Dexter soldiers leading local drive to help Iraqi children

DEXTER, Mo. — The war in Iraq has affected a multitude of people in a multitude of ways and an effort is currently underway, involving one of Dexter's own, geared toward improving the lives of some of Iraq's innocent victims. The efforts are taking place through a program called "Operation Care and Share."

Gale and Judy Elledge know well the sacrifices that come with wartime service. The Elledges have two sons, Matt and Jim, who are both serving in very different capacities in Iraq.

Matt, the eldest of the two, is a 1983 Dexter graduate who is now a lieutenant colonel serving in the 1st "Raider" Brigade Combat Team in the 4th Infantry Division. Because of his level of activity, his whereabouts is not always known, but occasionally he transports Iraqi detainees to a facility in Baghdad that provides medical services to U.S. and coalition forces. The hospital is adjacent to the detention facility that houses the detainees once they receive needed treatment.

Matt Elledge has run into a familiar face on two of his visits to the Baghdad facility. His younger brother, Maj. Jim Elledge, who graduated from Dexter High School in 1989, is an optometrist with the U.S. Army and serves not only as chief of optometry for Task Force 115th Medical unit, but also as consultant for all optometrists in Iraq.

"I provide routine and emergency eye care to detainees and US and coalition forces," the younger of the Elledge brothers explains, adding, "My team and I truly have a unique mission in that we provide spectacles, fit prosthetic eyes and treat a variety of eye injuries and eye diseases."

The work, Elledge acclaims, "is both challenging and rewarding."

It is within the realm of Elledge's challenging and rewarding work that he has found a purpose that brings him full circle back to his Stoddard County roots.

When the 115th came on the scene in Baghdad, they "inherited" a program called Operation Care and Share from the military unit that had previously provided services at the facility. The program was set up to provide gifts to children from infants to 16 years of age who accompany their relatives to visit the detainees.

"The children are truly innocent victims of this war, and it is heartwarming to see the expressions on their faces and to make them laugh," explains Elledge.

The children accompany relatives on visits to the detention center, and most have traveled a significant distance to see their loved ones. The soldiers of the 115th work toward accommodating the needs of those children while they are at the facility.

The gifts, in the form of soccer balls and toy cars, airplanes, Frisbees, stuffed animals and coloring books and crayons, are not intended to simply pacify the children who visit, Elledge says.

"Operation Care and Share has been a tremendous success for the morale of our unit and one of the things that I am most proud to support," Elledge says. "It has allowed our soldiers to connect with the children who will shape the future of this country."

A campaign is on locally during this "Make a Difference" month and several area residents are making that difference by contributing needed toys for the operation's efforts in Baghdad. Other items that are needed and are fairly inexpensive to mail include punchy balloons, Nerf balls, bubbles, lollipops, dolls and infant toys.

Elledge cautions, "We need to be mindful of the Iraqi culture and the current situation, so toys that should be avoided include anything resembling a weapon and toys with religious and holiday connotations or symbols, soft candies and other food items and toys that require batteries or charging.

Beth Williams of Dexter has taken on the role of organizing the donation effort on the local level and may be contacted at 573-820-7658 or email at bethwilliams05@hotmail.com regarding donations.

"It is truly amazing," says Elledge, "to see the joy that we can provide by the simple act of giving a toy and our time."