The "Awwwwwwwww!" Factor

[crowdog66]

Tabby Gets Military Rank After Iraq Tour
Pvt. Hammer, a Tabby Cat Adopted by Troops in Iraq, Gets First-Class Trip Home to America

The Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. July 13, 2004 — Fort Carson Staff Sgt. Rick Bousfield of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team had a mission: Saving Pvt. Hammer.

Pfc. Hammer is an Iraqi tabby cat the unit adopted after he was born last fall at a base in Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad.

When Bousfield found out his unit was leaving Iraq in March, he decided he couldn't leave a member of his team behind.

"He has been through mortar attacks," said Bousfield, a 19-year Army veteran. "He'd jump and get scared liked the rest of us. He is kind of like one of our own."

Pfc. Hammer got his name from the unit that adopted him, Team Hammer. Soldiers would tuck Hammer in their body armor during artillery attacks, and in return, Hammer chased mice in the mess hall.

"He was a stress therapist," Bousfield said. "The guys would come back in tired and stressed. Hammer would come back and bug the heck out of you. He wiped away some worries."

The kitten earned his rank after nabbing five mice.

When Bousfield learned his unit was going, he sent an e-mail to Alley Cat Allies, a national clearinghouse of information on stray cats, asking for help bringing Hammer along.

Alley Cat Allies raised $2,500 for Hammer's shots, sterilization, paperwork and a plane ride to the United States.

Hammer left Iraq with his unit in March, then flew from Kuwait to San Francisco in cargo-class. He traveled first class with an Alley Cat Allies volunteer to Denver.

Bousfield met the kitten at the airport.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press.

Comments

Definately "Aaaawwwwww!!!"

[matrixrefugee.livejournal.com]

That's a great story! It reminds me of a similar story I'd heard about American soldiers in France, during World War II, adopting a stray Yorkshire terrier they'd found wandering in the trenches during the Battle of the Bulge.

Hmm... My strange sense of humor must be kicking in: Suddenly a fake movie trailer is playing in my head... Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel and Tom Sizemore in a Steven Spielberg film... "Saving Private Hammer"... Question is, what cat today is talented enough to play the title character?? Are there any great cat actors these days? ;8^)

Re: Definately "Aaaawwwwww!!!"

[cockatiel-art.livejournal.com]

Heehee!! Ya know..I can see Morris the cat (Number 2, from the 80's) Playing Hammer. From what little I remember of him, he'd make an awsome Hammer :-D I don't know anything about the modern Morris', but hey.... I bet they're cool, too :-D

Then there's Mr Tinkles from Cats and Dogs, or the Sphynx that Evil dude from Austin Powers has. Ya can always stick on a velcro coat onto dat one, LOL!!

(One of my dirty little secrets: I actually LIKE sphynx cats!! **ducks and runs screaming from the onslaught of rotten tomatoes**)

Thanks for the giggle, Laurie. I've needed that in the WORST way this week!!

Northlight and Fids
Domnijoe Pets and Art

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's one bright story I've heard out of the whole mess. Yay for army kitty.... :)