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Infantrymen make a difference in Abu Ghraib district

August 18, 2005

ABU GHRAIB, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 18, 2005) – Soldiers in Abu Ghraib district clean up a local soccer field for the children in their sector July 29.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted the humanitarian effort.

“It’s really sad when you see kids walk around barefoot playing soccer in a trash-filled lot,” said Spc. Jake Butler of 2/130th Infantry.

Armed with two trailers, shovels, rakes, and trash bags, the Solders of 2/130th Infantry began the task of clearing years of neglect from the small lot.

Many of the infantrymen, some who volunteered on their day off, realized their goodwill gesture may be overlooked, but if their work brings happiness to even one child, then their effort will have been worth it.

The desire to make a difference for the children prompted one member of the team, Cpl. Samuel Shehorn, to coordinate the effort to visit and set up a soccer field for the kids.

“Back at home, I have two girls who can go play soccer anytime,” Shehorn said. “Over here, the older kids use the soccer field while the younger ones play in a small trash-filled lot.”

Bothered by the fact that small children played in a trash dump, Shehorn gathered soccer supplies, coordinated the construction of goals and planned with his company commander, Capt. Eric Kampwerth, to visit the small “soccer” lot along with his platoon.

“This is a fantastic example of what Soldiers are capable of doing if you allow them to,” he said. “I can’t say enough about these men. They’ve always done extremely well and it’s gratifying to see them and perform what they want to do,” said Kampwerth.

“What we’re doing is showing the kids we care,” Shehorn said. “If the area looks good, the kids may get a little pride in their surroundings (and keep the area up).”

After their trailers were loaded down with broken glass, stones, and hundreds of pounds of trash, the infantrymen got out the soccer balls and played with the children.

“The Soldiers enjoy playing with the kids,” said 2nd Lt. Henry Mullins, platoon leader, B Co., 2/130 Infantry. “When we interact with the kids, people see that we’re out to do positive things.”

(Editor’s Note: Story submitted by Spc. Ricardo Branch, Task Force Baghdad public affairs officer.)