Omead Razani

Thursday, November 10 2005 @ 10:58 AM EST

www.niacouncil.org
Washington DC, October 7, 2004 – The war in Iraq is on the mind of all Americans, particularly the Iranian-American community. Daily reports on the loss of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians brings about an unrelenting sense of loss and grief. Nevertheless, since the violence is so far from America’s shores, the war may appear distant or slightly unreal for some Americans.



Unfortunately, the Iranian-American community, and one Iranian-American family in particular, was given a serious reminder in late August of just how close to home this war is being waged. On August 27, Army Specialist Omead Razani, 19, a medic in the US Army, was killed in Habbaniyah, Iraq.

By bravely rushing into battle to treat the wounded, Omead Razani gave up his life while attempting to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Omead became the first Iranian-American soldier to fall in Iraq.


As the Iranian-American community mourns alongside the Razani family over the death of young Omead, Nooshin Razani, the older sister of Omead, spoke to NIAC's Babak Bagheri about her courageous brother and the effect that his loss has had upon her views of her country and of the Iranian-American community.


From Youth to Maturity


There are many Iranian-American families like the Razanis. Both Nooshin and Omead were born in America. Their father immigrated to the United States from Iran in the 1960s to specialize and practice medicine, eventually settling down in Los Angeles. The family was fully engaged with the Iranian-American community: they attended community gatherings; the children took Persian classes; and they were involved with their community organizations. Despite the difficult political situation in the early 1980s, the Razanis never felt ashamed in referring to themselves as Iranians.


Upon graduating from high school, Omead, like many Americans, began the transition from adolescence to adulthood by weighing his career options and focusing on personal development and self-exploration. For many young Iranian Americans, this stage of life can be a struggle between balancing a parent’s aspirations with one’s individual ambitions and interests.


Omead had an interest in medicine. He was vigorously devoted to physical fitness, yet he was deep and reflective with an interest in philosophy and justice.


His sister Nooshin also saw a young man with a strong sense of independence who placed a high value in finding his own path in life. “He was a person with his own vision and own dreams who decided to pursue them with vigor,” she says.


His spirited sense of independence was further bolstered by a desire not to be financially dependent upon anyone. Omead wanted to “make his own money and live on his own feet,” says Nooshin.


As a result, instead of following the well-tread path of many young Iranian Americans into professional fields where achievement, success and stability are abundant, Omead Razani struck his own balance between his love and respect for his family, his desire to serve his country, and his deep personal ambitions.

Omead’s love for adventure, his interest in medicine, his eagerness to help people, his desire to gain real experience before college, and his steadfast sense of independence led him to enlist with the Army as a medic before his 18th birthday.


At the time of his decision, Nooshin felt an “initial shock and fear.” Although she did not attempt to talk him out of enlisting, she did speak with him to make sure he was joining for good reasons.


According to Nooshin, Omead was “a man of action and not of words … he spoke through actions and what he believed was right.” He wanted to prove himself and the Army provided him with a challenge and an opportunity without equal.? The choice was a personal choice, not a political one and, most importantly, the choice was made solely by Omead.


As a result, the Razani family decided to support their son and respect his decision.


After enlisting, Nooshin would speak with him on the telephone. “It was humbling to hear the man on the other side of the phone,” Nooshin said. “He had developed a strong sense of pride in himself.”


Omead's Deployment


Omead was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division which was based at Camp Greaves in the Demilitarized Zone (“DMZ)” near the North Korean border. At the time of his initial deployment to the DMZ, the United States had yet to invade Iraq.


Omead, as well as the entire Razani family, assumed that at the end of his two-year commitment, his original service contract would be completed. Thus, he would be able to return home to Los Angeles and pursue his aspirations to train as a paramedic.


In fact, Omead returned from South Korea to Los Angeles on vacation in January of 2004. At that time, his father enrolled him in classes so that he would be able to continue his paramedic training upon the completion of his tour. They also looked at prospective colleges together. Omead was scheduled to return home in July of 2004.


Redeployment as Iraq Insurgency Intensifies


Unexpectedly, the April surge in the Iraqi insurgency placed unprecedented demands upon the entire US military. The Army, as well as the Army Reserve, strained to find fresh troops to rotate into Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army added further stress to military families by extending tours from six months to a year, and even longer for some.


One month prior to Omead’s completion of his assignment, he received an order that the 2nd Infantry Division was to be redeployed to Iraq. As a result of what is known as a “stop-loss order,” which prevents soldiers from leaving the Army or retiring, Omead had no choice but to go to Iraq for a tour that could last anywhere from one to three years.


The Razani family was enraged at the unexpected redeployment. “Omead didn’t join the Army for the purpose of going to Iraq,” said Nooshin.


But Omead remained optimistic. On a telephone call, Omead told Nooshin that it would be an opportunity “to treat both Americans and Iraqis” since they “both were people he cared about.” It was the last time Nooshin would speak to her brother.


Less than two weeks after they spoke on the phone, Omead was on active duty near Habbaniyah, 10 miles west of Fallujah and in the heart of the “Sunni Triangle.” After a firefight between Army soldiers and Iraqi insurgents, Omead, while treating an injured soldier, received a fatal shot to his head. He died immediately.


The Ultimate Sacrifice


The military funeral for Omead Razani witnessed the rare convergence of the US Army and the Iranian-American community in Los Angeles. According to Nooshin, the breaking down of this barrier is only one of her brother’s many achievements.


As an Iranian Muslim in the US Army, Omead challenged the existing stereotypes regarding the patriotism, service, and love of country of Iranians living in America. His is the ultimate sacrifice someone can make for his or her country.


“No matter what I do or what I say, it is not going to compare with what Omead did,” says Nooshin. “It’ll take my lifetime to understand his impact…Our family gave everything to this country.”

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