tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29101447.post115520501752616575..comments2023-11-18T11:49:19.163+11:00Comments on Bairnsdale Conservative: Coalition Forces Visit Orphanage to Lift SpiritsDaoDDBallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14116429233512306142noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29101447.post-1155206442064207792006-08-10T20:40:00.000+10:002006-08-10T20:40:00.000+10:00“Our interpreter found out about the orphanage, an...“Our interpreter found out about the orphanage, and started asking people about where it was,” said 2nd Lt. Steven Stock, platoon leader, 3rd Plt, Co C, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT. “When we found the orphanage there was approximately 43 kids of all age groups.”<BR/><BR/>According to Sgt. 1st Class Eric Olson, platoon sergeant, 3rd Plt, Co C, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT, they like working with the children of Iraq because they are the future. It is important to make a good impression on the children, so they can understand what Coalition Forces are trying to do.<BR/><BR/>“Working with the elders, from what I have experienced is that they are more stubborn and more set in their ways,” said Stock. “The children seem to be a bit free flowing and more willing to accept gifts from Coalition Forces. The elders seem to be not as accepting when we try to give them gifts.”<BR/><BR/>According to Stock and Olsen, the gifts the children are receiving include soccer balls, stuffed animals, coloring books, and pencils and crayons. It was brought to their attention that some of these children are not attending school, so they tried to donate some educational items to help some of the children learn.<BR/><BR/>“The city of Mosul came together for us and the Iraqi Media Network did a story for us on the orphanage,” said Olson. “We returned after the IMN broadcast to find a lot of pledges from the Iraqi people. The orphanage had a new stove, and the IMN station manager said there were a lot of people volunteering to help the orphanage.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com