Posted on 08/18/2005 5:15:32 PM PDT by SandRat
ABU GHRAIB, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 18, 2005) – Soldiers in Abu Ghraib district clean up a local soccer field for the children in their sector July 29.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted the humanitarian effort.
“It’s really sad when you see kids walk around barefoot playing soccer in a trash-filled lot,” said Spc. Jake Butler of 2/130th Infantry.
Armed with two trailers, shovels, rakes, and trash bags, the Solders of 2/130th Infantry began the task of clearing years of neglect from the small lot.
Many of the infantrymen, some who volunteered on their day off, realized their goodwill gesture may be overlooked, but if their work brings happiness to even one child, then their effort will have been worth it.
The desire to make a difference for the children prompted one member of the team, Cpl. Samuel Shehorn, to coordinate the effort to visit and set up a soccer field for the kids.
“Back at home, I have two girls who can go play soccer anytime,” Shehorn said. “Over here, the older kids use the soccer field while the younger ones play in a small trash-filled lot.”
Bothered by the fact that small children played in a trash dump, Shehorn gathered soccer supplies, coordinated the construction of goals and planned with his company commander, Capt. Eric Kampwerth, to visit the small “soccer” lot along with his platoon.
“This is a fantastic example of what Soldiers are capable of doing if you allow them to,” he said. “I can’t say enough about these men. They’ve always done extremely well and it’s gratifying to see them and perform what they want to do,” said Kampwerth.
“What we’re doing is showing the kids we care,” Shehorn said. “If the area looks good, the kids may get a little pride in their surroundings (and keep the area up).”
After their trailers were loaded down with broken glass, stones, and hundreds of pounds of trash, the infantrymen got out the soccer balls and played with the children.
“The Soldiers enjoy playing with the kids,” said 2nd Lt. Henry Mullins, platoon leader, B Co., 2/130 Infantry. “When we interact with the kids, people see that we’re out to do positive things.”
(Editor’s Note: Story submitted by Spc. Ricardo Branch, Task Force Baghdad public affairs officer.)
Dang! The RATS/LEFTIE Loons aren't gonna like this.
Interesting how soldiers from a foreign army halfway around the planet have to do what the local parents could (should?) have done themselves months ago.
Quagmire cleanup alert!
Sadly so many Iraqi take no pride in cleaning up their trash etc.. And we can't blame the war and follow up SASO on this phenomena. Some areas of Baghdad where slums since day one, much like we find in some big American cities. Trash heaps, no pride, no sense of anything worthwhile. Then you go out into the country sides. My nephew and one of his buddies while at Camp Lejeune last year driving them to eat one day, told us stories of how a farmer would just walk out of his cow dong hut, over to some hole in the ground and go potty. If the stuff hit em on his feet, he would just shake it off and slum back toward the house. I'll not go into further details. But the Arabs really leave in stone age condtions. We often make jokes, but the reality is their back in pre Islamic days in many areas. Hand em a broom while they stand in a pile of trash and they would look at you with a glazed look and puzzle as to why you handed them a broom. Sad.
But perhaps the day will come when more of them are changed.
The days in the future when they don't look over their shoulders to see if some Feedymen is going to shotem in the back, and find work perhaps find a trade, learn how to do something for themselves, instead of receiving state money and driving around in automobiles all day long on state sponsored free gas.
Perhaps that is what really frightens many of them. Like our welfare state, people get scared when the gig is up.
The best America has to offer, setting examples for Iraq's future. God bless them.
Repeated example like this destroys the left's attempt to discredit our military (though they say they support our troops but not the war). How do I know this? I don't see ot ANYWHERE in the MSM!!
yea they do and I suspect it is as you said, living only day to day not knowing if some Hussein henchman is going to kill you, imprison you or take away a family member.
I have visited Honduras many times and have seen hut people sweeping their dirt floors .......While they may have nothing, what they have they cherish.
Iraq has a long, long way to go but they will survive in the end and it will be due to the efforts of the United States......
".While they may have nothing, what they have they cherish."
Some may complain. But Islam and the backward Arab culture was such easy pray for the Soviets to make deals to introduce socialism to them. Especially in the countries with big oil money. Give everthing to the people. They don't have to do anyting. Then let those Immans lose to do their dirty work.
BTTT!!!!!!
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