Soldiers deliver OIC school supply kits

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from Alpha and Headquarters and Headquarters Companies, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment, Hawaii Army National Guard; and Alpha Company, 3rd Bn., 297th Inf. Rgt., Alaska ANG, paid a special visit to about 300 children at Baghdad Airport Primary School in Baghdad Sept. 11. Each of the first through seventh grade children received an Operation Iraqi Freedom school supply kit that included pens, pencils, paper and crayons as well as got a chance to talk with the Soldiers and try on their gear.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.21.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Senior Airman Chawntain Sloan
Multi-National Corps -- Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- About 300 children at Baghdad Airport Primary School started the new school year off right Sept. 11 thanks to Multi-National Corps -- Iraq Soldiers at Camp Victory.

Soldiers from Alpha and Headquarters and Headquarters Companies, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment, Hawaii Army National Guard; and Alpha Company, 3rd Bn., 297th Inf. Rgt., Alaska ANG, teamed up to provide the first through seventh grade children with school supplies like pens, pencils, paper and crayons.

Each child received their own personal care package -- complete with stuffed animal -- courtesy of Operation Iraqi Children, a stateside nonprofit organization cofounded by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand.

OIC serves as a liaison, helping Soldiers provide Iraqi schools-in-need with school supply kits compiled by children, church groups and other organizations in the United States.

Ms. Ibrahim, the school principal, said she, as well as the teachers and students, were very thankful for the supplies.

"I told (the students) yesterday, "The Americans are coming," or I don't think we would have had as many show up," said Ibrahim.

Soldiers provide ongoing support not just to the school but to the village, said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Odoardi, HHC, 2nd Bn., 299th Inf. Rgt. civil affairs noncommissioned officer.

"We have developed a strong relationship with this village," said Odoardi. "Our units patrol the village, and the civil affairs section has meetings with the mayor on a regular basis, so we have come to know a lot of the 2,800 residents by name. They recognize our Soldiers as well."

The Soldiers are currently assisting the village in building a day care, remodeling the junior high school, upgrading electrical and water lines and installing a new perimeter security fence, but Odoardi said they also plan to make another trip to the school with snacks and additional arts and crafts supplies.

"A lot of us have children back home, so we really enjoy spending time with the children," said Odoardi.

• Date Taken: 09.21.2005
• Date Posted: 09.21.2005 16:11
• Story ID: 3080
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ