“These development missions created an extremely strong bond…”
In 2004 I was deployed to Iraq with the 372nd Engineer Group as the command’s senior attorney. In addition to my legal responsibilities, I also spearheaded our command’s humanitarian and development missions.
Some of our missions included collecting and distributing over $100,000 in school and medical supplies to the Iraqis, building 12 new schools and three water filtration sanitation systems that provided clean water, for the first time, to the community. Having access to clean water was particularly significant because at the time, Iraq had the second highest infant mortality rate in the world due to drinking unsafe water from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
I will never forget the look of joy on the faces of the Iraqi people as we cut the ribbon for a new medical clinic. Before the doors were even open, the walls of the clinic were lined with new mothers and expecting mothers needing medical care. These development missions created an extremely strong bond with the Iraqis that we built upon and, as a result, it improved my unit’s security.
If we allow fragile states to become failed states, extremist views have an opportunity to take root. Without doubt, the work we did in Iraq and the work the U.S. is doing in Africa, not only improves the lives of millions of people, but also improves our country’s national security.
-Charles W. Larson, Jr.
- Previous Post “…a relationship built on trust”
- Next Post Webster University asks Senator Bond to Stand Up
Blog Contributors
Hot Topics
-
Fight the Famine, Feed the Future
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger. -
Crisis in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food. -
The Beginning of the End of AIDS
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS. -
Agriculture Accountability
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
From Our Members
-
Our question on faith and development, answered by the White House
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Field -
Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day
Feb 8th, 2012 | Posted by Field -
Rep. Dicks is not the Norm… he’s a champion
Feb 3rd, 2012 | Posted by Field
From Our Partners
-
US aid for water, sanitation and hygiene should benefit the poor
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Guest Blogger -
Six Valentine’s Day gifts
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Paulena Papagiannis -
Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day
Feb 8th, 2012 | Posted by Field
November 11, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thank you so much for what you and the other veterans here have done and continue to do – on behalf of our country and the world’s poor. I applaud the fact that you are using your military experience to highlight the plight of vulnerable people worldwide and the things we can all do to help. Working to eliminate extreme poverty and preventable disease is the right thing to do. But it also is in our own self interest as a country and I’m grateful that you’re delivering that message!
November 12, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I second the thank you above. Thank you for your service in every respect, and for the risks you take daily on behalf of all of us. And thank you for your commitment to peace.
February 6, 2011 at 8:22 am
It was an honor to serve with you! I was wondering how everyone is doing and what everyone is doing since we were deployed together?