Renegades hand out toys to children in Sadr City

Courtesy Photo | On a late night patrol, soccer balls bring a smile to the face of a young Sadr City resident. Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers with Company A, Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, regularly interact with Iraqi children and try to share a little fun and a smile with them.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.18.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By 2nd Lt. Gordon Bostick
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD, Iraq – After the lethal fighting in Sadr City and Jamilla died down with the construction of the wall on Jamilla/Al Quds Road, the Soldiers of Company A, Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment "Renegades," Multi-National Division - Baghdad, transitioned to winning the hearts and minds of the local population.

This has taken many forms, from giving microgrants to businesses damaged in the recent fighting, to trash collection in the streets of Sadr City, to refurbishing schools and rebuilding playgrounds.

The projects all require coordination between contractors, Iraqi and American engineers, and Civil Affairs and the local population. It is a mission the Renegade Soldiers provide every day.

Yet, the large projects are not the only things the Soldiers of Co. A do to win the population over to its side – sometimes it is as simple as toys.

In August, the Renegades received more than 300 Hot Wheels toy cars for distribution within Sadr City. Soldiers, who often interact with children on their patrols, had an opportunity to give them something more than a friendly wave. The cars provide leaders a chance to interact with the children's parents and emphasize the desire to keep Sadr City safe for their children.

"I'm always willing interact the Iraqi children. They are the future leaders of Iraq," said Staff Sgt. Adam Manganello, a native of Waukesha, Wis., who serves with Co. A, TF 1st Bn., 6th Inf., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Last week, it was a different toy that found its way to the hands of Iraqi children: soccer balls. While a group of Soldiers spent time playing dominoes and talking with a group of men about conditions in their neighborhood, the Renegades passed a bag of soccer balls to local boys.

No matter what their age, every Iraqi child tries to play soccer as best they can. In addition to the soccer balls, the parks the company is working to refurbish and build in Jamilla provide a safe place for the children to practice their skills.

Perhaps the quickest way to win the hearts of the Iraqi people is through the children, who have the opportunity to see the Soldiers in a different light. The Soldiers of Co. A said they enjoy making young friends wherever they go. Having the ability to hand out toys for the kids also affords them the opportunity to engage the parents and older siblings of these children as well.

"They are good kids, and I can see that our work with them is bringing dividends for Iraq's future," said Staff Sgt. Robert Grey, a Homer, La., native, who serves with Co. A.

Each simple act of handing out toys becomes an important step toward winning the hearts and minds of Iraq – and perhaps enjoying a little bit of a kindred spirit.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2008
• Date Posted: 09.18.2008 00:21
• Story ID: 23786
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ