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Widow of abducted soldier gives to Iraqi boy

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — At about the same time an 11-year-old Iraqi boy was on an operating table having heart surgery on Long Island last week, the widow of an Army captain abducted and slain in Iraq was opening a package at her home in California.

It was her husband’s personal effects, including a hand-held Sony PlayStation video game that Capt. Brian Freeman played with during down time while on patrol in Iraq.

On Tuesday, Charlotte Freeman fought back tears as she presented the gadget to the smiling, gum-chewing boy named Ali as a token of what she hoped would be a lifelong friendship that began between the boy and her husband in Iraq.

Brian Freeman was killed in Karbala by Iraqi militants on Jan. 20; earlier that same day he learned that Ali had received the paperwork needed to visit the United States for surgery. After he was killed, members of Freeman’s unit and his widow both contacted Gift of Life International to ensure that Ali would indeed receive the promised surgery.

Ali, whose last name was withheld to protect relatives in Iraq who fear reprisals, and his father were flown to Long Island this month, where he received the lifesaving heart surgery at Schneider Children’s Hospital.

The trip was made possible in no small part by Freeman, a West Point graduate and Army reservist from Temecula, Calif., who met Ali and his father in Iraq. He contacted Gift of Life, which helped raise $10,000 to pay travel and medical costs for Ali and another boy who has not yet arrived in the United States.

“I want to thank ‘Brian’s Army’ for completing this promise he made to Ali,” Charlotte Freeman said during brief remarks at a news conference in the hospital cafeteria. She and Brian Freeman had two children together, Gunnar, 3, and 1-year-old Ingrid.

Ali, dressed in a gray sweater and white T-shirt, spoke through an interpreter in thanking the Freemans, hospital staff and others. But when he was presented with a stuffed bear from a representative of Ronald McDonald House, he did manage a meek “thank you” in English.

Physicians said they repaired a hole between the upper chambers of Ali’s heart that extended into the valves.

“Our expectation for Ali is that he will make a complete recovery,” said Dr. Frederick Bierman, who noted that the youngster’s surgery went so well he was able to be released from the hospital last Saturday. He and his father are staying at a nearby Ronald McDonald House.

The boy’s father, Abdul, did not attend the press conference because of concerns for his security, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Ali said he would like to remain in the United States, but also was looking forward to seeing his mother, brothers and sisters when he returns to Iraq.

“His biggest thanks are to God, Captain Freeman and Charlotte,” an interpreter said.