Our troops in Iraq often send requests back to their families in the USA. I recently heard the story below from Sara Beth Shurtleff, who is a proud mother of John Williams. John is currently on his 4th tour in the Middle East. John has asked for our help to provide small gifts that can be passed along to children in such circumstances. These gifts will boost the moral of our troops and help improve local relations with the residents of these areas.
John is currently serving his 4th tour in the Middle East. He has been to Afghanistan twice and is on his second tour in Iraq. He is a corpsman/recon sniper scout with a Marine Mobile Assault Platoon. He wears many hats in Iraq. He goes out on search missions, provides advance patrol and accompanies the high ranking military officers and officials as part of a protective detail then they are in his area. He also runs the Battalion Aid Station and treats local civilians who are sick and injured. Most of his patients are children.
In the picture of John bandaging the little girl's hand, he told me how she reached up to hug him and when she did he saw that her whole left side was an old open and infected gash. She told him she fell on metal while looking for something to play with. (John speaks fluent Arabic). He is sure that she fell on a bomb fragment or a piece of shrapnel. He took her back to the aid station, cleaned her side and medicated it and bandaged it for her. He gave her some antibiotic ointment and extra bandages, but he is sure that they were taken from her and sold for food.
John and his fellow soldiers try to show these children and their parents more about Americans than just the guns, tanks and bombs they see. They frequently give the children whatever snacks or goodies they have received from their families and do without thinking of themselves. I am working to send my son care packages for him, his comrades and these children. John and all the guys are these big strong tough guys until they see these children who literally have nothing. I am sending packages with small toys and stuffed animals for him to give out at the aid station. The guys also carry small items with them to give to the children when they are out on patrol. I have been getting items from the Dollar Stores to send. These are small, inexpensive and easy for them to put into their packets or backpacks. Items have to be small, because the guys do not have a lot of extra room to carry stuff.
How can you help?
Any help you or your company or any of your associates would be willing to offer would be an awesome blessing. The guys also love to receive mail.
John's address is:
HM2(FMF) Williams, John R.
RCT-2 Mobile Assault Platoon
Unit 73910
FPO-AE 09509-3910
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