Amid fighting, Breedlove finds Iraqi family that wins his heart

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Warren County resident and soldier Jimmy Breedlove is pictured with a 6-year-old Iraqi girl he has befriended. Breedlove found the girl and her family living in a public bathroom.

Some of us might not be completely happy with the place we call home. We might want more closet space, a bigger yard, maybe even a garage.

But it’s doubtful any of us have ever lived in a public bathroom and slept next to a urinal.

A family in Iraq isn’t so fortunate. And this family was discovered by Sgt. Jimmy Breedlove, a Warren County resident who is deployed in Iraq as a member of the 278th.

Sgt. Breedlove discovered this family — three boys, a girl, and two parents — during a mission in eastern Iraq. He has done everything he can to supply them with food, water and clothing.

“I’ve found an angel,” said Breedlove, referring to the little girl, who is 6. “I’ve also found the reason the United States should be here helping.”

Breedlove made his comments in an e-mail sent to the Standard. He has also sent pictures of the family to his wife, Shirley.

“The first time he found them, that little girl just broke his heart,” said Shirley. “He said it was really sad. Overall, he says the living conditions over there are just terrible.”

In addition to his tender heart, Breedlove, at 54, is one of the older soldiers in Iraq. Already a granddad, he’s expecting his second grandchild in October.

“Physically, I don’t know how he keeps up,” said Shirley. “But he’s been doing it. I think at a certain age, they should give them a different assignment than what he’s doing.”

Breedlove doesn’t get any special favors. He faces hostile insurgents and life-and-death situations every day.

“His helicopter was recently fired on near Baghdad,” said Shirley. “He said that was pretty intense. There are mortar rounds going by all the time. He told me that all the rounds aren’t necessarily meant to hit a target. They just shoot them over to keep everyone on edge.”

As for when Breedlove and other members of the 278th may return home, there is talk of giving soldiers a 15-day leave over the summer, although that has not been finalized. Tentative plans are to have 278th members off active duty by December.

Breedlove is ready to retire from the military. He feels after giving over 22 years of his life to the Army and National Guard, and considering his age, it’s time to turn it over to younger men and women.