Soldier continues good will effort
Army 1st Lt. Brittany Meeks, who called on the city last May to help reconstruct Iraq's educational institutions, is now offering a personal thank you to Katy.
Earlier this year, in a letter addressed to the Katy Times, but written to the Katy community, Meeks asked the city to help her platoon combat poverty in Iraqi schools through a school supply drive she dubbed, "Operation School Hope."
In a recent letter updating the community on the drives' progress since April, Meeks said Katy residents, along with other Americans, have donated over 1.5 tons of school supplies and a half a ton of toys, sports equipment and candy for Al Tawa'an Primary School in Western Baghdad.
"We cleared out room in our storage container in order to store it all. The bulk of donations came from the great citizens of Katy and Longmont and Windsor, Colorado. Soon, half of my storage container was filled with school supplies, toys, and candy for school children," Meeks said.
After taking security precautions, Meeks, who is a member of the military police, and her platoon were able to distribute the supplies Oct. 2, the first day of school in Iraq, to a school that has approximately 300 children from first through sixth grade.
"The children were initially hesitant when we showed up, which is somewhat unusual, but considering recent activity in that area, not too odd under the circumstances," Meeks said. "However, once we began handing out the bags, some candy, and some stuffed animals, the children quickly huddled around us and smiles ruled the moment."
Meeks said the school supply drive has miraculously unfolded as planned in light of some uncontrollable circumstances.
"Rarely, in a combat environment, does a leader plan an operation and see it go exactly as planned and without any hitches. Operation School Hope was one of those missions for me," she said.
Meeks said the current supply should be sufficient for the remainder of the school year until June.
She is the daughter of Leonard and Janet Meeks and sister of Jeremy, Ben and Hillary Meeks.
"We're extremly prould of her. She's doing a wonderful job," Janet Meeks said.
"She's where God wants her to be."
Janet Meeks said the non-military works being done by her daughter and members of her platoon are just one example of soldiers going beyond the call of duty. "This kind of stuff is going on 100 fold across the country and it's not in the newspaper," Janet Meeks said.
Janet Meeks said the family hears from their daughter and sister three or four times a week by email and by telephone about once a month.
The family is hoping Brittany will be given leave later this year and have a chance to spend some time at home.
Link
American soldiers create more goodwill in the battle for the hearts and minds of Iraqi's.
Army 1st Lt. Brittany Meeks, who called on the city last May to help reconstruct Iraq's educational institutions, is now offering a personal thank you to Katy.
Earlier this year, in a letter addressed to the Katy Times, but written to the Katy community, Meeks asked the city to help her platoon combat poverty in Iraqi schools through a school supply drive she dubbed, "Operation School Hope."
In a recent letter updating the community on the drives' progress since April, Meeks said Katy residents, along with other Americans, have donated over 1.5 tons of school supplies and a half a ton of toys, sports equipment and candy for Al Tawa'an Primary School in Western Baghdad.
"We cleared out room in our storage container in order to store it all. The bulk of donations came from the great citizens of Katy and Longmont and Windsor, Colorado. Soon, half of my storage container was filled with school supplies, toys, and candy for school children," Meeks said.
After taking security precautions, Meeks, who is a member of the military police, and her platoon were able to distribute the supplies Oct. 2, the first day of school in Iraq, to a school that has approximately 300 children from first through sixth grade.
"The children were initially hesitant when we showed up, which is somewhat unusual, but considering recent activity in that area, not too odd under the circumstances," Meeks said. "However, once we began handing out the bags, some candy, and some stuffed animals, the children quickly huddled around us and smiles ruled the moment."
Meeks said the school supply drive has miraculously unfolded as planned in light of some uncontrollable circumstances.
"Rarely, in a combat environment, does a leader plan an operation and see it go exactly as planned and without any hitches. Operation School Hope was one of those missions for me," she said.
Meeks said the current supply should be sufficient for the remainder of the school year until June.
She is the daughter of Leonard and Janet Meeks and sister of Jeremy, Ben and Hillary Meeks.
"We're extremly prould of her. She's doing a wonderful job," Janet Meeks said.
"She's where God wants her to be."
Janet Meeks said the non-military works being done by her daughter and members of her platoon are just one example of soldiers going beyond the call of duty. "This kind of stuff is going on 100 fold across the country and it's not in the newspaper," Janet Meeks said.
Janet Meeks said the family hears from their daughter and sister three or four times a week by email and by telephone about once a month.
The family is hoping Brittany will be given leave later this year and have a chance to spend some time at home.
Link
American soldiers create more goodwill in the battle for the hearts and minds of Iraqi's.
