Courtesy Photo | After being informed of a cache location by a resident of Baghdad's Ur neighborhood,...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Matthew Linton
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
BAGHDAD – At times, the cultural differences between Iraqi people and American Soldiers seem insurmountable, but the simple truths of life are unchanging regardless of backdrop.
The innocence of a child is one of the unchanging truths of life. The confines of a culture and the painful baggage many people carry do not weigh on children.
Childhood in Iraq is not exactly the Leave it to Beaver cookie-cutter life held in esteem in America. The typical day of an Iraqi child is touched by the pain and conflict of a war-torn nation but they still maintain the hopeful innocence all children are entitled.
The Iraqi child presents to an American patrol many unique and special challenges. The manner in which a child approaches the American patrol sets the tone for the interaction to follow. In the worst cases children will be aggressive and throw rocks, these children are usually taught to act this way by their parents. The worst case occurs only in specific areas where it is the exception more than the rule. The best manner in which a child approaches American Forces is with an open heart and arms. At times due to the poor conditions in the streets, Iraqi children become accustomed to receiving things from Americans and may become an annoyance due to their continued requests. The child is not faulted for this simple annoyance as they are only attempting to get what they on any other day would not have.
The children as the future of the Iraqi nation must be treated with the respect and care they are entitled. One specific instance in which Company C "Commando," Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment interacted very successfully with children happened on the cool, clear morning, Oct. 1, 2008. The patrol moving north of Joint Security Station Ur was looking for information on recent improvised-explosive devices emplaced near the JSS.
The families queried seemed to know very little or were reluctant to share information. The area surrounding JSS Ur is the poorest near Baghdad's Sadr City District. It is an area forgotten by the Iraqi government due to the fact that it is populated by "illegal" squatters. Due to the Iraqi government's stance they are denied the basic services which support life in an urban environment. The lack of support from their political institutions leaves a gulf of leadership, resources and societal care that is being now filled by the American Forces.
The area the patrol was moving through was just west of one of the checkpoints at the JSS. This rather robust checkpoint monitors the movement of individuals moving north and south on a road on the western flank of Sadr City. This area is a collection of junkyards, metal shops and machinists. The language barrier causes the patrol to be limited in who will directly interact verbally with the families; usually it is the patrol leader and the interpreter who talk to the people.
The Soldiers providing security have limited means of communication. Through basic Arabic vocabulary, hand gestures and facial expressions a form of communication exists especially well-suited for children.
While the patrol leader on this fated morning discussed the recent emplacement of roadside bombs in the region a few Soldiers won the hearts of the children. The patrol leader on the ground that day, Lt. Ryan Poole, a native of Duarte, Calif., said he feels strongly about helping the children.
"Every day, I am surrounded by the sadness of a war-torn nation. I feel honored and blessed to be able to bring a ray of hope to the local people – especially children," said Poole, a platoon leader with Co. C, TF 1-6 Inf., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
The Soldiers simply interacted with the children, gave them a few pieces of candy and showed the Iraqi children a puppy they had found. It was Sgt. Michael Estka, a Chicago native, who had found the puppy.
"I thought the little boy would like the small, furry puppy," he said.
The father, who was reluctant to put his family at risk to point out a cache in the area, was moved once he saw the respect and care afforded his children. He realized just as we care for his children, we care for the people of Iraq. In that moment, he resolutely determined to point out the cache to the patrol. Due to the time taken and the care given to children, Company C was able to locate and confiscate a cache further providing security and stability to the nation of Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2008 10:20 |
| Story ID: | 24832 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 141 |
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