explain that they can have a government that looks out for them as well,” he said.

Many of the Iraqis who distrust the motives of the coalition are distrustful of government in general. Younger adults in Iraq have lived under a dictatorship and without personal freedom or liberties their whole lives. It takes more than a convoy of armored vehicles passing by with flags, or television images of fast cars and big houses to change a mindset born of generations of government abuse, Sam said.

“But when I talk to (Iraqis) and tell them that it’s possible to have a life where, for instance, people are innocent until proven guilty -- not having to somehow come up with evidence of their innocence against ridiculous charges -- they find it fascinating,” he said. “I believe that I’ve changed the views of 99 percent of the Iraqis I talk to.”

Actions speak louder
Sam remembers the United Nations convoys that used to pass his house as a child in Lebanon. He remembers UN Peacekeepers tossing candy from the vehicles and how it made him think that it was possible for people to bring about peace through acts of kindness.

“People remember the little things like that. Good things stick in your mind and stay with you. They help you and make you better because you learn how it feels to be taken care of,” Sam said. “You learn that there are people that want to make things better.”

Each interaction that Sam has with an Iraqi is an effort toward that end -- to win over another person by talking about the truth.

“Saddam [Hussein] did a lot to portray Americans as evil and GIs as savages who will only steal and kill if they are allowed into Iraq. I show the people the good things Americans have done and tell them about the people I work with. I talk about how good, humane and fair America is,” he said.

Some of the work Sam does with Iraqis includes direct involvement with Airmen from the 407th ESFS and Soldiers based here. Operation Kaleidoscope was an initiative to increase awareness and cooperation between base security forces and the population outside. It also put a combined front on efforts to ease the minds of Iraqis, as the Air Force and Army worked to deliver basic necessities to the impoverished Bedouin tribes around the base.

Airmen and Soldiers joined Sam on visits to Bedouin camps where they talked to people and distributed supplies. Sam hoped the operation would go a long way to improve relations. It did.

Major Rundquist is more than happy with the results of Operation Kaleidoscope.

“It was noted as a tremendous endeavor and cited by organizations from intelligence, force protection, security, Army, and even Australian defense ministry as a ‘best practice,” the major said.

Change of heart
Sam didn’t go looking for a job as a DOD-contracted linguist. The organization went looking for him.

Sam decided a long time ago that he wanted to be an American citizen. With advanced degrees in business and Arabic studies, he eventually decided that being self-made was the best option for his future. And working for himself, Sam had great success in restaurant, auto repair and construction businesses. Construction is how he ended up in Iraq.

Sam was looking to expand his stateside construction business into the Middle East. He learned his best options would require getting a DOD security clearance. He applied for the clearance but decided against expansion of business into the Middle East during the paperwork process.

He forgot all about the clearance until the DOD contractor company called for a linguist job.

Sam was already active in his community, doing what he could within local government and civic organizations to battle terrorism. His childhood left him with a firm belief that everybody should be involved in the fight.

“Everybody can do something, even if it’s something small, to help rid the world of evil. We must all make some kind of sacrifice to secure a future of peace for our children, “he said.

“Where else can I get an opportunity to do this much good without it costing me anything more than my effort?” Sam said. “I was so proud the day I became an American. Now I have the chance to tell others why I did it. I don’t think I could do anything else anymore. I love helping people.”

Back home
One of Sam’s concerns with the U.S. and coalition efforts in Iraq is the public’s perception of the servicemembers. He’s sure that public understanding of the efforts of the men and women serving falls far short of reality and that too little credit is given to them.

Sam said that many of the accolades bestowed upon him should rightfully be shared with the Airmen and Soldiers who work alongside him.

“A lot of Americans don’t understand the sacrifices these [servicemembers] are making here. Even if it’s just a Soldier standing on a rock guarding a gate, it’s something that has to be done and I’m proud to be working with all of them. These [servicemembers] are the true Americans, they are the greatest people in the world,” he said.

Accomplishments
No matter how he tries, Sam cannot pass off all of the praise on team effort.

“The next time you come we will take away the [bridge over the canal] so that you can’t ever leave,” said Dowayeh, a local Bedouin.

“I have never met a more selfless individual who’s so willing to put the mission as his number one priority,” said 1st Lt. Christopher M. Hagemeyer, 407th ESFS Bravo Flight commander.

Sam is just glad to be doing what he’s doing. His one-year experience has changed the direction of his future. And although he will soon leave a “squadron of brothers,” he hopes to stay involved in some way that keeps him closer to the family he “dedicates his life for.”

“This is the best thing I ever did. I feel like what America is doing here is very important and I am just a proud American trying to help,” he said.