Enough of Foley and the Gloom And Doom Braying Asses. Let's hear some of the important news that is out there (From Defend America)
For many Iraqis, the only face of the Iraqi Security Forces they see is the one entering their house looking for suspected insurgents.
To help children see a more human side of those responsible for protecting their country, soldiers from lakeside 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division visited two schools in this village in northern Diyala Province to hand out school supplies and talk to the children about the importance of staying in school.
They’re the ones that are going to be leading Iraq’s future tomorrow, said Col. Yas, the 3rd Brigade, 5th IAD, G-5, through an interpreter during a visit to a Hamrin secondary school. They should side with the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police and not side with the terrorists.
Some children were shy, others whimpered at the sight of the soldiers, others still were eager to talk and mingle with the troops. But, as soon as the school supplies were brought into the room, each child smiled and anxiously awaited their turn to receive their treasure — a few pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, a ruler and a pair of scissors.
"A lot of the towns see the Iraqi Army out and about but they see them doing kinetic type operations," said Staff Sgt. Eric Viburs, a team chief with Tactical Psychological Operations Team 15-32nd, attached to 310th Psychological Operations Company. "They see them doing cordon and searches; they see them doing (traffic control points) and searching cars. I think it’s important for the kids to see the softer side of the Iraqi Army. They live amongst them. They serve the Iraqi people. I think it’s important for the kids to see that."
Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Lightning joined the Iraqi Army patrol as well and mingled with the younger Iraqi citizens. The soldiers also handed out soccer balls to each school.
So, the old "winnig the hearts and minds" thing is working. Bet you won't see anything like this in the Big Media. Happy schoolchildren do not take precedence over murder and mayhem.
