Soldiers Build Playground for Iraqi Orphans
Defend America News ^ | Sep 1, 2005 | unattributed
defendamerica.mil
Innovative troops turn scrap metal into playground swings and slides for the children of a Kirkuk orphanage.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq, Sept. 1, 2005 — Children at one Kirkuk orphanage now have a playground full of new equipment, thanks to the efforts of the headquarters company of the 116th Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force 2-116 Armor who installed a custom-built playground set Aug. 19.
While doing an assessment of a Kirkuk orphanage back in March, the unit noticed run-down playground equipment that was inadequate for the number of children. One metalworker in the group, U.S. Army Sgt. Fenton Doyle, decided to use his talent to build new equipment.
“The local children in the neighborhood all wanted a chance to try out the new equipment while the soldiers were there installing it. Many of them couldn’t wait for it to be installed, but just jumped right on.” U.S. Army Capt. Corey Dahlquist
“Sgt. Doyle spent his spare time gathering and welding scrap metal, constructing several toys for the children of the orphanage,” said Capt. Corey Dahlquist, a Task Force 2-116 personnel officer.
Doyle used old rims and half-shafts from military vehicles to build two spring toys. He built a slide to replace the broken one and a six-foot swing and swing set using old mud flaps for seats. He also built a set of monkey bars using scrap steel and half-shafts.
“The soldiers of headquarters company painted all of these items and assisted in the delivery and installation of the toys,” said Dahlquist. “The local children in the neighborhood all wanted a chance to try out the new equipment while the soldiers were there installing it. Many of them couldn’t wait for it to be installed, but just jumped right on.”
Helping assess and meet the needs of the community is part of the 116th Brigade Combat Team’s mission while deployed in north central Iraq. The unit’s mission also includes assisting Iraq’s new government, supporting economic development, facilitating communications and improving security and stability in the region. |
