U.S. Marine Facilitates Toy Donation to Iraqi School Children

SATTACK — Iraqi SF and Marine efforts have facilitated a continued lull in violence and increased the opportunity for an Iraqi infrastructure in al Anbar province. Lance Cpl. Roger Burda and other Marines in the unit took advantage of the area’s stability recently, visiting the Sattack Elementary School to spend time with Iraqi children. Marines helped the children build wooden trains and bird houses using material donated by a Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Burda’s hometown. Burda’s mother, who works at the store and spends volunteer hours building the same toys with American children, helped him arrange the donation. “We’ve made really good rapport with the locals, and I wanted to give the children something to lift their spirits,” explained Burda.

Burda planned the mission with 1st Sgt. Paul Costanzo, MAC 1st sgt, who said everyone was eager to take the toys to the children. “The co.'s always looking for opportunities to help the community,” said Costanzo. “This was one of the better chances we’ve had.” “Things are much different from past deployments,” Burda said. “Some schools in the area weren’t even open, and the children had no place to learn.” Burda said it is important that Iraq’s children understand he and other CF are here to help. “We are here to make a difference. The children are Iraq’s future.” The day spent with the children, added Burda, left him with a feeling of accomplishment that will last long past this deployment.

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