The Heart of a Patriot: Iraq War Veteran Publishes His Journal, Because of Baghdad as Testimony to Christ

Teresa Neumann : Mar 2, 2008
Gracie Bonds Staples - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

He told his baby girl to make Jesus the center of her life because there was nothing more important than figuring out where she'd spend eternity when she died.

(Marietta, Georgia)—Reporter Gracie Bonds Staples, in a piece for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has reported on the powerful story of American patriot Bart Newman.

Newman was so intent on serving his country that despite twice being denied acceptance into military service because of asthma, he was granted a waiver to enlist during his second year of law school, just after 9/11. The day Newman left for Baghdad, his wife Julie gave him a journal with a personal note and a favorite Bible verse. (Curtis Compton/AJC)

According to the report, while serving in Iraq Newmann penned his thoughts about his wife and daughter, Kate, and "had a lot to say about God; about [Kate, his daughter] choosing a husband and about what she might do with her life. He told his baby girl to make Jesus the center of her life because there was nothing more important than figuring out where she'd spend eternity when she died."

He also wrote, said Staples, that "We could have marriages of passion, devotion and love if we'd only see our relationship with our spouse the way God does and not the way the world does; and instead of asking what she would do with her life, ask herself 'how will eternity be different because of me?'"

Today, Newman—who is back home with his family in Marietta and practicing law—has published his journal. It is entitled, "Because of Baghdad: What a father would say about life if he didn't come home to say it."