Smiles Are For Everyone

Its been a while since we last gave kids gifts from America.  So, I organized a trip with another unit on my FOB, who was all about us joining them for a day.  The school supplies, beanie babies, and toys were piling up so much that we were running out of room in our hooch (will never call this home).  THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT THESE ITEMS!!  We decided that the best way to hand out things quickly and fairly was to make little gift bags.  I know, not brain science on that idea, but a good one nonetheless.   The night before the mission, we had a conveyor belt type operation to fill the gift bags.  SPCp and SPCd started off by putting two beanie babies in the bag.  Then SGTw and SGTm put some sort of toy in the bag and SPCt was in charge of writing utensils.  I was next in line and tossed some toilettries and/or candy in the bag.  The last stop was with SSGc who put white paper or construction paper in the bag.  He was also quality control (gotta have QA) and sent quite a few back for reprocessing.  In the end we had about 200 gift bags, along with two trash bags full of beanies left, and two boxes of candy.   As I packed the toiletries, we joked that we hoped no kids try to eat the soap or drink the shampoo like they did the last time we went out. 

The next morning we got up, had some coffee, drank a lot of water, mounted our weapons onto the hummers, did a map recon, got the radios in time, and received a brief from the company commander that we tagged along with.  The first town we went to was really quiet, and it was almost hard to find the children.  Once a few of them saw us and that we were friendly, they came out to see what was going on.  When we were done giving out items to a few families, we then drove down the street further and stumbled upon more children.  We pulled into this one courtyard and a little boy was buck naked from the waist down.  He was at first scared of us and ran away.  SGTm threw a few beanies to him.  He looked down at them, tossed everything else he was holding, and snatched them up quickly.  The little girl at the house was adorable too.  One of us gave her a gift bag and she kept dropping it cause she was so little.  Her mother quickly helped her out and picked up the bag.  They all had smiles once they figured out we were only there to help. 

The other half of the mission was complete, so we had to move to the next location.  It was more of a city, rather than a country town, but the children were still very poor.  We did a dismounted patrol and handed out the rest of our gift bags, beanies, and candy.  Once we handed everything out, then we headed back to the FOB.  I took six guys from my platoon on the mission, and each of them were thrilled at the opportunity to give presents to Iraqi children.  It was a great day here and at home.  Tiffany (my wife) had her birthday and three of her sisters visited my home to celebrate.  She was so excited to have them over as well as our nieces and nephews.  Also, my brother Gavin has that same birthday.  His girlfriend Erin and our friend Jenny threw a party for both Tiffany and Gavin.  Happy Birthday My Love!!!!!!  Happy Birthday Stinky (bro)!!!!

I gave the kids here a present from each of you.  So, in a way its their birthday as well.  Smiles for everyone on 25 June 2005!  :)

*i put more pics from the trip in my photo album...

I know in my heart that man is good.
That what is right will always eventually triumph.
And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.
- Ronald Reagan

Comments

[Ellen@BestBlogContest]

That's so sweet!

[Some Soldier's Mom]

oh my GOSH!! you guys just ROCK!! I mean... you could put sunshine in a night sky with the smiles on those faces!!! Bless you all... and bless the children... yes, Lord, please bless everyone who is someone's child... no exceptions.

[gavin]

awesome! love the pictures as always. just imagine the naked boy being your two twin nephews.. apparently they have become quite the nuddists.

[nikki]

No shirt allowed if that little child wants to join the Nuddist Nephew Club. Hey, its nice that your nephews have so much confidence in themselves that they are comfortable with their birthday suits.

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

Loved the post and especially the pics! Bless your hearts - All of you!

[Umy Guy]

Great Post!!! That's just awesome. The liberal media just blasts the right so much you'd swear nothing good was going on over there, they're only desire is to make Bush look completely imcompetent, but its good to hear the positives from the war!!!

Check out another website im associated with, I think you'll enjoy. www.politicalnightmare.com

God Bless!

[Scott Ringo]

Hey- I wondered if you knew Rick (Ricardo) Crocker who was killed there around the end of May? He was part of our family and wrote like you, but just through email not blog. Keep up the good work and look forward to hearing more.

[Shawn]

Scott,

Sorry, I did not know Ricardo. I am sorry for your loss and want to thank him for his service to our country. The support is much appreciated. shawn

[Monk-in-Training]

Shawn,
My Parish has been particpating with an Oklahoma National Guard troop in Afghanistan who has "adopted" an Orphanage. I see your and their efforts as part of our Gospel challange to be a blessing to the world, to make life better, even for one child at a time. I am "revising" a Celtic Blessing for you. (BTW I have been and will continue to pray for you)

Shawn, reach out in peace,
and May the Christ Who walks on wounded feet
walk with you on the dusty Iraqi road,
May the Christ Who serves with wounded hands,
stretch out with your hands to serve.
May the Christ Who loves with a wounded heart
open your heart to the wounded in soul
May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet
and may everyone you meet see the Face of Christ in you.

I know I see Christ in you this day.

[Chris]

I was looking at your photos, and I've got one comment: Who needs WMDs when they have camel spiders. MAN those things are creepy!

[rev mommy]

Thanks for the story. I found you via Gavin's blog -- you have been added to my daily prayer list. Have a great 4th.
Blessings.

[Alix]

Well, i'm french and i've just read your story!!! and i have only one thing to say: Great job!!!
Iraki people need your help.
Good luck for the US army!

could you tell me if we can write to american soldiers in Irak?
Thanks for all.

[Brokenheart]

I didn't read any think , i just see the children with toys ,
i just want to say they didn't need the toys they need to have a normal country
and what have you done with their country ?, you destroy their country and their history
reppenez vos joués et partez !!!!

[wiscistsoagma]

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