Soldiers Visit Children's Hospital in Kirkuk, Iraq

By Spc. Michael Pfaff, 133rd MPAD

Photo Spc. Michael Pfaff, 133rd MPAD

Kirkuk, Iraq - Hamed is a seven-year-old boy from Kirkuk. He's been hospitalized for the last two weeks with a respiratory condition; nothing to smile about.

Today, however, he was all smiles when Bastogne Soldiers from the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division visited the children's hospital where he and many other sick children spend their days.

"Our mission was to just help bring a smile to the children's faces," said Capt. Todd Claypool, Chaplain of the 1st Special Troops Battalion. "We want to show we care and build good will within the community."

Photo Spc. Michael Pfaff, 133rd MPAD

The Soldiers passed out candy and toys that were donated by several churches (Glenview Baptist in Ft. Worth, Texas, Macedonia Baptist in Owensboro, Ky., and Crestwood Baptist in Crestwood, Ky.) that have been in touch with Chaplain Claypool, a native of Shelbyville, Ky.

"It's great of these churches to send toys and candy for the kids," Claypool reflected. "They really care about the Iraqi people."

The Soldiers also distributed water and shoes to other needy patients at the hospital.

Photo Spc. Michael Pfaff, 133rd MPAD

Claypool noted that the gifts not only impacted the children, but also the parents of the sick children.

"The reception from the parents was phenomenal," he said. "When you have a child that's sick, you're thankful for help. That speaks right to their heart."

Claypool said going on a mission like this is important to STB Soldiers as well. They don't often get the chance to participate in humanitarian missions so today was a break from some of the more stressful missions they normally run.

"If Soldiers just see the bad stuff it's not good for them," Claypool said. "That's really just a small percentage of this country. These people aren't all that different from us; they're just going through a tough time."

Claypool said he takes missions like these to heart.

"I have kids of my own, three wonderful boys," he said with pride. "There's nothing like holding a baby and seeing a child's face light up and knowing you've made a difference in that child's life."

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