BS”D
2/Dec/03
On September 17, 2003, I was wounded in a terrorist ambush outside of
Baghdad. Since then I have been the recipient of an incredible display
of compassion, caring, and concern from people all over the world. Most
of the letters and emails have been from people I don’t even know. This
community display of achdut has been very moving, and, more importantly,
a great Kiddush Hashem.
I want to take this opportunity to personally
thank everyone who has taken the time to send in a letter or email. My
family and I very much appreciate all the kind and thoughtful well
wishes. This reaction from the community has been overwhelmingly
supportive during this difficult time.
Any frum person who has spent time in uniform
knows that holding onto your yiddishkeit while in the army, (especially
when at war), isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. Davening was one of
the hardest things. Certainly there were days that we had leisure time
to wake up and do whatever personal things we liked. There were also
plenty of days where we were awakened after only a few hours sleep and
ordered to leave on a mission “right this instant!” We would stay out
for several hours without stopping and thus I missed the chance to daven
properly. Perhaps the most interesting davening experience I had, beside
the driver’s seat of an armed HMMWV occurred while stationed in Tikrit
inside Saddam’s second wife’s palace. I probably was the first Jew in
the palace compound, and I definitely was the first person in Tallis and
Tefillin there.
My ordeal in Iraq taught me priceless life
lessons. My perspective and appreciation for Hashem and the life He has
given me has fallen into a new light, and I know I must reciprocate the
goodness I have received.
In response I have created the Jewish Soldier
Foundation. The Foundation is to help protect the religious rights and
freedoms of fellow Jewish Soldiers. In addition the JSF will provide
support to families of soldiers in need, especially families of deployed
soldiers. I can only imagine how difficult it was for my wife, Sarai,
when her husband of one week went into work on a Sunday afternoon to
begin deployment preparations. I know first hand what a Jewish Soldier
and his family needs, and I want to be able to secure what’s needed for
my brothers in uniform.
Again let me say thank you to everyone for your
caring and support. It is all very much appreciated. On December 9th I
am scheduled for bone graft surgery which, with G-d’s help, will be the
last major surgery I need. The doctors are confident that they have
saved my leg and that it’s not long until I learn to walk on it again. I
know your prayers have played a tremendous part in this.
Thank you again,
Spc. Joe Kashnow
The Jewish Soldier Foundation
http://www.jewishsoldier.org
