SPC Mary Lee's bags -- ready to go last year in her barracks room at Fort Dix, NJ. (Photo by SPC Mary Lee)
When we began preparing to come to Iraq, one of the first items we discussed was our packing list. I think we all became a little nervous when we saw the very detailed list of instructions before us. During our pre-deployment training, we were issued gear and supplies from RFI (Rapid Fielding Initiative) on numerous occasions. Receiving military issued equipment poses mixed feelings. In some ways, it’s like Christmas because it’s all free. But like anything new, I had to wonder where I was going to put everything. Finally, the time came where we had to cram everything required to go to Iraq for a year into four bags. It seemed impossible at first but before I realized, myself and four overstuffed bags arrived in Baghdad.
After moving from the transition tent to my CHU (Containerized Housing Unit) I was finally able to unpack and settle into a daily routine. I was looking around my CHU the other day and thinking about how I’m going to get everything home when the time comes to redeploy. Not only do I have my military issued equipment, but now I have gathered souvenirs from some of the local shops. It is inevitable that I will be taking home more than I brought. At that point I began to think about what I will be leaving behind.
Over the past few weeks SPC Gardner and I have had the opportunity to interact with Iraqi families who come to our office for identification badges. Most of these families arrive dressed in what we would refer to as our “Sunday best” and are prepared to wait for hours. Since our building is not really set up for children, SPC Gardner requested that her family and other organizations in the States send toys for us to give to the children. It was at this point that I began to realize what I would leave behind, the impression of a United States soldier.
SPCs Brittany Gardner and Mary Lee share some presents with local Iraqi children. (Photo by SGT Emily Anderson)
Most children under the age of five have only lived in a military occupied Iraq. Before I came to Iraq, I would hear on the news, various reports of the Iraqis opinions of American Soldiers. Some were heartwarming stories about the military building schools and providing medical care while others were not as positive. I always said that I would love the opportunity to make a good impression on the Iraqi people if given the chance. I want to do my part in building a bridge between two cultures who have historically not been allies.
Although I am not able to build a school, neighborhood, or hospital, I feel that I can still make a difference here, even if it seems small. Interacting with the children and their parents reminds me that we all want basically the same things out of life: love, security and happiness. Seeing the looks on the children’s faces when we give them a small toy makes me feel that I helped provide some of those basically necessities. Over time the toys will surely lose their luster, but I hope their memories of us will last forever.
Thursday, 19. March 2009
We have a large bag of stuffed animals I’ll be sending soon!
Friday, 20. March 2009
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 03/20/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
Friday, 20. March 2009
My wife, from Okinawa, remembers the canned milk provided by the U.S. Army when she was a young girl. Don’t worry.
Wednesday, 25. March 2009
Just wanted to let you know that one of your Y family members was checking up on you! Nice read. Everyone back here misses you! Be safe.
Wednesday, 25. March 2009
I am so proud of my friend Mary! I know you are leaving an impression on the Iraqi people and I am honored that when they think of America those thoughts are thanks to you and all the other Men and Women over there. Stay safe and see you soon.
Thursday, 26. March 2009
Congratulations on the certificate of achivement. The article was very good.
Wayne and I are members of a Small Group at McElwain Baptist, and we have collected a few toys from this group. After I get the boxes packed, Wayne will get them in the mail this weekend. I love to read your articles, because you have such a skill of drawing the reader into your life.
Love you,
Uncle Wayne and Aunt Jan
Thursday, 26. March 2009
Having just one individual give another individual one nice gesture will change that person’s life forever. People do not realize that just one smile, just one hi, just one holding the door for someone else, can mean so much more to them then anything else in this world, because for that one moment in their life someone cared enough about them to give them something.
Keep up the great work. You are changing the world more then you know.
Wednesday, 6. May 2009
Blogs like this are why I use the internet.