'Soccer for Peace' brings fun of soccer to Iraq

Photo By Christina Bhatti | Fredericksburg, Va. native Matthew Pixley, 0923 Military Transition Team hands a soccer ball to at a child at the Juf al-Mila school Jan. 26 as part of Operation Fuzeball. Pixley helped coordinate the donation of approximately 60 soccer balls, soccer equipment, toys and games through Freedom Middle School in Spotsylvania, Va.  

TAJI, IRAQ

02.02.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
2nd SBCT PAO, 25th Inf. Div., MND-B

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Thirteen-year-old Jake Zinnecker, from Spotlyvania, Penn., had a plan. He wanted to give the children of Iraq soccer balls and equipment.

Not a soccer player himself, Zinnecker still recognized the passion for the sport in the youth. When his cause, "Soccer for Peace in Iraq," later dubbed Operation Fuzeball, reached Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Pixley, of Fredericksburg, Va., he immediately took action.

Pixley, a member of 0923 Military Transition Team, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, took it upon himself to help Zinnecker bring the gift of sport to the children of Juf al-Mila in the Taji Qada, which is located north of Baghdad.

By interacting with the people of the area, it will result with an immediate positive effect, said Pixley
"It's a great thing," he said. "This will help us gain a foothold in this area and will hopefully show these citizens that we are here to help."

The project began in September when Zinnecker began taking donations from his school and town. In the end, he collected approximately 60 soccer balls and various other soccer gear, to include cleats, shin pads and cones. He also collected other games, toys and clothes for children.

Excitement permeated the air when the U.S. vehicles rolled into Jurf al-Mila school Jan. 26. The children of the town were giddy with excitement when they saw boxes and boxes of soccer balls and toys. The order and calm brought by the town Sheik and members of Abna'a al- Iraq was soon broken by children as they shoved into the school courtyard to receive their small slice of happiness.

A great amount of chaos was soon followed by a great amount of relief.

"That was nuts," said Capt. Craig Young, a native of Columbus, Ga., who serves with 0923 MiTT, 2/2/9 IA, as he drove away from the school. "It was good to get that stuff out to those children."

• Date Taken: 02.02.2008
• Date Posted: 02.04.2008 16:03
• Story ID: 16020
• Location: TAJI, IQ