America’s Best and Iraq’s Children

Half the population of Iraq is under 18 and those children and teens have experienced a lot of interaction with our troops. The future leaders of Iraq have received medical care, school supplies, tens of thousands of soccer balls and warm friendship from some of the finest people America has to offer.

If America’s leaders in Washington don’t go wobbly, if they demonstrate as much spirit, spine, and tenacity as the troops, the Iraqi adults of the future will have positive memories of, and affection for Americans.

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Below: Sgt. Maj. Benny Hubbard, from the Army Corps of Engineers, greets an Iraqi child prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new elementary school in Afak.

Left: Army Pfc. Takeysha Washington, a medic assigned to 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, measures an infant’s vital signs during a medical civil action program in Abu Amer, Iraq

Below: Lt. Col. Lorenzo Valenzuela, from the Army Corps of Engineers, makes some new friends in Afak, Iraq.