On September 6, 2003, then Capt. Southworth, was leading a military police unit charged with training the Iraqi police. They were patrolling an Iraqi town when they stopped into a local orphanage. Upon they're arrival, a little orphan boy by the name of Ala'a, crippled by cerebral palsy and left for dead in the streets of Iraq, pulled himself across the floor, smiled and spoke sever English words to Southworth.Ala'a's heartfelt actions crippled Southworth's emotions and a life long bond was formed. Southworth's tour was set to end in July of 2004 but he was able to visit numerous times over the months. Southworth was determined to bring Ala's home but under Iraqi law a foreigner could not adopt and Iraqi. Southworth was finally able to bring Ala's to the US for medical treatment. Upon his arrival in the US, Southworth was able to secure humanitarian parole for Ala's and adopted him as his son.
Ala'a is in school, fluent in English and learning to read. Doctors have donated their time to treat Ala's cerebral palsy and he is learning to walk.
Southworth's heroic story does not end here. In June of this year, US soldiers found 24 orphan's being severally neglected and on the verge of death. Southworth as well as several other soldiers are working to bring these children to the US for adoption. 40 families have already agreed to house the young children until they are adopted.
In 2005, Southworth was awarded the US Army's General MacArthur leadership award for his commitment to "duty, honor and country".
Whatever your opinion is on the war, you must admit that Southworth is true American hero. To sacrifice the ease of his own life and take on the challenge of loving and being a father to an Iraqi child with cerebral palsy is remarkable. Southwork recognizes Ala'a for what he is and that is a child, just like any other child, with a heart filled with love for his new dad. God bless Southworth as a father and for what he is trying to accomplish in the name of love.
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