A sprint towards normalcy: Iraqi children take on field meet - Vox

AL QA’IM, Iraq (Jan. 27, 2008) – Children flocked from every corner of the village when the Marines and sailors from Company I of Task Force 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, rolled into town. The kids are always curious as to what Coalition Forces are doing in their quaint village at the T-1 pumping station in Iraq, but this day was different. This day was for them. Marines began setting up at the village soccer field for a long-day of food and fun dedicated to the children. Nearly 300 children began to fill the bleachers, gossiping to one another as to what was in store. The field meet kicked off, and cheers and laughter soon echoed through the village. Both boys and girls would participate in events ranging from a soccer challenge to a potato sack race. “If you were a kid, wouldn’t you just want to have fun while growing up and not worry about stepping on a mine while walking to school or having your school shot up because insurgents are using the rooftop,” said Cpl. Evan Van Nosrand, a vehicle commander with Company I of Task Force 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines. “It’s something we take for granted while growing up back in the states; to actually enjoy growing up.” The aroma from the barbeques permeated through the cool air as the first event was announced over the loud speaker. Children, broken down into various age groups of boys and girls, raced to the starting line for the 100-meter dash. The immense crowd’s chanting and the possibility of winning a prize were all the children needed to spark friendly competition. “I’m going to win,” said an excited 8-year old Iraqi boy. “I want to win a prize for my baby sister.” The event couldn’t have been possible without the local support of the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army.