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thedrifter
04-10-08, 06:25 AM
Marine brings a taste of Iraq to local children
Program part of a promise
April 10, 2008 - 3:06AM
JEFF GOLDEN
THE DAILY NEWS

A promise to teach his son's third-grade class about life in Iraq has led one Marine Corps major on a whirlwind tour of Jacksonville area libraries.

The main branch of Onslow County Public Library hosted a semi-circle of 25 children and a dozen adults Tuesday night in the first of three "A Taste of Iraq!" events scheduled in April. Marine Maj. Lee Suttee had been sending his son's class pictures of Iraqi culture and items while overseas, and he decided to teach the class about life in Iraq firsthand when he returned.

He served most recently in the city of Ramadi, the capital city of the Al Anbar province in central Iraq.

"We didn't see the whole story in the American press," Suttee said. "My passion is telling the true story."

That passion led Suttee to show the presentation to children while on vacation in his native Oklahoma. He signed on for three more in the Jacksonville, Richlands and Swansboro libraries.

Suttee began the hour-long session with a PowerPoint presentation consisting purely of pictures. Each picture was about an aspect of life in Ramadi, and Suttee relayed to the children exactly what it was they were looking at - and more importantly, what it meant. The topics covered were Iraq's geographical location, culture, religion, government, housing, the treatment of women, recreation, markets and food.

After the speech, Suttee presented a variety of items that he had brought home with him. The children gasped and smiled as they were shown Iraqi currency, Arabic prayer beads, a handmade vibrant tapestry, a newspaper, a foreign Pepsi bottle and a shmagh - traditional Arab headwear. William Cheshire, 9, tried the shmagh on in front of the group.

"It felt kind of silly," William said.

But William also said he enjoyed the informational event.

"I learned all kinds of stuff about Iraq, like the culture and food," he said before dashing off to try another piece of flatbread.

Flatbread - as well as the pastry baklava - was served after the presentation while the children and their equally curious parents asked Suttee questions. The flatbread was the favorite and was devoured quickly. The baklava soon followed.

Suttee will present "A Taste of Iraq!" tonight at the Swansboro Branch Library and on April 22 at the Richlands Branch Library. Both programs start at 6:30 p.m.

Ellie