America's North Shore Journal

Ms. Nisreen Abdul Raoof plays with an orphan at the Deep Strike farewell to the children of the Kut orphanage at the Rehanah Al-Haydaryah Family Park, June 26. Nisreen said they came up with the idea to have a farewell in the park so the American forces could say goodbye to the children. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson.

Children from the Kut orphanage were treated to an evening of games, gifts and entertainment at the Rehanah Al-Haydaryah Family Park by 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, June 26.

“It was an idea to have an event before the American forces left that they could say goodbye to the Iraqi children; and it should be in an open area like the park,” said Ms. Nisreen Abdul Raoof, the director of the Kut orphanage.

Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, commander 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., and the Deep Strike Soldiers have been working with the communities and Iraqi Security Forces throughout Wasit province.

The orphans enjoyed an evening of performances by the 34th Infantry Division band and games including musical chairs, water balloon toss, three-legged race and soccer. Deep Strike Soldiers also supplied snacks, drinks and gifts for the event.

“Before we met with Lt. Col. Bush, we had a bad picture of American forces because of the media. Before, they used to say the Americans were invaders and occupation forces, but after we met with them and talked with them, we found out that they have big hearts and are very human,” said Nisreen, “especially Lt. Col. Bush. He has a big heart and he has helped us a lot. He gave us backpacks and soccer balls for the school.”

The evening’s events were wonderful for the children and Soldiers said Nisreen, but the biggest gift the American Soldiers gave to this area was the gift of democracy.

“I would like to send my regard to all American citizens and the American Army because they sacrificed a lot of Soldiers in Iraq to bring Iraq its democracy,” said Nisreen. “We have free speech. We can say whatever we want. We have political freedoms and can say our opinion.”

“Right now we have stability and we have good security in this province with the help of the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police,” she added. “Right now, thanks to God, we are living free, and living in a democracy. We will always remember the Americans for helping us to set up the country like this.”

The Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 20th FA Regt., are winding down their time in Wasit province and Iraq, and soon the 1st Bn., 77th FA Regt., 172nd Brigade Combat Team will take over the mission in Wasit province.

MNF-I
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
Multi-National Division-South