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BELADIYAT, Iraq (March 17, 2009) - A month
after a Colorado boy collected his toys and sent them to Iraq, a
group of U.S. Paratroopers distributed the items to children in
eastern Baghdad's 9 Nissan District, March 16.
Spc. Greg Moreland, 25, a native of Hershey, Pa., and 2007
graduate of Penn State University, received the toys from his
penpal Jacob Poehls, an 8-year-old boy from Summit Cove, Colo.
Jacob adopted Moreland as a penpal several weeks ago through the
www.adoptaussoldier.org Web site. The two have
become fast friends and have been exchanging e-mails on a
consistent basis. Moreland said he looks forward to his e-mails
from Jacob.
"It's great to see that there are people like Jacob who care
about others and want to make a difference in people's lives, even
if they are thousands of miles away," said Moreland.
The adoption of Moreland however was not the first by the
boy.
Several months ago, Jacob adopted Marine Gunnery Sgt. Baltazar
Pineda, who, at the time was deployed to Iraq. The two became great
friends and Pineda encouraged Jacob, a special needs student, to
improve in school. Their strong friendship was well-documented when
the boy and his mother, Nora Hall, made an appearance on NBC's
"Today Show" last month. Pineda joined them live, via satellite,
from an undisclosed location in Iraq.
Though Pineda and the boy were penpals, the Marine was due to
return to the U.S. after the donated packages would arrive in Iraq.
Jacob and his family then decided to mail the packages to
Moreland.
On a breezy morning in Baghdad, Moreland made it a priority to
complete this wish for Jacob and all of Summit Cove.
"The people of Summit Cove put a lot of time into organizing and
collecting these items," said Moreland. "I made it a personal
mission to fulfill this request and make sure these gifts were
handed out to the Iraqi children."
Moreland, along with Paratroopers assigned to the Brigade
Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne
Division, handed out the box full of stuffed animals, along with
the stockpile of cookies and candy to children at the Abuthare and
Rufayda Elementary School.
The children gathered at the school's courtyard and eagerly
waited as Paratroopers gave the children the donated items.
Through the use of an interpreter, Moreland showed a picture of
Jacob stuffing the box full of the toys to the school's headmaster.
Moreland told the headmaster that the toys and treats were donated
by Jacob and his classmates at Summit Cove Elementary School.
"Thank you Jacob and all the people of Colorado," said Nanah
Almohsen. "It's great to see that the children in America care
about the children of Iraq. We are very grateful for this."
Moreland and fellow Fort Bragg, N.C. based-Paratroopers then
walked into each classroom and gave each child a handful of
candy.
After returning from his mission, Moreland got on his computer
and e-mailed Jacob. Moreland felt it was important to tell him how
his day went and that the toys were appreciated by the children.
Despite being tired and going on 18 hours with no sleep due to
working the evening shift, Moreland said he felt obligated to write
the boy an e-mail.
"I felt I had to share this special day with Jacob and I
couldn't wait to tell him," he said. "I want him to know that his
donation is something these children will never forget."
Moreland said the experience of distributing the items and
talking to the children will be with him for the rest of his
life.
"This day will be with me forever," said Moreland. "I can't wait
to tell this story to my family back home and show them the
pictures."
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