School Supplies And Books Given In Joint Iraqi Coalition Effort
When a child in the United States thinks of school supplies it is often with a huge sigh, as it signals the end of the blissful days of summer, and means the return to school. But in Iraqi, often kids do not have access to school supplies, and the thought of them brings a smile to children who are very excited and motivated to learn, they enjoy just the privilege of attending school.
In the Hawas community recently US Marine Corps gunners and Iraqi Soldiers in a joint patrol had the opportunity to distribute a number of different types of school supplies. Members of Regimental Combat Team 1, 24th Marine Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Mobile Assault Platoon 1 worked for several hours alongside their Iraqi Soldier counterparts to hand out food, water and school supplies to smiling and excited children and their parents.
“Giving to the children is supporting the future of Iraqi, and they remember you, these kids are sharp, and it helps in our overall patrols and relations with the community, the kids now greet us with excited yells and smiles,” said Staff Sgt Marco Gomez, the Platoon Sergeant for the Marine detachment.
“We are also providing a mentoring role to the Iraqi Forces, they have began to accept and grasp the need for humanitarian outreach as a vital and necessary part of what they do,” said Sgt. Gomez.
Donations from students and teachers from Oswego Illinois Public School District #308 served to supply the materials that were passed out by the joint coalition and Iraqi Troops.