Marines deliver toys to Iraqi children

Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | Marine Col. Robert Whitters, deputy to the deputy chief of staff for Coalition operations, Multi-National Force-Iraq, distributes toys for Iraqi children at the Radwaniyah Clinic on Victory Base Complex on Jan. 9  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.09.2002

Story by Spc. Derron Dickinson 

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Derron A. Dickinson
28th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP VICTORY - Victory Base Complex service members brought smiles to Iraqi children by delivering toys as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program on Jan. 9.

The initiative, lead by Marine Col. Robert Whitters, deputy to the deputy chief of staff for coalition operations, Multi-National Force-Iraq, handed out toys mailed from many people in the United States and distributed them at Radwaniyah Clinic at Camp Stryker.

"Toys for Tots started by a Marine lieutenant colonel in Los Angeles about 30 years ago," Whitters said. "It was a local thing. Now it's the highlight of the Marine Corps Reserve year."

Whitters said he first got involved in Toys for Tots in 1985 when he was a captain.

"It was kind of cool to see some big ol' gunnery sergeant sitting on the floor playing with toys," he said.

Whitters described how his father and people from his church collected toys for the effort.

"There really isn't much difference in a toy drive in theater and one back in the States," he said. "It's basically the same thing."

Marine Staff Sgt. Jaclyn Fernandez, a foreign disclosure officer for MNF-I and a signals intelligence analyst with the 1st Radio Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., volunteered her efforts when Whitters called for assistance.

"It's a Marine-thing to do," she said. "You think of your family. It hits home when you've got families like this in need. That's what people don't ordinarily see."

Fernandez described the work as fun.

"The looks on the children's faces made it worth it," she added.

Whitters agreed with Fernandez's assessment.

"It was fun," he said as he handed out the last of the toys.

"Kids are kids everywhere," he added. "They all like the same things. Right now they could care less if someone's Sunni, Shia, Jewish, Christian or whatever. They just want to be kids and have fun."

• Date Taken: 01.09.2002
• Date Posted: 01.18.2007 13:12
• Story ID: 8852
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ