18 September 2005
Kids (Part 2)
As I mentioned in the last post, the interactions with kids can be difficult. Not only can the kids present problems for the coalition forces, we can present problems for them. This was evident last week.
On a “routine” convoy last week that was heading through our area north into Iraq, one of the contractor truckers threw some candy out of the cab for one of the kids standing on the side of the road. Most of the contractors are from various “friendly” countries throughout the area. In my experience, of the convoys originating from Kuwait, very few contractors are Kuwaitis and very few are Iraqis. Most that I’ve run across have been from India, Syria, and/or Pakistan. There’s a decent contingent of American drivers as well (but less than 10% I’d guess). Most don’t speak English, except perhaps for a few words.
I’m sure the contractor in question was well meaning, but the candy that he threw rolled back onto the road. A 6-year old Iraqi girl raced to pick up the candy. This is not uncommon in that many kids run out into the traffic or cross the road in between moving vehicles, especially in built up populated areas. However, in this case, an Air Force HMMWV (as in a Humvee) was close behind the contractor’s truck. The HMMWV struck the little girl. The accident occurred right across the border in the town of Safwan. Coalition forces rendered aid and an emergency vehicle was called to the site.
Unfortunately, the little 6-year old girl died.
We’ve been ordered not to throw out things to kids or otherwise encourage kids to stand on the roadside.
One of my soldiers told me yesterday as he was going through the same area, a boy (about 5 years old) and a girl (about 10 years old) were standing about 10 meters off the roadside. As their vehicle was passing, the boy lurched toward the road. The girl grabbed that boy by the arm and whipsawed him around and threw him to the ground to prevent him from moving any closer to the convoy. Thank goodness for big sisters.
On a “routine” convoy last week that was heading through our area north into Iraq, one of the contractor truckers threw some candy out of the cab for one of the kids standing on the side of the road. Most of the contractors are from various “friendly” countries throughout the area. In my experience, of the convoys originating from Kuwait, very few contractors are Kuwaitis and very few are Iraqis. Most that I’ve run across have been from India, Syria, and/or Pakistan. There’s a decent contingent of American drivers as well (but less than 10% I’d guess). Most don’t speak English, except perhaps for a few words.
I’m sure the contractor in question was well meaning, but the candy that he threw rolled back onto the road. A 6-year old Iraqi girl raced to pick up the candy. This is not uncommon in that many kids run out into the traffic or cross the road in between moving vehicles, especially in built up populated areas. However, in this case, an Air Force HMMWV (as in a Humvee) was close behind the contractor’s truck. The HMMWV struck the little girl. The accident occurred right across the border in the town of Safwan. Coalition forces rendered aid and an emergency vehicle was called to the site.
Unfortunately, the little 6-year old girl died.
We’ve been ordered not to throw out things to kids or otherwise encourage kids to stand on the roadside.
One of my soldiers told me yesterday as he was going through the same area, a boy (about 5 years old) and a girl (about 10 years old) were standing about 10 meters off the roadside. As their vehicle was passing, the boy lurched toward the road. The girl grabbed that boy by the arm and whipsawed him around and threw him to the ground to prevent him from moving any closer to the convoy. Thank goodness for big sisters.
# posted by themobilized : 02:48
