BAGHDAD - The old saying, "It's better to give than to receive," rings true for members of the Gulf Region District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq.
Because of the generosity of individuals and groups in the U.S., GRD is doing more than just brick and mortar reconstruction projects - they are touching lives and bringing smiles to Iraqi children.
A GRD team headed up by the commander, Col. Dan Anninos, recently visited schools, hospitals and several neighborhoods this week to hand out much-appreciated school supplies, soccer balls, blankets and toys to children around Baghdad.
"The primary purpose of the visit was to see how well these facilities were being maintained and operated," said Anninos. Several were the sites of initial reconstruction projects GRD either built or renovated and turned over to the Iraqis.
"It was a great opportunity to take some of our employees to these sites and deliver gifts to the Iraqi children," said Anninos.
Lindsey Beck, a Department of the Army civilian and a facilities manager from Raleigh, N.C., currently serving on her second tour in Iraq, said that going out into the community to distribute school supplies and toys to the Iraqi children is the best gift she could receive during this holiday season.
"It touches your heart when you see their smiles and how much they appreciated something as small as a stuffed animal or pencils," said Beck. "I am so proud to be a part of the district team and all the tremendous reconstruction efforts [we] are doing, but to visit the children is truly a memorable event. The future is for the children."
Earlier this year, GRD received a donation of more than 40,000 pencils from the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) in Texas. According to Veronica Sopher, the director of public information for AISD, the school district wanted to do something for the children of Iraq, and decided to participate in the "Marking History" pencil drive.
"The response was tremendous," Sopher wrote in an e-mail. "In two weeks time, students, teachers, administrators and principals came together and donated over 40,000 pencils. And the shipping costs were covered by several local companies and a local law firm," Sopher said.
The Corps of Engineers has put the generosity of the Texas school district and other organizations throughout the U.S. to good use by making an impact on the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children in schools, hospitals, orphanages and neighborhoods throughout Iraq.
There are 38 school projects ongoing countrywide. Since the reconstruction effort began in 2003, USACE has completed more than 1,130 school projects.
"These relatively inexpensive projects represent an absolute investment in the future of Iraq," added Anninos.
In addition to the schools, USACE has completed more than 4,500 projects to rebuild vital infrastructure such as water supply systems, sewage treatment centers, electrical power plants, hospitals and health clinics, housing and transportation networks. At the same time, the Corps works to develop the capacity of Iraqis to operate and maintain the facilities long after U.S. forces leave Iraq.
As the members of GRD continue to make progress and make a difference in the lives of the people of Iraq, they are living out what Winston Churchill so aptly stated: "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
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The Gulf Region District, headquartered in Baghdad, is a joint effort comprising civilians, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and contractors. GRD provides quality and sustainable engineering in support of civil/military construction in Iraq. GRD and its Iraqi partners are building a strong foundation for Iraq's future.
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