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Mar 17, 2010 - 6:39:30 PM |
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U.S. troops deliver supplies and gifts to Iraqi school
By Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
Dec 27, 2007 - 9:36:21 AM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Escuza, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, seals bins of building blocks at a base in the International Zone. Escuza and other members of the command handed out school supplies, toys and candy to children at a school in the International Zone Dec. 26. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Frost) |
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Making a visible, positive impact during a tour in Iraq is something that every deployed servicemember thinks of. For a U.S. Army staff sergeant deployed to the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, the quest to make his impact took him to Iraqi neighborhoods and schools.
Staff Sgt. Carlos Escuza, who is part of the command's convoy security team known as the Rough Riders, has been providing supplies, gifts and goodwill to Iraqis since his arrival in May.
"Every little bit helps in changing attitudes, you know," said Escuza. "It's about attitudes; what they think of us before they know us and what they think of us after they get to know us."
His latest trip was Dec. 26 to the Central Baghdad Educational Center, which is located just inside the International Zone in Baghdad. During this trip, the sergeant and others from the command delivered school supplies, stuffed animals and candy to the school.
After arriving at the school to deliver the needed notebooks, pens and other supplies, children, who noticed the American vehicles, began gathering around and waiting for their share of what the troops brought.
Before long, over 50 Iraqi children had swarmed the troops. Despite being overwhelmed by the number of children, Escuza and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Garry Dietzman, continued handing out gifts and candy to the excited children.
"Every time we come back, I love each and every one of those kids," said Dietzman, Rough Riders first sergeant. "I have a blast with them."
Since May, Escuza and Dietzman have spread gifts and goodwill through the Baghdad area. The two Soldiers began by adopting 14 local families. Going twice a month, they began to recruit more help from servicemembers working within the command.
After the initial families, Escuza visited the Baghdad educational center with a U.S. Navy chief warrant officer, who showed him how he could help Baghdad schools. Escuza and Dietzman followed up with another visit to the school, asking the staff what supplies were most needed by the school.
Escuza and Dietzman are planning more trips to the school to deliver supplies and see what else is needed. They rely mostly on supplies sent from the United States, they said.
Supplies that the school needs the most are art equipment and musical instruments, said staff members of the school. With Iraq's school systems starting fresh, art and music programs are still in the early stages.
It's all about the kids and the relationships they form with the Soldiers, said Dietzman.
"I feel a sense of accomplishment, like I'm doing something to help somebody else, and it's giving me a much better perspective of what we're doing here," said Dietzman.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Petty Officer 1st Class Bridget Ellison, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, carries a box of school supplies into a Baghdad elementary school. Ellison and others from the command distributed school supplies, toys and candy to Iraqi schoolchildren Dec. 26. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Frost) |
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| The reflection of Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Escuza is shown in the mirror of a Humvee in the International Zone while he is packing school supplies for a Baghdad elementary school. The sergeant and others helped deliver supplies, toys and candy to children Dec. 26. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Frost) |
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