As an American I have opposed the war in the Middle East since day one. Sitting in America behind the safety of its borders with my eyes wide shut for fear of the truth of what is truly happening over there. I feel we do not belong there and although I support our troops all the way my feelings are they should all be safe and at home.

As a mother with my youngest son serving as a SeaBee in Iraq still my views have stayed the same. With him being a quiet young man he has never voiced to me his experience in that foreign land. I am sure for the most part he does not want to contribute to any more sleepless nights for me worrying for his safety. My son till date has not been exposed to the faces of war and the tragedies the people who live there face on a daily basis. I pray to God he never has to live with the memories of war, but my views still did not change.

Until now…

A month or so ago my daughter started talking about this guy she met on line and who was the owner of SIC Iraq. This sparked my interest and I asked more about him. After a couple weeks I decided I would ask him if it would be alright if I asked some questions and had him explain what SIC really is and who, by the way, he is. Since our chat and the knowledge I now posses about what is really going on over there I do believe our presence there is a necessity. Yes, I have changed my opinions on us being in the Middle east.

Through our discussion I discovered there is not only military personal involved in the conflicts in the Middle East but there are also many privately owned security companies. One of these companies is SIC Iraq. I am not sure if any of you have ever heard of SIC, but I am sure if you are in the military was recently then you have heard of them or been in their presence.

First of all let me explain what SIC is.  SIC stands for Solar International Consulting. This is a group of very experienced men and woman with most of its members being former military or former police officers. This group of people make up a security unit who not only protects Americans but all those who sign the contract for protection. They risk their lives to protect others.

By now I am sure some of you are saying to yourselves these guys are nothing but mercenaries, but the difference between this unit and mercenaries are these are the good guys. Mercenaries go to the highest bidder and are not necessarily good people with good values. This unit cares about human beings and protecting them from harm.

This article is to introduce you of what this security service is all about, but most importantly who the man who founded this company is and what he stands for.

So let me introduce you to Dino…..

Dino is a 29 year young man from Texas, he was in the Army for four years being introduced to Iraq in 2005. After his stint in the Army he worked for another security service in Iraq where is obtained a manager status. He decided it was time to work for himself so about a year ago SIC Iraq was born.

Dino told me that at the moment his company is only in Iraq but they are considering expanding it to cover Afghanistan. Dino also said some of his crew have also worked in Africa and Afghanistan.

Feeling a bit awkward I asked what his worst experience there has been and his reply was this,” I have personally been shot, but it comes nothing near the feeling of sorrow that I have felt for those men here who have lost their lives.”

As he wrote these words I could feel his inner emotions and realized this man was not a person with not feelings, but rather a warrior who is loving and caring. His goal is to try to give those people a chance at freedom and to give our people a chance at keeping it.

I also realized that this man who has only been on this earth for such a short time has seen the horrors of war. The faces of small children who have lost limbs and family members. Whose homes have been in iniallated by bomb blasts and people who have invaded their cities. Not knowing what will happen to them next. He has seen things I am sure he will take to his grave because instead of wanting to remember he is trying to forget.

I find this man of freedom not only fascinating but a world hero. He has sacrificed so much to protect others. I asked him why he does this job and his answer was this… “I have five children and I want to make sure their future is as safe as it was when I was growing up.” This pulled at my heart strings as I thought about what he goes through on a daily basis not only for his children but for us all.

I asked Dino other things but for security reasons I could not get any answers, which is completely understandable. The safety of him and the other members of his crew could be jeopardised if he is not careful.

SIC Iraq has no government funding and the cost for one armored vehicle is 97K- 100K. They do not have helicopters but they do have a plane which is not used for missions. It is on contract for evacuations and corporate aircraft services. Just in case they need to get out of there fast or in case there are injuries they have a way out.

This man from Texas has touched my heart with his warmth and value of human life. He made me realize that there is a difference being made over there in the Middle East with our troops presence and also with the companies such as Dino’s. This soldier who fights for peace is not only a protector but deep down inside he is a loving caring and warm individual.

Below is an example of what lives deep in his heart and what his fears are. Never before revealed he decided to share this with me and through tear filled eyes I share it now with all of you:

Journey of Life

I START TO SEARCH IN BLINDNESS TO FIND MY WAY THROUGH THIS UNCHARTED JOURNEY CALLED LIFE. THE DEEPER I GO, THE DARKER MY VOYAGE SEEMS TO BE. AS I STUMBLE THROUGH THIS HELL, I HEAR THE CRIES OF THE LOST SOULS FROM THE TRAVELERS ON THIS SAME PATH. EACH LEFT BEHIND WITH A STORY TO TELL BUT NO ONE AROUND TO LISTEN. I CONTINUE MY STRUGGLE TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN INEVITABLE END. MY BODY WANTS TO STOP AND JOIN THE LOST SOULS. YET MY HEART PUSHES ME THROUGH. NOT KNOWING WHAT WILL COME, I LISTEN TO MY HEART AND CONTINUE.BUT IN THE DARKNESS I DO NOT KNOW IF I AM MOVING FORWARD OR BACK. MY BODY BEGINS TO GIVE UP AND I DECIDE TO SIT. I START TO STARE INTO THE DARKNESS AND THINK HOW I ENDED ON THIS PATH. IT BEGINS TO GET HARDER TO THINK AS THE CRIES OF THE SOULS GET LOUDER. I SEEM TO BE SURROUNDED BY THEM UNABLE TO MOVE. STUCK IN THIS DARKNESS WITH NO ONE TO HEAR ME YELL FOR HELP. SLOWLY MY VOICE DROWNED OUT BY THE COMMOTION AROUND ME AND I TOO HAVE BECOME A LOST SOUL. A LOST SOUL, A VICTIM OF THIS UNCHARTED JOURNEY CALLED LIFE.

When I read this for the first time I found myself in that dark place also, hearing the cries of the lost souls he has encountered, but the difference between him and me is that he has experienced these things for real as I only see them through his eyes. The pictures he has kept deep in his heart I am afraid will never be erased, but the reasons why he stays in this terrible land, for him, far out weigh the memories that will live forever embedded within his heart, mind, body and soul.

Dino is a special man indeed. One of those people we all wish we could be. One of those hero’s who I do not want to just exist but whom I want the world to see that what he is doing is a good thing. A man that is needed for all of us, not only for Americans but for all nations under God.

For now Dino still resides in this place called war and fights on a daily basis to protect all who need his help. I commend you Dino for doing what most would never even consider. For leaving your home, your children and the ones you love and also the ones who love you. You have a heart of gold and to me you are a hero.

SIC Iraq I am sure under your command will flourish and you will remain in this place called war until you feel your job has been done. I am not sure how many times you have been thanked for your service but as an American and as a Mother I would like to give to you my heart felt thanks for your service and your unselfishness. You are a true warrior like no other. You and your entire crew deserve our daily prayers for your safety and for the safety of those you protect.

I end this article with a completely different view of what is happening in the Middle east. I now believe we are needed in that horrible place. With people like Dino and my son and all the other men and woman who fight the war on terror and also for freedom. I thank you for opening my eyes to the real Iraq.

Without SIC and other companies such as Dino’s Iraq and the rest of the world who needs protection would not be the same.

All of the images used in this articles were given to me by Dino. They are photos he has taken on his travels in Iraq.

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