Flag-flying donations warm American hearts, Afghan feet

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Michael Sheley
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  The excitement in the eyes of the Afghan children was mirrored on the faces of two American civilians as a truck carrying bags full of winter shoes backed into an orphanage courtyard recently. Donations received from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing’s flag-flying program ensured that more than 300 orphans living in nearby Charikar village will have warm shoes for winter.

Barry McKelvy, who runs the program, said the sight of orphans coming up one-by-one to receive their shoes warmed his heart. The airfield manager raised more than $300 in donations since September flying flags over the Bagram tower, the highest place here. The money from these donations is used to purchase items for children residing in three different orphanages.

Local interpreters who work here volunteer to purchase the items from local shops. The donated items are made in Afghanistan, which helps the local economy and ensures that 100 percent of the program's funds benefit the children.

When Mr. McKelvy took over the program to create souvenirs for friends and family in the United States, he said he never imagined that it would lead him "outside the wire" to local orphanages.

"All the kiddos are so cute, I wish I could take some of them home with me," said the retired Air Force noncommissioned officer.

Mili Suits, who works with Mr. McKelvy in airfield management and accompanied him on the orphanage visit, was born in Lima, Peru, but calls Manassas, Va. home. Her long black hair and lack of a burka immediately drew curious stares from the young children.

"These children remind me of the children back in Peru ... how poverty stricken people can be, but they still make it in life," she said. "It's nice to see children; their innocence is irreplaceable."

It was the first trip off the base for both of them. They are working here with the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program for a second year.

"We've been here over a year and this is our first chance to get outside the base and see how the local people are living," said Ms. Suits. "It reminds us why we are here, to help these people."

Next time, Mr. McKelvy said he plans to give the children toys.

"I want to give these children something they want instead of something they need," he said.