From My Family to Yours

Photo By Sgt. Adrian Muehe | Spc. Brandon Blomely, of 4th Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, gives a "thumbs up" to Iraqi children while pulling security for a humanitarian aid drop off in Wasit, Iraq, on Feb. 1.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

02.06.2010

Story by Pfc. Adrian Muehe 

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq — The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season in the United States is a popular time for donating and reaching out to those less fortunate families. However, for U.S. Soldiers stationed in Iraq, the giving season extends to all year around.

It is very rare to find a Soldier in 4th Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, without candy or pens in their cargo pocket to hand them out to the hoards of children that tag along during community patrols or whom gather around during combined Iraqi and U.S. civil affairs projects.

While working with their Iraqi police partners in Wasit, Iraq, Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Wolaver, platoon sergeant for 4th Platoon, has repeatedly noticed a child playing on the very same street corner with no clothes. Being his second deployment, Wolaver has interacted with many Iraqi children before, but this was the first time he's ever seen one run around nude.

Knowing he wouldn't want see his own boy like this, Wolaver decided that he had to help.

"I have a soft spot for kids," said Wolaver, Covington, Ohio ,native. "I called my wife and my mother-in-law, and asked them to send me some clothes for a two year old boy."

A couple weeks later, Wolaver received two packages in the mail that included jeans and shirts for toddlers, along with small toys. This isn't the first time this family has helped Iraqi children. On a previous deployment, his wife sent him soccer balls and school supplies to give to Iraqi families.

Having no idea where the child lived, Wolaver, set out with a few Soldiers to find the family of this little boy. Having no available interpreters, they asked locals where this family lived using the little Arabic they knew and basic hand signals.

One of the neighborhood children who spoke English overheard the Soldiers' speaking and led them to the home.

The mother of these children spoke a little English, and with the help of the boy who escorted the Soldiers there, was able to interact when she received the gifts from them. The garments and toys were still in the mailing packages, with the addresses torn off. The children were exuberant to be given new things and have their picture taken.

With a few of the children having a mild understanding of the English language, Wolaver was able to carry on conversations, asking them how they were doing and questioning a small girl who received the toy giraffe about the Arabic word for giraffe is.

"Being a father, I hate seeing kids live like that," said Wolaver.

The platoon sergeant's family is sending more clothes and toys for him to give to Iraqi children.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2010
• Date Posted: 02.06.2010 12:04
• Story ID: 45017
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ