Pocono News Section

Local Veteran Writes Book About Iraq

Local Veteran Writes Book About Iraq - Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 1:31PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Sunday, Nov 9, 2008 @ 01:31pm EST

BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY -- Kip McCabe served in the Army in the '70s and '80s and returned to duty with the National Guard. After going to Iraq for a year at the age of 51, he decided to write about about what he saw in Iraq.

"They were so upset that we were leaving," said McCabe, "They didn't want us to go."

But he says when he returned home and watched and read the news, he heard otherwise.

"We didn't mistreat them, but all you heard about was detainee abuse," said McCabe. "You heard nothing about anybody being treated good. And I didn't see any mistreatment. I just saw compassion from the soldiers."

That's why he wrote the book, "They Cried When We Left." He wanted to share the positive treatment of the Iraqi people -- even Saddam Hussein's deputies.

For one year, McCabe was a prison guard at Camp Cropper and guarded many of the people found in the deck of "Most Wanted" playing cards. The detainees even signed his cards. He says, believe it or not, they treated American soldiers with respect.

"You'd look at these guys after your interaction with them and you'd say, 'How could you have done all these things?'"

Hussein was in Camp Cropper for more than six months, and McCabe escorted him a couple times.

"At the time, I was overwhelmed with knowing I was a part of history," said McCabe."

When guards took Hussein, whose code name was "Victor," to another location, McCabe went to see if anything was left behind in his cell.

"I told the guy I was working with that it would be neat to have some memorabilia," said McCabe. "And when I went in, I saw the prayer rug, and I brought it home."

But he says more important than the prayer rug and the signed deck of "Most Wanted" playing cards is making sure people know the story of the soldiers.

"The people in Northeast PA should be very proud of the soldiers who went there," said McCabe. "Especially those with the 55th Brigade."

McCabe's book can be bought in stores, including Barnes & Noble, and online, including Amazon's web site. He also has a web site about his book -- www. theycriedwhenweleft. com.