Caught in the Crossfire- A Child’s Story
I didn’t want to look. Sitting in front of me was the epotime of innocence — a beautiful 8-year-old Afghan girl named Razia. This job prepares you for the darker side of human existence, but to see a child a become a victim of white phosphorus, a lethal chemical, is something you will never forget. White phosphorus will burn until it is gone. It will burn down to the bone. White phosphorus will melt an oxygen mask on a child’s face. White phosphorus will reignite hours, and days later when it comes into contact with the air.
It’s amazing that Razia even survived. A medivac team and a group of dedicated doctors performed a miracle bringing her back. The doctors and nurses at Bagram Air Base see all the horrible consequences that war deals up each day: gunshot wounds, amputations, head injuries, etc… You get the sense from talking to them, that the one thing they will take away from all the tragedy, is saving this little girl. Bringing innocence back to life is something anyone would be proud of.
No one will admit to firing the white phosphorus round. It could have come from NATO forces, it could have come from Taliban. I would imagine that Razia is more concerned with her two sisters who were killed, then assigning blame.
I can’t imagine trying to raise a family in the crossfire. I can’t imagine seeing my little girl on fire, or living in constant fear. That’s why I’ll always remember that no matter how much time I spend on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan, I’ll never truly understand what’s happening in the lives of civilians or soldiers.
After all, I can always go home.