November 9, 2005
There is personal pride in what I do,
and if someone said the up-armor I put on
their vehicle saved their life,
that would make it all worth it.
~Army Sgt. Beth A. Bedore~
Col. Roger McClellan, the civil military affairs officer for the 39th Brigade Combat Team, hands candy to children of the Al-Shab village during a visit to the area Sept 28. Soldiers visited the region in an effort to bring relief to one of Baghdad's poorest regions with toys, candy and clothes for children and first aid items for parents and adults. U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Benjamin Cosse
Visit to Village Brings Smiles and Good Feelings
By Cpl. Benjamin Cossel / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 6, 2004 — The throng of children clamoring for anything the soldiers could give them reached a fervor pitch. Sitting atop the Humvee, the soldier scanned over the mass of faces and outstretched arms, looking for one. Spotting her in the back of the crowd, he jumped down from the turret, made his way through the sea of children to the back of the crowd, holding out a tiny stuffed animal. The little girl reached up and took it, her eyes sparkled as she clutched the toy to her chest, a smile that could melt a glacier spread across her face.
Visiting the village of Al Shab in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district, soldiers of the 39th Brigade Combat Team delivered toys, clothes, and school supplies to spread good will and bring some relief to residents in one of Adhamiyah's most destitute regions, Sept 28.
One of the oldest districts in Baghdad, the Sunni stronghold of Adhamiyah was favored by Saddam Hussein, thus money flowed into the area and the region flourished, but not so for the people living on the outskirts of the district.
“The residents of this area are some of the poorest in what is considered a reasonably well-to-do district,” explained Maj. Gordon McCoy, an assistant civil military affairs officer for the brigade. “So, we're out here today to try and bring relief in small ways, with clothing and shoes and even some basic first aid items.”
The rows of houses are an island surrounded on all sides by what is the de facto landfill for the region. In the rear of this island stands a sewage treatment plant that engineers with the 39th are currently working to bring on-line. Until the work on the plant is complete, untreated sewage snakes a river through the landscape, its inescapable odor mixing with that of the burning garbage.
“You can just look around you and see what these people live in and are surrounded by,” said the resident of Forrest City, Ark. pointing to the mountains of burning refuse as he stepped over raw sewage to get to the back of his vehicle. “This is actually the second time we've come to this area since we arrived in country. The first time, we were met with apprehension, but folks really warmed up to us when they realized we were here to help.”
McCoy went on to explain that in addition to toys and school supplies, the mission included delivering basic first aid items.
“When last we were here, many of the children we saw had some pretty bad cuts along their legs and feet,” he said. “Given what they walk through, the potential for infection is extremely high.
So as we give out the toys and such to the children, we've also gathered up some shoes to give them and items such as anti-microbial ointments, bandages and bottles of hydrogen peroxide to give to the mothers and fathers who come out with their children.”
As the trunks popped open revealing boxes and boxes of treasure, residents crowded around the soldiers eager to take something home. Soldiers worked diligently to maintain order and control to ensure that each person who approached them received something.
“Basically we're trying to bring a glimmer of sunshine to an otherwise desolate environment,” noted McCoy. “And with that, we can hopefully have an effect on how the people of this area view Multi-National forces. If we give them another view of Multi-National Forces, perhaps they won't be so easy to convince when Anti-Iraqi Forces try to spread their propaganda and convince them to do us (Multi-National Forces) harm.”
In addition to the goodwill fostered in the hearts of the Iraqi people, soldiers acting as escort security for the delivery left the experience with a warm feeling.
“These are the type of missions you really like to do,” explained Cpl. James Rice, of Stuttgart, Ark., working with Company A. “Too often you hear about soldiers getting hurt and all the bombings and everything going on around you. It's easy to get disheartened and forget why we are here. You see the look in those kids eyes and the moms and dads thanking you for what you are doing and it makes it all worth it.”
song playing....To Know Him Is to Love Him