(Photo via the 407th Public Affairs: "Tech. Sgt. Michael Routh, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire fighter, rings the fire station bell to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.") We had a rare but pleasant opportunity to speak with a pair of senior NCOs from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, currently leading firefighting missions in southern Iraq. They have been in-country for about four months, during which time they have been prepared to do "combat firefighting" in the event of a helicopter downing or other serious incident; and training the Iraqi firefighters in live fire practice. You can listen to their broadcast here. What they wanted to tell you about, though, was their interpreter -- a man who was slated for execution for refusing to serve Saddam, until he was freed by United States Marines. They also wanted you to know about their program to provide school supplies to the children where they are. Initially I thought they were talking about helping charities in America get school supplies to those children, but that was not right: the airmen's families are buying the supplies, sending them to the airmen, who are then assembling them for schoolchildren and orphanages around their area. It's amazing to me that the same, small class of Americans who serve our country abroad are also the ones who donate out of their own pockets for these children. I know that many of you will be moved by this, and want to contribute somewhat yourselves. If you have school supplies you'd like to send, or church groups or Boy Scout troops who'd like to participate, supplies can be sent to: 1Lt Korry Leverett 407 AEG/PA APO AE 09331 The 407th is going through a RIP/TOA (Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority) soon, so if you need time to assemble supplies we may need a new address. Contact me if you'd like that address.
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Posted
Sep 01 2009, 11:30 PM
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