FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan (July 17, 2008) – Charlie Company, 201st Engineer Battalion, Kentucky National Guard, showed skill in multi-tasking by reaching out to the Afghan people on a personal level while ensuring routes in Khowst province were safe from improvised explosive device threats, July 13.

The combat engineers, based in Cynthiana, Ky., are tasked with escorting groups to ensure that the IED threat is kept to a minimum.  They use special equipment to detect and disarm explosives before they become a threat to the mission. This trip was different from their usual outings, thanks to support from home. 

The company left FOB Salerno early that morning armed not only with their normal weaponry, but also with boxes of stuffed animals, toys, candy and school supplies that were sent from a local business in their home state.  An insurance company, located in Louisville, Ky., collected donations from the local community and other businesses and raised several thousand dollars to send these items to support the local Afghan community here, and also provided the Soldiers with calling cards and personal items.

Once the company reached the village, they chose an open, shaded area to hand out the items to the children.  Afghan National Police helped organize the event where the local youth gathered in a group to receive their gifts.

 “I’ve always enjoyed being able to pass these things out to the kids, just to see the smiles on their faces is a huge morale booster,” said Sgt. David Cooper.

While some of the Soldiers spread out to guard the location where the children gathered, others helped organize the group as it grew larger.

“I think a majority of the Soldiers would agree this sort of thing builds morale,” said Sgt. 1st Class Nick Jones, one of the Soldiers who got the opportunity to help introduce Coalition forces to the Afghan people.

As Capt. Jeff Arnett, C Co. commander, opened one of the boxes of toys in the village of Ali Shir, a group of children gathered around him.  Arnett pulled out a furry stuffed animal and held it out to a very apprehensive Afghan child.  She hesitated at a distance and Arnett knelt down, holding it out to her.  He patiently waited for her to build courage to come closer, he softly smiled at her.  The child slowly inched up as the fearful expression melted away from her face and she reached out then pulled the toy to her body and disappeared in the crowd of other children.  One by one he handed out the items in the box, some of the children weren’t as afraid as others.  The crowd got larger and larger and the items in the box proved to not be enough for the little hands reaching out.

According to Arnett, getting a chance to see the local people close up and personal and seeing smiles on their faces is always a wonderful thing.

Arnett said the same group of people are sending another 18 boxes of toys and school supplies to be handed out to the Afghan children. This will provide the Soldiers of C Co. another opportunity to bring joy to the Afghan children.