Jo's Cafe

Bring Smiles to Iraq’s Future

BAGHDAD – In a country where having any kind of toy is a rarity, Soldiers passing out beanie babies to Iraqi children can become very popular.

“The children’s faces just light up when they see you,” said Sgt. 1st Class Alan Certain, Company C, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion. “It’s amazing to see what an effect a simple toy can have on a kid.”

Civil affairs Soldiers pass out the small toys during their missions in central Iraq. Thus far, more than 150,000 of the miniature stuffed animals have been distributed throughout the war-torn nation with the help of Beanies for Baghdad, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping out in the rebuilding effort.

What started as an attempt to get one child to smile turned into a project that helps Soldiers build positive bonds with the Iraqi people as well as the children who are Iraq’s future.

“This helps form the beginning of friendships between the children and the Soldiers,” said Donna Ward, Beanies for Baghdad project manager. “The hope for a better tomorrow is found in the children of Iraq.”

“We’re hoping to see an entire new generation of Iraqis who trust that we are their friends and that we’re here to help them.” said Capt. Darrell Retheford, C-490th CA Batt.

According to Ward, the success of Beanies for Baghdad has just begun. “We have so much more we hope to accomplish,” she said. “These little ones didn’t ask to be born in the conditions they’re growing up in so the program is a way we can make a difference.”

“This is a small gesture we as Americans and other countries can do to help our Soldiers sew seeds of friendship. It gives children something to smile about in a war-torn land.”

Yeah — they are kicking down doors:

Sen. KERRY: … But I think what we need to do is recognize what we all agree on, which is you’ve got to begin to set benchmarks for accomplishment. You’ve got to begin to transfer authority to the Iraqis. And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the–of–the historical customs, religious customs. Whether you like it or not…

CBS Transcript of Face the Nation from 12/05/05 where Kerry made these statements here. (Pages 3 and 4)