U.S. Troops Give Gifts And School Supplies To Iraqi Children
Combat operations have largely subsided in Iraq, and as they have quieted down, there has been a shift into reconstruction. A large part of the effort has gone into working with communities to provide supplies and materials to bolster education efforts.
Al-Qaida attempts to get the attention of the local citizens by exploding bombs, or making threats. Their attempts fall increasingly on deaf ears, because at the other end of the spectrum are the efforts by coalition and U.S. Forces, working with Iraqi Military and police are giving back to the community.
Staff Sgt Enrique Gonzales believes it is making a long-term impact.
“Every positive thing we try to do, helps in the long term,” said Gonzales. Gonzales is part of the Command security team, and has been participating in goodwill supplies, gifts, and supplies since his unit’s arrival last May.
“It is mostly about attitudes, what they think of us now that they know us is changing, and for the better,” said Gonzales.
The latest effort on the part of the Multi-National Security Command Transition team is to try and build bridges, and identify needs that Coalition forces can help meet. They traveled to the Educational center in Central Baghdad, just inside the International zone. They took with them toys, gifts, food and various other supplies and gave them out to children and their families.
After a little while over sixty Iraqi children swarmed down over the troops. “We have such a blast each time we come,” said Gonzales. “It makes it all worthwhile to be able to connect to these kids.” Said Sgt. Gonzales.
