214th Security Force Soldiers Conduct
'Operation Claus' To Bring Cheer to Iraqis

Spc. Torenzo Flake, of the Georgia National Guard's 214th Security Force, delivers toys to a happy Iraqi boy near Camp Cedar. (By Sgt. Gary Heffner)

Editor's note: Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery Security Force shared their Holiday cheer with the Iraqi citizens in the Bedouin tent communities in their operations area around Camp Cedar, near Tallil. The 214th Security Force, from Elberton, is assigned in support of the Minnesota National Guard's 134th Brigade Support Battalion. Below is a first-hand account from Sgt. Gary Heffner.

Read more in the 'Wolverine,' the 124th BSB Newsletter

By Sgt. Gary Heffner
214th SF UPAR

Staff Sgt. Patrick J. Henry nodded at me in the Base Defense Operations Center. “Is it time?” I asked. He nodded. I had moments to put on all my gear and meet him and his Base Defense Force team for our mission. I’m not usually a part of the team but all that was different today.

What was not different was Staff Sgt. Henry’s no-nonsense mission brief. “Men we are going to exit Cedar, head down this road, turn and visit these tents at this location and then on the returntrip we will visit these tents. Do you understand?” he asked in a voice that could easily pass for Sgt. Rock’s voice, whatever that sounds like. We were off.

	The 214th Security Force Base Security Patrol Team. (By Sgt. Gary Heffner)

He and his team spend hours patrolling the area around Camp Cedar. They are no-nonsense Soldiers with a job to do: protect the area from intruders. They know the local families by name and sight and interact with them often. Staff Sgt. Henry says, “The better we know the neighbors the easier it will be to spot someone who does not belong around here.”

He’s a little like Santa Claus. His mission today was to bring humanitarian supplies and toys to the children and families that live near Camp Cedar. “Hearts and minds is what it’s all about,” Staff Sgt. Henry said. Staff Sgt. Henry had handpicked the families and areas to go into. He knew how many children should be at each location and their approximate ages.

He told me he had one favorite child, a little girl, who was very afraid of strangers at first. He smiled when he told me about the time she took a pinwheel and an orange from his hand. You can often see the little girl riding a donkey along the road near Camp Cedar with her pinwheel in hand. The mission actually started a few weeks ago when my wife, Karen, asked me what the soldiers over here needed. I told her we have way too much stuff already. We have boxes sent all the time and a Base Exchange to shop at but, remembering Staff Sgt. Henry’s stories of needy children nearby, I said, “Could you send toys?” After she asked me if I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder I explained about the children. That’s all it took.

Over the next few weeks I received several boxes of toys. My daughter, Jamie, talked to people where she works, Lynndale, Inc., and they also sent toys. About the same time Staff Sgt. Henry had the same idea and his mother, Shirly Henry, and his sister, Renee Water, began to send toys and treats for the children. Staff Sgt. Henry’s Base Defense Force team consists of Sgt. Wilhelm Waters, Spc. Anthony Miles, Spc. Larry Fullmore, Spc. Donnell Dais, Spc. Erik Rosengren, Spc., Timothy Hollingsworth, Spc Torenzo Flake, and Spc. Sebastian Taylor.

We picked up an interpreter and headed toward the first location, a group of tents a short drive from Camp Cedar. Humanitarian aid is a part of what we do. Most people back home are unaware of that but it is a way for us to touch lives and, hopefully, change a few of those hearts and minds. Back home we take for granted the simple necessities of life and the simple toys that these children and families were so thrilled to receive. Food, water, balls, dolls, trucks, and cars – nothing special – but the children were thrilled to receive them. Though we were all far away from home, we all knew the look so well. When it comes down to it, children are the same all over the world. It takes very little to make them smile.

We arrived at the tents and Staff Sgt. Henry and the interpreter went out to meet the head of the household. It would be improper to begin distributing supplies or toys to anyone until the head of the household was consulted and asked. He graciously granted us permission to meet his family and hand out supplies. His wife and several children slowly came out of the tent.

The older children were already familiar with the Soldiers and showed no fear. The very young children clung to their parents. The families received supplies and were very grateful. All children received between four to six toys. Many received Magnadoodles – a drawing toy. Girls got dolls, jump ropes, jacks, craft items, and other toys. The boys received cars, trucks, balls, action figures, and other toys. There were so many toys! The children were thrilled. One little boy was not at all sure about us. We gave him the prize of all boy toys: a Tonka dump truck! He took it but we were pretty sure the best present we could give him was to go away.

His father was great and taught him how to play with it. About that time, the entire neighborhood descended on our location. We had anticipated this and were ready for them. We got more supplies and toys and handed them out. It was so very touching. The children and teens held on to the toys like they were their prize possessions. Then Staff Sgt. Henry got his Christmas present early. The little girl to whom he had given a pinwheel a few weeks ago came with her mother. He lit up like a Christmas tree when she actually smiled at him. Of course, he spoiled her with more toys than all the others, but that’s to be expected.

Our last stop was on the way home. A big family with many children lives quite close to Camp Cedar. The parents are very proud of their family and are excellent neighbors. Although I lost
count they had at least seven children. Three teenagers were acting pretty much like teenagers all over the world, trying to act disinterested.

But that changed as soon as they saw that we had age-appropriate items for them as well. The children around Camp Cedar are, indeed, like children all over the world. Being with them and seeing them so happy touched every soldier on the mission. Those of us who have children back home were especially touched to be able to see that joy that lights up a child’s face, even if it was not our own child.