The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

[Carson]

This article appeared in my local paper about a soldier serving in Afghanistan.

Army helicopter pilot Eric Leach, 32, of Task Force Saber, 4th Cavalry Regiment of Hawaii's 25th Infantry Division (Light), wrote to friends and family to share something experienced by his fellow troops while on patrol in a village.

"At every stop, the children would come running up to the vehicle, excited, looking for the guys to give them something--anything. Most of the guys carry candy, so they began passing it out," he wrote.

"One child noticed the platoon sergeant writing something in his notebook. The boy of maybe 10 walked up to the platoon sergeant and held out his hand. In it was the candy he had been given. The platoon sergeant looked at the boy and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, 'What is wrong?' The boy pointed to he hand he was holding the pen in. He grabbed the platoon sergeant's other hand and gave him back the candy in exchange for the pen."

(snip)

An interpreter explained that pens and paper had been forbidden while the Taliban had conrolled Afghanistan. Now, he said, children who attend school must provide their own pens and paper. The pen represented not only freedom from oppression, but freedom to pursue and education.

(snip)

According to the article, the email was passed around and this guy is receiving boxes of school supplies. Leach's squadron commander has set aside a storage area for all the boxes and encouraged other soldiers to ask people back home to send more.

If you'd like to send pens and paper to Leach and his fellow troops, write to: Eric Leach, Task Force Saber, C Troop-3/4Cavalry, APO AE 09355, or email Leach at: [e-mail].

[liberalhistorian]

1. Thank you for posting this, I will

certainly send some supplies! Please consider reposting this tomorrow when many more people will see it. And welcome to DU!

[seabeyond]

2. shit.....with all the tax breaks

let papermate send crates of the stuff. what is the deal. we are the u.s. we can be that good if we try just a little. not a tough one

[Carson]

3. Interesting.

So corporations should be the only ones willing to give charity/donations?

I feel it is the responsibility of individuals as well.

This is not to guilt-trip anyone; I just thought people might like to know about this particular effort.

(edit for spelling)

[seabeyond]

4. every kid knocking on my door i donate what ever they are selling

family members for two decades i donate to. anyone needs money (within reason and ability) i give too.

yes it is cool that we all are willing to send to afghanistan, and i have done it in previous year/ years thru the school boys go into. and if they really want the pen and paper for education, screw it with the little stuff, get tons, tons feed the kids brain, nourish let grow and the company can feel damn good and a part too........

yes i believe and adhere to and vocalize individual giving and participation in life...........also if afghanistan children so want paper and pen, not going to hurt papermate at all. give it to them

[Cannikin]

5. Are you selling penis mightiers?

[Carson]

6. Self-serving kick