Sergeant Rescues Iraqi Children

The two billboards of Sergeant James J Reinhardt were created from a photo after rescuing small Iraqi children. The expression on his little boy's face already tells so much of the story. Reinhardt also sends the message thanking blue star families knowing the important role they have during deployments. His wife helped send winter coats, bikes and other needed items to the Iraqi children. Blue star families support their loved ones while deployed, and take care of family, household and business responsibilities.

Sergeant Reinhardt entered the United States Marine Corps June of 1987 and went to boot camp in San Diego. He became the first M1A1 tanker in the U.S.M.C. and deployed to Saudi Arabia, Desert Storm, with the 2 nd Marine Division. Upon returning he was discharged from active duty due to an excess of N.C.O.'s where he joined U.S.M.C.R. (Marine reserves) to serve for three years on the towed 155 artillery out of Waterloo, I.A. He then served as a first medic, a truck driver and driving instructor, and then a weapons specialist for I.A.N.G (Iowa National Guard) for another three years.

Sergeant Reinhardt enlisted in the S.D.N.G in 2004 as an M.L.R.S rocket guided specialist (multiple launch rocket system). Within six months he was sent to the Mob Station at Fort Dix, N.J. and deployed to Iraq as an M.P. where he trained the Iraqi Police. Reinhardt engaged in terrorist and patrolled areas looking for enemy fire point-of-origin.

One day when Sergeant Reinhardt was working from one of the Iraqi Criminal Investigations Departments at the Iraqi police station, and he saw small Iraqi children being beaten and extremely abused. He knew their parent were not around. Reinhardt is a father of three kids of his own along with two step-kids ,and had to take action. With his fatherly instincts and 6' 4” stature, Reinhardt put himself in the middle of the squabble and saved these young kids. One special little guy bonded immediately to the Sergeant and fell asleep all night in this Reinhardt's arms. After Reinhardt found this boy's parents, he received recognition and honors from his Iraqi father.

Whenever the Sergeant was assigned to work in the area of his little friends, one particular little guy would hide in his shadow for protection. The day the Sergeant left Iraq in October of 2006 was a very sad time for the children and their American guardian.

Sergeant Reinhardt is scheduled to deploy to Iraq again within the year. Reinhardt states, “I hope to find out that my little buddies are doing ok.”