he escorted him into the Library. “Gentlemen this is Yussef, the man I was just telling you about.” Fazzi said and introduced the two men to him. One was named Allie Balbak and the other was Hassan Segour. “Yussef these men are old Army friends of mine that are working for the Consulate now. They are here because they have heard about our project. And wanted to get all the information they could, first hand.”

“Yussef we are pleased to meet you. Fazzi has been telling us so much about you. We are very pleased to meet you at last.” The two men extended their hands and took Joseph's. “So you are the Army guy that is going to marry Fazzi's daughter and help our people to a better life. When Fazzi first told us about it we were skeptical to say the least. Now after only a few months it looks like it might work after all. You my boy are a genius.”

“Me a genius? No not me, it was Fazzi's idea. I was just a helper. That's all.” Joseph said, blushing. “Just, as I was telling someone the other night, a guy that happened to be there, just some idiot who blundered into a good situation, nothing more. If I might ask what are your positions at the Consulate?”

“We are cultural and educational attaches. We are here to study the American educational system to see if there is anything we can learn from it as well as to advise our citizens in this country and offer them help in keeping their Arabic heritage from becoming lost in this country.”

“Ahhhhh! Perhaps, if you let me, you can be of help to me.” Joseph said

“Yes, Yussef is teaching causes in Arabic culture and history.” Fazzi offered. “He has even asked me to give a few lectures.”

“Yussef, and what makes you such an expert?” Allie asked.

“If the truth be told, nothing. I don't know much about the subject, only about what I have learned from Fazzi, his family and friends. But I have been able to learn something from the Arab/American community here in Paterson and I hope to teach it to American soldiers so that they begin to realize that Arabs are not the uncivilized people that our movies and some books have made them appear to be.” The soldier said. “I also hope to get Arab speakers to tell their own story themselves and not have it be told by non-Arab teachers with their own axes to grind.”

“Good luck to you! We have been trying to do that for years. I know you will have a very difficult time. If you do it right, they might even have to throw you out of the Army. You have to be careful.” Hassan said. “Your President thinks we are all devils and that we are looking to turn all of you into creatures from hell.”

“Well aren't you?” Joseph said laughing. 'I don't think he thinks that and even if he does, the man is an idiot anyway.” Joseph said. “And he will be out of office soon.”

“You have no fear saying something like that?”

“Hell no, we are still a representative republic here and the people control the government not the other way around.” Joseph said. “Even as a soldier I retain the rights of citizenship. In non-combat conditions I retain the right to criticize and complain. That's one of