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| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S. Troops Donate Items to Iraqi Workers |
| 2004-11-23 |
| U.S. Army soldiers of the 111th Signal Battalion recently organized the donation and distribution of 400 pairs of shoes and various other items from the United States to Iraqis working for the Department of Public Works on Logistics Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq. The battalion is a South Carolina Army National Guard unit deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "It all started because we had DPW [Directorate of Public Works] guard duty with these [local nationals], and we just kind of formed a bond with them because we see them each and every day," said Sgt. Robert Cadden, a member of the 111th Signal. "We created a friendship with them and we felt like we wanted to help this group." In order to prevent a rush of Iraqis trying to receive donations, the locals were not informed of the unit's intent to distribute clothing beforehand. "We didn't want to let [the workers] know in advance," Cadden said. "There was quite a bit of confusion and pandemonium just with them knowing once they got on site." |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |