by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (October 12, 2006) – Young ladies at the Al Basher school for girls recently had a surprise from Coalition Soldiers that put smiles on their faces.

Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion handed out book bags, notebooks, pencils, and toys to all the girls.

"This was a joint Iraqi Army, CF effort," said Spc. Jennifer Mae Fitzgerald, Co. A, 403rd CA Bn., and native of Johnsonville, N.Y. "The supplies were provided by CA but distributed by the IA, CA and HHC 5-20 IN. The IA identified schools in the area that were in the most need for supplies."

"It is always rewarding to help a child, that's the best part of my job," said Fitzgerald. "You get to see the immediate effect and impact you have on the lives of the Iraqi people."

This isn't the first time Fitzgerald has gone out of her way to help Iraqi children. She recently oversaw a school refurbishment project that provided children of Al Kharar a better opportunity to learn and grow.

"We have refurbished a school in Al Kharar, to give their children a better opportunity for education," remarked Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald is making sure that she leaves her mark in Iraq, and helping children is where she feels she can do that best. She believes the children are the future.

"What I have accomplished here is good," said Fitzgerald. "It's my own little mark in Iraq."