The American Sheik

Sometimes you have to dig for the good news from Iraq, but when you find it, it is a gratifying read:

Sheik Horn floats around the room in white robe and headdress, exchanging pleasantries with dozens of village leaders.

But he's the only sheik with blond streaks in his mustache.

Officially, he's Army Staff Sgt. Dale L. Horn, but to residents of the 37 villages and towns that he patrols he's known as the American sheik.
...
He boasts that he helped funnel $136,000 worth of aid into the area. Part of that paid for delivery of clean water to 30 villages during the broiling summer months.

"They saw that we were interested in them, instead of just taking care of the bases," Horn said.

The Iraqis in the villages bestowed a large honor on Horn. The title of Sheik.