The Power of Forgiveness
Written by Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback
PATROL BASE YUSIFIYAH — Whoever said violence begets more violence never met the family of Sgt. Nathan Barnes.
American Fork, Utah, native Sgt. Nathan Barnes, a Soldier with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, was killed in Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, when his unit came under attack by small-arms fire July 17.
Nathan's love for those children inspired his father and other residents of American Fork to collect enough donated items to fill a 40-foot shipping container. Sewing machines, book bags, newborn kits, personal hygiene items, food, toys, children and women's clothing, school supplies and even wheelchairs were donated to residents in and around Rushdi Mullah and Yusifiyah, places Barnes did most of his service in Iraq.
Company C, 3-187th Inf. Regt., distributed some of the gifts at a school in Mullah Fayad, an impoverished Yusifiyah community.
"I made a point at the beginning to convey who Nathan Barnes was, how he died, and what kind of loving family and country he belonged to," Zimmerman said. "I bet we saw over 1,500 men, women, and children – mostly children."
"A Soldier who came from thousands of miles away and was killed here – his family spends money to rebuild this area," Ali said. "We have to respect that."
"I have just the greatest amount of respect for that family for doing this, and I know that the people here truly appreciate it," Kazmarek said.
"The Frisbee befuddled them," said Pittsburgh native Capt. Michael Starz, commander of Co. C, 3-187th Inf. Regt. "They didn't quite grasp the concept. They thought it was a serving plate so we had to engage with the kids for a few throws until they got the idea. In the end, though, they still said, 'Where's the football?'"
Thousands of Iraqis from Rushdi Mullah and Mullah Fayad benefited from the generosity.