Sunday, March 21, 2004
Sharing Joys with Toys
On a beautiful spring like day, when the sun was glistening off the not too distant snow capped mountains, while the now greening grass is starting to recover from a long snowy winter, and the warmth of the sun signals all living things to begin rearing their heads from their winter hibernation, I had an experience of a life time. It was another one of those magical days, not unlike the continual stream of miraculous days I have encountered over the past 13 months. It seems that miracles continue to happen, blessing me with an abundance of inner joy, each time causing me to confess silently that it just doesn't get any better but each time somewhat better if not different from the ones before.
I found myself in a large gym room with 800 joyful elementary school kids, which represented the entire student body of the school, all waiting to meet Chief Wiggles, along with the thousands of stuffed animals they had so generously donated to Operation Give. It was a site to behold. A moment that forced me to pause while I tried to capture the full essence of what this experience really meant to me. I had to fight back the tears as I relished in the moment of such a glorious sight.
I was totally flabbergasted by their show of concern for me and the children of Iraq. There was hand written signs all around the school welcoming Chief Wiggles, who it appears has become something much bigger than me, now representing a movement of caring generous people. I am still extremely humbled by the expression of love and concern for me and my fellow soldiers by these students, teachers and parents.
I have been thinking that perhaps the caliber of experiences I had in Iraq would be hard to duplicate now that I am back home in the states, but this one ranks right up there with the rest. It was at that moment that I realized how this work must go forward and how, even though my mission will change, Operation Give will live on. I have a new calling with a vision of what my involvement might entail now working from this side of the pond. There is still much to be done and these children gave me a glimpse of how is might come about.
As I entered the gymnasium I was awestruck by the sheer number of stuffed animals that had been brought in by the students. There were animals of all shapes and sizes, old and new, of all different colors. Many children had brought in their very favorite one, in hopes that it might bring joy, hope and happiness to a special Iraqi child.
All of this had been instigate by a handful of motivated, caring parents and teachers, to help the children focus on more than the body count of the nightly news. They wanted the children to feel the joy that comes from serving someone less fortunate and to feel that they are playing a part in improving the Iraq children's quality of life. The parents, teachers and children had been following my escapades in Iraq through my weekly journal entries. They had seen the news reports, the photographs of children receiving a toy or a stuffed animal and had a strong desire to do something.
Colonel Long, a member of my home unit, and his wife played a major role in bringing this to fruition. They, without my knowledge, took the initiative to organize this program at the school to get the children and the community involved in a doable program. The children have also been writing letters to service men and women from Utah. Along with their fellow helpers the Long's put together this awesome plan that brought about these fantastic results.
The school was a buzz with excitement when I arrived, the children obviously anticipating my arrival and anxious to show me their accomplishments. The local news channels had been alerted and upon their arrival, their presence in the school making the children even that much more enthusiastic.
I stopped at a third grade and a kindergarten class before entering the gymnasium. The students were anxious to ask me questions and to have a short dialogue with me before the rest of the school got their chance. I walked about the room or sat down with the students to engage them at their level. At the end of each question and answer, more hands would shoot up to further engage me. They were so inquisitive and had so many great questions.
At one point, as I tried to help the students understand what it might feel like for the Iraqi children to get their very first toy, I asked the question, and the following response caused me to laugh with astonishment. In the Kindergarten class, Colonel Long's own son responded by saying, "I am sure it would be like a monkey getting his very first banana?" How true.
From there I proceeded to the gymnasium to make my presentation to the entire student body and faculty. I had a few items for show and tell, put on the customary traditional man dress of the Arab world, showed off my sword and dagger gifts, and presented, in power point, about 60 photographs of children receiving toys. The students laughed at the Chief Wiggles comic book caricatures that were intermingled with the photos.
The high point of the afternoon for me was the playing of the Toby Keith song, "An American Soldier", while a class room of children did the lyrics to the song in sign language. I was really choked up while that was playing and I couldn't help but start my presentation after that by saying, “I am proud to be an American Soldier?
I tried to convey in my presentation to the children, my feelings for what we had accomplished and why we had to do what we did for the Iraqi people. But, they already knew. They knew we had freed a nation of people in bondage, with out the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis. They knew that it was necessary to allow these people to live a life with free agency, with choices, with opportunities to perhaps even get one small toy for the first time.
The next day the children were all getting their pictures taken, so buttons could be made to put on the specific toy each child had brought. In this way the children of Iraq would be able to see and make some connection with the child that donated the stuffed animal they received. What a great idea and what a great program.
I was, to say the least, overjoyed and full of the unconditional love of 800 children, supported by loving parents and faculty. This program can and should be duplicated all over America. I would love to speak with any of you that might have ideas and desires to contribute and donate to the cause of "Sharing Joy with Toys" giving hope and happiness to the Iraqi children.
We would like to focus on school supplies and allow schools to adopt schools, or classrooms adopt classrooms, or students and students. They are in great need and we can provide assistance and solutions for their needs.
Please visit operationgive.org to see how you might be able to participate in this great cause.
Have a great day and check out the news clips of this experience on my site.
Chief Wiggles
Doing it the wiggles way.
Welcome home Chief Wiggles and thank you for your service.
God bless.
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