BAGHDAD – Something as simple as clean water can easily be taken for granted. In Iraq, however, purified drinking water is a luxury not everyone enjoys.
U.S. troops and IFP arrived in the village, and set up shop in an open area. "What we did was we went house to house and met with the people," said Capt. Jeffrey Black, cmdr of C Troop. Each person who answered the knock received a water filter for their home, and the knowledge that U.S. and ISF had come to help.
They were also given info to use should the need arise, according to Black. "We passed out little tip-line cards, saying, 'Hey, if there's a problem, call us, call the FPs,'" he said.
The act was one of charity, more meaningful than the typical aid mission, according to 1st Lt. James Teeter. "That's like the poorest area that we've got and those people desperately need it. The place is run-down, there's sewage in the streets and they've got no clean water, so it feels good to go out there and be able to give them something useful, as opposed to a trinket or a soccer ball. We gave them something that can help them stay healthy."
The FPs and paratroopers were met with smiles and kind words from children, parents and elders. "It's nice to be able to put a smile on someone's face," said Teeter. The people of al-Tameem will now be able to provide clean drinking water for their families, showing that a simple act of generosity can have profound effects.
