New Set of Wheels

     During our last patrol through the shantytowns a young mother waited patiently outside the bustling throng of children hopping back and forth between our vehicles. I don’t remember seeing her arrive, she just suddenly appeared on the outskirts of the roiling flock of children. In that sea of motion she stood as still and resolute as a obsidian tower, her black burkha providing a mute contrast to the gaudy kaleidoscope of children’s clothing. She was clutching a toddler tightly to her chest, and I reflexively assumed she was trying to secure some candy for her child.  I watched her for a moment and sensed that she was too proper to approach and ask for treats. I made a mental note to hand her some candy once the throng had died down, and put a few pieces of candy into my pocket to pass to her later. Then I turned my attention back to the happy shrieks of the children vying for our attention, and finished passing out the remaining supplies

     Once our vehicles were stripped of humanitarian supplies the children started to settle down, happily splitting off to try to wheedle more candy from their favorite soldier. As the children filtered off I got my first good look at the young boy she held to her chest. And it was only then that I realized she hadn’t come here to ask for candy.

     The young boy was clearly suffering from a congenital birth defect - he looked as frail as spun glass. His slender, atrophied limbs seemed to hang off his little body like limp banners, and his oversized head rested on his mother’s chest as if he needed help supporting its bulk. As I approached I greeted the sad eyed mother, and then bit the inside of my mouth and waited for her to ask me for the medical help I knew I couldn’t provide. The mother spent several minutes explaining her sons medical condition, and then asked the question that I knew was coming - “You have helped fix some children – can you help my son?”. I already knew the answer, but to avoid appearing callous I called my medic over and asked him if there was anything we could do for the boy. He took one look at the crumpled waif of a child and then said “Sir, we couldn’t help him even if we were in the States”. I turned back to the mother and explained to her that her sons condition was beyond our ability to help. Once my terp had conveyed the message she gave a small smile, and thanked me for trying to help.  Then she turned away and made her way back to her tiny home.

     The memory of that wisp of a boy stayed with me, and after a few days I asked SSG Spite if he could think of anything we might be able to do for the family. SSG Spite said that he would see what he could do and then disappeared for the rest of the day. The following day I knocked on SSG Spite’s door and when I walked in I almost dropped my coffee mug in shock. There sat SSG Spite quietly cleaning his weapon… sitting in a wheelchair. SSG Spite seemed to sense my agitation without even turning around and after a pregnant pause he said “Don’t worry sir, I’m fine. The wheelchair is for the kid”. Then he turned around, gave me a sly grin and said “But I had you worried, didn’t I?”. We laughed for a few minutes and then SSG Spite said “If I didn’t feel sorry for the kid I’d keep the wheelchair – this is the best seat in the barracks”.

      The next morning we loaded up our HMMWVs with small Iraqi flags, candy, and a bulky wheelchair and set out for shantytown to bring SSG Spite’s favorite chair to the little boy. As our combat patrol came to a close we turned onto the long, dusty road leading to Shantytown to drop off our supplies. The entire town seemed to flood into the alleys to greet us, and in a few minutes we were swimming in a sea of smiling faces. As we passed each mudbrick compound the head of the household would anxiously flag us down and offer their advice on how to catch the AIF, and we spent long minutes trying to politely bring each conversation to a close. Several of our soldiers were passing out small Iraqi flags and toys to the children yammering around our legs, and in a few minutes our procession through the alley ground to a halt under the sheer numbers of children vying for a small flag. Usually the children are fixated on candy or toys, but not today. Today the big ticket item was Iraqi flags. As we passed out dozens of the little flags the kids seemed sated, and the alleys started to clear. We continued towards the house followed by a phalanx of children happily waving their flags. When I looked back at this strange procession I almost felt like I was watching a miniature parade - the kids were laughing and waving their flags as proudly as drum majors.

     After the better part of an hour we arrived at the right house, and I rapped my knuckles on the tin gate to announce our arrival. I peeked over the gate to make sure we had the right house and noticed the little boy sitting in the dirt watching his mother prepare a meal. The mother must not have heard us knock, because she turned and looked surprised to see our kevlars peeking over her front gate. She recovered quickly and greeted us warmly, opening her gate and inviting us to come in for chai tea. We politely declined, but asked her to take her son and follow us to our vehicle. She looked a little confused at our request, but dutifully picked up her son and followed us to the HMMWV. When we arrived SGT Bard opened one of the doors and pulled and tugged until the wheelchair slid through the armored door. I wish I could describe the womans face when we gently picked up her son and placed him in the wheelchair - but there are some emotions words cannot hope to touch. We stopped to snap a quick picture as the little boy rested peacefully in the full sized wheelchair, and then we quickly said our goodbyes. As we loaded into our HMMWVs several of the local kids were arguing over who would get to take the boy for his first ride. I’m not sure who ended up shuttling him around, but as we left you could see his wheelchair weaving through the trash strewn alleys.

 

Comments

[Seth Yantiss]

Truly Awesome! You set an excellent example to teach my kids! Thank you!

[EddieP]

Thank you and all of our wonderful young men and women wherever they serve our country.

[Robert Conner]

My first visit to 365 & a wakeup, and you stab me in the heart with this. Thank you for reminding us about the basic human decency of American servicemen and women. These small acts of kindness will pay huge dividends in the future. God Bless You, and keep you safe. Merry Christmas, my friends.

[Jay]

God bless you guys. As a vet who was in Saudi in 1990 and 91, I fully support you AND your mission. Keep up the EXCEPTIONAL work.

[connie doggett]

That beyond the call of duty. That's also how we, you, win the people. That's the goodness in your hearts that people should see.

[dellbabe68]

Wow, that was pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing that story. Thanks for taking care of that little boy. Thanks, too, for your service.

[Rob B.]

Matt. 25:35-40 "35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' You Honor Us All. Thank you.

[GME]

Thank you for posting this and for what you are doing. It amazes me that we don't hear things like this in the main stream media. Reading about your good deeds brought me to tears! Keep up the good work and be safe.

[Tim]

As always, your story telling is awesome. Please stay safe. H242

[Beth Lamm]

The people of this village trusted you before that wheelchair was delivered. They never would have allowed their children to swarm your men if they didn't trust you completely. Altho it is unlikely he will ever walk, that little boy will forever remember the day the yanks brought him his wheels. His family's life has been touched in a very special way. I'm certain the kindness your men demonstrate day after day is repeated by other coalition forces all over the country. There is no excuse for this sort of work to be ignored by the media. Winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people is just as significant as the fight to free Iraq from murderous terrorists.

[Kat in GA]

Wonderfull....good job... we are so proud of you... you continue to make a difference in this world, for the better. {{{{HUGS}}}}

[tnunn]

John Kerry has a mental disorder. Thanks for all you guys do!!!

[AT-Deuce]

Although it is aggrivating to read through the comments and see people trying to cash in for some political capital on this heroic act, it is very heartening to see that you heroes are out there slogging along and bringing some good into the world. Keep up the good work Captain and get home soon and safe.

[AT-Deuce]

Although it is aggrivating to read through the comments and see people trying to cash in for some political capital on this heroic act, it is very heartening to see that you heroes are out there slogging along and bringing some good into the world. Keep up the good work Captain and get home soon and safe.

[PseudoIntellect]

Great Kerry line Sue! Why do people who oppose the war ALWAYS lead off with "although I oppose the war", when they try to tell someone they support the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines fighting it? Can't a simple "I support the troops" or "Thank You" suffice?

[Roger Glass]

I just don't believe you people. Your existence proves that there must be a God.

[Roger Glass]

I just don't believe you people. Your existence proves that there must be a God.

[Roger Glass]

I just don't believe you people. Your existence proves that there must be a God.

[PseudoIntellect]

God bless you all! I know that things may seem insignificant at times, but in the grand scheme of things, they are larger than life. Your contributions and the contributions of everyone in MNC-I should be applauded by the media! I wish imbedded journalists would tell this story... What good is propaganda in winning over the hearts and minds of Iraqis if we haven't won over the hearts and minds of Americans?

[Vikki]

I just want to say that although I am against the war, I am glad there are men and women like you there doing what you're doing. Stay safe.

[w3bgrrl]

You know, for tough guys, you sure do have tender hearts and the gift of poetic expression. I'm writing this through tears so excuse the typos. God Bless You!

[devildog6771]

Two of my first cousins have CF and my dad's sister had MS. Carrying a child around after 5 is very hard. When a wheel chair can be used, it provides valuable exercise and self esteem. It also can increase life expectancy and it definitely gives a measure of independance. This little guy may not be able to enjoy most of these benefits; but, you certainly elevated his status among the other kids. There is no measure for what you guys gave that little guy. God it makes me proud to know troops like you guys represent and protect our country. [no sacrilege intended] When the campaign started a while back encouraging people to perform "random acts of kindness," they should have directed people to look to our troops for examples of how this can be done! Thank you and God Bless you all. Be safe and come home well. We love you guys!

[Maggie45]

You guys are absolutely the best!! Thank you!

[ILUVMYSOLDIERJOE]

My fiance, Joe has just joined the Army on a 3 year contract. I'm trying my best to keep informed and educated on what's going on. I know that we have a long journey ahead of us but I feel as though Milblogging.com has been a small miracle for me. Reading stories such as this really eases my heart. I know that my Joe has joined the Army for 1) our country's people and 2) to make a difference. Thanks for taking the time to share this story. It has brightened my day in more than one way.

[Edward L. Daley]

Man! ...and I didn't think I could admire people like yourself more than I already do. You are a credit to our military and our nation, Thunder6. God bless you, and God bless all our fine troops.