Posted on 02/16/2010 7:24:08 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD – U.S. Soldiers here with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, delivered handcrafted wheelchairs to two disabled Iraqis in the Aqur Quf area of the capital city, Feb. 10. Three weeks ago, the two disabled Iraqis were pointed out by local shaykhs, said 1st Lt. Steven DeWhitt, a San Jose, Calif., native and platoon leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment.
Members of the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and the U.S. Agency of International Development helped the shaykhs coordinate with U.S. forces to have the two wheelchairs delivered.
The recipients of the wheelchairs were a former Sons of Iraq volunteer security team member and a farmer, both of whom had been severely injured in improvised explosive device attacks.
Leaders from HHC received the donated wheelchairs through a series of channels stemming from a non-profit organization, said DeWhitt. The chairs were assembled in the United States and the recipients will have easy access to low-cost replacement parts.
"Often times, we provide the supplies, the Iraqis do the organization," said DeWhitt.
Each wheelchair was uniquely designed with bicycle tires and white plastic patio chairs, only costing $58.20 to make, which permit all of the parts to be bought in local Iraqi stores, said DeWhitt.
The Soldiers here have been eager to help out in the Aqur Quf area, whether by providing school supplies for the local children or enabling mobility to underprivileged individuals. And the locals have become much more receptive to the presence of Soldiers as a result.
"The locals know that when we come around, we're not here for war," said Staff Sgt. Aldo Gonzalez, a native of National City, Calif., and infantry platoon sergeant with HHC. "We're here to help them out and provide them with any assistance that we can."
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