The untold truth about Americans is being tested everyday in Iraq, and other parts of the world. America is a giving nation. A nation of people who have placed a sign at our New York harbor that welcomes, the world and to share in our riches if they are willing to abide and defend our code of ethics, and laws.
As a Vietnam veteran I can remember the headlines in 1979 and 1970 that screamed, "Baby Killers" and "God Bless Dead Soldiers".
However, I can also remember going to the orphanages in Vietnam and bringing back to the base small orphaned children in our trucks and providing them a day at Disney Land on our air field. The media seemed to ignore these gestures and efforts provided by the everyday GI s like myself. They seemed to focus on the mistakes and pain that war brings on everyone.
I remember one little girl with thick glasses about five years old that a buddy and I adopted for the day. After returning to the base under armed guard we tried to cater to her every need with food, some toys, clothes, laughter and a warm embrace. Her parents had been killed in one of the village skirmishes and only God know how and what she went through herself.
Although there is much I want to forget there are always some of those memories I can cherish and be thankful that I had a part in. Each of us can also do something for someone which will leave an everlasting impression in our minds. I don't know what ever became of her under the communist take over but I am glad I had more to do with touching a heart than killing a man.
The following article is a continuation of what American soldiers really set out to accomplish contrary to the news media and liberal anti war rhetoric that is flashed before the world.
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Iraqi Army Soldiers Deliver Season?s Tidings to Assyrian Christians in Kirkuk
Jeremy Reynalds
December 24, 2007
KIRKUK, IRAQ -- Coalition Forces enjoyed a Christmas party in Iraq recently.
The holiday cheer was courtesy of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, and was held at an Assyrian Christian School in Kirkuk on Dec. 15.
According to military officials, the theme of this year's celebration was ethnic and religious diversity.
"Kirkuk is a good place to be for Christians ... a place where all ethnic groups, Arab, Kurd, Turkman and Christian, are living in peace," the Christian school priest told the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA). He also ministers to 2-4 IA Soldiers who operate from Iraqi Army Base K-1 in Kirkuk.
Both IA and CF Soldiers, with the 2414 Logistics Transition Team at K-1, came armed with presents, which they passed out to the children who were clothed in various ethnic dress to represent the cultures that are trying to bring back some semblance of normality to this ethnic diverse area of northeastern Iraq.
"We want to live and work with our neighbors in harmony ... as Iraqis," Maj. Zyad Junaid Omar, 2-4 IA Civil Affairs officer, told AINA. Zyad, whose father is an Arab and mother a Turkman, said that he invites CF Soldiers along to show Iraqis that, "Americans are good people that want to help." He also wanted the Iraqi public to see how well the IA and CF work together.
"Maj. Zyad is a patriot in the true sense," Lt. Col. Greg Markert, 2414 LTT, told AINA. "He wants to make a difference. He is not concerned about the ethnic background of these children. He's concerned about Iraq's future . which they represent."
AINA reported that gifts the soldiers handed out were contributed by employers, friends and family of Pennsylvania Guardsmen Sgt. 1st Class Ken "Gunny" Ganiszewski, 2414 LTT, and Markert, both of Philadelphia. "What started out as a suggestion snowballed into 200 packages full of toys, candy, blankets ... the response has been tremendous," said the former Marine.
AINA reported that this was just one of the several ongoing civil affairs programs run by the 2-4 IA's CA team.
"We're honored to be a part of their program," Markert told AINA. "These children are the future of Iraq; they are the most important equation in our mission here."
"I fought as a Marine in the Gulf War against some of these Soldiers who I am now mentoring," AINA reported Ganiszewski said. "This brotherhood we've formed is making a positive impact on the children of Iraq ... its future."
He said that both groups of soldiers agree that what they are doing has a larger impact than "kicking doors down and brandishing weapons." He underlined the importance of getting involved by saying, "That child who is given a pair of shoes may return home and convince a relative not to place an IED out on the road. Or, if he sees someone trying to hurt an IA or CF Soldier, he'll report it."
AINA reported that the LTT team has 10 members. They hail from the 240th Quartermaster's Company, 16th Sustainment Brigade from Bamburg, Germany; 13th Combat Service Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Benning, Ga.; the National Guard Bureau and its 28th Infantry Division's staff. All of the U.S. Soldiers are attached to the National Guard's 213th Area Support Group, Allentown, Pa., currently headquartered at Forward Operating Base Anaconda.
"We've come from all over the U.S. and Germany to form this team. We've since become a cohesive family, together with our adoptive family, meaning our fellow Soldiers with the Iraqi Army's 2nd Brigade, 4th Division,"AINA reported Markert said.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission
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