The Village

     Our mission was simple. Get in. Get out. Go home. Of course nothing is ever easy in this country. Our destination was a nameless postage stamp of a village squatting in a thicket of palm and date trees.

     The road leading into the village was a stinking morass of oil and dirt that resembled an airline crash site more then a driveable path. Apparently someone thought poisoning the ground with hundreds of gallons of crude oil was preferable to vehicles kicking dust into the air. As we approached children started sprinting back to the village, the fleetest of foot serving as a tiny phalanx around our armored HMMWVs. Long before we even reached the village we had to dismount to ensure the giddy children didn't accidentally run in the path of our overladen vehicles.

     The village wasn’t much to look at, shoddy cement blocks holding up wood and tin roofs that looked like they were stolen from an outdoor flea market. Here and there sun bleached plastic tarps provided feeble patches of shade - making the central courtyard look like the encampment of some lost and routed army. And around it all was a strip of land guarded by two frail jersey cows content with grazing on the low lying branches of desert trees. The only good thing about the village seemed to be the complete and utter absence of tar speckled ground.

     As we pulled up and carefully backed up to one of the buildings the village was roiling with scarcely contained excitement. As we started unloading the bushels of supplies the crowd seemed like a cup of superheated water in a microwave, any disturbance would have set them into a frenzy. The CSM and his interpreter started talking with the villagers and explaining what we were here to drop off, and by time he finished the supplies were downloaded.

     We had several boxes of toys, clothes and shoes ready to pass out, but as soon as the CSM finished talking the eager children descended on me like a flock of starving pigeons. These were children who had never even dreamed of owning a stuffed animal, let alone had one dangled in front of them. But even that knowledge didn't prepare me for the riot of little hands blindly reaching for toys. The kids were so frantic I couldn't hope to ward them off with my feeble Arabic. Instead I simply dropped the box and let them attack it like sharks in a feeding frenzy. It was a little like watching piranha's strip a carcass in some grainy 1970's wildlife move. One minute there was a box brimming with toys and in the next there was just a crushed piece of cardboard.

      SPC Cas was quick enough to block the children from getting at the rest of the boxes, and once the furor started to die down the interpreters started getting the children into orderly lines. The youngest kids were in the front and I will never forget their expressions when we handed them the stuffed animals. It was like watching a diamond catch the light and turn it from a coarse rock into something transcendent. And so it went throughout the afternoon. The village was inundated with gifts, but even the glittering presents couldn't outshine their beaming smiles.

     Once all the shoes, toys, and candy were passed out I finally had a chance to take a breath. Just being around that boundless enthusiasm was draining, so I moved back to the HMMWV to get a drink. And then I noticed one of the village patriarchs sitting in the dirt. It seemed odd that anyone would be sitting in that particularly dusty patch of land and when I turned to do a double take I noticed something I hadn't a minute before. The gentleman had no legs.

     I was taken aback, my mind struggling to understand how anyone could manage in this brutal environment with such an impediment. But the moment that thought crossed my mind the man hefted himself up with his gnarled hands and dragged himself back to his home. I followed him into the dim one room hovel and found him talking to the interpreter and the CSM. After a few minutes the CSM pulled me aside and explained the story. Apparently this man had once had a wheelchair, but it had been destroyed by Saddam's men years before. Now it sat in a rusted pile behind his home. He was too proud to ask us to help him with its repair. In fact the interpreter had to coax him into admitting that he even wanted it fixed. In a culture that places a special emphasis on honor this man had no qualms about dragging himself along. His only wish was to hold his child and take him from place to place like any other father.

     Needless to say that wheelchair is sitting in our FOB right now. With a few parts and some hard work our mechanics just might be able to make that wish come true.

Comments

[Solomon2]

Perhaps when you give the wheelchair back to the man, it would be appropriate to thank him for providing your mechanics the opportunity to practice their skill.

[devildog6771]

Sir, what a great story. I am moved by the love and respect you guys show the people in Iraq. Especially the children. That's why every time I see us labeled as an occupier, I get really angry. Occupiers don't give, they take. Could you post some pictures of the some of these events. I got a new special sacnner that will produce good pictures. I want to try to put up something at the Fire Station to see if I can get some donations for you and your "kids" and the Iraqi people in these villages. Also, please make a list and show the most needed items of clothing and food, if you have time. Didn't you also write the soccor ball story? I met a nice lady at a public radio station who is willing to do a good write up for something like this; but, her editor says she has to have a Virginia name to go with the story. Any of your guys from Virginia? Your story is exactly the type thing she is looking for. She wants to do something on the good our guys are doing. She is sick of all the negative stories. As you have probably experienced this before, you may have suggestions to offer for possible pitfalls. I'd like your permission to use this story on my flyer for the fire station. Without it I will not use your work. I will change nothing, and use only your sign here.

[membrain]

What an amazing thing you guys are doing. I'm simply awestruck Captain. Thank you.

[AC]

Haven't ya'll heard of Mardi Gras? Throw them toys.

[Wendy Smith]

OMG..T6 that was a very heart-felt story! I am so proud of you guys, what a wonderful day! Keep up the good work.

[Desult]

What a wonderful post. Beautiful, beautiful description about the children lining up for their toys, candy, and what not, "It was like watching a diamond catch the light and turn it from a coarse rock into something transcendent." And what you all are doing by fixing up the wheelchair for that father missing the lower extremeties, has got to be an incredible feeling. He won't ever forget that and neither will we. Thanks for the awesome report. It's a pleasure to share in your experiences and joys.

[Subsunk]

I always knew you folks were the best US ambassadors in the world. None Better. Well done. Press on, son. Subsunk

[radtec]

Excellent report sir! :) Thank you all for what you do every day. It's especially touching that you are working on that mans wheelchair. Sir, I just the other evening saw a story on TV of a guy who gave up his job to make 'affordable' wheelchairs. He makes them out of those molded, hard plastic outdoor chairs and bike tires. He's perfected it, and to date has donated thousands...some to the Iraqi's. Perhaps you could do a quick web search, and get your new 'neighbor' on the list to receive one? Or, if I recall, they can be bought for $47. Semper Fi! Wishing you a safe stay that will be short and a safer trip home!

[toni]

T6 that was a wonderful story.

[susan]

If not for the service, determination and courage of our American military men and women around the world, humanity would be lost in barbarism. It also must be said that American's like Tyler also keep our humanity strong. Way cool!!!!

If not for the service, determination and courage of our American military men and women around the world, humanity would be lost in barbarism. It also must be said that American's like Tyler also keep our humanity strong. Way cool!!!!

[Shari]

What a great day you had putting smiles on all those young faces! It's got to be tough to switch gears from day to day, or hour to hour, depending on your mission of the moment, charity or chasing down the bad guys. Do you have any mechanics, who really enjoy a challenge? It'd be so cool if someone could engineer a sturdy, more all terrain wheelchair out of the parts at hand. It's got to be difficult to maneuver a standard type wheel chair in sand or over uneven ground. It's so disturbing to think of how cruel Saddam's henchmen were. Why did they destroy his wheelchair? What did they have to fear from a man with no legs? Thank you for being there and representing the best America has to offer! Most important is that you all come back home to us.

[Lexie]

Keep doing what you do. You're in my prayers.

[anurag]

It's truly gratifying to see that at the end of the day even a person in the middle of nowhere can touch our hearts. Capt., politics aside, you are doing good work out there and I hope you will get back soon to your loved ones. Anurag.

[Chevy Rose]

What a wonderful story. God bless the donors and the deliverers of such special gifts to the children.

[Tyler]

Dear Capt Thunder, Mom showed me the pictures you took of the toys Sam and me sent to you. That was way cool!!!! Moms not lettin me play the claw much rite now cause we are movin back home to las vegas at the end of the month, but I promise as soon as I get to my grammies house I'll find a new oen so I can send you more stuffed animals!!!!! Thank you for lettin us send you that stuff and for protectin us and stuff. Your friend Ty

[Chevy Rose]

What a wonderful heart tugging story. God bless the donors and deliveriers of such special gifts to the children.

[TNunn]

God Bless you all and please be safe.

[TNunn]

God Bless you all and please be safe.

[MOM]

You and your Troops are amazing. I love the heart you all have. HUGS!!!

[Brian H]

I don't have one, but I betcha get one sent to you. Thanks for the wonderful report.