KIRKUK — "I like to see them in my village; they make me feel safe," said Huda Hussan, a 13-year-old 6th-grader, about the IA Soldiers he sees every day. In addition to safeguarding residents, the IA Soldiers are also trying to build trust and respect with the villagers they work so hard to protect.
This was one primary focus behind the “Junior Hero Program” in Arab Koy, Oct. 20, when IA Soldiers distributed backpacks and school supplies provided by the 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Div.
"The Junior Hero Program helps introduce them [children] to the IA and IP. It gives them a positive image of them at a young age," said Cpl. Adam DeArmitt, attached to the 4th Sqdrn, 9th Cav Regt, 2nd BCT. This helps the children not see members of the ISF as just another guy with a gun, but as someone who is here to help them, he explained.
"They're doing very well," said Huda about the IA. "I have 2 brothers in the IA, and I'm very proud of them."
Although the distribution of the backpacks was handled by the IA, U.S. Soldiers were there as well. "I think it's good for the kids to see us working together," said Thaer Saheb, a junior IA Soldier. "For many of the kids, this was the first time seeing the IA together with the Americans." According to Saheb, programs like this help improve the relationship between the IA and local communities, and encourage the children to follow the positive example set by the ISF. "I think they'll see this as a good thing, and maybe one day will want to join the IA, or even go further and become an engineer or a doctor," he said.
During the event, the children took a pledge to be loyal to their families and country; be obedient to their parents and treat them with respect; treat teachers and people in their community with respect; honor the Iraqi Soldiers and IP and report crimes to them; and to be a Junior Hero of Iraq.
