“Hollywood should make a movie about my brother.”

That sounded a bit presumptuous to me. But you know ... Hollywood should. It would be an epic story that everyone would appreciate and every American should hear.

A man who defies the enemy despite its apparent strength deserves recognition.

A man who leads his countrymen against a brutal invading force deserves honor. A man who launches a movement that continues to gain momentum after his death deserves to be memorialized.

Last month, Sheik Ahmad al-Rishawi and other leaders from the western Iraqi province of Anbar visited Washington, D.C. During that visit, Sheik Ahmad suggested that Hollywood produce a tribute to his brother.

His brother was Sheik Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi.

Sheik Sattar was the essence of the classical 1950s Hollywood hero. He was a charismatic, natural leader.

His strong features and gold-trimmed robes radiated the aura of a desert prince.

In 2006, Sheik Sattar united rival Sunni tribal leaders in Iraq’s western Anbar province to confront al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI). This alliance was known as the Awakening Council.

AQI’s objective was to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Iraq through a campaign of ruthless violence. AQI banned girls from school, bullied imams to preach al-Qaida’s message, and executed anyone who appeared to oppose them – frequently beheading the alleged violator.

Sheik Sattar and the Awakening Council said “enough.”

They allied with coalition forces and reduced AQI’s posture in Anbar from dominance to subsistence.

In 2007, while working in the Pentagon, I read with awe the weekly reports of Sheik Sattar’s defiance and courage.

I was shocked on Sept. 13, 2007, when I learned that Sheik Sattar had been killed by a roadside bomb. Though he was a man I had never met, who lived on the other side of the world, his death affected me.

There are many factors that contributed to the regression of AQI in Anbar province, most notably the courageous and professional behavior of the Marines, soldiers and sailors comprising Multi-National Force West. But if I had to choose the individual who made the greatest singular contribution, that would be Sheik Sattar.

In the midst of writing this column, another tragedy struck Anbar – and me. On June 26, three Marines and a dozen local sheiks, including the mayor, were killed by a suicide bomber in Karmah.

My heart aches. It is painful to organize my thoughts. I feel like abandoning this whole piece.

These columns are usually mental diversions for me.

Now I must shove my heart through the barrel of a pen to finish this one.

Sheik Ahmad and other Anbari leaders continue to stand against the fanaticism and terrorism of al-Qaida.

The movie that will be produced someday will be more than a heroic tribute to a dashing sheik who died for his people; it will be the story of the resilience of the Anbari people.

The Karmah attack reminded me of how blessed I am to live in a nation where I am free from fear of fanatics and tyrants, free to be critical of my government, and free to worship God.

Soon the Anbaris will have this, too.



Marine Corps Col. Mike Gallagher is serving in Iraq and writing an occasional column for The Tribune-Democrat. A native of southern California, Gallagher resided in Johnstown and Windber from 1993 until 2005 while employed by the National Drug Intelligence Center. The viewpoints of this article are those of the author alone, and do not represent any official policy, view or endorsement by the U.S. military.