Iraqi students are all smiles about the new toys
donated to them by co-workers of deployed Army
reserve soldier Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick. |
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TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq,
Feb. 20, 2009 --
When Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick, an Army reservist
here, answered the requests of friends and
co-workers back home in Illinois about what they
could send him during his deployment, his
thoughts went to the children living near here
in southern Iraq.
Kirkpatrick, a member of the 416th Theater
Engineer Command based in Darien, Ill., said he
received numerous e-mails from home asking what
he needs since he deployed in November. He
suggested sending toys that he and others with
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could deliver
to neighboring Iraqi schools.
Kirkpatrick's friends and co-workers at
Aux Sable Liquid Products in Channahon, Ill., where he is a
senior product engineer, responded by sending him a couple
of large boxes containing “a great variety of nice toys,”
including cars, dolls, |
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stuffed animals, a big fire engine,
colorful sleeping bags, pillows and a CD player,
he said. |
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“It's a great company to work for, and
they've been very supportive of my deployment here,” noted
Kirkpatrick, who has 23 years of military service.
About 30 Iraqi students from Nasiriyah's Mama Suna Primary
School arrived at the Corp's Gulf Region South headquarters
beaming with huge smiles. The children held flowers, which
they presented to the Americans who greeted them. They sang
a song in English that started, “Father, mother, I am sick –
get the doctor quick, quick, quick,” recited their ABCs, and
then sang a song in Arabic.
The Gulf Region South staff greeted the youngsters alongside
members of the 3rd Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery, from
Fort Bliss, Texas, and the 445th Civil Affairs from Mountain
View, Calif. They grilled hamburgers, served pizza, played
games with the children and then presented each child with a
toy, a soccer ball and a book bag filled with school
supplies.
Kirkpatrick, an operations officer, said he joined the Army
to get more focused on his future. “I went from being a poor
high school student to being a much better college student
after three years [of] active duty,” he said.
He later joined the National Guard and then switched to the
Army reserve. In the past two decades, he has seen much of
the world, including Panama, El Salvador and Germany. This
is his third tour to Iraq in the past five years.
“Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a great
assignment,” he said. “We have an important mission. Things
are improving here, and you can see that the Iraqis are on
the right path. It's encouraging.”
Those improvements are due in large part to the Army Corps
of Engineers, which is overseeing more than 130 construction
projects in Iraq's nine southern provinces. The projects
include new schools, hospitals, courthouses, roads, bridges
and new water treatment facilities that in some cases are
providing communities with access to clean water for the
first time ever.
Besides feeling good about his work, Kirkpatrick said, his
deployment has been made easier by the support of loved ones
back home.
“I've had great support from my family, friends, and
co-workers in Illinois since deploying in November,” he
said. “Through phone calls, emails, and letters, we're able
to stay in touch. They've all stepped up and are helping
fill in for me stateside so I can concentrate on my duties
here. I sincerely appreciate all they do.” |
