'Red Dragons,' Civil Affairs Soldiers Make Humanitarian Aid Drop

By Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsSeptember 24, 2007

Several hundred pounds of rice, beans, crackers and canned vegetables were dropped off to a home for mentally disabled children during a humanitarian aid food drop coordinated by troops from Battery A, 3rd "Red Dragon" Battalion, 82nd Field...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Several hundred pounds of rice, beans, crackers and canned vegetables were dropped off to a home for mentally disabled children during a humanitarian aid food drop coordinated by troops from Battery A, 3rd "Red Dragon" Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pfc. Felix Rolan, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, unloads a 50-kilogram (about 110 pound) bag of rice during a humanitarian aid food drop to a home for mentally disabled children in central Baghdad's Qadisiyah neighborhood...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Felix Rolan, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, unloads a 50-kilogram (about 110 pound) bag of rice during a humanitarian aid food drop to a home for mentally disabled children in central Baghdad's Qadisiyah neighborhood Se... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Staff Sgt. Moorehead, from the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, and Spc. Justin Reed of Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, unload a trailer full of food being dropped off at a home...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Moorehead, from the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, and Spc. Justin Reed of Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, unload a trailer full of food being dropped off at a home fo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGHDAD - About 10 years ago, Inam Jawad and her husband were blessed with a little girl. Soon after her birth, they realized that their daughter had a severe mental disorder that would mean she would need extra help throughout her entire life.

Then after the death of her husband shortly after the birth of their daughter, Jawad made a choice that would echo throughout the community and touch the lives of hundreds of children and adults.

She opened up her home in central Baghdad to children and adults who were mentally disabled.

Years went by without much help from the government. Only private donations were taken to keep the home running despite high rent payments and food and medical supply bills.

Recently, without explanation, the food drop offs stopped. The neighborhood advisory council caught wind of the problem and immediately contacted Capt. Donald Cherry and his troops from Battery A, 3rd "Red Dragons" Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, to see what could be done for Jawad and her home.

"Without cooperation, you can do nothing," said Udai Jalal, the council's deputy chairman. "Any help is welcome, especially when it is for children like this."

Working closely with a team from the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion out of North Carolina, the troops from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, made a food drop that would keep Jawad's home well-stocked for about a month.

Several hundred pounds of rice, beans, canned vegetables and powdered milk were dropped off Sept. 18 to sustain the center until more regular lines of logistics could be opened up.

Along with the food, medical supplies like cough syrup, valium and cold medicines were dropped off to help Jawad restock her cabinet.

"The medicine, food and help are appreciated," said Jawad. "I hope to keep the relationship with the council and the Americans in the future."

Jawad expressed her thanks to the troops, but hinted at future intentions while talking with the council chairmen. She said she would like to become more independent in the future by not having to pay such a steep price for rent and have more regular shipments of gasoline for her generator, food and supplies she exhausts on a daily basis.

Her center houses more than 20 children and also several elderly adults in need of extra care.

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