School Supplies

Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | An American Soldier from Delta Company, 1-68th Combined Arms Battalion pulls security during a school drop. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Pfaff)  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

06.30.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAQUBAH, Iraq (June 16, 2006) " Soldiers from Delta Company, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, made a trip to the village of Mukhisa to deliver school supplies to the children who represent the future of this region.

Several weeks ago, local leaders signed a security cooperation agreement. Since that time, the region has had a significant decrease in inter-tribal and sectarian violence. In response to the leaders upholding the agreement, the 1-68 CAB has started several humanitarian missions, including several construction projects.

"Today, we just wanted to reinforce the relationship with the town, so we took some school supplies and delivered them to the local boy's school," said Capt. Christopher G. Turner, the company commander for Delta Company and a Lawrence, Kan., native. "We think it's important that they get their education because, like I was telling them, they are the future."

With boxes full of pens and paper donated by children from the United States, the Soldiers from Delta Company entered the village. As school was out for the day, Turner contacted the village leader and requested entry to the school to drop off the supplies.

Despite most of the children being out for the day a small group of children amassed.

Soldiers handed over the supplies to the school's teachers and the teachers then distributed the pens and paper among the children.

Turner explained that he wanted the teachers to distribute the supplies, but with the help of an interpreter, Turner spoke with the children and told them to 'study their books because they are the future to Iraq's success."

"We want to show the kids that we're not monsters, and that we're actually here trying to take care of Iraq and the things we are doing are in their best interest," he said. "Then, in five to 10 years from now, when they have that choice to become a terrorist or not, we're hoping because of the interaction that they had with American troops, they choose to stay home and help Iraq succeed."

Turner said that most of the older people are set in their ways, either for or against the coalition, and for that reason it's important to reach the youth in Iraq.

"Right now all the fighting is occurring with boys between the ages of 16 and 25 years old," Turner said. "The new generation, the guys that are going to be fighting in five to 10 years, are going to be the kids that are five to 10 years old right now.

"Even after we leave, they're going to have some significant challenges trying to create a democracy," Turner said. "It's not a quick process. The more children that we can get educated, the better off they are going to be in the long run."

• Date Taken: 06.30.2006
• Date Posted: 06.30.2006 10:31
• Story ID: 7012
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ