http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iraqichildren/ en-us Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:32:15 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132675/posts Iraqi children join hands in a symbol of good will and hope for a new era in the nation of Iraq, Nov. 6, 2008, at the Jazeera patriotic poster contest in the Rashid District of southern Baghdad. Photo by Capt. Brett Walker, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs. FOB FALCON — Children of southern Baghdad’s Doura community recently competed in a contest to indulge a budding sense of cultural pride and experiment with a newfound freedom of speech. During the month of October, various children from Jazeera, located in the Rashid District, created more than 100 posters... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132675/posts#comment Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:32:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132381/posts Children play in the courtyard of the newly refurbished Al Abrar primary school, south of Baghdad. A new wing of six classrooms opened for students Oct. 15, 2008. This $496,000 project added much needed classroom space and facilities for the students. USACE photo. BAGHDAD — Themes of hope dominate school openings and ribbon cutting events throughout Iraq.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division has overseen the renovation or new construction of nearly 1,100 schools, with another 38 projects ongoing. “This ancient civilization of Mesopotamia between the two rivers taught the world how to read and how to... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132381/posts#comment Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:26:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128923/posts Students look up from their lessons, Nov 3, 2008, at the Nujdom Alba School in the Sadr City District of Baghdad. Photo by Gordon Bostick, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — Youngsters cry out with their hands in the air trying to get the teacher’s attention. One is selected and he marches up to the blackboard to recite the day’s lesson written there. When he finishes, the teacher praises him and he returns to his desk, a grin on his face. School is back in session here in Sadr City, and the students couldn’t be... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128923/posts#comment Sun, 9 Nov 2008 20:17:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128768/posts Saturday, 08 November 2008 BAGHDAD — The 926th Engineer Brigade’s medical and chaplain sections planned and organized a pediatric wheelchair adjustment Oct. 28, for Ahmed Kadhem, a four-year-old boy and resident of Sadr City Sector 4. Ahmed Kadhem has been crippled since birth. Brad Blauser linked up with Lt. Col. Carlton Fisher, chaplain, 926th Engineer Brigade and Maj. Victor Estes, the brigade’s medical operations officer, to start phase one of the Sadr City pediatric wheelchair donation. Brad Blauser of ‘Wheel Chairs for Kids’ has given many children throughout Iraq pediatric wheelchairs. During this phase, Estes brought in Capt. Scot Tebo,... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128768/posts#comment Sun, 9 Nov 2008 15:41:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119119/posts During a routine security patrol in the town of Rutbah, Cpl. Joseph Shutta gives stuffed animals to children outside their family home, Oct. 23, 2008. RUTBAH — When people typically think of Marines on a combat patrol in Iraq, the last thing that comes to mind is the image of fluffy stuffed animals. However, with the help of a grass-roots organization in the United States, the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, spread American goodwill to the children here recently. The Marines distributed more than a hundred stuffed animals while patrolling the streets of this... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119119/posts#comment Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:02:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2116950/posts RAMADI — Servicemembers with the Ramadi embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT), Regimental Combat Team 1, met with the mayor of Ramadi recently to donate educational books to local schools. The books, intended for children in elementary school from first through sixth grade, will be given to teachers in the city for use in their students’ daily curriculum. The books are designed to help improve daily lessons in core classes and will supplement courses Iraqi teachers and headmasters of district schools are already teaching. “We are very grateful for the books given to us today,” said Latif Obaid Ayadah, mayor of... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2116950/posts#comment Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:52:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2115380/posts The next time Obama or Biden or Reid or Pelosi or anyone else says that the war was wrong and we never should have gone into Iraq, he/she ought to have these photos shoved in their face.   These children are the first generation with a chance to grow up in an Iraq that isn't ruled by an evil dictator & his even more evil sons.This is a saved generation and the United States along with our allies deserve the credit and the honors and the Thanks from our politicians and everyone else for going into Iraq and giving these children... Operation Iraqi Freedom http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2115380/posts#comment Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:57:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114530/posts FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Oct. 24, 2008 – Rawan, a 5-year-old Iraqi girl, bounced on the couch and clapped her tiny hands, evoking laughter from those watching her. Army Spc. Michael Kim of New York City, a member of the 415th Civil Affairs Company, holds Rawan, a 5-year-old Iraqi girl with a congenital heart disease, during her visit to the civil-military operations center on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Oct. 9, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. From the color of her blue lips, she looked as though she... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114530/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:12:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2109778/posts An Iraqi man holds his drowning child in Karmah, Iraq, Sept. 28, 2008. Navy Chief Roger Buck, a 34-year-old battalion medical chief from Niceville, Fla., saw the limp child cradled in his father's arms and immediately began administering CPR, saving the boyÂ’s life. Photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis, Regimental Combat Team 1. KARMAH — Corpsmen are often considered the medical ray of light for Marines in a combat zone. Sometimes their light shines bright enough to reach local Iraqis in need, whether during a routine combined medical engagement, or for one Iraqi child who almost drowned, on the spot... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2109778/posts#comment Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:48:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2109035/posts BAGHDAD – A Soldier with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division delivered a special cargo of bicycles to a group of Iraqi children in the Sha’ab neighborhood of northeastern Baghdad Oct. 12.Staff Sgt. Fernando Diaz, a squad leader, was leading a patrol of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf., Div., around Joint Security Station Sha’ab as a defensive measure against the deadly threat of improvised rocket-assisted mortars, when he stopped to unload his supply of six bikes to some very happy Iraqi children.“Our primary mission is... Multi-National Corps – Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2109035/posts#comment Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:22:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2108503/posts FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2008 – Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers, community leaders and Iraqi security forces handed out backpacks and school supplies to boys and girls Oct. 12 at four schools in the Abu Tshir community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. Iraqi National Police officers distribute backpacks laden with school supplies to children in the Abu Tshir community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district Oct. 12, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Williams  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The event was one of four school-supply distributions conducted Oct. 12 to 16 in the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2108503/posts#comment Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:31:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102763/posts BAGHDAD, Oct. 10, 2008 – Schools are now in session in the Sadr City district here, an area that six months ago was the scene of some of the war’s fiercest fighting. Students from the Jawalala School in the Jamilla neighborhood of Baghdad’s Sadr City district show off their newly issued backpacks Oct. 9, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The rooms that children now fill at this school in northeastern Baghdad once were home to militia fighters who launched attacks against the Iraqi government and Iraqi and coalition forces. “I... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102763/posts#comment Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:58:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2098116/posts JAMILLA, Iraq –This year the children of Iraq will have safer, refurbished schools thanks to the work of Renegade Soldiers.Before Company A, Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, arrived in Sadr City’s Jamilla neighborhood, the schools here were not even used for classes; militants were using the grounds as makeshift hiding places and torture cells. At the few schools that remained open, militants would kidnap children as they went to or from school and hold them for ransom.“The schools in Jamilla were places of terror, not places of learning,” said 2nd Lt. Nicholas Boykin, Co. A, TF 1-6, 2nd... Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2098116/posts#comment Sun, 5 Oct 2008 19:49:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093472/posts Iraqi children applaud the opening of their newly remodeled school, Sept. 25, 2008, during a ribbon cutting ceremony signifying the start of a new school year in the central Radwaniyah community of the Rashid District in southern Baghdad. Photo by Capt. Mark Miller, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — At the beginning of their school year, the kids of the Halwan school in Jari Village and Malaly school in Radwaniyah are not returning to the same schoolhouse they left before the summer break in southern Baghdad’s Rashid District. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, partnered with... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093472/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:05:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084805/posts Samantha Schroth, a local 4-H member and Hortonville High School student, helps unload donated school supplies, June 12, 2008, in Hortonville, Wisc. Photo by Capt. Casey Plamann, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier has reached back to his native homeland to gather English school books for use in Baghdad classrooms. Capt. Casey Plamann, a school teacher from Hortonville, Wis., presently serving as a civil affairs information manager and planner with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team “Strike,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in northwest Baghdad, took a great concept... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084805/posts#comment Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:13:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2076313/posts BAGHDAD — When bells ring for a return to schools throughout the Sadr City district of Baghdad later this month, students at 38 schools throughout the area are in for a big surprise. Following the end of hostilities in Baghdad’s most densely populated district, nearly all the 38 schools located in Task Force Gold’s operational environment were selected for repair and refurbishment by the Soldiers of the 926th Engineer Brigade. “The youth of Sadr City represent the future,” said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Talley, commander of the 926th Eng. Bde., in speaking about the importance of the project. “They are the... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2076313/posts#comment Sat, 6 Sep 2008 22:13:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075745/posts CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, Sept. 5, 2008 – When bells ring for a return to schools throughout Baghdad’s Sadr City district later this month, students at schools renovated by Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers are in for a big surprise. Local contractors in Baghdad’s Sadr City district work on refurbishing the Thatt Al Salasel School, Sept. 3, 2008. Multinational Division Baghdad spearheaded the renovation of 38 schools throughout the area. U.S. Army photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Following the end of hostilities in Baghdad’s most densely populated district, nearly all of the 38 schools in Task Force Gold’s... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075745/posts#comment Sat, 6 Sep 2008 01:22:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070197/posts Capt. Sean Nolan, of San Antonio, and a soon-to-be student of the newly-refurbished primary school in Jisr Diyala, await cookies and cake during the school's ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 21, 2008. Photo by Pfc. Michael Schuch. COMBAT OUTPOST CASCHE SOUTH — A kindergarten and primary school opened in the She Shon area during ribbon-cutting ceremonies Aug. 21.Soldiers from the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion helped local contractors renovate two schools in She Shon to ensure the children of the area have the opportunity to receive a formal education."We are very thankful this project is now complete," said Fatema Rhady, the headmistress of... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070197/posts#comment Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:55:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065169/posts Sgt. Michael Daniels, a military police Soldier with the 716th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and native of Aiken, S.C., hands out school supplies, Aug. 13, 2008, to orphan children in the Salhiya District of Baghdad. U.S. Army photo. BAGHDAD — Anxious but appreciative orphan children in the Salhiya District of Baghdad had something to smile about when Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrived, Aug. 13, to hand out school supplies as part of an assistance mission named “Operation Iraqi Children.” During the engagement, Soldiers from the 18th MP Brigade lent a hand in... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065169/posts#comment Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:17:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065164/posts Maj. Peter Colt, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, plays with young Iraqi children in Gaydah village, which is in the Kirkuk province of northeastern Iraq. Colt, along with 2nd Battalion, 22nd Inf. Regt. Soldiers, met with the village leaders recently to discuss developments and projects that will benefit the area. Photo by Spc. Jason Jordan. KIRKUK — In the southern Rishad valley of Kirkuk province lies the remote village of Gaydah, located several miles off the nearest main road and even further from the nearest substantial city or district. Already accustomed to seclusion, the village residents were surprised when Soldiers from... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065164/posts#comment Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:11:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2063402/posts Spc. Marisol Riley, a driver for the 164th Military Police Company and Riverside, California native, screws a part into place on a wheelchair for an Iraqi child, August 4, 2008. Photo by Pfc. Amanda Tucker. JOINT BASE BALAD — Military police sponsors, a chaplain and one huge-hearted civilian reached out to help the local community in Balad, Iraq, by giving two handicapped Iraqi children wheelchairs recently.Members of the 164th Military Police Company based out of Fort Richardson, Alaska, and currently commanded by 18th Military Police Brigade; go in sector on a daily basis, patrolling surrounding areas and helping to improve... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2063402/posts#comment Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:55:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051807/posts BASRAH — “I feel blessed to be working on this important project,” said Ryan Hartwig, construction representative with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Basrah Children’s Hospital Office “Each time we go, we see more progress. I can look at the place now and actually visualize patients using this facility,” he continued. “It’s just very satisfying being part of this effort that will no doubt save or change the lives of so many Iraqi children.” Several key partners are involved in the project including Project Hope (a non-government organization), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Iraqi Ministry of... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051807/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:45:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051644/posts ”I feel blessed to be working on this important project,” said Ryan Hartwig, construction representative with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Basrah Children’s Hospital Office “Each time we go, we see more progress. I can look at the place now and actually visualize patients using this facility,” he continued. “It’s just very satisfying being part of this effort that will no doubt save or change the lives of so many Iraqi children.” Several key partners are involved in the project including Project Hope (a nongovernment organization), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Iraqi Ministry of Health, explained... American Forces Network http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051644/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:28:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2038871/posts Ali Abu Nebid, the Saydiyah Support Council Chairman, rides a merry-go-round with children after the opening of a playground on June 23 in the Saydiyah neighborhood of Baghdad's Rashid District. "I think the children will really enjoy this, and I am honored to be here at the official opening," said Maj. Peter Sicoli, the executive officer for the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. Photo by Capt. Mark Miller. BAGHDAD — As daylights last remaining hours set over the horizon, and the summertime heat of Baghdad’s Rashid... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2038871/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:48:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036511/posts LOS ANGELES (AP) - Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's love for children is by no means limited to their own: The couple has donated $1 million to help kids affected by the war in Iraq, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict announced Wednesday. The organization will distribute the donation, made through the couple's Jolie-Pitt Foundation, to four organizations working on behalf of children who have lost parents, homes and schools in Iraq. Children in the U.S. who have lost parents in the conflict will also benefit. "These educational support programs for children of conflict are the best way to... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036511/posts#comment Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:49:15 GMT