IRAQ: U.S. SOLDIERS VISIT AN IRAQI ORPHANAGE IN BAGHDAD TO DISTRIBUTE DONATED GIFTS

Record ID: 648451

  • Title: IRAQ: U.S. SOLDIERS VISIT AN IRAQI ORPHANAGE IN BAGHDAD TO DISTRIBUTE DONATED GIFTS
  • Date: 24th December 2003
  • Summary: (W5) SAINT HANNA CHURCH, BAGHDAD, IRAQ (DECEMBER 24, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. A U.S HUMVEE AND SOLDIERS STANDING NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO SAINT HANNA CHURCH 0.07 2. U.S. SOLDIER ASSISTING SERGEANT THEODORE KIMMITH AS HE PUTS ON A SANTA CLAUS COSTUME 0.17 3. SCU: U.S. SOLDIER HELPS KIMMITH PUT ON A SANTA CLAUS HAT 0.24 4. SOLDIERS PUTTING ON SANTA HATS 0.30 5. KIMMITH DRESSED AS SANTA CLAUS, STANDING NEAR HUMVEE / U.S SOLDIER CARRYING A GUN STANDING NEARBY 0.36 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SERGEANT THEODORE KIMMITH, DRESSED AS SANTA CLAUS, SAYING: "Santa Claus brings toys for children and wish them happy New Year and Merry Christmas." 0.51 7. KIMMITH AS SANTA CLAUS CARRYING GIFTS BAG (2 SHOTS) 1.03 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LIEUTENANT GEOFFREY GENNIX, (ALABAMA) SAYING: "What we are doing here is we are giving away presents here for Christmas Eve. It is a big event as it gives the girls at the orphanage a chance to celebrate this year." 1.18 9. CHILDREN AND U.S. SOLDIERS 1.27 10. ORPHANED GIRL POSING WITH U.S. SOLDIER AS THEY HAVE THEIR PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN (3 SHOTS) 1.44 11. U.S. SOLDIER HOLDING CHILD 1.55 12. VARIOUS: GIRLS IN THE ORPHANAGE SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS (4 SHOTS) 2.31 13. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic), BATOOL YOUSIF, AN ORPHAN, SAYING: "We hope that peace prevails. Our Father would be happy if we were happy." 2.48 14. KIMMITH AS SANTA CLAUS DISTRIBUTING TOYS AMONGST CHILDREN (3 SHOTS) 3.08 15. SCU: CHILD CARRYING A TOY 3.16 16. KIMMITH AS SANTA CLAUS, SURROUNDED BY CHILDREN; KIMMITH HOLDING GIRLS; GIRLS UNWRAPPING PRESENTS (3 SHOTS) 3.40 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 8th January 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA82DIFDP83CKFBDRXI4YUDGWZ5
  • Story Text: U.S. soldiers from the 422 Civil Affairs Battalion
    and the 1st Armoured Division Artillery visit an Iraqi
    orphanage to distribute donated gifts.


    With no sledge or reindeers available Santa Claus
    made his way to the orphanage of Saint Hanna in Baghdad on
    Wednesday (December 24), in a U.S. military vehicle.

    On his arrival at the orphanage Sergeant Theodore
    Kimmith swiftly changed into a Santa Claus costume ready to
    deliver donated gifts to children in the orphanage for
    girls.

    "Santa Claus brings toys for the children and wishes
    them Happy New Year and Merry Christmas," said Kimmith
    wearing a white beard and dressed as Santa Claus.

    In the spirit of festive cheer another U.S soldier
    wearing reindeer horns preceded Kimmith before Santa Claus
    made his grand entrance into the orphanage, carrying a
    sackload of gifts.

    The visit to the orphanage is part of the activities
    arranged by U.S. troops in Iraq over the Christmas period
    and New Year.

    Taking part in the visit to the orphanage Lieutenant
    Geoffrey Gennix said, "It is a big event as it gives a
    chance for the girls and the orphanage to actually
    celebrate this year."
    Apart from receiving their gifts the young orphans
    took part in carol singing. Others posed for photographs
    with their American visitors.

    Smiling and wearing a Santa Claus hat orphan Batool
    Yousif said, "We hope that peace prevails. Our Father
    would be happy if we were happy".


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