The good news that you don't hear about.

About 1 000 Iraqis, mostly Shi'ites, rallied in central Baghdad to condemn "terrorism" against Iraqis and United States "liberation" forces on Friday as four Iraqis and a US soldier died in a bomb attack elsewhere in the capital. Dozens of children aged between five and 10 marched at the front of the protest, with flowers in their hands, under white banners proclaiming in red letters: "Children - innocent victims of terrorism" and: "Terrorism blocks any future for children". Organiser Sabih Hassan, head of a child protection association set up since the US-led invasion, said they had all "become orphans because of terrorism". Hassan said the march, the second here in a week, was against "all operations, including those targeting Americans". "Our children have a vital need for peace and security".


The 4th Infantry Division Headquarters is located in one of Saddam's former palaces. On arrival of the 4th ID, there were two statues of Saddam on horseback at the entrance of this palace. These original statues were removed by explosives in early July of 2003. The statues were cut up into pieces and taken to a local Iraqi artist named Kalat. Interestingly, he was one of the same artists who was forced to create the original statues. Kalat reshaped the bronze into the likeness of an American soldier being comforted by a small Iraqi girl, as he mourns a fallen comrade. The sculpture is a scene witnessed by many in Iraq, a soldier before a memorial of boots, rifle and helmet, his head resting in the hollow of his hand. The presence of the little Iraqi girl helps to remind us all of the reason for these sacrifices. The cost of this statue was paid for through small donations from the 4th ID. Imagine that our soldiers, who have already given so much, have so little, and yet care so deeply.





ABU GHRAIB, IRAQ - OCT 9: 82nd Airborne distribute school supplies and sports equipment to Iraqi school children (Photo by Scott Nelson/Getty Images)


ABU GHRAIB, IRAQ - Oct. 9 2005: US Aarmy 325th Military Intelligence Seargent Angela Vasquez, from Granite City, IL distributes candy to Iraqi schoolgirls during an Oct. civil affairs mission to the Sheik Tharee primary school in Abu Ghraib. Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne, 418th Intelligence Battalions organized a distribution of school supplies donated by schools in the American cities of Ocala, FL and Las Vagas, NV to over 500 primary school students at two local schools today in Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad. The donated supplies include pens, notepads, candy, pencils, chalk, sports equipment, and erasers. (Photo by Scott Nelson/Getty Images)


TIKRIT, IRAQ: In this image release Jan. 15 2005 by MNF-I, Major Frank DeCarlo from the 350th Tactical Psychological Operations Company, attached to the 1st Infantry division, hands out candy and coloring books to local Iraqi children in the town of Tikrit.


ABU GHRAIB, IRAQ - Oct. 9: A U.S. Army 82nd Airborne soldier delivers school supplies and candy to Iraqi schoolgirls (Photos by Scott Nelson/Getty Images)


A US Soldier gives candy to Iraqi children standing in line to buy gas canisters in Baghdad. (KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images)


SAMARRA, IRAQ: US Army Reservist Maj. Steve Sposito of Manahawkin, Long Beach, adorns his protective vest as he distributes supplies and candy to Iraqi children at a school close to the northern town of Samarra. (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)