“We have received a tremendous amount of (care packages) from people back home,” said Staff Sgt. Jeff V. Escalderon, platoon sergeant. “In fact, there was so much that we could not use it. Instead of throwing it away we decided to put together packages and give it to the locals.”

The unit hopes that these small gifts will buoy the locals populations perception of the coalition forces working towards stability in the area.

“It is the Division’s motto of ‘No better friend, no worse enemy’,” said Escalderon. “We are here to help them and better their conditions, until they prove they don’t deserve our help.”

Marines from the company have been giving small items they have received, such as candy and small toys, to the children since the beginning of the war last year, said Cpl. Sean D. Salome, team leader.

“When we come in it often scares the children,” added Salome, 20, from Rochester, NY. “But, if we have something to give them, they relax.”

However, during this deployment the Marines have expanded the packages to include hygiene gear, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, as well as many other items received in care packages, added Escalderon, 35, a native of Santee, Calif.

The Iraqis have been more willing to cooperate with the coalition forces since the unit has began to offer these small items to better the welfare of the locals.

“It has really helped with the locals perception of us, showing them we are the ‘good guys,’” said Escalderon. “These people are used to only bad things happening when people with guns show up at their door. We are trying to show them we are friendly and want to help them.”

The benefit of the packs has also been noticed in the city while on patrol. Often local children will follow the Marines as they patrol through the city in hopes of receiving some of the goodies offered by the unit. The children will no longer follow as the patrols enters into areas of the city that are hostile towards coalition forces, added Escalderon.

“Also, they often will point out (improvised explosive devices) to us as well as houses where insurgents live,” said Escalderon.

The only obstacle the Marines have faced while giving out the items is space. The Marines must take all their combat equipment needed for the patrols. Once the Marines have their required load then they can take the gifts, said Escalderon.

Over 300 pounds of items have been given to the local Iraqis during the company’s patrols through the hostile city.
The city has no major projects funded through coalition contracts and the Marines hope these small packs are changing the attitudes of the local Iraqis.

“The Iraqis never ask for the packs,” added Escalderon. “It is something we give them to help ease the tensions in the area. We would love to do more but we do not have the capabilities to do so.”

From Left: Private First Class Warren Jett Jr., 22, from Odenton, Md., Pfc. Oscar A. Rivera, 22, from North Hills, Calif., and Pfc. Daniel P. Kable, 20, from Columbus, Ohio, prepare items to be given to locals Iraqis in the city of Husaybah. The Marines are infantrymen with 1/7 Bravo, 3rd Platoon of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The company has used excess items from care packages to help ease tensions in the city.