Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown

“ As we near the first school, we drive through a maze of narrow, walled streets with haphazard electrical wiring just out of reach of our Humvee’s antennas. Residents are lined on each side glancing curiously in our convoy’s direction. While some children laugh and wave, others try their best to ignore the convoy’s presence. ”

“ Sometimes it’s not always easy to find towns that want the Army’s help, Helfer said. If the town leaders don’t want to work with the U.S. Army, then they don’t pursue projects in that location. For the most part though, he said the local Iraqis are grateful to receive the help.
In the school’s courtyard, children mill around the Soldiers pulling security. A row of youngsters who don’t attend the school, have climbed its outer wall to peer down on what is happening inside. One shows Soldiers with a smile that she is holding a leash attached to a cow on the other side of the wall. ”

“ The second school on our agenda is along a busier street, and many locals are lined on either side as we head into the building. Children tug at the sleeves of Soldiers, asking for anything that is visible on a Soldier’s uniform. “Mister, give me pen,” and, “Mister, you give me sunglasses?” are frequent requests on most missions into Iraqi towns.
While at one school projects are finishing, at this one new projects are just beginning. Inside this second school, which is quite smaller than the first, Helfer speaks with the officials about possible projects there. ”