Schoolchildren greet U.S. Army Maj. Brian P. Stevens (right) of the 56th Brigade Combat Team, Texas Army National Guard, and Capt. Adil B. Elnour of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard, during their visit to the newly completed schoolhouse in Abu Tabor, Iraq.U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



A newly completed schoolhouse funded by the Iraqi government is ready for the children of Abu Tabor, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



Curious children surround U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Laird, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, 56th Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, during a visit to their village in Baatah, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



A U.S. soldier of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard, receives a hug by a little Iraqi girl she befriended during her tour in Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



A newly completed schoolhouse funded by the Iraqi government is ready for the children of Al Hasna, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



An old mud and straw schoolhouse will be replaced by a newly constructed schoolhouse funded by the Iraqi government for the children of Zebin, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



A little girl heads back to her village with her father after receiving a brand new pair of shoes from U.S. soldiers of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



Iraqi children wait their turn to receive a pair of new shoes being distributed by U.S. soldiers of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



Iraqi construction workers mortar bricks into place for a wall of a schoolhouse that will be built to educate Iraqi children. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



A smile beams across the face of an Iraqi girl after receiving a gift from U.S. soldiers of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard, during a visit to her village. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo



A little Iraqi girl holds several holiday ornaments given to her as a gift from U.S. soldiers of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire National Guard during a visit to her village. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo

from http://www.defendamerica.mil