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ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) -- A Washington state
soldier has married the Iraqi woman he met and fell
in love with while in Baghdad.
Robert Hall, 23, says he knew within a month that he
would marry Vivian Mansour, 21, of Baghdad, even
though at first neither spoke a word of each other's
language.
Hall, an Army reservist who earned a Bronze Star for
meritorious service during his one-year tour, said
he's never been happier. The two were married here
Saturday.
"I never in my life saw this coming," he said.
For them, cultural differences are offset by a
shared Christian faith. Mansour is a Kurdish
Christian - a population that makes up just 3
percent of Iraq's 24 million people.
"It's such a learning experience," Hall said. "Our
cultures are different, but the way we look at it
is, we're both children of God."
The Christian population was persecuted by Iraqi
leader Saddam Hussein's regime, but after his ouster
they have been targeted by other groups. A recent
wave of church bombings has prompted about 40,000
Iraqi Christians to leave the country.
Mansour's family has been in danger not only because
of their faith, but because they worked for the U.S.
military.
Hall was with the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion,
which set up camp inside the Baghdad palace complex.
The battalion worked closely with Iraqis, helping to
resolve infrastructure problems and clear weapons
caches. He met Mansour - and her mother and sister -
when they were hired as cleaning women.
"Every time she came over, I kind of followed her
and watched her clean," Hall said.
"Yes, everywhere," Mansour recalled, laughing.
He met with his unit's attorney to make sure the
interactions were legal. The couple met in open
settings when Hall was off duty.
"I made sure every step of the way I wasn't doing
anything illegal," Hall said. "I wouldn't suggest
having a relationship over there at all. It makes it
that much harder. But I find myself blessed for what
happened."
Mansour, who had never before left Baghdad, misses
her parents, her sister and four brothers. Relatives
from San Diego flew north to attend the wedding.
Hall says his main focus initially will be to help
her feel at home.
Mansour's English is still a work in progress, but
she knows what attracted her to Hall.
"Heart first," she said, pointing to her chest.
The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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