Photographed above is a statue of the Flying Man.
On the road from Baghdad to the airport is this beautifully optimistic statue of Abbas ibn Farnas. It might be a safe assumption that all soldiers that have flown in or thru the Baghdad area have seen this statue. A prominent figure is Arab history, he is considered the first man to make a scientific attempt at flying, and is renowned by Arabs all over the world. His statute stands with one leg taking a step, arms outstretched and wings spread full in mid-flight; the expression on his face is one of pragmatic hopefulness. He knew full well that his experimental flight may end in death, but that it was risk worth taking.
Flying Man, as he's affectionately called by many in Iraq, has seen both his fair share of optimism and destruction as he looks toward Baghdad along the five mile stretch of road called Route Irish by the U.S. Army. Traveling on Route Irish - until recently the most dangerous stretch of highway in the world - the sight of Flying Man gave one relative comfort, signaling the route would soon end within the barricaded confines of the airport, where travelers would be shielded from IEDs and homicidal car bombers. And hopefully, if you heading to the airport, you are on your way HOME!
So there it is folks, the Flying Man and his statues of Baghdad.
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