Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Ever seen what it’s like when a child gets their first...
winter coat?
taste of chocolate?
coloring book?
I have.
A child whose been exposed to rockets, artillery, gunfights and IEDs. Little girls who have violence visited upon them by their own families and neighbors for the crime of going to school or learning to read. Small boys who in very short years are recruited by the ACM to carry Kalashnikovs and launch suicide attacks; not valued as people but as tools of warfare.
Children here aren’t treated much different than adults. I’m not talking about how they’re treated by the CF, this is their own countrymen. Much of the time it’s not a pretty picture, but every once and a while there’s a ray of sunshine and an opportunity to just be a kid.
To see wonder and amazement in their eyes...
To explain that a packet of hot chocolate their tasting was sent by an American child half a world away...
This day was a ray of sunshine.
This day we all won one.
This day is what I replace my memories of the artillery, rockets, gunfights
and IEDs with.
This day WE all get to be kids, together.
Enough said
God bless you dude... for showing them kindness and generosity in a world which has probably not....Matt 18
Reply to this
Well done Vampire 6
Reply to this
Great post. Seems as if days like that make all the other not so great days worth it.
Reply to this
Thanks for sharing your ray of sunshine with us. This is what its all about.
Reply to this
I noticed that the tallest boy near you in the second photo has the new type of ear muff that my wife only saw and started wearing about 2 years ago. And camo at that. Very chic !!
Reply to this
For me it was the afternoon we spent shooting marbles with some Iraqi kids while waiting for our Brad to gat recovered after the drive shaft sheared in half. Or the freezing cold morning (low 20's) we all shed every layer we could to give to a little girl in a dress so thin it looked like it was made from tissue paper.
Reply to this
well done. glad you all had such a good day.
take very good care,
marian
Reply to this
Nothing stronger or softer than the heart of a US soldier.
Reply to this
Nice.
Reply to this
A great post. My son is now in Afghanistan and sent similar pictures home of him and the kids. One of them is holding a knitted beanie we sent, and toys and chocolates for the others.
God bless you guys, for taking the time out to show why we fight - for them.
Reply to this
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 01/15/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
Reply to this
This post really made my day. It is a memory I'm sure those kids will never forget.
Reply to this
Those are the days that make it all worth it. If you haven't tried passing out pencils yet, it's better than candy!
Reply to this
Such simple things we could do to change the world. Thank you for this and what you do everyday.
JTG
Reply to this
Looked like a good day indeed. Hope you get many, many more while you are out there.
And some mail...
I think care packages from home and such are as important (if not moreso) then ammo and such things.
Both are effective means to stop the bad guys cold but, one sure is alot more fun in a good way.
Keep your head down and your guys safe as you can!
Reply to this
Wow! That must be difficult to witness things like that. I know it must be hard but seeing the expressions on those children’s faces must make it worthwhile. That makes me realize how my I take granted. After reading this blog it makes me appreciate my country. I also realize that going to school is such a blessing because there are some situations where others are not permitted to learn. I am glad I am taking advantage of this opportunity to better myself.
Reply to this
I just read your article which brought a tear to my eye to think about those children in Afghanistan and what they must go through on a day to day basis. To know that gun fire, abuse, and reticule are apart of their normal young lives is very sad. At a time when a child should be learning about the world and exploring that which life has to offer, they are primarily worried about staying alive.
It must be very rewarding to enlighten these young minds as you reveal to them an extremely small piece of a different world you call home. What a pleasure that must be.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication.
Reply to this