Baghdad, Iraq- As the soldiers with the US Forces serving in Iraq move about the country, on patrol, and doing their assigned duties with Operation Iraqi Freedom they often have a chance to interact with the people and with children. As such, they can identify and help bring service to children that are in need of advanced medical assistance, or even surgery.
Such is the case of 10 year old Ali Abdulla. Lieutenant Colonel Rhonda McGuire, and Chief Warrant Officer Russell Hayes are two of these types of US Coalition soldiers that have made a difference in the lives of Iraqi Children.
CWO Hayes was on patrol with members of his air crew and found themselves dealing with the citizens, assisting in giving out humanitarian aid and assistance. They discovered Ali and his 8 year old sister, Baraa, and their medical needs. With the help of Lieutenant Colonel McGuire, a public affairs officer with 45th Infantry Brigade, Joint Area Support group, these soldiers were able to make sure that these young kids were connected with Coalition medical personnel that could assist and treat them.
Lieutenant Colonel McGuire wrote about the efforts among the children, and mentioned one family that had 3 members that were dealing with dwarfism. This caught CWO Hayes attention, who has a child of his own at home that also suffers from dwarfism. CWO Hayes sought this family out, made contact, and helped them get the services they need.
Surgeons attached to Coalition forces in Iraq evaluated the children, and then assisted them in getting the needed surgery they required. Now, they are healing, and their future is much brighter, partly because of McGuire and Hayes.
