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LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – To help prevent violent extremism and turn potential enemies into friends, 54th Engineer Battalion route-clearance soldiers donated supplies to Afghan school children in Baraki Barak, Logar province Jan. 30.
Task Force Dolch soldiers of 54th Engr. Bn.’s Route-Clearance Patrol 43 believe in practicing the “golden rule” of treating others the way they would like to be treated when attempting to win the hearts and minds of Afghans. Donating supplies to a school in the Baraki Barak valley of western Logar is a perfect example.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Otto Valdez, TF Dolch’s RCP 43 platoon sergeant from Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, asked friends and family to donate school supplies for Afghan children. Valdez collected nearly $1,500 worth of school aid, saying his mother and brother sent about 80 percent of the supplies and the other 20 percent came from his friends.
RCP 43 soldiers distributed school supplies, toys, shoes and boxes of winter clothes in an effort to help the children enjoy a better quality of life.
This is not the first time Valdez conducted this type of mission.
“It was something I did before on other deployments - twice in Kosovo, twice in Iraq and now in Afghanistan,” said Valdez. “I am willing to do it again as long as God provides me with the strength.”
Valdez’s RCP 43 discovered the school while conducting route-clearance patrols in their area of operations. RCP 43 soldiers received help from local national interpreters to choose the most appropriate gifts for the children and establish rapport with the school officials.
One benefit for the soldiers conducting this mission was seeing the smiles and happiness in the children of the west Logar province school.
“I have two kids of my own, and I know the greatest thing to me is to see them happy,” said Valdez. “These Afghan children are not as lucky as Americans. If we can help them, that’s our biggest benefit from the missions.”
The principal of the boys school appreciates the assistance from American soldiers. In fact, this help changed his views of their presence in his area.
“I am feeling thankful that these soldiers are supporting our people. I also feel that we can improve our relationship with the military,” said Ahmadi, the school’s principal. “I never really thought much of the American military. Now it’s different, I like them very much.”
Valdez plans to broaden awareness of the school-support missions in the near future using word of mouth and signs around Forward Operating Base Shank to inform his comrades about the support he hopes to bring to local residents.
“I think the simple way is to put the word out to people in the dining facility. There are a lot of people who stay on the FOB who don’t know what we’re doing,” said Valdez. “We can put a point of contact on signs to inform people they can help the children by donating school supplies and clothes.”
RCP 43 will include Afghan National Army forces in future school sponsorship missions. Valdez plans to have ANA soldiers help distribute shipments to the schools and interact with the local populace.
“I think working with ANA is a great idea. This is their country, and they should be the ones dealing with their [people],” said Valdez. “It promotes community cohesion and helps the locals improve their relationship with the ANA.”
RCP 43’s soldiers enjoy the school sponsorship. It gives them a healthy approach to making a difference in the local community.
“It felt great, because these kids have less than we do,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Newsome, TF Dolch RCP 43 squad leader from Tampa, Fla. “Anytime we can help the kids by giving them stuff, it’s good. Anytime we can help these people, it will help stop future attacks and help win the hearts and minds of Afghan communities.”
“If the circumstances are right, I definitely would sponsor a school to help them out,” continued Newsome, who said he plans to conduct similar missions during possible future deployments. “When soldiers sponsor schools, they take on a different mindset that helps them build character.”
| Date Taken: | 02.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.08.2011 14:08 |
| Story ID: | 65024 |
| Location: | LOGAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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