View From The Front

Pfc. Jonathan J. Springer was born and raised in Columbia City, and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1998. He attended the University of Saint Francis on a football scholarship and studied communications and business.

Springer enlisted into the Army and graduated from the Defense Information School's journalism school in October 2003. In January, he deployed with the 16th MP Brigade (Airborne) and is at Victory Camp, Iraq, where he handling all media relations. He has offered to e-mail periodic reports to the Times-Union.

His parents, Jim and Kathy Springer and his sister, Jessica, live in Warsaw.

American Soldiers Lend A Hand To Iraqi Students

One of the things that make being an American so great is our willingness to help out those in need.

Whether it is feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless or even giving money to the poor, Americans are always there to lend a hand in some form or fashion.

For the Civil Affairs section of the 16th MP Brigade (ABN), helping out children at an Iraqi elementary school is just part of being an American soldier.

"Our mission, as far as civil affairs is concerned, is to work to rebuild and support the civilian infrastructure," said Sgt. 1st Class John Reuben Raybon Jr., a civil affairs noncommissioned officer with the 16th MP Brigade. "Today, we were given the opportunity to go out to an elementary school and help the children out."

All the things that we as Americans take for granted back home are the things that Raybon said civil affairs is focusing on to rebuild here in Iraq. Some of the things Raybon and the civil affairs section focus on include police stations, water, sewage and schools.

"Education is always around the top of the list of things to rebuild first, because without working schools, the country will not be able to grow and learn down the road," stressed Raybon.

Raybon said he, along with other soldiers from the 16th MP Brigade, were able to pass out more than 250 book bags containing pencil, paper, rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners and even threw in a little candy for good measure to children at the Al Taw'n Elementary School just south of Baghdad.

"Doing something like this makes you feel good for the moment," smiled Raybon, "but it is overwhelming knowing that there are other schools out there just like this one that need our help, too."

Ms. Sundus, principal for the Al Taw'n elementary school, said she is grateful for the supplies and help that the 16th MP Brigade gave her students.

"I am so thankful for all that has been given to us," said Sundus. "My school and my students don't have much, but the Americans have given us some of the things we need. If we can improve the school, it will help the kids in the end."

Raybon also said he and the soldiers provided one soccer ball per classroom, and distributed some chalk and rulers for the teachers.

"America is getting things moving and it's great to be able to put some of the supplies in the children's hands," Raybon said.

Lt. Col. Larry McCarty, Chaplain for the brigade headquarters, said he hoped the brigade has made an impact on the children and the staff of the Al Taw'n Elementary School.

"We have given the children a gift that will bless them for a long time," stated McCarty. "We're here to help in any way possible and we will never forget that the children are the future of this country; it was a joy to be here."

Raybon said that doing something like this is a mission that everyone can participate in.

"Folks back home can send school supplies, toys, and over-the-counter medications to us and really have a direct impact on the citizens of Iraq and their children," said Raybon.

When asked about how the civil affairs section goes about finding schools that need supplies like the ones handed out at Al Taw'n, Raybon said the military police are usually the ones who give him the information.

"The MP's usually patrol and will assess the community's current situation and then will get the information to us on what is needed," said Raybon. "A lot of times finding schools or other places of importance that need our help is kind of the just luck."

Raybon said he was very happy with how the mission went, and it was great to be able to put a smile on the children's faces.

"It went well. To see the children smiling, I just loved it," said Raybon. "Also, we had two female soldier's working hand in hand with the males; that says something about equality to everyone at the school."

Whether it is feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless or even giving money to the poor, Americans are always there to lend a hand in some form or fashion, and for the civil affairs section of the 16th MP Brigade, helping out children at an Iraqi elementary school is just part of being an American soldier.