Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20081018-01

Oct. 18, 2008

Bicycles put smiles on Iraqi childrens’ faces

BAGHDAD – A Soldier with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division delivered a special cargo of bicycles to a group of Iraqi children in the Sha’ab neighborhood of northeastern Baghdad Oct. 12.

Staff Sgt. Fernando Diaz, a squad leader, was leading a patrol of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf., Div., around Joint Security Station Sha’ab as a defensive measure against the deadly threat of improvised rocket-assisted mortars, when he stopped to unload his supply of six bikes to some very happy Iraqi children.“Our primary mission is to conduct counter IRAM; but, when we can, we alter to the civil affairs mission of engaging with the local population,” said Diaz.

Diaz, whose company is attached to the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., said his patrols often stops to hand out goods and necessities to Iraqi families and children in the neighborhoods. It’s all part of an ongoing campaign to maintain popular support, which ultimately makes the community safer for Coalition forces and Iraqis. he said “It lets the community know how important it is for us to get their help,” said Spc. Kevin Narvaez, a Paladin crew member in 3rd Bn, 29th FA Regt.

Handing out bicycles in the Sha’ab neighborhood is a new tactic for the civil affairs teams in the north Adhamiyah district. The battalion’s civil affairs team purchased the bikes for the platoons to hand out on patrols, at schools and other places Iraqi children gather.

Diaz said his unit started with 15 bikes and are now handing them out as fast as they come in. The children are often nervous or afraid to approach the Soldiers; but once they see the bikes, they become excited, he said.
“We’ve handed out all kinds of stuff – soccer balls, food, candy,” Narvaez said. “We even help out with micro-grants,” he added, referring to MND-B’s economic stimulus program to provide small business owners with necessary cash to kick-start their business with essential goods and services.

Narvaez said he understands the tactical importance of maintaining a good relationship with the population. However, it is the feeling he gets in meeting with the children that is the most rewarding.

“It makes you feel good to give something like a bike or even a piece of candy,” Narvaez said. “It makes you feel good to put a smile on a kids face.”

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