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U.S Army troops and Iraqi Police coordinate the delivery of school supplies;
the supplies were donated by Operation Provide School Supplies.

By U.S. Army 116th Brigade Combat Team
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq, Oct. 7, 2005 — Iraqi police officers and U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Task Force Liberty distributed over 600 student packets and 46 teacher packages to three Kirkuk-area elementary schools Sept. 28 as part of Operation Provide School Supplies.

"The police officers enjoyed this opportunity to interact with the children. The children were well behaved and appreciative. The teachers seemed very appreciative also."
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jerry Losing

Iraqi Police from the Yaychi and Arapha stations and U.S. soldiers with the 116th Brigade Combat Team from Headquarters Platoon, E Troop, Task Force 2-116 Armor, delivered the supplies during morning visits to the Al-Awa, Bajawan and Erwa Bin Alward Elementary Schools.

"The police officers enjoyed this opportunity to interact with the children," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jerry Losing, an E Troop soldier who helped with the deliveries. "The children were well behaved and appreciative. The teachers seemed very appreciative also." Operation Provide School Supplies items are donated and shipped to Iraq by individuals and organizations in the United States. Once the supplies arrive in Iraq, Task Force Liberty soldiers package them into standard  packages and deliver them to local authorities for distribution. A typical student package contains color markers or pencils, crayons, pencils, pens, a ruler, scissors, an eraser, a pencil sharpener, glue, writing paper, construction paper, and a coloring book. Teacher packets include a larger quantity of supplies and teacher-specific items like highlighters, staplers and red pens.

Through the Operation Provide School Supplies program, the 116th Brigade Combat Team is providing needed supplies to teachers and students and is also helping local Iraqi security forces gain the trust and confidence of citizens. The unit's mission in Kirkuk Province includes supporting and training Iraqi security forces, assisting Iraq's new government, supporting economic development and facilitating communications.

Amen Pastor Roger!

Brother, I am absolutely certain that there are thousands of stories like this that are positive, uplifting, and building the hope of a people who have been brutally treated for decades.

I love to hear and read about stories like this, but it appears that the good and positive news is not given to the American people. I conclude that the thousands of good things happening don't fit the agenda of the news agencies. This was one of the big things that really bothered my son about his tour. The troops are not so interested in praise, rather they just want the American people to know there is much more happening than just the negative that the new media concentrates on.

Love in Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 NASB  But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Brother you are right in saying that these Troops are not interested in getting praise. They are satisified in giving the praise to the Lord and in the smiles that they receive from the children and local people. Many of the Troops give thanks to the Lord that they are provided the opportunity to show their love for others in similar manners as this.

I personally believe that they, at the very least, deserve recognition for their efforts. That the word needs to get out that God is working through them. That the Troops are not all ruthless killers as some would have the world believe and do have compassion for their neighbors.