There is a hundred time more stuff going on in Iraq like this than there is the bad stuff that makes the headlines every day:
FOOD DELIVERED TO RAMADI
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2006 -- Iraqi forces, with coalition forces in support, delivered emergency food supplies to a mosque in Ramadi Nov. 4, military officials in Iraq reported.
Iraqi policemen and Iraqi soldiers delivered more than 6,000 pounds of food supplies to the Al Bohemla mosque Nov. 4 to help relieve a food shortage in the central portion of Ramadi.
Local residents approached Iraqi army soldiers during patrols to express their concern about the food shortage.
""Being the sons of Ramadi,"" Maj. Kathem from the Iraqi police said, ""we must help the people of Ramadi.""
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provided external security while soldiers with the 2-1-7 Iraqi Army and policemen from the western Ramadi police station unloaded rice, flour, beans and cooking oil for the people of the area to a local Imam. The Iraqi government provided the food supplies.
VICTORY BOXES
RADWANIYAH, Iraq, Nov. 3, 2006 ?-?- Jasmine, an Iraqi child with unkempt hair and dressed in tattered clothes, reached her hand out for a pair of shoes. She was not concerned with the brand, style or even the size of the shoes, she simply wanted a pair of shoes to replace the sandals she was wearing -- sandals which were too small, causing her toes to touch the pavement when she walked.
Providing items such as this was a highlight for Multi-National Division -- Baghdad soldiers from the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, who assisted in handing out items such as shoes and shampoo to Iraqi children like Jasmine at the Civil Military Operations Center Oct. 28 in Radwaniyah, southeast of Baghdad.
""I wanted to be able to do something nice to help the community and show the Iraqis we are here to help them,"" said Michelle Winicki, a medic with the 210th.
The items the soldiers gave to the children came from the support of the American people in the form of a Victory Box.
The Victory Boxes were started by Mary Halleck, of Colleyville, Texas. Halleck originally started sending boxes to soldiers who had no families to send them anything.
After sending numerous care packages to soldiers, Halleck received a letter from a soldier asking if she would be able to send school supplies to the Iraqi children.
After a few fundraisers, Halleck and her friends came up with the idea of Victory Boxes -- boxes containing goods needed for the Iraqi people to help them in their fight for freedom.
""I''ve never really done anything for my country,"" Halleck said. ""I envisioned our (American) families sending boxes to the people of Iraq through the soldiers.""
The boxes were intended to help the Iraqis as they train to defend their country, get their economy going, clothe their families and educate their children.
""The support (that the Iraqi people are receiving) is great,"" said Sgt. Billie Caperton, a 210th medic. ""It feels like the Iraqis want us here, and it feels good that the American people understand they (the Iraqi people) are in a tough situation and want to help the Iraqis.""
SPORTS IN AFGHANISTAN
BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2006 ?-?- Coalition Forces along with local Afghan elders joined together to plan a week-long sports tournament in Chamkani district, Paktya Province.
The sports tournament, which ended October 29th, was organized to build community involvement and solidarity among Chamkani residents.
"There is no greater unifying force than a nation of people cheering for their home team in an international competition."
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick
Twenty-eight cricket teams and 24 soccer teams competed in the tournament. More than 1,000 athletes participated in the sports events and 500 to 800 spectators attended and cheered on the athletes each day.
NEW SCHOOLS OPENED
KIRKUK, Iraq, Oct. 13, 2006 ?-?-Two schools re-opened here Oct. 12 after being renovated as part of a program in which they will serve as models for other schools in the area.
Musalla Secondary School students proudly hung their country and school flags on the newly painted walls of their refurbished school in preparation for a ceremony attended by local officials.
The secondary school and a city elementary school are the first of six to be renovated as part of the program.
""These schools were developed to set the example for Kirkuk,"" said Maj. Paul Beekman, team chief, 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion. ""The Board of Education can go in and look at the schools and the equipment, and emulate it throughout the region.""
The plan was funded by the Commander''s Emergency Response Program, funding authorized by Congress to restore Iraq. Local Iraqis were contracted to do the work over the summer while students were out of school.
The construction included a science laboratory featuring new computers. Students will now benefit from the improved learning atmosphere and the equipment.
""The school looks brand new and the environment will enable the students to be more focused,"" said science teacher, Mr. Adel, through an interpreter. ""The lab is a big improvement, allowing the students to learn hands-on.""
Musalla students were previously confined to small classrooms which limited the science projects they could work on. The new lab was designed with bigger rooms so that more students can get involved, Beekman said.
The commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, joined the governor of Kirkuk and local education officials at the ceremony marking the reopening of the schools.
Col. Patrick T. Stackpole, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander, told the students assembled in front of him that they are their country''s greatest resource.
""This is the best day I''ve had in Iraq,"" said Stackpole. ""Being the future of Iraq, take this opportunity and I hope to see some of you up here (on stage) someday.""
School supplies such as paper and pencils were donated by individuals stateside. Computer desks and other materials used to build the laboratory were donated by a nongovernmental agency.
