Soldiers, stateside elementary school give Iraqi school children something to smile about

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, handed out Beanie Babies donated by children of North Hills Christian School in Salisbury, N.C., March 24. The toys were given to children from the Oman and Nassir schools in al Buaytha.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.24.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi school children in al Buaytha got toys from children their age halfway around the world, March 24.

Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, distributed 400 Beanie Babies to children at the Oman and Nassir schools. Students of North Hills Christian School in Salisbury, N.C., collected and sent the toys as a gift.

"It is important that we do anything we can to make the children happy and help them, because the children are the future," said Capt. Joseph Inge, a native of Richmond, Va., commander of Company D.

First Lt. Kirk Steiner, Company D fire support officer, gave his mother, who teaches at the school, credit for organizing the event.

"Most of these children have only seen their country during a time of war. It was great to be able to give them a small gift and see the smiles on their faces," said Steiner, a native of Salisbury, N.C.

• Date Taken: 03.24.2008
• Date Posted: 03.28.2008 09:31
• Story ID: 17846
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ