Soldiers Give Backpacks to School Children

Story by 1st Lt. Myles Frohling
3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

First Sgt. Wayne Lawrence, from Carsville, Mo., first sergeant for Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was among Soldiers in his company handing out school bags to children in Jurf as Sahkr, Feb. 15. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Barr, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs.

FOB KALSU — If you were to walk down the streets of Jurf as Sahkr during a school day, you would see a large number of children walking to and from school. One thing you would not see is many children carrying school bags.

Seeing the need, Soldiers of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, recently distributed school bags to students in the area.

First Sgt. Wayne Lawrence, from Carsville, Mo., first sergeant for Company A; Staff Sgt. Michael Navarro, from Clifton, N.J., a squad leader in 2nd Platoon, Co. A; and Spc. William Johnson, from Bellevue, Wash., a medic with 2nd Platoon, handed out school bags to children near the Tharir primary school in Snadeej.

“There is nothing better than working with our ISF (Iraqi security force) counterparts and making Iraqi children smile with a simple backpack,” Navarro said.

While school bags were being handed out, 1st Lt. Ryan Daly, from Woodbridge, N.J., 2nd Platoon leader, spoke with local residents in the area. The general consensus is that security is good in the area, said Daly.

“Events like this help me realize how important it is for us to be here to protect the children in the area and build their trust in the CF (coalition forces),” said Pfc. Danial Taylor, of Rialto, Calif., a gunner with 2nd Platoon, Co. A.