Mayasa Abass didn’t carry a gun into battle, but she provided a valuable weapon for coalition forces in her native Iraq.

Abass’s translation skills proved critical in helping coalition forces translate documents and conduct conversations. She also provided a crucial link to the Iraqi nationals, which benefited coalition troops.

Abass’s work has nearly gotten her killed. She was shot six times in front of the military compound. Another time, gunmen raided her family’s home, killed her son and kidnapped her husband, who is presumed dead. Abass and her remaining children fled to Syria.

Now, a Yankton man stands as her hope for getting passage — and safety — to the United States.

Major Lyle LaCroix serves as a reservist with the Special Operations Command Headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C. He will return to Iraq in November for his third tour in four years.

“I worked with Mayasa closely the first time that I was in Iraq, when the insurgency was just starting to kick off,” LaCroix said. “There were threats to translators and others associated with the coalition forces.”

The situation intensified in the following months, LaCroix said.

“In Baghdad, there were 15 to 20 translators working for us. They worked hard and are diligent, but they had been targeted,” he said. “At first, some cowered to the situation. They had their personal reasons and didn’t wish to risk their lives. But the majority remained strong and continued to come to work, even with the threats.”

A background check showed Abass was a teacher who spoke fluent English and wanted to be part of the coalition effort, LaCroix said.

“People don’t understand how valuable (translators) are to us,” he said. “Mayasa not only has Arabic language skills, but we need local nationals who know where everything is. It’s a tight-knit community, and Iraqis know where to go.”

The translation jobs were very attractive for Iraqis, LaCroix said.

“They were making $200 a week (as translators), and before they were making $50 a month (at other jobs),” he said. “It was top dollar, the best job they could get in Iraq.”

In an e-mail interview with the Press & Dakotan, Abass told her story in somewhat rough English. She said she became a translator after turning to the American soldiers for assistance.

“I started working with the U.S. forces in 22 July 2003 by chance because I went to the U.S. forces asking for treatment to my oldest daughter Sarah, 18 years. (Sarah was) burned when she was 2 years (old) in her neck,” she wrote.

“When they saw me talking English very well, they hire me. And I stayed working with them one year with the team of Major Lyle (LaCroix). After that, I get shot in 30 August 2004.”

Abass was attacked not only in broad daylight but in front of the U.S. military compound.

“I was in my way to my work, and suddenly a car show up with two persons inside. They shot me six times in my hands and in my belly. After I get shot, the U.S. forces take me to the Anconda Hospital and they take care of me. I stayed about two months in the hospital.

“I (had) been through many surgeries, then I came back to my home and started working with the U.S. forces in (my) home by computer. I kept working with them until 1 July 2005 .”

Abass was targeted by insurgents but remained safe until gunmen attacked her home.

“In 17 Nov. 2006 at 9 p.m. in Friday night, a gang attack my home with their guns, and they (were) covering their themselves with black clothes,” she said. “They (enter) my home with force. They killed my son, the oldest (Amen 20 years). He just has finished (technical) institute.”

After killing the son, the intruders dragged her husband from their home.

“Because he defended his father and us, they killed (my son) and take my husband as a hostage. They put him … in the box of the car and they run away to (a) place we don’t know.”

The terror continued in the following days, Abass said.

“After 3 days, they called me asking for ransom, about $10,000, and I paid them the money but they didn’t release him,” she said. “Till this moment, there is nothing about him. Also, they burned my home twice and (take) all the (stuff) that was in home.”

Despite her courage, family members pleaded with her to escape the country.

“My brother encourage me to (take) my kids and flee from Iraq because they were looking for us, asking in my area,” she said. “They said, ‘Where is the rest of the family? Where did they go?’”

Meanwhile, LaCroix lost contact with Abass and had no idea whether she was even alive.

“She then contacted me and told me what happened. She asked if there was any help in finding her husband. I reported this to my command,” he said. “She was scared for her life. She knew they were looking for her. We wanted to help her as much as we could at the time. But I didn’t know what we could do for her.”

Abass finally entered Syria last Christmas Day. She now lives there with her three children: Sarah, 18; Banan, 13; and Bashir, 10. While Syria is considered safer than Iraq, Abass is seeking a way to the United States.

“We feel always lonely. (It’s) sad, boring. We are not happy here but, we will never give up,” she said. “You can imagine our life without no father, no son. I don’t have any one except my wonderful friend (Mr. Lyle) and his friends, and my sister in Germany. Mr. Lyle always was a true friend to me, support me and help to get me out of here to the U.S.”

The increasing violence has forced other Iraqi translators to hide or flee the country, LaCroix said.

“It’s extremely hard to get Iraqi nationals now as translators,” he said. “As the surge (of coalition troops) goes up, the bad guys go out of Baghdad to the surrounding communities.”

LaCroix has sought to get Abass placed with the Special Translator Immigration Program.

“The U.S. lets 50 translators a year come to the U.S. I thought, with her imminent danger, it would bring her up on the list,” he said. “Once the last security check is completed and the visa is issued, she can come to the United States.”

LaCroix hopes to raise money for the flight to the United States and eventually settle in Yankton where she and her remaining family can start a new life in freedom and safety.

He hopes to raise $5,000 for airline tickets. Checks can be made payable to “Benefit For Mayasa Account,” or donations can be dropped off at First Dakota National Bank, 225 Cedar Street, Yankton SD 57078.

Fund-raisers so far have netted $1,100, with money sent to Abass and her family for living expenses, LaCroix said.

“Mayasa is in very high spirits. Getting her kids into the U.S. is what keeps her going,” he said. “Right now, they have nothing but the clothes on their backs. They are surviving a very bad ordeal. They dream of getting to America and a better life.”

LaCroix said his family will take Abass and her family into their home until she gets her own apartment and a job teaching Arabic or possibly translating.

Abass said she doesn’t know how to thank LaCroix for his generosity.

“Major Lyle is my dearest friend in the whole world. He means a lot to me and to my family,” she said. “I pray to God to keep him safe and all the good people like him.”

(This is not the same family of the one I spoke to last night.  This family will be here next week.)