“The most important thing we can do today is to let them know that we are not the enemy,” said Sgt. 1st Class Loretta Battle, the hospital liaison officer with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and an Atlanta native, who organized the event.

“We want them to smile,” Battle continued. “We have them playing with games, Play-Doh, hula-hoops and coloring books. You name it; we have it here for them.”

The event is held monthly and on this particular day 120 troops from different units across JBB volunteered to take part and bond with the Iraqi children.

Throughout the course of the program more than 1,000 children have made the journey to JBB for Iraqi Kids Day, said Battle. This is the last event she will oversee, as she is slated to leave Iraq next month to return to her civilian job at a women’s shelter.

One of the things that stood out about this particular Iraqi Kids Day was that everyone involved was a volunteer with a desire to brighten the lives of children who have lived most, if not all, of their lives in a war zone, constantly exposed to a strong military presence.

“We had 100 percent volunteers, I cannot explain how awesome that is,” said Battle.

Volunteers came from all units and all branches represented on JBB. The service members showed for a variety of reasons, because they love children or wanted to help out the JBB community. Some wanted to make a difference in the eyes of the local people.

One Soldier, Master Sgt. Kevin Zavala, a chaplain’s assistant with the 103rd ESC, and a Necedah, Wis., native, chose to volunteer his time because he felt he had a lot of experience to offer.

“I have seven children of my own back home, so I definitely know how to interact with them,” said Zavala, who sponsored two Iraqi siblings. “So far today we played some soccer, shot some baskets, did some coloring, and now they seem preoccupied with my camera.”

The children who came to JBB were from a variety of backgrounds. Many were orphans as a direct result of the sectarian violence that plagued their homeland in the past.

“We have high-maintenance kids as well as low-maintenance kids,” said Battle. “Regardless of their background, we want them to have a good time today.”

After the children were finished with their indoor activities, they ate lunch before heading outside to cool off in a large, inflatable pool set up on a basketball court. Children and service members alike stormed the pool as a splash fight ensued, ensuring that no one around was left with a dry spot on their body.

As the children left JBB to return home, they wore smiles that were a reflection of the fun-filled events of the day.

With August holding the holy Islamic holiday of Ramadan, JBB will schedule the next Iraqi Kids Day for September, and while Battle will no longer be around to organize the event, there are others ready to help ensure one initiative continues. Col. Kenneth Jones, the deputy commander of the 103rd ESC, and a Kansas City, Mo., native, who also works for Hallmark, has a plan up his sleeve that will further bridge the gap between two communities separated by thousands of miles.

“I am planning an event in partnership with my employer that will provide an artistic and creative outlet for these children,” said Jones.