With the flurry of news reports covering the deaths in Iraq, the political conflict over the war and experts dueling over the way the war was conducted, it can be too easy to overlook the small stories of our troops going above and beyond to help the Iraqi people.  Every day our troops are putting their lives in danger to defend two countries…The United States and the new nation of Iraq.  But there are also countless soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen who are going the extra mile to help Iraqi civilians affected by years of war. 

One of the men who has taken it upon himself to offer more than his skills as a solider to help is Combat medic Spc. Steve Stephens.  Stephens is with the 27th Brigade Support Battalion stationed in Northern Iraq.  Many of the Iraqis living in Mosul and the surrounding areas lack electricity and heat.  When Stephens saw the need of the people in Northern Iraq, he started Soldiers Helping Those in Need—Iraq.   His first project has been a blanket drive.  His goal is to raise 2,000 blankets to distribute to Iraqis in need.   

Stephens contacted Blankets.com and asked the company if they would consider adding his organization to their donations page.  The company readily agreed and now people can donate a blanket for Spc. Stephens cause with just a few clicks of their mouse.   In his letter to the company Stephens said “Soldiers Helping Those in Need—Iraq is a mission of the heart and soul. Thousands of Iraqi people have no heat or electricity. It is our mission to make a positive difference in their lives; and as simple as a blanket may be to those back home, a blanket to those who have nothing is more of a necessity than it is a want.” 

Spc. Stephens is just one example of a service member who is willing to go beyond his duty as a soldier to help the Iraqi people.  Our troops are serving two countries as they fight to bring peace and stability to Iraq, but they are also serving the Iraqi people through their compassion and their impulse to help ease suffering wherever they find it.   As quick as our media and anti-war protestors are to blame the United States for all of the problems in Iraq, they are not so quick to point out the stories of Spc. Stephens and the troops who are actively working to bring aid to those who need it most.  Perhaps the people who are clamoring for our immediate withdrawal from Iraq should come up with an alternate plan for bringing blankets to Iraqi children. 

If you would like to donate a blanket to Soldiers Helping Those in Need-Iraq visit the donations page at blankets.com