US Soldier A hero to Iraqi kids
Published: May 25, 2006
After the Civil War, those who died in that searing conflict were remembered with flowers and other decorations on their graves. By 1868, Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers, had decreed that the nation ought to observe a formal Decoration Day, and he chose May 30 as the date. That day, a crowd of 5,000 gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to decorate the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.
That tradition continues each year across the United States. This Memorial Day, with U.S. troops at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we’d like to acknowledge our living soldiers as well. Here, Anne Taylor of Lake Oswego pays tribute to her grandson, Sgt. Joseph Coon of the Oregon National Guard (Troop F, 82nd Cavalry). His 25th birthday is a week from Sunday.
The little girl’s name is Sa’ham, but she has been nicknamed Elmo by the soldier she adores. His name is Joe. Elmo is Joe’s favorite, and she got the first pair of shoes, white tennies with silver bangles. Elmo’s two sisters got pink tennies.
That little boy looking through razor wire in the picture Joe sent clutches a teddy bear, while others in the background play with their new toys. Sometimes “Joe’s kids” get candy. Other times it may be toothbrushes and toothpaste, Beanie Babies, stuffed animals or hair ornaments. But Joe always has something for them from his stash of goodies, supplied by family and friends.
Joe was so moved by the bare feet he saw in Iraq, he urged family and friends to send shoes for the children. The result was 1,200 pairs of shoes and 300 pounds of clothing sent to Iraq in 54 large boxes, inundating the post office.
When the boxes arrived, Joe’s platoon sergeant told him to round up a few guys, hitch a trailer to a truck and go pick up his mail, and the fun began. Joe had been promising the kids that shoes were on the way, and when he announced that the shoes had arrived, he had a mob on his hands. Some of the older boys tried to get in line twice so they could get a second pair, but the girls ratted them out.
When their time was up, Joe and his buddies had measured feet and distributed 50 pairs of shoes. They promised to be back the next day with more shoes.
The plan is to take shoes to the schools and enlist teachers to help keep order. The soldiers will also take shoes with them on patrol and give them to kids working in the fields. More shoes will be on the way later, and Joe hopes that they will eventually make their way to communities all over Iraq.
Elmo tends to get jealous when Joe gives too much attention to other kids, and Joe knows this is his fault because he has spoiled her. When she had her heart set on a pair of high-top Shaquille O’Neal basketball shoes, Joe, ever the soft touch, could not say no.
Now when Joe sees his kids, they point to their new shoes and give him a big smile and a thumbs-up gesture. This “make the children happy” project goes a long way in creating good will between soldiers and Iraqis in the area.
Looking for a hero? I nominate Joe.
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