Help needed for schools in a free Iraq

June 28, 2004

We've been very interested in the progress of a free Iraq, and especially by what our troops are doing for Iraqi children and schools, as we wrote back in February.

Recently a school yard blogger wrote of her experience at a "luncheon with the troops" with soldiers freshly returned from service in Iraq, and today has a nice breakdown of what has been accomplished since the end of the Hussein regime.

Our troops first fought with honor, then immediately turned-to on the task of rebuilding the country, again with honor. Having served in the U.S. military, we can honestly say that no part of our training focused on "rebuilding a country" especially decidedly non-military issues such as renovating and restocking schools. The amazing successes of our servicemen and women is therefore a testament to their dedication and professionalism. They truly are America's best.

Via the Iraq The Model blog, we found something right up our alley: IraqiSchools.com, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting Iraq's schools and her children, now managed from Baghdad by the Army's 1-7 Cavalry.

Major Nathan E. Hines, III, of the 1-7 Cav. is shown at right. This spring, he wrote:

Your efforts have continued to have a tremendous impact on our operations here in Iraq. We have distributed thousands of pounds of school supplies, toys, stuffed animals, clothes, and sports equipment. In addition some of you have sent items for the soldiers. When distributed the soldiers are grateful and at the same time somewhat surprised by your generosity for both them and the children of Iraq.

Major Hines continues (emphasis ours):

The program is going strong. I have received countless emails and letters from people thanking us for the job we do and giving me a heads-up on what they are sending or have sent.

As you would expect, the pace of the transition to authority to the Iraqi people and the training of a New Iraqi Army is a high priority for our unit. Your impact will be felt for years to come, as the children you help through your donations become adults in a free Iraq. The looks on the faces of the kids as they receive pencils, pens, paper, crayons, soccer balls, Frisbees, stuffed animals, toys, and other items is a motivating factor in this country for the men of the 1st Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

In the past three months the Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Troopers of this Squadron, have ridden an emotional rollercoaster when it comes to the execution of this mission in Iraq. What most people don’t realize is that on a daily basis we are shot at, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are detonated or found, soldiers are wounded, and on May 15, 2004 SSG Rene Ledesma was killed as he was conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Baghdad.

Even with this happening your sons and daughters continue to make an impact on the children of this country.

The pain of the loss makes it all the more important to get this country back on track so that their blood was not shed in vain. The youngest soldier in our formation has begun to realize the importance of what we do for the children. They execute the missions for the children with the same effort and zeal as they do combat operations.

Who knows what the future holds for Iraq? I believe Iraq has a chance and that means your efforts will be a big part of making it a better place to live in the future.

How can you help? Please visit IraqiSchools.com's Needs page to see what you can do.