Iraqi troops donate to Calif. fire victims - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Iraqi troops donate to Calif. fire victims

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military says a group of Iraqi soldiers has donated $500 to help California wildfire victims.

Iraqi Col. Abbas Fadhil at the Besmaya range complex south of Baghdad says his troops want to send a message to the American people with the donation that “we are a family.”

A handful of wildfires raged through Southern California earlier this month. The blazes damaged or destroyed about 1,000 homes.

The military says it’s the fourth donation sent by the Iraqis to Americans hit by tragedy. Thursday’s statement says they also raised $1,500 for victims of hurricanes Gustav and Ike and donated $500 to the National Sept. 11 Memorial.