Planting peace: California farmers help U.S. soldiers make a statement in Iraq

Issue Date: January 17, 2007

By Jim Morris

Soldiers received help from California farmers in an unusual effort to encourage peace in Iraq. Master Sgt. Patricia Marsano was among those who made the tree planting a reality.

In a country most often associated with violence and despair, U.S. soldiers and California growers have teamed up to plant the roots of peace.

Just before Christmas, U.S. soldiers at Camp Anaconda in northern Iraq planted 200 olive trees around their 15-square-mile base as a gesture they hope will symbolize a peaceful future for the region.

"The olive tree is a symbol of peace around the world, especially in the Middle East," said Joe Sabol, retired agriculture professor from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo who helped coordinate the tree donation. "When the soldiers told us they wanted to improve the looks and environment of their base and leave a very special gift for the Iraqi people, it seemed like something we could do easily."

Sabol represents California Rare Fruit Growers, which worked for four months to help facilitate the request.

Iraqi citizens also participated in the ceremony.

He was among a network of Californians involved. Burchell Nursery in Oakdale provided the trees at half-price, with company President Tom Burchell packing the trees himself, complete with stakes, cardboard sleeves and planting instructions. FedEx agreed to cast aside the $2,000 shipping bill. The trees' 8,000-mile journey went from Ontario to Memphis, then to Paris and Dubai, before finally making it to Balad, Iraq.

Sabol said the project request and much of the details came from Master Sgt. Patricia Marsano of the 164th Corps Support Group, whose enthusiasm and thorough communication skills yielded positive results.

The planting ceremony was spearheaded by the Army Reserve unit and was attended by two U.S. Army colonels and three Iraqi citizens who work on the base.

"It's a small contract for friends," said Maithan Saeed, Iraqi citizen and translator on the base.

Olives are revered in Iraq, not only as part of the Muslim faith, but for practical reasons. Oil of the fruit is used for cooking, medicine, cosmetics and lamp oil, while the timber is also utilized. Those who gathered for the tree planting said they hope it bears abundant fruit, both real and symbolic.

"It represents the very essence of why we serve, and ultimately represents the hope for this nation and for the peaceful existence of all the people of Iraq," said Col. Megan P. Tatu, commander of the 164th.

Sabol said he hoped similar tree donations would occur in the future.

"If other bases on Iraqi soil or maybe even around the world could look at their own military base and say, ?What could we do to make this place a little more attractive and peaceful?', I think this might be the beginning of something a lot bigger than we first imagined," he said.

(Jim Morris is a reporter for Ag Alert. He may be contacted at jmorris@cfbf.com.)

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item. Top