What is IRAQI BASEBALL?
The Iraqi Baseball Project began during a conversation
between Bryan and me. He was in Iraq with the First Marine Division. I
asked him if he would get involved in a project to teach Iraqi boys and
girls baseball and softball. Bryan agreed and cleared the project.
I had met Bryan in 1999, via email, when he responded
to a web site in which I asked for humorous stories about Marine Corps
Boot Camp for my book,
A Few Good Memories.
The book was published and we have been friends since.
We Collect and Ship Sports Equipment
The IRAQI BASEBALL PROJECT solicits donations of new
and used baseball and softball equipment, as well as other kinds of sports
equipment. We ship the equipment to our Marine Corps contacts in Iraq.
Marines in Iraq Receive the Equipment
Marine Corps volunteers in Iraq check over the equipment
to determine what they have and what they can accomplish with it. They make their plans.
Marines Work with the Kids
Marine volunteers in Iraq give their spare time to work
with Iraqi kids (boys and girls), offering youngsters an opportunity to
play games that kids in the U.S. enjoy.
Kids are much the same the world over. For those of you
who have served in the military in foreign lands, you'll remember. Kids
follow you. They strike up conversations. They emulate you. At mealtime,
they flock in droves.
Will this Help Win Hearts and Minds?
That is our hope. Maybe we can show these kids that we really
care for their future and to want to return Iraq to the Iraqis as a peaceful nation.
Maybe these youngsters will find that we aren't really that much different after all.
It's worth working for. Marines are good at this too.
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