2-150th Looks Toward the Future

Photo By Cpl. Taylor Schulz | Soldiers from the 2-150th Field Artillery look on during their lunch break as local Iraqi children jump into the Tigris River  

IRAQ

06.16.2006

Courtesy Story

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs           

The American media fills the American psyche with images of violence in Iraq on a near daily basis, however this is only a small part of a much larger truth.

If you were to walk in downtown Mosul you'll notice many things that are far from the picture painted by the mainstream media. Namely, there are thriving marketplaces, citizens conducting their daily affairs and many smiling children; children who are not afraid to approach US Soldiers and Iraqi Police to talk, play and have an exchange of cultures so foreign to each other.

"We (the Soldiers and Iraqi Police) started to talk and interact with the children in the neighborhood, I really think that's a good thing because these kids are the future of Iraq" said Staff Sgt. Paul Pabla, a team leader for the 2-150th Field Artillery Company from Bloomington, Indiana after a patrol near a police station in Mosul, Iraq.

A scene akin to this can be seen all over Iraq, wherever there are Soldiers there are usually children screaming for their attention, some candy and the reassurance that American troops are providing for a country which is fighting to be self sufficient once again..

Many Soldiers in the 2-150th have items sent from family and friends such as candy, toys and even school supplies to provide to the children of Iraq. 1st Lt. Kevin Wagner, 4th platoon leader for the 2-150th says that "The 2-150th are doing some great things for the Iraqis, we have a school south of us that many of our guys are helping out."

On a patrol with 4th platoon a Soldier even pointed at a school they were passing and commented how he was receiving enough supplies to provide for them for them for the whole year. Down by the Tigris river at a location with no school in sight, fourth platoon's second squad stopped for lunch where it seemed apparent that no children would be nearby.

However, upon dismounting the vehicles the troops were surprised to see many children jumping into and playing in the Tigris river. Spc. Matthew Eisenhower, also with 4th platoon looked on as many of the children were diving and swimming in the water, he and his cohorts then asked the children if they could toss some of them into the river for mutual enjoyment.

After some consideration a few of the children volunteered and had excited looks on their faces as the troops tossed them into the calm water. "Being able to play with the kids in Iraq makes us all feel closer to home and lets them know we're here to help" says Wagner.

"The main purpose of doing patrols is to get the Iraqi Police out and to interact with the civilian population to let them know that they are out there doing there job and trying to make a difference" say Pabla. Patrols similar to the ones that the 2-150th do with Iraqi Police are being repeated by all over Iraq.

This is a daily reminder to the people that U.S. forces are handing their country back over to them, 'the Iraqi people have learned to trust us and it's really easy to walk up to them and talk, whereas in the past it was a bit more difficult" said Wagner.

As the U.S. government continues it's commitment to restore stability in the Middle East, Soldiers will undoubtedly be seen by the Iraqis and their children helping to shape the future of the region.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2006
• Date Posted: 06.16.2006 11:02
• Story ID: 6832
• Location: IQ