Family of slain soldier sends gifts to Iraqis

[cec]

Family of slain soldier sends gifts to Iraqis




Staff report
Posted : Friday Apr 11, 2008 10:24:02 EDT

The family of a soldier killed in Iraq by small-arms fire July 17, has sent an enormous care package to the residents of the town where he died.
Sgt. Nathan Barnes, who was an infantryman with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, died last summer in Rushdi Mullah southwest of Baghdad in an attack on his unit.
According to an Army press release, Barnes often sent home pictures to his parents in American Fork, Utah, of the Iraqi children he said he loved and had befriended.
The photos inspired his father, Kevin, and other residents of American Fork to collect enough donated items to fill a 40-foot shipping container with sewing machines, book bags, newborn kits, personal hygiene items, food, toys, children’s and women’s clothing, school supplies and wheelchairs, according to the release.
When the super-sized care package arrived in Iraq, it was distributed to thousands of residents in and around Rushdi Mullah and Yusifiyah, by soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, who recently took over the area of operations.
C Company platoon leader 1st Lt. Casey Zimmerman, who helped hand out the donations at a school, wanted everyone to know the source of the aid.
“I made a point at the beginning to convey who Nathan Barnes was, how he died, and what kind of loving family and country he belonged to,” Zimmerman said in the press release. “I bet we saw over 1,500 men, women, and children — mostly children.”
The generosity of the Barnes family and the American Fork community prompted Iraqi commander, Brig. Gen. Ali Jassim Muhammad Hassen Al Frejee, of the 25th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, to recognize Barnes as well.
“A soldier who came from thousands of miles away and was killed here — his family spends money to rebuild this area,” Ali said. “We have to respect that.”
B Company commander Capt. Clifford Kazmarek said the experience was remarkable and humbling.
“I have just the greatest amount of respect for that family for doing this, and I know that the people here truly appreciate it,” Kazmarek said in the release.
The citizens received most items with a smile and without hesitation. But there was one gift that had many children puzzled.
“The Frisbee befuddled them,” said C Company commander Capt. Michael Starz. “They didn’t quite grasp the concept. They thought it was a serving plate so we had to engage with the kids for a few throws until they got the idea. In the end, though, they still said, ‘Where’s the football?’” There were many footballs — soccer balls to Americans — handed out as well.



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[Snowden]

What a wonderful gesture to the people their son had died helping!

It's the governments that make war, or the fanatics in this case. People seem to need just to meet and their mutual humanity will overcome most problems. I realize this is oversimplication, of course, but things like this show how people can reach out to others and make a bond. It's wonderful; a memorial suitable for one of our brave young soldiers.