Army officer and his Iraqi interpreter are writing the book on international friendship

BY BORDEN BLACK - Special to the Ledger-Enquirer --

It's the kind of story books are written about, and that's just what Maj. James Britton Yount and his Iraqi interpreter dream of doing.

The two can now collaborate in person on a manuscript because Ammar Mahdi Hadi and his family have come to Columbus. Yount first met Hadi, now known as Russell, in 2005 in Camp Liberty when he selected the Iraqi teacher to translate for his Special Forces Police Transition Team.

"Iraq is like a door and he had the key," Yount says of his 29-year-old interpreter. He recalls, for instance, crossing his legs in a certain way during a meeting with powerful Iraqis not knowing it was offensive. "I had to ask for a lot of forgiveness," he explains.

Learning how to bridge the cultural and language barriers and show respect helps Americans deal with the Iraqi leadership and that saves lives, Yount believes. "They see we are not all bad guys. He helped bridge that gap."

It wasn't just cultural information that the major and his translator shared. They went through what he calls "challenging, funny and sad times." Those are among the stories they would like to share with others. One of those tales concerns an incident in which Hadi pushed his American charge to the ground saving him from a sniper's bullet. "We are brothers," Hadi says of their relationship. "He is a good guy with a big heart and friendly."

"We shared a lot of high adventure," Yount agrees. "There's not a lot Russell wouldn't do for me, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

That's one reason Yount didn't hesitate to sponsor the relocation of Hadi and his family to the United States. A year ago they heard about a system to bring interpreters to the U.S. Because they assist coalition forces they are targets for loyalists in Iraq. It took nine months, but three weeks ago the effort to get Hadi, his wife and 8-month-old daughter to America was successful. The reunion was delayed slightly when the Iraqi family missed their flight. "It was high adventure," Yount recalls. "He was unfamiliar with our systems and how to get around. We knew it would be an extreme challenge."

The shoe is now on the other foot and the American officer is guiding his Iraqi brother through a new culture. "When he arrived, his eyes were as big as silver dollars. He was amazed initially about our freedoms."

Blending two families has also been challenging. "Me and Russell know each other so we are the glue that is keeping things together. The rest of my family and his are figuring things out."

That includes using appliances. Hadi grins when he recalls blowing up an egg in the microwave.

Yount's wife Ashley spends her days caring for the couple's 5-month old son, Britton, and helping the young Iraqi mother care for her daughter. "Being mothers, there is so much we want to talk about. She is trying to ask me questions, but all I can say is get Ammar to translate," Yount says.

Unlike her husband, she had no prior experience with foreign customs but totally supports bringing the Iraqi family into their home. Although there have been some trying times -- for instance, using charades to teach the newcomer how to use the washing -- Yount says it is also a beneficial experience seeing "everything we take for granted."

The most difficult thing for both of the Hadis was leaving their mothers. They arrived in the U.S. with three suitcases and a baby stroller, not knowing if they would ever see their relatives again. Although it was a difficult decision that they struggled with for a long time, Yount says things are improving. Hadi, who has a degree in microbiology, now has a construction job and hopes to be able to earn money to get his family their own home.

He would like eventually to get a job that would help the U.S. Army. Yount points out the translator could be invaluable in teaching young soldiers about what they will face in Iraq. "When you have someone who can tell it like it is, you should use them," he says. "I can tell soldiers the key to success," Hadi adds.

Hadi believes there can be peace in Iraq if America stays to insure security. He supports President Bush and the American presence and his advice includes: "Have strong arms and a big heart. Power is not the solution."

Those are among the things they would include in a book along with the experiences that bound together the brawny American officer and his slight Iraqi "brother."