Medic collecting gifts for Iraqi children

"Soldier asks friends, family to send toys to be handed out
BY MICK WALSH - mwalsh@ledger-enquirer.com
Special to the Ledger-Enquirer

Spc. Diana Sokol takes vital signs of a soldier.Spc. Diana Sokol is first and foremost an Army medic. 'Goodwill ambassador' isn't part of her job description. But that's exactly what the Plano, Texas, native has become since she and the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, shipped out to Iraq. Oddly enough, before even stepping foot on Forward Operating Base Rustamayah, where a portion of the 2-69 is attached with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Sokol figured out what her secondary mission would be for her 15-month deployment. She's heard stories from soldiers who had been to Iraq that children would beg them for soccer balls, toys and other kids' items. She remembers seeing photos of Iraqi kids with virtually nothing but the clothes on their backs. She began her goodwill mission even before she left Fort Benning in March. Though it's difficult for her to personally pass out the gifts she's collected over the past five month because her duties as a medic keep her on the FOB, she makes sure others distribute the soccer balls and toys."


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