Photo By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang | 1st Lt. Jessica R. Plummer (holding bat) teaches an Iraqi Boy Scout how to hit a ball...... read more read more
By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang
BAGHDAD —“When I see the children, and see how much their faces light up when they see us, I think, ‘This is why we’re here.’”
Those words from 1st Sgt. Gwen Haliburton, with the 199th Garrison Command, United States Division – Center, and a Leesville, La., native, describing not only her Operation New Dawn deployment, but why she volunteers her downtime to work with the Iraqi Boy and Girl Scouts.
“We’re here so these children have a chance at a future,” she said.
Children of Iraqi Special Forces members gather every Saturday, along with U.S. and Iraqi troops, with one common goal—to build a better tomorrow.
Designed to mirror the program in the U.S., the Iraqi scouts learn skills and self-discipline, and are awarded badges for their achievements.
1st Lt. Jessica R. Plummer, a platoon leader with Company B, Special Troops Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat, 199th Garrison Command, and a volunteer with the program, said the scout program empowers the youth to support and influence their club and community.
“The program gets young people involved in activities that provide the opportunities for personal expression, leadership, community involvement, volunteerism, planning and decision making,” she said.
Plummer said the children learn to sustain meaningful relationships with others, while developing a positive self-image.
“Just a few hours of our time each week can have such a positive impact on the children,” she said. “Being there for them can help build courage, confidence and character.”
Though the program is designed to help the Iraqi children, the American volunteers say the benefit is mutual.
Plummer, a Baton Rouge, La., native, said it fosters a cultural understanding and acceptance for everyone involved.
“I can look back years from now and say that I’ve had a chance to interact with a culture unlike my own.”
Maj. Jacques D. Walker, an access control director for Victory Base Complex with the 256th IBCT, and a New Orleans native, said his involvement with the program has become his personal fulfillment while deployed.
“I do my job every day, and I know it’s important,” he said, “but to see the look of thanks in their eyes when we help them in a scouting activity makes it all worthwhile. You don’t need an interpreter to figure that out.”
Though the troops are deployed for up to a year at a time, many, including Haliburton, have pledged to continue the partnership even after returning home.
The leading founder, Eric B. Fretz, a Navy lieutenant commander and Ann Arbor, Mich., native, who was deployed when the program began in June 2008, said significant progress was made after his redeployment thanks to the volunteers and donations.
“During the first meeting, goats were running around us, a sandstorm was blowing and there were piles of trash and tires everywhere,” he said.
Today, there is a volleyball court, basketball court, baseball field with grass and even a playground on the grounds for the scouts.
What started with a group of 15 bashful scouts has now worked its way up to about 100 anxious Saturday attendants, who range in age from 4 to 17.
“Such a change …” Frentz proudly remarked.
Fretz, a Boy Scout troop leader in Ann Arbor who has since retired from the Navy, said the ultimate goal is that the Iraqis fully take over and continue the program in the after U.S. troops withdraw at the end of next year.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2010 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 58836 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 8 |
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