Posted on 03/10/2006 5:19:39 PM PST by SandRat
BALAD, Iraq (Army News Service, March 10, 2006) – Soldiers walked through the streets of Balad March 4, but in a capacity they don’t always have the chance to experience; handing out soccer balls to children.
“It’s really just to come down and energize ourselves because everything outside of the town is fairly high-risk and it’s not as uplifting,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Martindale, commander, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers.
The battalion has been operating in this region west of Baghdad to root out anti-Iraqi forces. This is the second trip to Iraq for many of the Fighting Eagles who operated in this same region during their first rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“When we come down here and see the fruits of our labor it helps out everybody’s morale,” Martindale said.
During the short visit, the contingent visited a local hospital, greeted marketers who were selling their wares and saw the impact the battalion’s efforts have had on the people.
Throughout the walk, children poured out of every corner and nearly every home. From each group of youngsters the Soldiers were greeted with a chorus of “Mister, mister,” followed by requests for more stuff.
The children have been helpful and sometimes act as interpreters for troops on the ground.
Martindale said he sees the promise in the youth of Iraq and hopes the efforts his troops are making will help build a stable future for this country.
“I think the kids are the future of the country,” he said. “Some day they’re going to grow up and they’re going to remember when the Americans were here.”
(Editor’s note: Sgt. Zach Mott serves with 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)
Making new Friends along the way in Iraq
This is BS! We all know that 85.9999999% of our military think that Iraq is a mistake because zogbee said so. All hail media polls, the only honest measure of what they want us to think!
Gosh, aren't those soldiers supposed to be busy raiding homes and terrorizing women and children? Maybe they just haven't heard from Kerry yet.
BTTT
"The children have been helpful and sometimes act as interpreters for troops on the ground."
The kids are bi-lingual!
LOL. that's about what the lefties believe.
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