Recently I was talking with some fellow soldiers on the topic of who we could trust in Iraq and just how much trust we should have in those that appear to be friendly. We also discussed our purpose in Iraq and what part we, as individuals, play in it's future and its people. I then felt the need to remind them of the fact that one soldier in the right place, at the right time, can change history. Of course I got some chuckles out of the statement but had to tell them the story of "Operation little viddles." I personally believe it should be applied to Iraq, or at least remembered by us here in Iraq.

Some years back I was watching the "History Channel" and they had a documentry on the Berlin airlift of 1946 and focused on the German people and the effect the airlift had on them.

In 1946, Germany was still badly war torn and had been separated into four sections American, French, British and Soviet. As per the Yalta agreement, Berlin was also cut into four pieces. However, Berlin was in the center of the Soviet portion of Germany and had become a thorn in the side of Joeseph Stalin and his quest for European domination. He decided to encircle Berlin, deny all rail and road access to the city, and starve the citizens of Berlin to death, forcing the allies to leave Berlin to the Soviets.

Enter the Berlin airlift and the nickname "Operation Viddles." Everything that was needed was brought in by airplane, and that meant everything -- food, milk, coal, clothing, medicine, tools -- everything. This was 24 hours a day and lead by the Americans. Americans would not abandon the people of Berlin ("Ich bin ein Berliner").

The children of Berlin would always wait at the end of the runaway of Berlin airport to wave and smile at the Americans. In the documentry one of those "children" then five now sixty-five, told their story. One American soldier in those thousands of airplanes one day decided to start throwing out chocolate and gum to the kids at the end of the runway. They stood on the outside of barbed wire much like here in Iraq.(Of course just like here in Iraq some high ranking member of the officer corps made it policy to not give the children any items not issued by the government.And they had their politically correct reasons also,blackmarket,crime and danger to the Americans and German children.}

Well soon word got out to the other children about the American generosity and the chocolate and gum falling from the sky,you can imagine the swarms of hungry children waiting for the Americans everyday,just like Iraq.The woman that was being interviewed said that people forget that German children were the innocent children of war and most had never had chocolate.This little German girl was one of the lucky ones that got a candybar of chocolate one day.She had shared all that she could with the others but the wrapper was hers to keep.She said it was the best chocolate in the world,"Hersheys",and the wrapper she folded neatly and kept near her bed,each night she would unwrap it, smell the choclate rewrap it, and dream of the place it came from,America,and wondered about those kind hearted people that risked so much to bring chocolate to children.

Soon the word caught on to all allies and the name "Operation little viddles" was born.Operation "Little viddles" had gotten real momentum when some Officer found out that "Official Policy" was being violated by the average soldier on a daily basis,this would not do.They tried to stop "Little Viddles" but the news had gotten to the States by now and was allowed to continue.

That little girl and her entire generation were deeply affected by the act of one soldier, as were ensuing generations.The Generals, being political then as they are now, backed off their reasons and took credit for what Americans do naturally.I often wonder as we drive down our own "Little viddles road" what impact each one of us is to have on this generation of Iraqi children.I am not allowed to carry the candy by my bullets anymore or face serious discipinary action by superiors,too bad.

The one PC excuse that is always given is the it's a risk to not only us but the children themselves,so whom can argue with that reasoning,I can.As I said before many of the children stand close enough to touch,check ou my pictures in earlier blogs.Without giving specifics I can say that it is virtually impossible for an IED or VBIED to come with a mile or more of our ECP.The chldren stand near our gaurds for hours in the hot sun and are never told to leave,it's their parents farm land they stand on.It is the exact same parents and children everyday,no strangers allowed,and therefore no hard threat,if at all.

Now the policy I agree with is outside the wire on the road don't throw things because the kids will rush across the street into traffic and risk getting hit by cross traffic.Also were large groups gather and there's heavy foot traffic there's the risk of suicide vests as what we see in places like Bagdad.

But at a gate in front of numerous heavy weapons like machine guns,rocket launchers,cannons,rifles,observation equipment and so on.And a six year old girl and her two baby brothers standing five feet away,give me a break.But some high ranking Officer made the call and we must follow the order,just life in the theatre of operations,Iraq.And suffice it to say that no matter what "official" policy was then or is now,"Operation Little Viddles" lives on.We just can't help being Americans.