I had the occasion a few days ago to go outside of the gates of our downtown Baghdad compound. I was stopped by a very small child who had a bag of Jolly Rancher candies. He was trying to sell them to me. For some reason I actually asked him how much, (I don't know why I did, I hate Jolly Ranchers), he told me a dollar. I looked at the bag and realized that the bag cost at least 2 dollars. I told him to wait for me, that I had to go into the exchange and get something and I would give him something when I returned. To be perfectly honest, I was hoping he would leave before I returned. As I was waiting to pay for my purchase, I looked out the window and saw him standing right were I had left him. He was doing the little kid in place dance, moving his knees back and forth, but still waiting.
Making my purchase, I took my change and put it in my pocket and went back outside. He stopped his little dance and looked up and smiled. He held up his bag of candy and for some reason my heart melted. As he stood there, I told him to keep his candy, then I reached into my pocket and took out the change that I had just received. I had a $10 bill and gave it to him. His jaw dropped and then he grabbed me around the knees, (he was really little) held on and started crying. I looked down at this very dirty, extremely tiny little person and I realized I had tears in my eyes, (so much for the un-caring, macho image). I knelt down and patted him on the back and he gave me the strongest hug he could. I don't know if he knew the meaning of what he said next, but I did. He said, " thank you, I love you".
I asked him to come over to the curb and talk to me for a few minutes, I learned that his name was Aaron, (not a very Arabic sounding name) his father was killed before the war, and his mother was killed shortly after the war began. He and some of his friends who were in the same position stayed together at an empty building not far from our complex. There are about 15 kids in a room the size of a small bedroom. They have made it as nice as they can, cardboard boxes are used for just about everything, from room dividers to tables. I asked him why he didn't go to an orphanage, the look of terror in his eyes was disturbing to say the least, from talking to him and some of the other children, I learned that the orphanages in the past were used for experiments by the Republican Guard, and those who were children of enemies of the state were starved to death. (These are probably, mostly just urban legends, but the kids believe it).
The next day as I was on a bus going to another area, I looked out the window while we were at a stop sign, I saw a few little ones climbing out of a truck of the Romanian Army with a MRE, they sat down behind the truck and were trying to open it with their teeth, it was a cute, and heartbreaking sight. Cute, because they were so tiny trying to open the bag and heartbreaking, because they were trying so hard to get at the food.
Now, why am I boring you with this story, and why would I call it Starfish? Well, the answer to the first part is, we are trying to help these street kids and start a ministry here to at least give them some hope. I and many here who are willing to help are asking that Chapels and parishners in the Air Force help these babies. I am attaching a list of things we are trying to gather to help them understand that someone does care. I have been purchasing as much as I can here to help them, but one person does have his limits in resources sometimes. The address is also attached for mailing. If any of you can help in the least, the kids would appreciate it greatly, and if you cannot help financially, then your prayers for these babies are VERY welcome.
I know a lot of donations have come for the orphanages here, but these children do not benefit from that, some of these kids aren't orphans; they are just from extremely poor homes.
Now, for those who don't understand the reference to STARFISH, here goes...
After a very stormy night along the south Florida oceanfront, tens of thousands of starfish were washed ashore. The next morning a mother and her son were walking along the beach. As they walked along the boy would periodically stop, pick up a starfish, throw it in the ocean, and say, "there ya go". His mother asked him why he was doing that, he told her he was trying to help the starfish live. The mother told him that there are so many on the beach that throwing one back every now and them would not make any difference, as he reached down and pick up another he told her, "It makes a difference to THIS one".
That's what we would like to do, as we reach out and touch one child, we would like to be able to make a difference to that child.
Thank you for your time, may God bless you and yours.
VAN Y. DENT, TSgt, USAF
NCOIC, CJTF-7, Chaplain Section
Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA)
Baghdad, Iraq
WISH LIST
I know this list sounds large and expensive and it is, but these are just some of the things needed. Many, far more expensive things, could be used but I am going to try other avenues for those. Thank You for taking the time to look this list over. All the sizes are for children ages 4-14.
Food- (single serving cans such as chili-mac, spaghetti and meatballs, mac and cheese)
Underwear
Socks
T-shirts
Gloves/mittens
Stocking caps
Sweatshirts
Sweat suits-w/pants
Small flashlights - these provide some comfort at night during gunfire and mortar attacks
Hand held radios (no boom boxes) - same as flashlights for comfort
Toiletries-Toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, cotton swabs...
Towel sets (towel, wash cloths)
Pre-moistened washcloths
Hand sanitizer
Batteries to fit the flashlights and radios
Backpacks with school supplies, note books, pencils, safety scissors, paste, crayons...
Again, I, my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coastguardsmen, Airmen, and especially the children thank you.
If you have questions you can e-mail me at
The mailing address is:
Baghdad Women's Centers Program
OPERATION STARFISH
c/o 1LT A. Heather Coyne
CPA/Baghdad Central
APO AE 09335
VAN Y. DENT, TSgt, USAF
NCOIC, CJTF-7-Chaplain Section
Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA)
Baghdad, Iraq
-----Original Message-----
From: Coyne, A. Heather (O-3) [mailto:coynea@orha.centcom.mil]
Sent: Jun 26, 2004 10:28 AM
To: Barnetje@nga.mil; Jensen, Christopher (E-5)
Subject: donations
Good afternoon, Mr Barnett,
Thanks so much for your letter, and I'm sorry it took so long for us to get back to you. Jeff and Ray, who were managing the NGO donation program, finally had to leave Iraq a little while ago but their project is still continuing through other volunteers. Shawn Jensen will be continuing as the lead on the project to help new Iraqi non- governmental organizations and charity groups distribute humanitarian assistance to their communities. I've attached a description of the program. You can reach Shawn at the address below and see if there are any specific needs that the NGOs have
identified.
SGT Shawn Jensen
Commission on Public Integrity
APO AE 09316
Sincerely,
CPT A. Heather Coyne
Civil Society Officer
CPA Baghdad Region
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Barnett, James E. [C] [mailto:James.E.Barnett@nga.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:20 PM
To: Jensen, Christopher (E-5)
Subject: RE: Operation Starfish/NGO's/Charities/ James Barnett
Hi Sgt. Jensen,
I had sent Cpt. Coyne a letter about two months ago, asking her to verify the APO mailing address, to send clothing donations for Operation Starfish. There was a article in the March 29, 2004 Washington Times about Operation Starfish and how Iraqi kids need clothes and other basic necessities. When I read the article, I wanted to do something to help the Iraqi kids. I had been in the 91 Gulf War in Iraq and I was in Baghdad in Jan.- Feb. 04 working. So I know that the kids need clothes etc.
Here is her response that she sent me, mentioning that you are the POC to help NGO's and charity groups distribute humanitarian assistance. If so, then can I/we back here in the States, send to you, to your mailing address,clothing donations and other necessities to be distributed to Iraqi children?
It has taken me about two months, to verify the correct mailing address.Cpt. Coyne was the only person to reply to my request. I had sent e-mails to CENTCOM PAO, they never responded. Then sent a request to USAFE PAO, they forwarded my request to the AF Chaplin that started Operation Starfish. Guess what? I never received a response from him. I know other people here that want to send clothing donations, but I told them to wait until I can verify a correct mailing address. It doesn't make sense to mail donations to incorrect mailing address.
Anyway, if you could, please let me know ASAP, if it is OK, for us here, to mail you clothing donations to be distributed to the Iraqi kids. Thanks.
James Barnett
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Jensen, Christopher (E-5) [mailto:JensenC@orha.centcom.mil]
Sent: Jul 08, 2004 12:22 PM
To: Barnett, James E. [C]
Subject: RE: Operation Starfish/NGO's/Charities/ James Barnett
Mr. Barnet,
I am still working with Iraqi NGOs trying to get them jump started to take over Operation Starfish. Our goal is to post the needs of the Iraqi NGOs directly on a website www.ingoda.org this way the need is exact and can be filled by citizens like you and sent to the Iraqi NGOs directly. We are still trying to find funds to staff and final development of the website. There will be accountability measures in place as well. For now any and all donations is great. You can call me anytime on the MCI if
you have questions. Thank you for you assistance and your commitment.
The New address:
Embassy of the United States/ CPI
APO AE 09316
Baghdad, Iraq
All my best,
Shawn
C. Shawn Jensen, Sgt
Commission on Public Integrity
Consultant
Community Outreach Specialist
Special Projects
Contact U.S.: Mobile1 1-914-360-4685 (MCI)
Contact Baghdad: Mobile2 7901-926-296 (Iraqna)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: RE: Operation Starfish/New information/James Barnett
Date: 7/8/2004 2:19:44 PM Central Daylight Time
From: James.E.Barnett@nga.mil
To: rebelangeli@cs.com
File: iraqikids.zip (4707 bytes) DL Time (24000 bps): < 1 minute
Received from Internet: click here for more information
Hi there Ms. Rebel Angel,
My name is James Barnett and I have new info concerning Operation Starfish. I will try to be brief (if that is possible) and as the U.S. Army taught me, "Bottom Line Up Front". Here is the new mailing address, for people who want send donations to Iraqi kids, through Operation Starfish.
Attn: Sgt. Shawn Jensen c/o Operation Starfish
Embassy of the United States/ CPI
APO AE 09316
Baghdad, Iraq
Now that I have that out of the way, I will provide you with the background information, as to how I obtained the new address. In the March 29, 2004 edition of the Washington Times was an article about Operation Starfish (I will attach article). I read the article and decided that I wanted to do something to help the Iraqi kids. The reason being is that I have been to Iraq twice and I have seen the poverty that the kids live in.
The first time was in the 91 Gulf War, I was a Psychological Operations/Military Intelligence Officer serving with the 1st Infantry Division.( Side note: I am a retired USAR Officer, retired in March 2000).
The second time I was in Iraq, was Jan. - Feb. 2004. Working as a contractor, for Raytheon Corp. in downtown Baghdad, near the CPA. When we would walk to the military exchange after work, the Iraqi kids would come up and beg for money or sell us little pieces of candy. You couldn't help but feel sorry for them. I and the other guys and GI's would always give them a few dollars and or buy them basic necessities. The kids were there like clockwork everyday, waiting for us.
After I read the article in the Washington Times, I did a web search for Operation Starfish for more info and I found your website with the Operation Starfish Link. Then I e-mailed the Washington Times to ask for permission to use the article and pictures, to make a flyer that I could post up at work, so people would know where and who to send donations to. They said OK. Also at the same time I e-mailed various people at the Washington Times, CENTCOM, U.S. Air Force Europe Public Affairs Office, who forwarded my request to Air Force chaplain Fred Viccellio (which I have not heard from). Finally I sent a normal letter (in April) to 1LT A. Heather Coyne in Baghdad, who was the POC for Operation Starfish. To make sure that the APO mailing Address and Points of Contact were valid. It doesn't make sense to tell people where and who to mail donations to, if the address is not valid. The end result of all of this, is that 1LT. now CPT. Heather Coyne was kind enough to respond to my letter via e-mail last week. I will attach the e-mails. She sent me the current POC and mailing address. Then yesterday I e-mail Sgt. Jensen to verify the mailing address to send donations to. He e-mailed me today with the info. I will also attach his e-mail. It took from April until July (now) to find the correct mailing address and POC. So, if possible, could you please post the current mailing address and POC to your website? Here is another website URL, that is dedicated to helping Iraqi kids: http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/. Also, TSgt. Van Y. Dent's e-mail address at centcom.mil is not a valid e-mail address. Apparently he is back in the States. So anyway, I hope you don't mind my semi-articulate, but lengthy e-mail. Here are the attachments for you to read.
Jim Barnett
P.S. I have some pictures of Iraqi kids from the Washington Times article and from Baghdad that I took. I will send another e-mail with the pictures because if you send to many attachments, it will overload the e-mail. : - )
