Soldiers Helping Iraqi Children with Burns

Ed Yeates ReportingA Utah soldier and his comrades want to help special children in Iraq caught in the middle of war. They're hoping to bring some with severe burns to the United States for treatment.

Specialist Bejamin Mecham with the Army National Guard's 144th Area Support Medical Company is on leave right now, home with his wife. But a campaign he and his buddies are unfolding in Iraq is far from over.

Specialist Benjamin Mecham, Army National Guard 144th Area Medical Support Company: "A lot of children under age 12 have second and third degree burns over 30 to 40 percent of their body, just because of fuel oil accidents."

The stories are compelling. Mecham tells of a family of four, one with burns over 70 percent of her body. Though the 144th did all it could to save the family, none made it.

Specialist Mecham: "They're such fighters. They're just such great kids. It's really heartbreaking. Like this unfortunate family that came in that we lost."

In addition to medical care, Mecham's unit has also been seeing to the needs of orphanages, even bringing in toys and packages for the kids.

Specialist Mecham: "Right now we're in the process of working with a five-year old Iraqi child who had a burn, and bringing him to the US so he can get some plastic surgery that he needs."

Mecham and his colleagues have started what is called the Iraqi Children's Fund, to raise money and supplies for both the orphanages and burn victims.

Right now, the Welcome Home Ben sign is temporary. He goes back to Iraq July 10th. But all being well, he'll be home permanently in time for Christmas.

Though his soldiering in Iraq may end then, Mecham says his work helping kids there, will not.

If you'd like to donate to the newly formed Iraqi Children's Fund, write out a check to:

Iraqi Children's Program

Then mail it to:

CPT (Chaplain) Corey Bjertness
HHB 1-125th
CSC Scania
APO AE 09331

Related topics