How I Survived a Humvee Explosion in Iraq

Omg Jordan! Imagine our surprise to see your story on Aish' website! An amazing miracle! We miss you! Chag Sameach! Dovid and Sara Baila

My husband was in US Marines recon unit during a 77 day battle for Khe Sahn. It was bloody, and supplies had to be dropped since planes couldn't land.

When I met my husband he showed me the mezuzah he was wearing on a chain around his neck. He believes that it was ?Hashem who saved him even though he nearly died during his third tour. The mezuzah along with a military size siddur had been given to him by an Orthodox rabbi in Chicao area between my husband's deployments when he was an MP going after guys who were AWOL (absent illegally from duty). He and Rabbi Hirshman became close and studied together on and off over a 2-year period before and after his deployments. It's a miracle my husband survived a grenade blast the nearly took his life. He spent a year in a Naval hospital with mouth wired shut and numerous surgeries to save his right leg. This was long before we met, but when we met I saw his mezuza hanging around his neck, I knew he was Jewish, and we began a friendship that led to marriage.

I encourage Jordan Schwartz to join the Jewish War Veterans. There is a group that meets in Jerusalem and several in the US. Most of the current members are WWII & Korea. My husband who is now 72, is the youngest in our chapter. We need more young Jewish military men & women to keep the JWV going.
Sadly, Israeli IDF soldiers aren't accepted as full members. I think that needs to change. Jewish war heroes need their own recognition, no matter in which military they have fought.
Kol Hakavod to Jordan & great he is studying at yeshiva.
FYI-I personally say the Shema every time I'm traveling by plane during take off & landing for the same reason that Jodan gave.
It shows us that we never know what we say or do and how we can influence others in filling their Jewish souls.

What a wonderful, heartwarming story. It is much like the experience that I, in Vietnam,, and my Dad (O'H) in WWII, had experienced. In fact, my Dad shared with me that he was in a German POW march and with his last name. he knew he was headed for the gas chambers. In a bad snowstorm, he was able to sneak from the line. He knew that Hashem was the only way this became possible.

Incredibly inspiring. No words.

I love it when Our HaShems hand is so clearly seen
His Love for us so immense
How can we not Love our Creator back with all that we are?

Beautiful