Disclaimers: Prior permission for this thread has been enthusiastically granted by the administration of this board. IAW AR 530-1, nothing in this thread is intended to represent or act on behalf of the United States Army in any way. The following thread comes from me as an individual, and not as an agent of the US Government or the US Army. Any opinions expressed are not necessarily the official opinions or views of the US Army or the US Government. No affiliation between anything in this thread, and the US Army is stated or implied.
Many posters have expressed interest in helping me bring smiles to the faces of the war torn children of Iraq. Well… more smiles, anyway, because they are surprisingly smiling already. In most neighborhoods the children wave, they smile, they salute… yesterday a little girl about 4 or 5 years old blew kisses as she waved.
It is these children who will see the most benefit from our actions in Iraq. The elderly can only dream of what they will never experience. The younger men and women are living in an unfortunate era of transition. The future we help them build may not come soon enough to compensate for their sacrifices of the present and suffering of the past.
But the children, and most certainly their future children, will grow up in a stable self-governing democracy. One that is rich in culture, rich in oil, and rich with freedom. And I will be proud to know that I made a small sacrifice to do all that I can to ensure that it happens. Those children will grow up under a veil of liberty, learning of government oppression only from text books and not first hand experience. Their parents–Iraq’s present day children–will speak of how the Americans came, and how we treated them. And how we did everything we could to help them.
….and how we brought them soccer balls 
These kids are eager for soccer balls. I don’t know what unit first handed out a soccer ball, but their effects are still lingering. The kids love chocolate too. All I’ve had to throw them recently was pop tarts, muffins, and some candy.
I think its awesome so many Dopers want to help out and give these kids some things to keep them happy. So here’s how this thread will work
I’ll come here periodically to request other things that I can think of or that I see a need for. As much as I can, I will post picture of the kids receiving the treats and balls.
Dopers can also ask me any kinds of questions you might have. Like some kind of “Ask the Infantry Squad Leader in Iraq” or something. I’ll answer as best I can. Please just ask questions though. If you want to pit me or debate something, start a thread elsewhere and post a link in this thread.
Also, no comments like, “Sorry you had to go there” or “Sorry the Army sent you there”. Though I appreciate it, I did specifically request to come here. Had I not done so, I would still be enjoying my easy-ass desk job at Ft Benning until at least 2009. The Army didn’t send me here against my will. On the contrary, I demanded that I come here. I really miss my wife right now, but that is a burden I chose to bear.
Anyway, so here we go:
Requested Items:
-Soccer Balls
-Candy
-SDMB T-Shirts, Size Small (I thought this would be neat. Most of these kids can use a new shirt or two. I will get some pics of them wearing the SDMB Shirts. What better way to symbolize freedom of speech and tolerance of other beliefs?
-Battery Operated Lights*
-A Sign Language Book written in Arabic**
-Anything else you can think of. Make suggestions in this thread!!!
*Most houses I’ve been to have electricity. They usually have a personal generator, or a large generator shared by the community. Others are getting it from who-knows-where. I don’t pretend to understand the current, complex electrical infrastructure of Iraq. BUT, the people lose power for a variety of reasons:
- Blackouts? From reading the same news articles you do, I assume at least some Iraqis are on the grid, and there is just too much demand.
- Soliders cut their power. This is common collateral damage. There are wires galore out on the streets leading everywhere. I would not say that Iraq has power lines. It’s more like power WEBS. I’ll try to get pictures. Anyway, suspicious wires are often cut while on patrol. And after you’ve watch several of your buddies blow up from booby traps, every wire becomes suspicious. This is usually a quick fix, though. The wires are cut close to the houses and it’s simple for the homeowner to come out and add another splice.
- A majority of the power lines (webs) are very low hanging. Our large vehicles often tear through the lines. This takes longer to fix, since they have to go gather more line and figure out what part of the web our vehicle snapped.
Suffice it to say, it’s not uncommon for us to enter a house that temporarily has its power out. The other day I was thinking about those Tap Lights. And I think I even saw a commercial once for a battery operated lightbulb that you could but anywhere in the house. Anyway, I think those would be a really great gift for some of these families. Don’t you think?
Yesterday I entered a house—one that I knew had power. But they were there in the dark. On the living room table the father was helping the children with their school work under the light of a gas lantern. They could have used one of those light bulb things, I think.
But they were not distraught. They just drove on and went about life, patiently waiting for the power to turn back on. We were there for probably 30 minutes before the power came back on. During that time, the kids brought one of their English Books over to my soldier and asked him to read from it. They went back and forth. First he’d read a line, then they’d repeat it. It was a great social experience. People pay a lot of money all over the world to have Americans read English to them. I was reminded of English Academies in Korea.
Anyway, the power came back on and the mother brought food and that Iraqi bread to offer us. We ate and communicated as best we could. Then, it was back out into the dark streets, back out on patrol.
**Same family has a deaf daughter. She is probably 5 I think. She communicates with her hands but it does not appear to be an organized sign language. I don’t think she’s ever learned to sign. It appears to be just gestures. I would love to give that family a Sign Language book. So she could learn and they could better communicate with their daughter. I don’t know much about Sign Language though. I know there is “American Sign Language”. Is that just for the US though? Is there an International Sign Language? What would be best for this girl to use? Anyway, some kind of sign language book written in Arabic at a kindergarten or 1st grade level would be great. Maybe even a supplimental book for the parents?
How to send the items:
Snail Mail:
I’d rather not post my mailing address here. So, if you would like to mail something, send fisha an email. She (he?) will email you my address.
onetrikponyATgmailDOTTcom
There are currently 32 soccer balls for sale on this camp. 10 in a private shop, and 22 in the AAFES Shopette. They are $8 for the cheap ones, and $9 for the other ones. The difference escapes me. Until that supply runs out, the best way to donate a soccer ball is via Paypal. (Unless you happen to buy soccer balls in bulk elsewhere or something)
I know it’s impersonal, but it’s the cheapest and most efficient method for soccer balls and chocolate. Other candy might be cheaper to ship over, though. Especially after Halloween.
Paypal
My paypal email is the same on in my SDMB Profile. There is currently zero dollars in there, so it will be easy to figure out how much I’ve been sent. 100% of all Paypal funds will be spent on the Iraq families and their children. If you want to specify what your money should buy, you can do so. If you just want to send 5 dollars via Paypal, you can be confident that your 5 dollars went into a bag of candy or a T-shirt or something for the children of Iraq.
Other rules:
If you want to write a message on your gift, feel free. But NO RELIGIOUS WITNESSING!! I am not here to spread the word of Jesus Christ or convert anyone or anything close to that! I am not on a holy crusade here. Please respect the beliefs of these people. If your church group or something would like to get involved in this, I welcome it. But do so for the sake of giving and helping, and not for the chance to preach or convert. Thanks.
All other messages are welcome!! If you donate to Paypal and want me to put your name and a message on a soccer ball or something, just specify and I’ll do it. That way your message and present gets distributed across the world with the click of a mouse!
Wow, I wrote a lot. I have a lot of pictures I want to share, but my camera is in the truck. Expect some soon!
So, I think that’s it for now. Questions? Comments?
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