|
Blackanthem Military News
|
Last Updated:
Feb 8, 2012 - 5:19:58 PM |
|
|
Blackanthem Military News
 |
| Iraqi youths were all smiles about the new toys (seen on the table in the background) which were handed out Feb. 17, donated by Illinois co-workers of deployed soldier, Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq - Friends and co-workers of a deployed Illinois soldier sent donated toys to southern Iraq, generating loads of smiles from Iraqi youngsters, who visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region South (GRS) district's headquarters at Tallil Air Base on Feb. 17.
Approximately 30 Iraqi students from Nasiriyah's Mama Suna Primary School arrived at GRS headquarters beaming with huge smiles. The children held flowers, which they presented to the Americans who greeted them. The children sang a song in English that started, "Father, mother, I am sick - get the doctor quick, quick quick," recited their A-B-C's, and then sang a song in Arabic.
Staff from GRS greeted the youngsters alongside members of the Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery out of Ft. Bliss, Texas; and the Alpha Company, 445th Civil Affairs from Mountain View, Calif. They grilled hamburgers, served pizza, played games with the children and then presented each child with a toy, soccer ball and book bag filled with school supplies.
The gifts were all items Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick's friends and co-workers back in Illinois shipped over for the children of Iraq. Kirkpatrick, a member of the 416th Theater Engineer Command, headquartered in Darien, Ill., explained that he'd received numerous e-mails from home asking what he needed. He suggested sending toys that could be delivered to neighboring Iraqi schools during visits by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees.
Kirkpatrick, an Army Reserve soldier, works as a senior process engineer for Aux Sable Liquid Products located in Channahon, Ill., near Morris, where the company's natural gas plant is located.
His co-workers took up a collection and sent him a couple large boxes containing "a great variety of nice toys," including cars, dolls, stuffed animals, a big fire engine, colorful sleeping bags, pillows, and a CD player. "It's a great company to work for and they've been very supportive of my deployment here," noted Kirkpatrick, who has 23 years of military service.
Kirkpatrick is the operations officer at GRS. The district is overseeing more than 130 construction projects in Iraq's nine southern provinces. The projects include new schools, hospitals, courthouses, roads, bridges and new water treatment facilities that in some cases are providing communities with access to clean water for the first time ever.
Kirkpatrick says he joined the Army "to get more focused on my future. I went from being a poor high school student to being a much better college student after three years active duty." He later joined the National Guard and then switched to the Army Reserve and during the past two decades has seen much of the world, including Panama, El Salvador and Germany. This is his third tour to Iraq in the past five years.
"Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a great assignment. We have an important mission," Kirkpatrick explained. "Things are improving here and you can see that the Iraqis are on the right path. It's encouraging."
"I've had great support from my family, friends, and co-workers in Illinois since deploying in November," Kirkpatrick said. "Through phone calls, emails, and letters we're able to stay in touch. They've all stepped up and are helping fill in for me stateside so I can concentrate on my duties here. I sincerely appreciate all they do."
Note: Norris Jones is a public affairs specialist with the Gulf Region South district, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
 |
| Army Reserve Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick says Iraqi youths definitely enjoyed the toys his Illinois co-workers provided. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
|
 |
| Army Reserve Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick says Iraqi youths definitely enjoyed the toys his Illinois co-workers provided. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
|
 |
| Iraqi youths, ages 5 and 6, each give a flower to Gulf Region South district employees. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
|
 |
| Iraqi youngsters from Nasiriyah enjoy their visit Feb. 17 to Gulf Region South district headquarters at Tallil Air Base in Dhi Qar Province. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
|
 |
| Iraqi youngsters from Nasiriyah enjoy their visit Feb. 17 to Gulf Region South district headquarters at Tallil Air Base in Dhi Qar Province. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
|
 |
| Nothing like a new red fire engine to brighten your day. (USACE photo by Norris Jones) |
|
Comments
NO Soliciting.
Comments with links to websites or soliciting services will be removed.
Please read our Terms of use for more information.
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
