DIYALA – The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season in the U.S. is a popular time for donating and reaching out to those less fortunate families. However, for U.S. Soldiers stationed in Iraq, the giving season extends to all year around.
It's very rare to find a Soldier in 4th Plt without candy or pens in their cargo pocket, to hand out to the hoards of children that tag along during community patrols, or gather around during combined Iraqi and U.S. civil affairs projects.
While working with their IP partners in Wasit, Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Wolaver, plt sgt for 4th Plt, has repeatedly noticed a child playing on the very same street corner with no clothes. This being his 2nd deployment, Wolaver has interacted with many Iraqi children before, but this was the first time he's ever seen one run around nude.
Knowing he wouldn't want see his own boy like this, Wolaver decided that he had to help. "I've a soft spot for kids," said Wolaver. "I called my wife and my mother-in-law, and asked them to send me some clothes for a 2 year old boy."
A couple weeks later, Wolaver received 2 packages in the mail that included jeans and shirts for toddlers, along with small toys. This isn't the first time this family has helped Iraqi children. On a previous deployment, his wife sent him soccer balls and school supplies to give to Iraqi families.
Having no idea where the child lived, Wolaver, set out with a few Soldiers to find the family of this little boy. Having no available interpreters, they asked locals where this family lived using the little Arabic they knew and basic hand signals.
One of the neighborhood children who spoke English overheard the Soldiers' speaking and led them to the home. The mother of these children spoke a little English, and with the help of the boy who escorted the Soldiers there, was able to interact, when she received the gifts from them. The garments and toys were still in the mailing packages, with the addresses torn off. The children were exuberant to be given new things and have their picture taken.
With a few of the children having a mild understanding of the English language, Wolaver was able to carry on conversations, asking them how they were doing and questioning a small girl who received the toy giraffe about the Arabic word for giraffe is.
"Being a father, I hate seeing kids live like that," said Wolaver. The plt sgt's family is sending more clothes and toys for him to give to Iraqi children.
