AD DIWANIYAH, Iraq
Marines and sailors from the 11th MEU and soldiers from the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion distributed more than 1,500 backpacks here today to children in five different schools."This is a good initiative that will foster friendly relations between the U.S. and the Iraqi people," said Hakima Atheem, principal of the Al-Nada kindergarten school. "It's a gift from America to our children -- the future of Iraq."The children from the kindergarten school received backpacks with cartoon characters printed on them, while the older children in the four primary schools were given backpacks tailored for either boys or girls. Each pack came filled with school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils, a ruler and other essential items."I think we've generated quite a bit of trust towards coalition forces, which will make it easier to accomplish other missions in Diwaniyah in the future," said Lt. Col. Ted A. Ruane, commanding officer, MEU Service Support Group 11, 11th MEU. "If we start with the young kids and teach them that Americans are good people and that we're here to help them, I think that will go a long way for both their country and ours." The $25,000 project was funded by the MEU's Commander's Emergency Response Program and was contracted out to three local contractors. Since the backpacks were received, the MSSG-11 commanding officer and members of the civil affairs team have visited more than eight schools and have handed out more than 2,500 backpacks thus far. * For more information, contact Capt. Carrie C. Batson at batsoncc@11meu.usmc.mil