22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Casey Collier

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - On Aug. 25, Captain John Hallett III, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, was killed in an IED attack in the Arghandab District of the Kandahar province.

His wife, Lisa Hallett of Concord, Calif., was able to view the last known photograph of Hallett in which he was holding an Afghan child who was wearing only one shoe.

Hallett's wife made contact with friends in her hometown and immediately began accepting donations of children's shoes for a program that ensured children in Southern Afghanistan could receive new shoes.

The delivery mission, Oct. 13 to the village of Naray Tuy, Zabul Province was led by Maj. Jose H. Ocasio, executive officer, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. The Afghan National Police assisted the soldiers of the 4-23 with maintaining security perimeters and translation. Over 100 pairs of shoes were delivered to the children that day.

"What started as a neighbourhood thing... came to be what happened today which was the first 'shoe drop'. We'd never done anything like this, so we studied a bit about cultural dimensions and how the shoes would impact things here. What we found was- culturally, local elders appreciate anything having to do with helping children.

"We contacted the elders four days ago and told them we wanted to do it, so the children and families could prepare. That's how it got started," said Ocasio.

The children lined up and individually stepped up to a 4ft. by 1 and ½ ft. piece of plywood, traced with children's shoe sizes for fitting.

Each child received a pair of shoes. From sandals and slip-ons, to hiking boots and tennis shoes, the boxes of shoes were emptied and smiling children could be seen sprinting across the village courtyard.

"This is my fifth deployment and my 38th month in a deployed area; and this by far is one of the most rewarding days," said Ocasio.

Sgt. Steven Dwain Rhyne, Alpha Company, 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, was also at the "shoe drop" to lend a Civil Affairs hand in providing the children with their new shoes.

Of the donations to the program and the continuation of the program in later regions, Rhyne said, "Of course we always love to see anybody willing to help the people of this country. I applaud them [the donors of the shoes]. It is an outstanding thing, a great thing to do. I look forward to it continuing and I hope it grows and grows, getting bigger and bigger so we can expand to not only the southern region, but further on up, as well."

In such a village as Naray Tuy, where there is a single well for the entire village and children run barefoot in the dust, the shoes delivered by the 4-23 were an obvious boon to the village's well being.

"These kids- when they are able to get a new pair of shoes, which is rare, the looks on their faces are overwhelming. It'll bring tears to your eyes" said Rhyne.

It is a tribute that started in North America and is seeing it's fruition in the Shinkay Mountains here at 6,300 feet above sea level, where the local children of Naray Tuy are no longer barefoot as winter approaches.

Associated Images

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