The smiling eyes of the American soldiers as they pass out food parcels and toys and dolls and a sense of security to villagers and children who have lost their village to a flood is a sight to behold, and surprise. So much news shows death and destruction, and here, some wise powers have begun diverting war weary soldiers down time on their way home by saving and not risking or taking lives. How good it is for the soldiers is easy to see by their smiles and their words.



We walk alongside a soldier who says after nineteen months in Iraq you have the feeling they all wish you dead or gone. And to alight here, where we are the rescue crew with food and toys, it surely feels good to be appreciated for what we are here to do, and that is to maintain order and get them fed and secure again. The toys and dolls really calm the kids down, after they have been fed and dried off. And that happy conversation with the soldier, ruffling the heads of kids following and smiling, carrying packets of food to their temporary homes, had me realize how powerfully good this was for these soldiers, men and women.

Studies show that we tend to recall that last item on a list of ten, and the longer these soldiers are given this down time, the more virtue to the Army as this is vital rehab work. We all need to feel needed, and when faced with an emergency our impulse is to help, get busy. And it has been shown as highly curative to keep busy with one's hands and body in an emergency, whether carrying sandbags, food packages, lifting someone out of water or danger, and then feeling the internal self esteem rise.

After Vietnam we ignored wounded men who needed our understanding and help; this time these are our heroes, and they all will need our love and understanding. And who knows? Out of these on the way home rehab duties may come a new Peace Corp of ex soldiers who would rather be a vet, or teach people how to build on higher ground, or become a doll maker. Let us pray that this is actual military intelligence showing it's wiser Lincoln like emotional leadership in this.

This causing the soldiers to save people and do good on their way home from hell is a very wise return to the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Brilliant military strategy is creating this rehabilitative opportunity to war torn soldiers; and is here, to be sent to a village in need, a valley ravaged, and lend a helping hand before arriving stateside. Handing out food to all and soft dolls to the most vulnerable, the children and sick, is to allow these Eagle boy or girl Scouts now soldiers, but started out as being, and return home as. Our heroes.

Like my fuzzy dolly? It makes me feel safer when the mountain trembles.