Iraqi, U.S. Forces distribute school supplies to Iraqi kids

Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD -- in al-Doria 2 proudly . Soldiers from C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi Security Forces from the 3rd Public Order Brigade gave bags filled with crayons, pencils, writing tablets, and other school necessities to 280 students at the school. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Adam Harris, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.04.2005

Courtesy Story

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1st Lt. Adam Harris
3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment

BAGHDAD --Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces teamed up to conduct a school supply drop in a village near the Salman Pak district in east Baghdad Sept. 21.

Soldiers from C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and Iraqi Security Forces from the 3rd Public Order Brigade talked with the students and gave the children school bags filled with crayons, pencils, writing tablets, and other school necessities donated by the Poland Ohio School District in Youngstown, Ohio.

"The main purpose of this school drop is to provide basic school necessities for the local village children, while improving relations with the residents of Al-Doria 2, " said Capt. Mike Burgoyne, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, Commander. "It's an opportunity for the residents to see Coalition and Public Order Brigade forces working together to improve conditions."

The school drop was held at Gilgamish Primary Girls School in al-Doria 2, located about a mile outside Salman Pak. Although at first the majority of students seemed hesitant, towards the end several students thanked Coalition and Public Order Brigade forces for what they did.

"I have three brothers and we do not have enough paper and pencils," said Hanna Aiad al-Shamari, a 10-year-old student. "Now I have enough to share with my brothers."

"Although our assets and time are consumed with patrol and operational missions, it makes the Soldiers feel good being able to help out the children in this area," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Wyatt, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, mortar section sergeant.

By the time the visit ended, 280 students received bags of school supplies. The Iraqi and U.S. forces also gave out 10 boxes of teacher supplies so that each instructor would have enough to begin the school year.

"I want to thank the people in Ohio and the American and Iraqi Soldiers for helping out the girls," said Bushara Mahidi al-Jabori, headmaster at Gilgamish Primary Girls School. "Although our school needs a lot of repairs, things are getting better for everyone."

• Date Taken: 10.04.2005
• Date Posted: 10.04.2005 14:00
• Story ID: 3172
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ