Posted on 07/20/2006 4:05:02 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Warriors of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, along with Soldiers of Task Force Tiger, began Operation Mountain Lamb by visiting the village of Qalyuzbashi near Bagram recently.
The goal was to empower the village elders by allowing them to take charge of the set-up and distribution of humanitarian items. In less than an hour, all 50 boxes and bags of clothes, school supplies, and boxes of candy were gone as both children and adult men went through the line.
“We love you Americans!” said one village elder through an interpreter. “Four years ago we had nothing, but now many of us have jobs in Bagram. You build schools for our children and you help us by bringing food and clothing. We love Americans!”
To look at the severe poverty in this one village is to see the 30-plus years of suffering this entire country has endured. Because of the generosity of the families and small businesses of Fort Drum and Watertown , N.Y. , and the surrounding areas, many children in this small village, used to going barefoot, now have shoes.
Operation Mountain Lamb has begun to touch the lives of the young children. It was evident in the eyes of these children and their fathers on this 100-degree day.
The ability to influence the future village leaders as well as the present elders will assist Coalition efforts in winning the support of the all the Afghan people.
060718-A-9999M-001 BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Afghan men and boys stand in line to receive humanitarian aid at the village of Qalyuzbashi near Bagram , Afghanistan recently. Dubbed Operation Mountain Lamb, the humanitarian mission was conducted by Warriors of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, along with Soldiers of Task Force Tiger. (Photo by Army Lt. Col. Josh Melendez)
060718-A-9999M-002 BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — An Afghan boy holds school supplies he received during a humanitarian mission at the village of Qalyuzbashi near Bagram, Afghanistan recently. Dubbed Operation Mountain Lamb, the humanitarian mission was conducted by Warriors of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, along with Soldiers of Task Force Tiger. (Photo by Army Lt. Col. Josh Melendez)
Fighting a different WOT on another front
If everyone in the world was disconnected from the international MSM and allowed to meet Americans on a one to one basis, Americans would be the most loved people in the world. Most of the world's opinion is formed solely by what they read/see/hear on the news.
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