Winning the hearts of Iraqi children

By SSG Fabian Indalecio
Special to the Saipan Tribune

On the early morning of July 12, 2005, the 100 Battalion, 442nd Infantry from the Bravo Company went on a convoy mission to the nearby town of Yathrib as part of their daily security patrol.

SSG Frank S.N. Cepeda, a native of Guam belonging to Echo Company, volunteered to join the convoy, bringing with him several cases of toys and candies to distributes to the Iraqi children. He was anxious to see the small town, as it was his first time to go there to meet the town’s children.

As the convoy reached the town, he was surprised to see many children coming up to the military vehicles asking for candies. He set up a location for the distribution of the toys and candies and, within minutes, he was surrounded by a gaggle of children, all excited to get a share of what little toys and candies Cepeda was giving out.

It was very hot outside, exceeding 100 degrees, but that didn’t stop Cepeda from handing out the toys and candies to the children, who patiently waited under the hot sun.

After he distributed the toys and candies, the children were jumping with joy and, one by one, started to disappear with their toys and candies in hand—“a very happy sight that I will never forget,” said Cepeda.

“I’m thankful the kids were there, so I could distribute the toys and candies because they don’t have anything,” Cepeda said, adding that, “The kids need more humanitarian support, such as clothing, footwear, and more toys.”

When asked how he felt about the kids when he first met them, he said: “I was looking at the kids and it’s like they are happy to see me and appreciate the gift I was bringing them,” adding later that, “I just wish we can get more toys, clothes, books, and candies for me to distribute to these children because it really made me happy.”

As to how he feels about distributing candies after hearing the news about the American soldier who was killed in Baghdad on July 13, 2005, while distributing candies, his response was: “I’m concerned, but I will not stop giving the needy children toys and candies.”

This writer himself described the distribution of toys and candies as “wild,” with the excited children shoving and pushing each other to get their share.

“I understand how they are behaving because every kids is out for himself or herself. They were pushing each other but we manage to distribute the toys and candies. It was a gratifying feeling to see the kids’ happy faces,” said this writer.

He described Cepeda as someone with a very soft heart for children. “He looks tough, but he is gentle to little kids.”