Troops visit children in Tikrit

By Spc. Crystal Hudson, USDN PAONovember 4, 2011

Troops visit children in Tikrit
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Calvary Division, handing out gifts to children at an orphanage in Tikrit, Iraq, Sept. 12, 2011. The infantrymen gave out school supplies, personal care ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Troops visit children in Tikrit
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Michael Raneo, an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Calvary Division, hands out a bag of school supplies to a girl at an orphanage in Tikrit, Iraq, Sept. 12, 2011. The infantrymen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

"A lot of the things that kids take for granted in the U.S. are pretty hard to come by here," said 1st Lt. Luis Matus, platoon leader for Company B's 3rd Platoon.

Items like crayons, colored pencils and coloring books are a luxury to these unfortunate children, Matus said.

"Hopefully, (the children) will see U.S. Forces as good and not threatening," he said.

Matus said this was not one of his platoon's regular missions; however, the gifts were handed out in a familiar place.

"It is a good gesture with the relationship we have been building with the (hospital staff)," he said. "It is a token of our appreciation."

The Soldiers were joyful while handing out the gifts to the children, Matus said.

"(The gifts) increase the morale and spirits of the people occupying or visiting the hospital," said Lt. Col. Stephen Ruth from Houston.

Ruth said Soldiers take part in humanitarian missions to show that U.S. Forces have considerations for the people of Iraq. The U.S. Forces have been getting better at performing humanitarian missions over the years, Ruth added.

"I wanted to take the Soldiers by to have a deep appreciation for what they are doing in Iraq," Ruth said. "A lot of times it is hard for them to see and understand why they are here."

The goal of this mission was to build a stronger relationship with the community. By doing this the people understand what U.S. Forces are doing and can begin to see the value in the progress made in Iraq, Ruth said.

"It allows you to connect with the human factor while you are here," he said. "Whenever you get to see it up close and personal and see the smile on their face, it makes you more human."

In this environment that human aspect is important to maintain, Ruth said.

"Connecting to people allows you to see why you're doing what you're doing," Ruth said. "We are trying to create better security and stability for a future better way of life for (the people of Iraq)."