Photo By Staff Sgt. Renee Wilson | Maj. Michael Patterson, senior chaplain assigned to 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – With Christmas approaching, chaplains and soldiers thought not of themselves, but what they could do for others.
Soldiers assigned to the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas, handed out backpacks filled with teddy bears, toy cars, soccer balls and school supplies, surprising orphans at the Church of Mar Youhanna, or Saint John, in the town of Qara Qosh, Iraq, Dec. 17.
Soldiers of the U.S. Army Reserve 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, from Columbus, Ohio, provided the toys and school supplies to put a smile on the displaced children’s faces.
“Life is hard enough as an orphan, so it was great to give them something to make their day and Christmas season brighter,” said Sgt. Greg MacKinnon, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer, assigned to the 412th CA Bn., attached to the 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div.
Many of the soldiers who helped with the event said they felt the humanitarian assistance was a good way to spread Christmas spirit.
Sgt. 1st Class Demetrius Smith, equal opportunity advisor assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div., said the opportunity was a new experience for him, compared to previous deployments to Iraq.
“I’ve been deployed five times now, and I had the opportunity to work with kids last time,” said Smith, who hails from Philadelphia. “This time it was different being able to help in a non-combatant [role], and I appreciated the opportunity.”
The 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div. assumed its mission in October, deploying to northern Iraq as part of U.S. Division-North in support of Operation New Dawn, to advise, mentor, train and equip Iraqi Security Forces.
Keeping with the Christmas spirit, a chaplain wearing a Santa suit passed out presents to more than 150 children gathered at the Iraqi Christian church in northern Iraq.
Maj. Michael Patterson, senior chaplain of the 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div., said he wanted to bring the Christmas spirit to the children and congregation of the Iraqi Christian church.
Patterson used a visit with religious leaders of the church as an opportunity to distribute the Christmas cheer.
“[The church] had the Santa suit for me,” said Patterson, a native of Vero Beach, Fla. “It was fun to see the joy in the children’s faces when they saw Santa.”
Maj. Patricia Peeler, personnel actions officer assigned to 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div., said the event, bringing joy to the Iraqi children, lifted her spirits, especially during this time away from Family.
“Even if they could for one moment forget about their troubles and it brings them joy, we completed what we wanted to do,” said Peeler, who calls Marion, N.Y. home.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.24.2010 09:33 |
| Story ID: | 62569 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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