U.S. Soldiers Bring Toys, Smiles to Children's Hospital

Courtesy Photo | A young girls snuggles up to her new stuffed animals after Soldiers from 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, handed out toys to young cancer patients at General Children's Hospital July 31. Soldiers are winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people one smile at a time.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.16.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Sgt. Thomas Benoit
256th Brigade Combat Team PAO

CAMP TIGERLAND, Iraq -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers spent part of the day July 31 bringing smiles to a Baghdad children's hospital during a humanitarian aid mission.

Command Sgt. Major James Mays, from Pineville, La., senior-enlisted non-commissioned officer of the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division; and Lt. Col. Joseph Dore, from Charlotte, N.C., brigade surgeon, hosted the mission at the General Children's Hospital in Baghdad, bearing toys and stuffed animals for young cancer patients.

The medical staff also received several reference manuals from Dore, who coordinated numerous medical and civil affair projects across the area of operations.

Outside the hospital, a father clutched his ill daughter on his hip and wept as he approached Mays. The family was stranded without a way to pay for transportation back to Mosul, after they journeyed to Baghdad and visited Abul-Qader Gailany Mosque and prayed for a miracle to cure the child.

When the daughter's health worsened, she was admitted to General Children's Hospital. The financial burden was too great for the family to manage.

Mays and other 256th BCT Soldiers did not hesitate to pass a collection plate to aid the Iraqi family stranded miles from home.

• Date Taken: 08.16.2005
• Date Posted: 08.16.2005 19:48
• Story ID: 2756
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ