Thanks to lgf, I was directed to BLACKFIVE: The Heart of America.
It was the heart of an American that sent that toy. It was the heart of an American that gave that toy to that little girl. It was the heart of an American that protected that convoy from that mine. Sure, she was a little Iraqi girl and she had no knowledge of purple mountain's majesty or fruited plains. It was a heart of acceptance, of tolerance, of peace and grace, even through the inconveniences of conflict that saved that convoy from hitting that mine. Those attributes are what keep Americans hearts beating. She may have no affiliation at all with the United States, but she knows what it is to be brave and if we can continue to support her and her new government, she will know what it is to be free.
Go read Blackfive's whole post.
Something so simple as giving a toy to a child can save lives. And isn't that true for everything? The actions and choices we make each day will determine where we'll be and how we'll be the next day.
Because someone cared enough about the Iraqi children, and because they set up the toy drive, one day the children who saw the kindness and courage of our soldiers will remember this. Perhaps that will help them see that America is a generous, open-hearted country that wants to forge true friendships in peace and freedom for all people.
(OK, OK, it's a bit sappy - but it is so true! God bless America, and God bless our troops. God bless the people who are taking simple, practical action to build a srtong friendship with the Iraqi people.)
