<

Afghan Children Stole First-time Father's Heart, Gave Life Perspective
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

Army Capt. Britton London, a team chief with the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C., hands out donated school supplies to students in Afghanistan's Orgun Valley.
Image Credit: Courtesy of CPT Britton London -- U.S. Army.

"I just try to convey to the people here that the people of Afghanistan were victims," he said. "They were oppressed for many years, and it's good that we're out there doing the job to make it better for them."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Army Capt. Britton London said he's always loved children. But heading to Afghanistan in May while his wife was at home and pregnant really made him notice the circumstances Afghan children are living in.

London is a civil affairs team leader assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C. He looks the part of the career infantry officer that he is -- tall, broad-shouldered, clean-shaven. But his insights into the lives of children in Afghanistan -- and his honest admissions of how they affected him -- may not be so stereotypical.

Army Capt. Britton London, a team chief with the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion from Fort Bragg, N.C., spends time surrounded by local children in Afghanistan's Orgun Valley.
Image Credit: Courtesy of CPT Britton London -- U.S. Army.

"When I went over there, I didn't really know what to expect," the 15-year veteran said. "But after I arrived, the children of Afghanistan just stole my heart, especially the young girls."

He said he was horrified at the oppression Afghan girls had lived with under the now-deposed Taliban regime, and just as heartened at their recent introduction to societal freedoms and education.

"The girls had been oppressed for so many years, seeing (them) start school was just an awesome experience," London said in an interview during a recent Pentagon visit.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Need more pockets of better.

Dan