by Megan Torres

Created on: June 07, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

For over half of a decade the war in Iraq has ruined thousands of families. Soldiers have risked life and limb to bring peace to a country that has lived in fear of its own leader for decades. This is not about that, this is a different story about a family; an Iraqi American family that has been torn apart by war. They are an educated, loyal, and honest family that deserves to live together without fear.

The Hishan Family has lived in America before; they raised two of their five children in Denver, Colorado. They were here earning an education; they followed the American laws. Unfortunately, they were required to return to Iraq by the Iraqi government. Then the tragedy of 9/11 struck, and the US Government along with the UN coalition began Operation Enduring Freedom, which began in Afghanistan where the largest parts of the al-Qaeda leaders were captured. It remains controversial whether or not it was the knowledge or fear that Iraq would finance the terrorists in Afghanistan that made the US begin Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At the beginning of April in 2003 1st Lt. Lorne Segerstrom was deployed to Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division. Their tour brings them to the city of Tikrit; their mission requires them to collect intelligence from the locals. With the knowledge of five Arabic dialects and the ability to speak English, Nawar Hishan made the perfect translator. In May of 2003, Nawar accepts the job as Segerstrom's translator for a mere $50 a month. While working as a translator his commitment and productivity was unparalleled. His perception and instincts saved lives of soldiers on many occasions. Not only did he keep them safe from day to day he helped obtain information that ultimately led to the capture of four of the top fifty most wanted in Iraq. The price on Nawar's head was worth more than he was making. After many attempts on the lives of his family Segerstrom was able to help Nawar and his sister, Runda, who are both US citizens, return to the US by paying for their $3000 airfare and the rest of his family was forced to flee to the United Arab Emirates. Runda Hishan saw her three younger brothers for the last time on August 23, 2003.

As soon as they arrived in the United States, Nawar and his sister applied for their family to join them. Meanwhile, Segerstrom stayed in Iraq to continue fighting and on September 14, 2003 1st Lt. Segerstrom's vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device. Luckily, only his leg was injured and he was able to chase

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