Message from the B Company Humanitarian
Support Officer
I have to apologize to for the lack
of trip reports lately (like the last month). Our excuse is very
sound. We are so busy, planning, preparing, and conducting visits
that little time remains to record our exploits. I will try to make
up for this by posting several reports in a row. If you don’t get
the opportunity to read about four visits in the next couple of weeks you
will have to blame the webmaster (no pressure or anything Jim). In
addition, the response to our requests for donations for humanitarian efforts
has been overwhelming. The generosity from individuals and organizations
back home is truly inspiring. Thank you to everyone, not just from
B Company, but from the multitude of families and individuals, who’s days
you have brightened.
- Darel
Visit the Bokavici School Photo Album
Refugee Visit - 19 Nov 2001
It was a cold and rainy as the soldiers of the 2nd of the 224th
Aviation Battalion prepared for the day’s mission. This was not the
type of day that makes you excited about going on a mission, especially
if you are aviators and you aren’t going flying. But today was a
special assignment. These soldiers raised money to help fund the
installation of a phone line at Bocavici (Bokavichi) School, a local elementary
school, which they sponsor. Major Delaney, from the Public Affairs
Office (PAO) was instrumental in helping them get the phone line installed.
Today they were going to the school to dedicate the phone line and to present
the school with a phone. CW2 Darel Gallagher, B Company’s Humanitarian
Support Officer, with the help of 1LT Jeff Laing organized raising funds
for this project.
By the time the convoy left base the rain stopped and was replaced
by beautiful fluffy snowflakes. The driving was a little messy, but
the scenery was great. The 5th – 8th graders were finished for the
day, so they got to see the younger children. Upon arriving, the
Battalion Commander, LTC Kelly and CW2 Gallagher met with the teachers
while the other soldiers mingled with the students in their classrooms.
The teachers gave LTC Kelly a message that the students composed, which
thanked the unit for the support they already provided.
CW2 Gallagher’s account of this trip is as follows. “ I don’t
know why this trip was so different from the others. Perhaps it is
because I have come to know the teachers and students better. The
first thoughts that ran through my mind were again how poor the conditions
are that these people operate in. It is very depressing. Then
you start talking to the teachers and interacting with the students.
They seem so optimistic. They are smiling and laughing. The
littlest things we do are so appreciated. It really hits you
how strong and resilient the human spirit really is. “That understanding
is reinforced by the knowledge of the things that these people have endured
for the last decade. Now you start feeling incredibly great.
The emotions are going from one end of the chart to the next.”
The soldiers toured the school. The children showed them their
class work and drawings, sang songs for them, and practiced their English
with them. Some of the soldiers outside were having a snowball
fight with the older boys in the neighborhood. It looked like the
children had the upper hand. Let’s hope that this is the worst fighting
that these children will see again.
This time of year the Muslim population is observing Ramadan and will
continue to do so until 16 December. Since part of the observance
of Ramadan involves fasting during daylight hours, the two days following
Ramadan are celebrated by feasting. This celebration is called Bijram.
This involves lots of local dishes. The teachers invited the soldiers
to return for the celebration. The PAO office reports that they have
pictures of last year’s celebration at Bokavici. “From what I saw,
I don’t think they will have any trouble getting soldiers to volunteer
for that trip,” said Major Delaney.
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Visit the Bokavici School Photo Album