MUJADEED, Iraq – At the site of goodies, the kids went bonkers.

Fort Lewis soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment were in Mujadeed, a site of a joint United States-United Nations project to relocate refugees who fled during 2007’s ethno-sectarian fighting. As they were preparing to load up on their Strykers, the kids gathered around as the troops handed out coloring books, colored pencils and other gifts – all donated from folks back home.

Lt. Col. Chuck Hodges, the battalion commander, kept a pack of lollipops in a cargo pocket that he hands out to kids. Soldiers handed out Beanie Babies to little girls. And the soccer balls came from a charity set up from the parents of a fallen soldier.

It’s a way to draw a smile during a patrol – but also raise the standing of the United States.

“The kids will have grown up not knowing Saddam but knowing the Americans,” Hodges said. “If we can make that positive impact early, it can affect them the rest of their lives.”

If you want to help out, battalion officials say they could use pens, paper, notebooks, folders and other school supplies to hand out. Lt. Jesse Ryan has graciously offered to run point on the collection. His address:

1LT Jesse Ryan
HHC, 1-23 IN
FOB Grizzly
APO AE 09391