Army officer asks for help with his shoe drive for Iraqi children

Published: 2004-06-08

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (CNS) -- There is more than war weighing heavily on Army 1st Lt. Brian Cyr's mind these days. Cyr is also bothered by the sight of Iraqi children who have nothing on their feet when they play soccer. Or walk to school. Or work in their family's field. "Seeing these kids go day in and day out with nothing on their feet has been a humbling experience for me and my platoon," Cyr wrote in answer to questions sent via e-mail by the West Nebraska Register, newspaper of the Grand Island Diocese. He is currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq, with the U.S. Army's First Calvary Division. Cyr is asking Catholics in the Nebraska diocese to step up to the plate and donate shoes for the Iraqi children. He estimates that 90 percent of children he has seen in rural areas do not own a pair of shoes. "The city kids are doing a little better," he said.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .